Music Matters
The Harmonic Surprises of Mozart - Composer Insights
How to write counterpoint from a chord scheme. If you are working with a progression of chords and want to learn how to write contrapuntally around that harmonic scheme then this is the video for you. If you are analysing contrapuntal...
Music Matters
The Rules of Harmony and Some Things to Avoid - Keyboard Harmony
These rules will get you writing better harmony. Avoiding these common mistakes, although not absolutely necessary, will often help your keyboard harmony flow much better than before. In this video, we work through some of the ‘rules of...
Music Matters
How to Modulate - Music Theory
Learn how to easily modulate using something known as a pivot chord. Do you struggle to modulate from one key to another? Then this is for you. Lots of people can write or improvise music but get stuck in one key. Changing key, or...
Music Matters
The Best Chords to Follow Chord II (in Major Keys) - Music Composition
Are you struggling to get started in writing a chord progression? If you want to use chord II 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
The Difference Between 3:4 and 6:8 Time Signatures - Music Theory
We investigate the difference music in 3/4 and 6/8. Is there a difference between the two time signatures? Mathematically it appears that 3/4 and 3/8 are two very different time signatures. Musically they are closer to each other than...
Music Matters
Note Reading Puzzles - Music Theory
Can you spell out the words hidden in these music note puzzles? How would you like to improve your note reading skills? This music theory lesson presents a small groups of notes that spell out words. Get better at reading notes on the...
Music Matters
Auxiliary Notes (Non-Harmonic Tones) - Music Theory
Learn how auxiliary notes and escape tones work, a useful melodic device you can use to improve your melody writing. Melody notes usually work best when they belong to the prevailing chord. However, by only using notes that belong to the...
Music Matters
Improvising Melodies over Harmony - Keyboard Harmony
Starting with a set of chords and finding a melody to fit them on the piano. Building keyboard harmony skills with improvisation but also keeping some of the rules of harmony and melodic techniques in mind. Most people engaged in...
Music Matters
Original Music Matters Theme - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano we introduce the original Music Matters theme. Over the course of this series, we're going to take the music matters theme and arrange it into different styles, discussing music composition...
Music Matters
Strategies for Dealing with Composers Block - Music Composition
Composer’s block strikes most writers at some point. Sometimes the block is temporary and at other points it can be a more extended barrier. This music composition lesson explores the topic and suggests strategies for dealing with it,...
Music Matters
A Simple Guide to Modes - Music Theory
A simple guide to musical modes. Most musicians know about major and minor scales and keys. One thing that Jazz musicians and those interested in music from pre-1600 have in common is that they both know about modes. Modes existed before...
Music Matters
Reading Notes in the Tenor Clef - Music Theory
How good are you at reading notes in the tenor clef? You may play an instrument that never needs to use the tenor clef but you might want to grasp the essentials of reading notes in the tenor clef. You might play with other...
Music Matters
Playing from a Lead Sheet - Music Performance
What does a lead sheet look like and how do you play from one? This music performance lesson takes you through the first eight bars of a famous Standard, “Lullaby of Birdland”, explaining how a lead sheet works, unpacking how to read the...
Music Matters
Harmonising a Bach Chorale - Writing Four Part Harmony
How to harmonise a Chorale in the style of JS Bach.If you want to improve your harmony skills or learn how to harmonise a Chorale melody in the style of Bach this video is for you. This video takes you through a Chorale harmonisation...
Music Matters
Calypso Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Calypso style. If nothing else it will bring cheer to your day! The distinctive Calypso rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he...
Music Matters
Identifying Inessential Notes - Music Composition
Music Matters demonstrates Identifying Inessential Notes
Music Matters
The Easy Method to Work Out Intervals - Music Theory
Discover an easy method to work out and accurately identify intervals using this simple interval chart. In music, an interval is a measured distance between two notes. When the notes sound at the same time it is called a harmonic...
Music Matters
Why Practice With a Metronome? - Music Performance
Why should you be practising with a metronome? Good rhythm and tempo are essential for all musicians. Find out how the metronome can help you practice. In this music performance lesson we consider the value of using a metronome....
Music Matters
Rumba Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Rumba style. The distinctive Rumba rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he has arranged the melodic design to fit the Rumba...
Music Matters
Composing Using the Whole Tone Scale - Music Composition
Showing you how to begin a composition using the whole tone scale. The two transpositions of the whole tone scale are explained and consideration is given to how the scale can be used as the basis for melodic and harmonic construction....
Music Matters
Writing Better Harmony - Music Composition
How to write better harmony and chord progressions. This music composition lesson begins with what is often a typical working of a four-part harmony exercise, which doesn’t sound bad but doesn’t sound good. We explore what works and what...
Music Matters
Writing a Melody Over a Chord Progression - Music Composition
How to compose and develop melody over a set of chords. Are you someone who can come up with a chord progression but you’re not quite sure how to improvise or write a melody to go with it? In this music composition lesson, we take a...
Music Matters
The Interrupted Cadence - Music Theory
Learn all about the interrupted cadence, also known as the deceptive cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Would you like to write an interrupted cadence? Would you like to be able to hear interrupted cadences? Cadences...
Music Matters
Reading Treble Clef Ledger Lines - Music Theory
How well do you know your treble clef ledger lines above and below the stave? You may be fairly new to reading music or you may have been a musician for years but many musicians get caught out when it comes to reading notes on ledger...