Music Matters
Schumanns Simple Musical Structures Composer Insights
Music analysis and exploration of the simple structure of the first movement of Schumann’s kinderszenen. Having explained how the external structure works, the internal phrase structure is unpacked. We then go on to examine how the...
Music Matters
Composing a Two-Part Invention - Music Composition
Learn how to compose a two-part invention and deal with counterpoint and contrapuntal writing. This music composition lesson demonstrates how to add a second part to a given part in order to create an example of a two-part invention. The...
Music Matters
The Best Chords to Follow Chord V (in Minor Keys) - Music Composition
Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord V what are the best options for chords to follow? This music composition lesson gives you plenty of options for chords that progress well from...
Music Matters
Modulating to Closely Related Keys (Major Key Modulation Chart) - Music Composition
Each key has five closely related keys to which we can modulate. This music composition lesson explains how to find those neighbouring keys and the purpose and use of pivot chords, before showing all the options for using pivot chords in...
Music Matters
Serialism & Serial Music Explained - Music Theory
Serialism and Serial Music explained, with an insight into serialism composition rules and techniques. Always wanted to understand Serialism or Twelve note tone rows? All evolved by the composers of the Second Viennese School, led by...
Music Matters
What is a Motif in Music? - Music Theory
Learn all about the motif, what they are, famous examples and how to write your own. One way in which music is written is for it to be based on a motif or combination of motifs. So what is a motif and how would a composer work with a...
Music Matters
Which Chord Comes Next? (Minor Chord Progression Chart) - Music Composition
How do you know which chord you could use next? We share our very own minor chord progression chart that will help get you started in figuring out which chord comes next. Musicians often wonder which is the best way to progress from one...
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How Does a Pedal Point Work? - Music Theory
A pedal point or pedal note is a musical device that is used to build harmonic tension within a piece of music. A pedal point is usually the dominant note (the 5th degree of the scale), either sustained for a period of time or repeated...
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Composing from a Chord Progression - Music Composition
Composing music in different styles using the same chord progression. Have you ever experienced the frustration of finding a sequence of chords you really like the sound of but have been unsure about how to compose a melody to fit those...
Music Matters
William Byrd and the Breakdown of Modality - Composer Insights
A look the breakdown of modality in “Ecce Advenit” by William Byrd. The typical features of the late Renaissance style are illustrated, including the linear construction and use of counterpoint. The video then proceeds to explore how the...
Music Matters
Double Modulation - Inside the Mind of Bach
A masterclass in modulation achieved by studying one of Bach's Chorales. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented and unaccented passing notes, plus other features of the Bach Chorale style....
Music Matters
What is a Tritone Substitution? - Music Theory
What is a Tritone Substitution? How do you work out a tritone substitution? How do you use one?The tritone is defined and it’s use within a Dominant 7th chord is explored. The inversion of the tritone is demonstrated as a means of...
Music Matters
Simple Soloing using the Pentatonic Scale - Music Performance
Never been quite sure what the pentatonic scale is? Know what the pentatonic scale is but not sure how to use it? Want to improvise or compose a really effective piece without having to know much about theory or chords? Get creative with...
Music Matters
How Chord Inversions Work - Music Theory
Learn how chord inversions work, what they are, how and when to use them, and how to label them. This music theory lesson includes U.K. and U.S. terminology to describe inversion chords and you will learn how to use all the diatonic...
Music Matters
Generating Rhythmic Movement and Embellishment - Inside the Mind of Bach
A look at a Bach chorale where the embellishments work in conjunction to create rhythmic movement within the piece. We examine the choice of harmony, the part writing, dealing with harmonic and melodic minor, plus other features of the...
Music Matters
Horizontal and Vertical Sight Reading
Learning to sight read advanced piano music involves improving your skills in both horizontal and vertical sight reading. Some keyboard players tend to read individual lines from left to right on the score. This is useful for absorbing...
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How to Compose a Melody from a Chord Scheme - Music Composition
Learn how to write a melody over a chord progression. Have you got a great set of chords that need a melody to fit with them? In this music composition lesson we learn how to compose or improvise a melody that fits with a given chord...
Music Matters
Creating Melodies from Chord Progressions - Music Composition
Learn how to create melodies from chord progressions. We start with a set of chords in four-part harmony and find notes which fit the progression before going on to add melodic variation and input some non-harmonic tones. This music...
Music Matters
Common Notes Between Chords - Inside the Mind of Bach
How does Bach create stability when writing harmony? Let's find out as we take a deeper look into a fantastic chorale harmonization and examine the choice of harmony, chromatic chords, secondary dominants, borrowed chords. and...
Music Matters
Reading and Understanding Intervals - How to Read Music
How to work out intervals and develop the ability to hear and pitch them. Many people struggle to pitch notes accurately from a score, whether you’re a singer or someone needing to sight sing in an instrumental exam. In this video you'll...
Music Matters
The Best Chords to Follow Chord V (in Major Keys) - Music Composition
Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord V what are the best options for chords to follow? This music composition lesson gives you plenty of options for chords that progress well from...
Music Matters
Using a Common Note in Harmony - Music Composition
How to convert a less than satisfactory passage of harmony into a passage that works much better. In particular, there is a focus on how to use common notes (common tones) to maintain stability in the part writing when moving from one...
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The Best Chords to Follow Chord One - Music Composition
Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? When you're writing a chord progression it often makes sense to start with chord one but which chords could you use next? This music composition lesson gives you thirteen...
Music Matters
3 Ways to Modulate from the Same Opening - Music Composition
This music composition lesson takes an opening bar and demonstrates how to modulate into three different closely related keys. The opening bar is used as a departure point for modulations to the dominant, the subdominant and the relative...