Music Matters
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...
Odd Quartet
How Style and Instrumentation Affect Chord Progressions
Today we will look at a chord progression, but we will look at it in two different ways. First, as an 18th century piano composition. Then, as a 1950s American dance music. The trick is that we will use the same chord progression for...
Music Matters
Chord Identification - Music Theory
Chord identification on the piano and how to tell the difference between major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords. In this music theory lesson all is explained. Within any major key there is found a mixture of major, minor, and...
History Hit
The Battle For North America: French natural and man-made defences
What was significant about Quebecs location? Was there a way to approach it? What were the man-made defences? Who was the French General in charge? Why did he not like Quebec? Why did he take the job of being a General? The Battle For...
Music Matters
What are Messiaens Modes of Limited Transposition: Music Theory
Learn about the 7 modes of limited transposition used by Olivier Messiaen in his music. The difference between these and more common modes is explained, along with an explanation of how each mode has a particular number of possible...
Two Minute Music Theory
Why Eric Whitacre's Clusterchords Work
Today we're looking at the 14-part clusterchord from Water Night by Eric Whitacre, how it is constructed, and how it all works - thanks to a good preparation of voicing and voice-leading.
Music Matters
Why the Notes E# B# Cb and Fb Really Do Exist - Music Theory
Yes, the notes E#, B#, Cb and Fb really do exist and it's important to know why. In this music theory lesson we explain the often confusing topic of enharmonic equivalents and why in music we sometimes have to call a note E# instead of...
Music Matters
How to Harmonize a Major Scale - Music Theory
Would you like to be able to harmonize a major scale? Improve your keyboard harmony and learn how to easily harmonize a major scale. Being able to harmonize a major scale gives you a good feel for the key - useful for players and...
Music Matters
Romantic Waltz Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano we take the Music Matters theme and present it as a Waltz in Romantic style. The Music Matters theme was originally written in 4 time. By converting it into 3 time with some rhythmic...
Music Matters
How to Easily Move from One Key to Another Using a Pivot Chord - Music Composition
Learn how to easily modulate from one key to another using a pivot chord. Some people can write a piece of music but experience difficulty when it comes to modulation i.e. moving from one key to another. This music composition lesson...
Rachel's English
Weddings! 2-Syllable Words Stress in American English
Study words stress in 2-syllable words at my friend's wedding. You'll learn how one syllable is always stressed, and the other unstressed.
Two Minute Music Theory
FAQ #3: Why Do We Have Transposing Instruments?
Transposing instruments are confusing and frustrating, and their very existence seems absurd. A few years ago, I made a video about how to deal with transposing instruments, but today we’re here to talk about why we have transposing...
Music Matters
Improve Your Harmony - Music Composition
Improve your harmony with advanced chords and learn how to write more dramatic chord progressions with this music composition tip. In this music composition lesson we analyse the harmony of the opening section of Bach’s C Minor Partita,...
Music Matters
How to Improve your Piano Accompaniments - Music Performance
How to improve your piano accompaniments. This music performance lesson explores how to bring piano accompaniments to life when you simply have a set of chords to read. When piano and other keyboard players read a melody from a lead...
Odd Quartet
Music Theory - Order Of Flats
This video looks at the order of flats BEADGCF - and how they're used in music.
Curated Video
Regrouping Objects: Trading Ones, Tens, and Hundreds
In this video, students are taught how to regroup numbers by trading ones, 10s, and hundreds. They learn about the base 10 number system and the place value of each digit. Using base 10 blocks as visual aids, they see how combining 10...
Catalyst University
Lachman's Test | Rationale & Interpretation
In this video, I explain and demonstrate Lachman's test, a special test used in the assessment of ACL injuries. More specifically, we will cover the procedure, interpretation of results, and its psychometric properties.
Music Matters
Decoding David Bowie's Harmonic Language - Composer Insights
Is There Life On Mars? A harmonic analysis of one of Bowie's best. We delve into the mind of the composer and explore what makes David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” such an original and iconic song. The main focus is on the harmonic content of...
Music Matters
Serial Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Serial style. Serialism is not to everyone’s taste but this video begins with an explanation of the Serial technique and how it has been...
Music Matters
How to Come Up With a Motif - Music Composition
How to come up with a motif. Motifs need a musical identity, which is created through melodic design, rhythmic character, and articulation. All the notes within the motif need to be either harmony notes or inessential notes. The process...
Odd Quartet
Music Theory - The Three Flavors Of Minor Music Scales
Why are there three different kinds of minor music scales, what do they sound like and how are they different from one another? I try to answer all of those questions in today's Music Theory Crash Course.
Music Matters
Identifying Double Major Thirds - Music Composition
What is doubling the major third? How do you know if its a major third? Can you double thirds? Why is doubling a major third bad? This music composition lesson explains one of the rules of writing four-part harmony, namely the advice to...
Two Minute Music Theory
Tritone Substitution vs Augmented 6 Chords - Q&A #3
Today's question is about the difference between the Tritone Substitution and the Augmented 6 Chord. Is there a difference? Are they the same thing? Will a fight break out in the comments section? Does the Australian Augmented 6 actually...
Two Minute Music Theory
Q&A #1 - Why Do We Need Double Sharps? - TWO MINUTE MUSIC THEORY
A question that comes up a lot: Why do we need double sharps and double flats? Where would we possibly use them? Also, does E# or B# exist? Where would we use that? Find out today on the first ever Two Minute Music Theory Q&A!