| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| vocal arrangement | 10/9/2008 |
Q: I'm searching everywhere for the definition of vocal arrangement & vocal production. I would like to ...
A: Now that I see the complete picture ( no pun intended ), I can see where you're going with this. ...
|
| vocal arrangement | 10/8/2008 |
Q: I'm searching everywhere for the definition of vocal arrangement & vocal production. I would like to ...
A: There are no set rules for any of these things because today the methods of collaboration are so ...
|
| transition chords | 9/20/2008 |
Q: I need a neat little transition from the key of F ("Come, Thous Almighty King" to B-flat ("Glorify ...
A: The easiest one is make your last chord in the first selection in F a DOMINANT SEVENTH ( Add an E ...
|
| orchestrator percentage | 9/13/2008 |
Q: A musical I wrote the music and lyrics for is being picked up by a small company in Washington, ...
A: Andrew: With these facts now known ( being paid as music director /conductor for the initial run ...
|
| orchestrator percentage | 9/12/2008 |
Q: A musical I wrote the music and lyrics for is being picked up by a small company in Washington, ...
A: I must admit this is the first time I've ever run into an "orchestrator" with an agent. Normally, ...
|
| Arrangement for Acoustic Guitar and Keyboard | 8/28/2008 |
Q: My son is an accomplished guitarist and has been asked to enter an Acoustic Arts Duo competition. ...
A: You didn't specify what type of guitarist your son is and what style of music he likes to write and ...
|
| Arrangements | 8/21/2008 |
Q: Kelly, I would like to know how to write interesting , modern arrangements to pop tunes from the ...
A: I assume you're recording your backing tracks on some computer based system ( like Digital Performer ...
|
| Composing career after retirement | 8/10/2008 |
Q: Life got in the way and after working in an unrelated field for 35 years I am ready to retire and do ...
A: As an "avocation" , I'd say you are looking at a totally different picture. As a little background, ...
|
| Composing career after retirement | 8/9/2008 |
Q: Life got in the way and after working in an unrelated field for 35 years I am ready to retire and do ...
A: I hate to comment on personal decisions like this, but I will ask you a few questions, state a few ...
|
| Chords | 8/2/2008 |
Q: I am writing a song that needs a swing 40's groove. A 1625 but substituted. It's about the almost ...
A: If you're using the basic "Rhythm" vamp as a basis for the A section: 1 MA6-9 VI 9b/ II mi7 V9b /1 ...
|
| Trying to compose a musical | 7/16/2008 |
Q: I'm a composer with a BA in music theory. Up to this point I've composed about 40-50 songs in ...
A: Your question is really too complex to answer in this venue, but I can give you a few tips. First ...
|
| arranging costs | 7/14/2008 |
Q: i'm a pianist with alot of experience; mainly as a player. but i'm always at a loss at to how much ...
A: As you might expect, there's no set arranging price. Even taking into consideration the complexity ...
|
| score-writing | 6/1/2008 |
Q: I am writing an orchestral piece. In writing the piece, would I need to have both the alto and the ...
A: Normally, the only clefs you'll be using are treble, bass, and for viola, alto clef. However, there ...
|
| Pitch | 4/13/2008 |
Q: I am a singer using an audio production software on a track. There is a a certain background pitch ...
A: first question : is the "audio production software" multi track? or are you working with a premixed ...
|
| a "personal theme song" rate | 4/8/2008 |
Q: I'm a staff composer for an online-based co. here in Chicago and a potential client came through ...
A: Since I assume your only labor is to provide a lead sheet for the live singer and accompanist at the ...
|
| Songwriting with the modes | 2/24/2008 |
Q: How do I go about writing a chord progression based on (for example) the Dorian mode? I can write ...
A: to write a melody in any modal setting, you need to reinforce as often as is feasible the ...
|
| Becoming Known | 1/31/2008 |
Q: I currently am fronting a band in a small town in LA, near New Orleans. What are some good ...
A: Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to this problem, other than finding ways to get as much ...
|
| basics | 12/14/2007 |
Q: I chose you because you said you'd "try" and answer the questions. Here goes. I'm older than dirt, ...
A: the best way is to get a good guitar teacher. however,if you're a 'hands on" guy, get yourself a ...
|
| Public Domain Songs | 12/11/2007 |
Q: Is it legal to change or revise the lyrics (or some of the lyrics) of a public domain song? This is ...
