Music Matters
Extended Chords Made Clear - Music Theory
Always wondered what we mean by the term extended chords? Want to use extended chords but not sure how to? Are you a composer who can use chords but want your chords to be more interesting and more colourful? Want to be able to use...
Music Matters
Making Music with 7th Chord Chains - Music Composition
Making music with 7th chord chains and advanced chord progressions in any style, from baroque to cocktail piano. The chain of 7ths has been used by composers since the Baroque period as a means of providing a rich sequence of 7th chords...
Music Matters
Can You Work Out the Time Signature of these Rhythms? - Music Theory
Can you work out the time signature of these rhythms? This music theory lesson presents a quiz to help you sharpen your skills. A number of different rhythms are presented and by looking at the numerical value of each bar and at the...
Music Matters
The Difference Between 2/4 and 4/4 Time Signatures - Music Theory
What is the difference between 2/4 and 4/4 time signatures? On the face of it, there may appear to be little difference between music in 2/4 time or music in 4/4 time. Often it is possible to count 2 or 4 beats to the same piece of...
Music Matters
How to Build Diminished and Augmented Chords - Music Theory
Learn how to build diminished and augmented chords. This music theory lessons show you how to start with major triad and modify it into an augmented or diminished triad, before showing an alternative method of calculation by counting...
Music Matters
Spot the Music Notation Mistakes - Music Theory
We explore an extract of music that contains some mistakes with its notation, can you spot them all? This music theory lesson explores some of the most common errors when it comes to notating notes, rhythms, time signatures and other...
Music Matters
A Beginner's Guide to Four-Part Harmony - Music Theory
Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use...
Music Matters
What is a Secondary Dominant? - Music Theory
Find out what makes a secondary dominant and how best to use them. A secondary dominant is a way of adding a touch of harmonic colour to a piece of music. It occurs when a V-l progression occurs in a key other than the prevailing key....
Music Matters
How Well Do You Know Your Intervals? - Music Theory
How well do you know your intervals? Interval recognition is a core skill in for any musician with questions like these often appear in music theory exams. In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate...
The Art Assignment
Find Your Band Highlights | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios
This week Sarah shares some of the excellent responses to Bang on a Can's assignment to Find Your Band.
Music Matters
Can You Name the Interval? - Music Theory
Can you name these intervals? In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate you are at identifying intervals. Do you know your major intervals from your minor intervals or your augmented intervals from...
Music Matters
Orchestration & Writing for Brass - The Trumpet
All you need to know in order to begin composing for the trumpet. This orchestration video explores the Trumpet as a solo instrument and in the context of playing as part of an ensemble of Trumpets or wider Brass, and explains the rather...
Music Matters
Decorating Straightforward Harmony - Inside the Mind of Bach
Find out how Bach goes about decorating a straightforward chord progression and use multiple harmonic devices to create a really moving piece of music. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of...
Music Matters
What is a Cadential 6-4? - Music Theory
What is a cadential 6-4? What does it sound like? How does it function? What do we mean by “cadential” and 6-4? This music theory lesson explains the cadential 6-4 and answers all those questions. The melodic, as well as the harmonic...
Music Matters
Intervals Quiz - Music Theory
How good is your ability to work out the interval between two notes? In this music theory lesson we practice working out intervals. Do you know your Major intervals from your Minor intervals or your Augmented intervals from your...
Music Matters
Consecutive Fifths and Consecutive Octaves - Music Theory
Consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves. This music theory lesson presents a short passage of four-part harmony that is filled with consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves (also known as parallel fifths and parallel octaves)....
Music Matters
Transposing a Melody into Another Key - Music Theory
How to transpose a melody from one key to another. Suitable for students preparing for Grade 5 theory exams. Are you confused about transposition? Do you need to transpose some music by playing or writing out music in a different key? Do...
Music Matters
Passing Notes (Non-Harmonic Tones) - Music Theory
What are passing notes? Find out how they work and how best to use them. Melodic notes must either belong to the prevailing chord or should be inessential notes. The most common inessential note is the passing note, which moves by step....
Music Matters
How to Play Ornaments on the Piano - Music Performance
How to play ornaments on the piano. We take a melody and fill it with the most commonly used ornaments, explaining what all the different signs for musical ornaments are and how each should be played. The lesson covers the Trill, the...
Music Matters
Enharmonic Equivalents - Music Theory
What is Enharmonic equivalent in music? Why is the same note sometimes called A# and sometimes Bb? Why is F sometimes known as E#? Why do we have double sharps and double flats? This music theory lesson explains the matter of...
Music Matters
How Elgar Evokes a Musical Picture of Love - Composer Insights
This composer insights lesson shows how Elgar creates a picture of innocent and passionate love at this significant moment in his life and explores the opening of Elgar’s “Salut d’Amour”, written as his engagement gift to his intended...
Music Matters
The Picardy Third (Tierce de Picardie) - Music Composition
Learn all about the Picardy Third and Picardy Cadence, otherwise known as the Tierce de Picarde. The Tierce da Picardie is a musical device often used by composers to provide an optimistic finish to a piece in a minor key. The Tierce da...
Music Matters
Piano Accompaniment Styles - Music Performance
Always wanted to compose or improvise a professional accompaniment to a melody on the piano? In this music performance lesson we consider not only how to fit chords to a melody but also how to come up with a really effective...
Music Matters
Is this the Greatest English Work of the 17th Century? - Composer Insights
The famous Dido’s Lament from ‘Dido and Aeneas’ by Henry Purcell. Features of Purcell’s style are unpacked and the word painting & emotional life of the music are explored. A Ground Bass is repeated 11 times, while the melodic line and...