AllExperts > Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing 
Search      
Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing Questions · Question Library  · Free Encyclopedia ·
More Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
About Clare Redfarn
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
All aspects of the academic/theoretical side of music, including harmony, counterpoint, elementary composition, history, harmonic analysis, aural training, sightreading - the lot! Please note: I'm neither a professional composer (so I can't help with composition beyond what's required for Grade 8 theory or A'level) nor a singing teacher (so I can't answer questions about vocal technique or extending your vocal range). And don't ask me about psychoacoustics or music psychology as I have no knowledge of, or interest in, either subject.

Experience
50 years as pianist (professional soloist and accompanist); 35 years as harpsichordist (professional soloist and continuist); 10 years as violinist and 6 years as bassoonist (youth orchestras/chamber groups); 37 years as piano teacher, coach in performance/interpretation (all ages, instruments and levels) and private tutor (mainly the old O'level, Grade VI+ ABRSM theory/practical musicianship, A'level and undergraduates).

Organizations
I've been a member of the Musicians' Union in Britain since 1978.

Publications
I've written many programme notes and a few articles for an online magazine. During the '90s I was also a Music Assessor for London Arts and as such regularly wrote critiques of concerts given by recipients of Arts Council funding.

Education/Credentials
MA in European Cultural Policy & Administration (Warwick University, 1994)
B Mus with Honours (London University, 1977)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration (City University, 1982)
Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music in Piano Teaching (1976)
Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music in Harpsichord Teaching (1978)

Studied RAM Junior School (1966-74), then as full-time student (1974-78).

   

You are here:  Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musicians' Exchange > Musical Composition, Theory, Songwriting, and Singing