A: Good news: "public domain" means just that ..you can do anything you want with PD material you care ...
|
| Composing for a special event | 11/22/2007 |
Q: I'm having trouble finding any information about typical devices, instruments, styles etc... used in ...
A: I suggest you investigate the works of English composers like Sir William Walton and Sir Edward ...
|
| Music Theory and Composition | 10/8/2007 |
Q: In my free time i make hip hop beats tracks using a program called FL Studio (I don't know if your ...
A: It seems that most of your problems stem from needing more background in popular harmony and chord ...
|
| paino sonata | 9/20/2007 |
Q: what is the difference between piano sonata in f,k.280 and piano sonata in c,k.279; what is the ...
A: the difference between the PIANO sonatas is the Key: k279 is in C and K280 is in F. The K numbers ...
|
| my first one :-) | 9/14/2007 |
Q: there! I came across this site and a crazy thought came into my mind - that I could ask you to ...
A: no sweat ..your English is fine .. AHA! ..a TAIKO drum !!! now I know what you're looking for ...
|
| my first one :-) | 9/14/2007 |
Q: there! I came across this site and a crazy thought came into my mind - that I could ask you to ...
A: Don't get me wrong ..there was nothing really wrong with your "battle music" clip. It was fine for ...
|
| my first one :-) | 9/14/2007 |
Q: there! I came across this site and a crazy thought came into my mind - that I could ask you to ...
A: It's my policy not to make subjective critiques on this site, but in this case, I did give it a ...
|
| Arranging | 8/28/2007 |
Q: I'm kind of new to the music world, so I have no idea how arranging a song changes the final. Why ...
A: Arranging musically is the craft involved in taking the elements of the raw song ( melody, harmony ...
|
| Writing vocal arrangements? | 8/27/2007 |
Q: I was wondering if you know of any books out there that focus on writing vocal arrangements and ...
A: I think you sent this to the wrong guy ..I'm not Chuck. One of the best methods on the subject was ...
|
| Licensed Music on my Demo Reel | 8/26/2007 |
Q: Phil, I've used music from Yanni and David Arkenstone from CD's I bought a cut it with my ...
A: I'm not a lawyer, I'm a musician ..but: Technically, without getting written permission and / or ...
|
| Musical Arrangement | 8/24/2007 |
Q: I basically wrote a song by myself. One of the people in my band helped by playing it on his guitar ...
A: Actually, "arranging" is generally considered in the music business as a "fee for service" activity ...
|
| Different key signatures for a duet guitar-piano | 7/27/2007 |
Q: I have a score of a duet guitar-piano "Mazurka" Opus 40 composed by Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856). ...
A: I'm not familiar with the piece you cite, but the obvious common element is both key signatures ...
|
| Sight reading | 7/10/2007 |
Q: If the music has an accidental in the Treble does it automatically apply to the Bass and visa versa.
A: The generally accepted rule of accidentals is : An accidental only applies the the given note ...
|
| Keys | 6/25/2007 |
Q: First of all, thanks for the help you offer to all those who need it! Much appreciate it! My ...
A: Since a mode is basically a pitch set that exhibits certain characteristic steps that set it apart ...
|
| Keys | 6/24/2007 |
Q: First of all, thanks for the help you offer to all those who need it! Much appreciate it! My ...
A: The modal system as we know them are basically a differing order of whole and half steps than those ...
|
| Freelance Arranging | 6/11/2007 |
Q: I have been a freelance arranger for several years now. I mostly have gotten gigs by word of mouth ...
A: You're already doing pretty much what you can to get gigs. Word of Mouth and contacts are the bread ...
|
| music theory | 5/20/2007 |
Q: I am studying music theory at home and hope to reach grade 8 by the end of the year. I have two ...
A: Sorry to be so late in answering ..I was out of town. As to your first question, the "Melodic" ...
|
| Interesting musical flow | 5/4/2007 |
Q: I rarely see this topic even touched on in books on arranging, etc. After you learn about theory, ...
A: Jim : The closest things I can come up with that MAY answer some of your questions are: "The ...
|
| Interesting musical flow | 5/3/2007 |
Q: I rarely see this topic even touched on in books on arranging, etc. After you learn about theory, ...
