Monthly Archives: October 2008

What is Music Theory and Why Should I Learn it?

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Aside from the academic study of music theory, which explores the theories surrounding music issues, such as whether or not a piece of music fits into one category or another, music theory is really the nuts and bolts of music. It’s the way that music is composed, and performed. Whether you are thinking about musical harmony, the way a concerto is orchestrated, and even the simple basics of how to read music, then you’re thinking about aspects of musical theory.

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What is Musical Syncopation & How Does It Work?

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Syncopation is where the emphasis is on a note other than the one expected. It could be that there is an irregular pattern in the group perhaps as the result of a brief quaver length pause that should be where the emphasis falls. It could be that the music has been composed in a way that has dotted crotchets paired with quavers. There are many different reasons for creating the imbalance on the beat but usually it is done purposefully and to create a certain effect.

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Beginning Piano Lessons: How To Get Started Playing Piano (Watch short video)

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Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano but never had the opportunity. Perhaps you’re a parent with a child who has expressed interest in the piano. The question is: where do you begin? How to start depends on your age and your goals.

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Piano Playing: Wonderful & Nutricious Food For Your Brain

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Our population is aging. People are living longer lives, and they are constantly looking for brain food to keep their mental prowess in peak condition. One of the best ways to keep those hamsters running might be sitting in the corner of your living room gathering dust. That old piano of grandma’s has more than its share of brain teasers.

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What Piano Method Does Your Piano Teacher Use?

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Learning to play the piano is about more than learning the names of notes. Students and parents have a variety of different piano methods to choose from. All teach the basics of playing piano. The differences lie in their respective emphases and their suitability for particular age groups and learning styles. While there are many methods, here are a few of the most common.

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How To Form & Play Major Scales On The Piano Keyboard – Video

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Major scales are ladders of notes that lead from the root note up to the octave note. There are 8 notes in a major scale (7 different note names) and they are always arranged in this pattern:
Whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step.

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Reading Sheet Music AND Reading Chord Symbols – The Best of all Worlds! – Watch video

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The best of all worlds, however, is to be able to read music as it is written in a sheet music score, but also be able to read the chord symbols. Then the musician is free to choose which is best — the written part, or an improvised part. The sky is the limit for musicians who can do both.

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Piano Notes For Those Who Don’t Know Middle C From Tweedle Dee (video)

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Some time ago I was talking about the piano, and a friend said to me “I don’t know Middle C from Tweedle Dee.” It slowly dawned on me that there are thousands of people who didn’t grow up with a piano in their homes, so how in the world could they know where various piano notes are located?

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How To Use Pseudo-Modulation To Freshen A Song

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Pseudo-modulation is a little known technique that any pianist can use to brighten up a song. The idea is to apparently modulate to a new key, but really end up in the same key. Most non-musicians will never notice it consciously, but they will “feel” the lift it gives to the song. And musicians will likely say “How did you do that?”

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Fake Books, Lead Sheets, Chord Symbols — How They Work (video)

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When I was about 14 years old I bought my first fake book. They were illegal back then, but most professional musicians had them. I paid $50. for mine — under the counter from a music store owner. $50. then was something like $500. now, so for a teenager, it was a huge purchase.

But it paid for itself many times over as I used it for years learning song after song, and allowed

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