SubjectDate AskedExpert

how to start writing a song?11/25/2009Bill Pere
  Q: How do I start writing a song? I have been trained as a classical singer/pianist. But I am very ...
  A: Paula, Thank you for your question. I get this a lot from many people, so you're not alone. There ...
music theory query11/23/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Annette here. You mentioned that you had music students doing exams, I hope this is okay sending ...
  A: I'd write it in 4/4 rather than 2/4 so as we have a 4-bar (rather than an 8-bar) phrase. Of course, ...
music theory - making a rhythm pattern11/22/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Annette again! If I could ask for your input. This is rather a long one I might warn you. It is a ...
  A: We've hardly had any rain in London - just a couple of showers yesterday. The flooding's up in the ...
music theory - making a rhythm pattern11/18/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Annette again! If I could ask for your input. This is rather a long one I might warn you. It is a ...
  A: and thanks for being patient. You've got most of these right. If you're setting words to music, ...
Harmony in composition11/17/2009Dr Colin
  Q: I want to try to compose some short choral pieces - initially some suitable for a small church ...
  A: As you rightly suggest towards the end of your message, this could be a complete course! But since ...
Octave Creep11/17/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: My brother is an amateur trumpeter. I played him the opening notes of "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom ...
  A: I've never come across the term "octave creep", but I've listened to "Cherry Pink" on Youtube and ...
Time Signatures11/16/2009Dr Colin
  Q: Iam taking an introduction to music class and I've been asked to convert the song "Try to Remember" ...
  A: Well, I don't know why you have been asked to convert a 3/4 song into some other time signature, ...
Time Signatures11/16/2009Chuck
  Q: Iam taking an introduction to music class and I've been asked to convert the song "Try to Remember" ...
  A: Carlos: First of all, the IDEA of a professor GIVING you the assignment is for you to do the ...
ear monitors11/15/2009Penny Nichols
  Q: I have begun singing with a band and experienced feedback and other noises (finger/whistling at ...
  A: You are walking on broken glass my friend. First, go get your hearing checked to make sure there is ...
key transitions11/14/2009Phil Kelly
  Q: How do I transition smoothly from G minor to B flat, then from B flat to F? ANSWER: Hi Cheryl: ...
  A: Yes, a "broken chord" is also a form of an arpeggio. ( the term comes from the the Italian referring ...
harmonic analysis11/12/2009Dr Colin
  Q: Iam having a problem finding out where the modulation is in Weber's (1786-1826)Der Freischutz, Act ...
  A: I am afraid that I can rarely answer questions about individual classical works. This is because I ...
key transitions11/11/2009Phil Kelly
  Q: How do I transition smoothly from G minor to B flat, then from B flat to F?
  A: Modulation ( i.e. transition ) is accomplished by moving as smoothly as possible to the dominant ( V ...
compositional techniques11/10/2009Dr Colin
  Q: i am 14 and going to the hunter school of performing arts broadmedow and i just got a beethoven ...
  A: Many thanks for contacting me. The question you have been given seems a rather difficult one, for ...
questions on theory papers Grades 1-511/10/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Annette here again! How are you? Hope you are continuing being well? How is the leg? Grade 5 - ...
  A: Well, the good news is my foot's finally healed and I've now got to learn to walk again in support ...
developing stylishness11/8/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I compose average sounding r&b and pop, but keep giving up on songs because I'm not satified with ...
  A: I had a similar query from Adam - for some reason his reply hasn't been published yet so I'll repeat ...
developing stylishness11/8/2009Phil Kelly
  Q: I compose average sounding r&b and pop, but keep giving up on songs because I'm not satified with ...
  A: Unfortunately, the way you phrased your question makes it difficult to answer, becaause semantically ...
developing stylishness11/8/2009Chuck
  Q: I compose average sounding r&b and pop, but keep giving up on songs because I'm not satified with ...
  A: James: As I understand your desire to compose music that is good R & B or Pop, you wish to know ...
Counterpoint11/3/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I have a few questions: one how can I use counter point in a orchestral arrangement? two, what are ...
  A: and thanks for being patient. The counterpoint question is easy - if you've got one ...
questions on theory papers Grades 1-510/28/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: How did you like the marathon effort of the last correspondence? I seemed to be typing for ages, ...
  A: You seem to be spending every waking moment studying theory<g>! Addictive, isn't it? I'm sorry the ...
How can a young violinist find work?10/27/2009Steven L. Rosenhaus
  Q: My son has a master's degree in violin performance from a major conservatory. He has worked in ...
  A: First of all, I wish your son good luck in his endeavors. It sounds like he's doing much of what all ...
theory10/27/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: bass clef: 2 nd bar: G dotted crotchet (given) E crotchet /// 4 crotchets F D F F /// dotted ...
  A: Isabel, I wondered what had happened to you. You've still got a problem with minor keys. We're in ...
Writing Harmonies for Chords10/26/2009Phil Kelly
  Q: My question is very basic I am trying to get a better understanding on harmonies for chords. For ...
  A: You're already on the right track if you are studying theory, but you obviously haven't got as far ...
blouse10/25/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I DONT KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER ME, IM SURE YOU DO, YOUR DRIVER WHO LOST HER TROUSERS DRIVING YOU HOME ...
  A: When I turned up at the hospital for my next appointment they told me you weren't working there any ...
questions to theory papers Grades 1-510/22/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Hopefully giving you enough time to answer more questions without rushing you. I'll warn you ahead ...
  A: You'll find the correct order of sharps and flats in the alto and tenor clefs at the end of this ...
Arranging by hand10/21/2009Phil Kelly
  Q: my name is Alex Higgins and im 15 years old and I am a junior at monmouth high school in St. Louis, ...
  A: Well.. the method you describe is the one I used for close to 40 years ( as did most arrangers of my ...
questions to theory papers Grades 1-510/20/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Annette again wanting more help with my theory questions. You are being such a help, thank you. ...
  A: Well, under normal circumstances I work mainly as an accompanist so much of my work is seasonal - ...
ap music theory - Counter Point10/19/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: How do you write counter point on staff paper for the alto clef?
  A: and thanks for being patient. To be honest I don't know how to respond to your question because I ...
piano composition10/19/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: My nephew is a talented piano player. He has written many beautiful pieces but doesn't have the ...
  A: I have no idea - as I said, I've never needed to do it. At a guess, I'd say you link an electronic ...
staccato half note10/18/2009Dr Colin
  Q: Is it possible for a half note to be staccato? ANSWER: Hi Julie, In theory, yes, it is possible ...
  A: An accented eighth note would not be politically correct because it may well offend some religious ...
piano composition10/18/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: My nephew is a talented piano player. He has written many beautiful pieces but doesn't have the ...
  A: I ran a search for music notation software and came up with this website, which may help you. ...
selling my lyrics10/18/2009Bill Pere
  Q: I've written a few songs in the past few years (lyrics only) and have been asked by (a ...
  A: Zipi, Thanks for your questions – this is a very common area where songwriters are not sure what ...
Questions to the theory papers Grades 1-510/16/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Back to the paper Grade 2 - Paper 1 Question 7.4 I don't know if this is what you were referring; ...
  A: Grade 2 - yes, so the one-word answer they're looking for is "inversion". I gave you the answer at ...
Help on Program Notes10/14/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I'm 20 and doing my Trinity College Performer's Certificate in Piano this November and I do not have ...
  A: and thank you for being patient. Programme notes don't need to be long - I usually think in terms ...
more questions from the theory papers Grades 1-510/14/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Grade 3 - Paper 1 Question 3.1 key signature is incorrect. 'Andante' spelt incorrectly. I guessed ...
  A: I've only just replied to your last question - give me a chance <g>! Q3.1 - Andante misspelt; key ...
more questions from the theory papers Grades 1-510/14/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: More questions!! Am I to take it, just from something you said when I asked what it meant to ...
  A: Q3.1 - the metronome mark's the wrong way round (crotchet = 60 rather than 60 = crotchet); key ...
further questions to theory papers Grades 1-510/14/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Back again! Grade 3 - Paper 1 Question 1.3 Treble clef; time signature 2/2 - which rest is used to ...
  A: Oh, you're whizzing through these. You've got them all right. No need to type out the question, by ...
questions on theory papers you recommended to download and do in answer dated 6/10/0910/13/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: How are you? I have some questions relating to the theory papers you recommended that I download and ...
  A: All your Grade 1 answers are correct - an ostinato is a pattern that's repeated exactly. Grade 2 ...
Time Signature10/7/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: Hey There If I wanted to get rid of measures entirely (or use one big measure) in a piece, how ...
  A: Ernie, No, because the notes themselves indicate their relative values - if there are minims, ...
Songwriting/ Chord progressions10/6/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I'm Adam, I'm 14. I'm in a band that is yet to be formed properly. I can't write songs to save my ...
  A: Music is a language, and like a language it has rules - grammar and syntax. Western music has a ...
writing perfect cadences paino style in minor flat keys10/6/2009Clare Redfarn
  Q: I have been writing out the perfect cadences in all the major and minor keys - key signatures sharps ...
  A: Yep,spot on. Common note stands still, other notes rise. If you're in a minor key, don't forget to ...

Page:   1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10  |  Next      All


Questions by
Active Experts:
Doglas YeoGabrielBill Pere
Clare RedfarnD C DowDellDr Colin
ChuckPenny NicholsPhil Kelly
   

Email this page
     
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2006 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.