A: Wow! what a question! The short answer is : no books specifically on what you're wondering about. ...
|
| Minor Scale Chords | 4/26/2007 |
Q: My question is about the minor scale. I wanted to know what chords make up a minor scale, because i ...
A: A similar categorization happens in the natural minor scale as well, except that the scale tone ...
|
| Horn sections for Blues and RandB. | 2/19/2007 |
Q: I am putting on a show for Cancer Benefit. I am using High School Kids for the horn section. Do ...
A: In this limited space, I can't give you an entire arranging class, but I'll try to give you a few ...
|
| notation | 2/9/2007 |
Q: I now understand what B sharp means, but I'm still having trouble fully understanding the use of the ...
A: I suggest you re-read my answer to this: >>>The accidentals in brackets are called "courtesy" ...
|
| notation | 2/9/2007 |
Q: I learned to play the piano as a child, but am only now (at age 19) starting to learn more advanced ...
A: First of all, theoretically , there IS a B# ( just as there's an E# ). They are enharmonically the ...
|
| music librarian pay | 2/4/2007 |
Q: Phil, Thanks for taking my question- I very much appreciate your help. I was recently offered a ...
A: Well: you've stumped me! This is the one musical position I know very little about and what ...
|
| Piano Sheet Music | 1/31/2007 |
Q: Perhaps you've experienced this same thing. You hear a great piano track and you desperately want to ...
A: Sorry for the delay .. I had a technical glitch on the 31st. Yes, there are people who can ...
|
| clarinet | 1/20/2007 |
Q: I am looking for a beginners clarinet (B flat) for my 13 year old daughter to learn to play on and ...
A: Not being a reed player, take my advice with a grain of salt ( and if you can, ask this question to ...
|
| one more question, sorry. | 1/15/2007 |
Q: In orchestral film scores where a choir is used (along the lines of Carmina Burana), is it mostly 4 ...
A: ) As far as I can tell, ( at least in Jerry Goldsmiths stuff ) it sounds mostly like standard SATB ...
|
| horror score cliches. | 1/15/2007 |
Q: I just wanted to know some of the staple extended techniques that are sort of "tricks of the trade" ...
A: Are you an aspiring film composer ( or possibly an actual working one?) Anyway, having done a few ...
|
| Musicals | 1/3/2007 |
Q: I dont know if this is quite your field or if you had any experience in this sector, but Ill try ...
A: First off, there are no standard "rules" other than that the songs basically help the plot along ...
|
| sonwriting credits | 12/15/2006 |
Q: I was just wandering about the qualifying factors to receive songwriting credit. For example, I ...
A: If you wrote the lyrics, MELODY, and chords by yourself, you technically wrote the song from my ...
|
| songwriting | 12/4/2006 |
Q: I am an aspiring songwriter and need to know the right thing to do: I sing in a gospel group and ...
A: You are all quite smart to get this "stuff" straight up front to avoid later disagreements. The ...
|
| Intervals | 12/1/2006 |
Q: I've rescently been studying intervals. I've looked at many different websites, but they all seem to ...
A: Learning intervals ( as you may have discovered ) is largely a matter of training your ear to ...
|
| Mozart and the letter K | 11/28/2006 |
Q: So then why would it not have the word Opus and what does opus mean, in music?Why do Mozart's ...
A: "Opus" means "work" .. (Merriam Webster ) Main Entry: opus Pronunciation: 'O-p&s Function: noun ...
|
| How to market original music | 10/29/2006 |
Q: My wife, Dee, composes music. Unfortunately, Dee does not read music. People who do (music ...
A: The usual method of peddling song material is to assemble a package containing the following: 1. A ...
|
| Arranger percentage for publishing | 10/23/2006 |
Q: percentage amount I should pay the transcriber. I am absorbing all costs of this project and hoped ...
A: By Transcribing , I assume you to mean rendering publishle copies ..NOT extracting the parts by ear ...
|
| how to pull emotions from chords | 9/23/2006 |
Q: answered where he stated "if you are writing chords and melodies to existing lyrics (your own or ...
A: There are several ways at a composers disposal to help the music work in tandem with the lyric to ...
|
| rewriting time signatures | 8/22/2006 |
Q: I’m currently trying to prepare my daughter for a music theory exam. We are currently having a ...
A: First off, I'll assume you know the basics: in a time signature, the BOTTOM even number specifies ...
|
| music management major | 8/13/2006 |
Q: I wanted to ask a few questions about music management, you seemed to have the most knowledge with ...
