Music Matters
How to Resolve a Diminished 7th Chord - Music Composition
This music composition lesson explains the issues involved in resolving a Diminished 7th chord. After explanation about constructing a Diminished 7th, about key referencing it, and about inversions of the chord, the video explores the...
Music Matters
Which Key is this Piece of Music in? - Music Theory
Just by looking at a melody can you work out which key it is in? How can you tell just by looking at the notes which key a melody is in, especially when there is no key signature? Even if you can work it out how do you know if it’s in a...
Music Matters
The Whole Tone Scale - Music Theory
How to build a whole tone scale and exploring some of its uses. Most musicians are familiar with major and minor scales but what about other scales? The whole tone scale was much used by Debussy and other composers, and it generates a...
Music Matters
Modulation by Semitone Shift - Music Theory
Learn how to modulate by semitone shift, sometimes known as the truck driver's gear change modulation, this technique is often used in pop music and musicals where the piece shifts up by a semitone towards the end of the song. By...
Music Matters
Musical Note Names in the USA and UK - Music Theory
There are two conventions used across the world for naming the rhythmic values of notes. This music theory lesson explains the two systems used either side of the pond. In both systems there is an element of logic that helps to grasp how...
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Swing Rhythm Explained - Music Theory
What is swing rhythm? Some people find playing swing rhythm a little tricky. In this music theory lesson, we explain what swing rhythm sounds like, how to play swing rhythm and how to count swing rhythm. Swing rhythms appear in jazz and...
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Balancing Textures in Music - Music Performance
How to bring musical refinement to your playing and composing by balancing textures. When we are performing, balancing textures well can add an extra dimension to our playing or singing. Performers who fail to consider the balancing of...
Music Matters
Whitney Houston's Harmonic Warmth - Composer Insights
“Saving all my love for you”, made famous by Whitney Houston when she released her cover of the single in 1985. The harmony forms the focus of this composer insights lesson, with the use of extended chords and slash chords fully...
Music Matters
Three-Part Counterpoint - Music Composition
Learn how to write three-part counterpoint. This music composition lesson presents a short musical idea and demonstrates how to evolve it into an extended passage of three part counterpoint. The characteristics of the initial idea are...
Music Matters
What is a Hemiola? - Music Theory
Learn what hemiola is all about. In this music theory lesson, we explain how the hemiola works and listen to what it sounds like. A hemiola is a rhythmic device that will make any music in triple time sound more interesting. Hemiola can...
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How to Remember Which Notes Stringed Instruments Are Tuned to - Music Theory
We introduce you to Reckless Eric. Who is Reckless Eric? He’s the guy who helps you remember to which notes stringed instruments are tuned. Do you ever have trouble remembering which notes the strings are tuned to on the guitar, the bass...
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Methods for Memorizing Music - Music Performance
Many musicians have tried everything in their powers to memorize music but feel very frustrated when the task cannot be mastered. Even though most musicians don’t actually need to memorize music, some do and there are benefits for all in...
Music Matters
Hearing Rhythms & Rhythmic Dictation - Aural Dictation
Learn rhythmic dictation and improve your ear. How often do you hear a rhythm in your head but you’re not sure what that rhythm is or how to write it down? How often do you look at a rhythm in a score but you’re not sure how to play it...
Music Matters
Classical Voice Types - Music Theory
Classical voice types and vocal categories. This music theory lesson explains the various voice parts and clarifies vocal ranges. In the standard four-part choir we expect to find Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses. The Tenors generally...
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Debussys Use of the Whole Tone Scale Composer Insights
How Debussy makes use of the whole tone scale to achieve his signature evocative sound. We look through his Piano Prelude “Voiles”. The use of low dynamics, slow tempo and plenty of rhythmic space are just three of the ingredients...
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Having Fun with 12 Bar Blues - Music Theory
Having fun with the 12 bar blues. This music theory lesson explains how the 12 bar blues pattern works and how you can have hours of fun with 12 bar blues. We look at the basic chord scheme, how the 12 bar blues is constructed and then...
Music Matters
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Harmonized in 4 Different Styles - Music Composition
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star harmonized in four different styles, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century. In the first style the melody is presented as a Cantus Firmus in Baroque style with two lower parts added below using Baroque...
Music Matters
The History of Musical Pitch - Music History
The history of musical pitch. Many of us assume that musical pitch has always been gauged at the same level but this is not the case. Concert pitch is the pitch reference to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a...
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The Imperfect Cadence - Music Theory
Learn all about the imperfect cadence, also known as the half cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Want to know about cadences? Want to know about the imperfect cadence in particular? Want to be able to write an imperfect...
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How Chopin Creates Emotion in his Music - Composer Insights
How does Chopin create and express emotion in his music? We delve into the mind of the composer and explore Chopin’s Nocturne in G minor, explaining how Chopin delivers emotional impact through his approach to harmony, melodic...
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Choral Music Notation - Music Theory
How are the voice parts written in a score of a piece for Choir and accompaniment? Using an example by Rossini this music theory lesson shows you why it’s necessary to write the vocal parts in open score and how it deals with word...
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Effective Practice - How and What to Practice on Your Instrument
How and what to practice on your instrument and how to make your practice time the most effective. Learning how to practice effectively is an absolute must for those who want to make the fastest progress. We discuss how much time you...
Music Matters
Reading and Identifying Notes in the Treble Clef - How to Read Music
How to read and identify the pitch of the notes in the treble clef. Some people rely on reading the patterns of notes ascending or descending and on reading notes that are next to each other or leaping.This video explains how to read the...
Music Matters
How to Write Syncopated Rhythms - Music Composition
How to write syncopated rhythms. Syncopated rhythms add a great deal of interest and character to a piece of music but when should we write them and how do we write them. This music composition lesson shows two very different musical...