A: You've listed a large number of activities that in many cases require totally differing skills on ...
|
| Re-orchestration | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I am currently working on an arrangement of some Chopin- what are the legalities of ...
A: I think this would fall under the current definition of "public domain" and you should be able to do ...
|
| Careers involving composition | 7/20/2006 |
Q: I will be going to college next year year [2007] and am trying to get as much advice as I can on ...
A: Before I comment further, I'd like to point out this statement you made early on: " However, I ...
|
| vibrato | 7/18/2006 |
Q: I practice the clarinet quite a bit, and play with a full sound, and use an exaggerated ...
A: What you're describing is the sound preferred by early jazz players of New Orleans and players ...
|
| your favorite arpeggios | 7/4/2006 |
Q: Do you have one or two of your favoite arpeggios similar to this one.... key of C Left ...
A: Ralph: I have no "favorite" arpeggios, but you might try this one for a chromatically altered ...
|
| obtaining a rhythm instrument | 6/27/2006 |
Q: I play piano at various assistant living facilities. I would like to purchase a rhythym insstrument ...
A: I'm assuming you are interested in some sort of simple inexpensive drums machine with preprogrammed ...
|
| Asian Theory? | 6/27/2006 |
Q: What could you tell me about how asian theory, or music goes, or where to look? ~Josh
A: The first question might be: WHICH part of Asia ? There are many and varied musical traditions in ...
|
| writing vocal parts | 6/23/2006 |
Q: Where can I get information on writing vocal parts for songs, changing the key of songs, etc? I am ...
A: Have you checked with Word Publishing ? I know they offer CCM with both written parts and backing ...
|
| String Compostion | 6/17/2006 |
Q: I just want to thank you for your willingness to share you knowlege, This is a great site. My ...
A: Strings are quite flexible as a group ( they can do almost anything but play swing figures ) and ...
|
| Modulation in arrangements | 6/3/2006 |
Q: I have many years experience as a trumpeter, but have now taken up guitar and am starting to do some ...
A: There are no set formulas for modulating, but if available , a held common tone will help: i.e. : ...
|
| Instrumentation | 5/31/2006 |
Q: Questions about instrumentation: The standard jazz band instrumentation is 4,4,4,2. What is the 2 ...
A: a "Standard" Big band set up would consist of: 4 trumpets: ( usually doubling on flugelhorns ) 4 ...
|
| Importance of a Bridge to a song | 5/22/2006 |
Q: tell me, how important a bridge is to a song? What does it add to the overall theme of the song and ...
A: There are many "song forms" some contain bridges, some don't ( lake a blues structure ) others may ...
|
| Arrangements permission/procedures? | 5/8/2006 |
Q: I'd like to make arrangements for our group of selections from recent film scores, as well as some ...
A: Most of the time, permission to use others music relates to what your planned usage is going to be: ...
|
| Writing Musicals | 4/30/2006 |
Q: i am a freshman in high school with 5 years of theatre expereance and have decied to write my onw. I ...
A: Where to start: get a good background in the music basics read some good books on songwriting and ...
|
| melody | 4/28/2006 |
Q: i think i have a relative knowledge on construction melodies.althouth i always fail trying to create ...
A: There's no question that a good rhythmic structure is as important as the choice of pitches in an ...
|
| Song Structure/Progression | 4/11/2006 |
Q: Hey, Im a junior in high school in a Music Recording class. My final project is to produce a full ...
A: Well ..basically, you could cop any set of changes from a Luther VanDross or Al Jarreau CD and you'd ...
|
| Melody lines | 4/11/2006 |
Q: I've been composing electronicly for about six months, and studying theory for about four. Was ...
A: As you get further into the study of harmony, you'll discover many instances where notes outside a ...
|
| music rights | 3/23/2006 |
Q: I am the marketing director for my family's golf course and was looking for a catchy, familiar, feel ...
A: You are correct in assuming you would need the permission to use any song for ad purposes from the ...
|
| Duets | 3/16/2006 |
Q: Can you suggest material to arrange for flute & guitar -
A: Although you can probably find some material for that combination fairly easily at various ...
|
| key changes | 3/10/2006 |
Q: I'm working on this tune which is in F major. The song is fairly simple, perhaps too simple. It has ...
A: Without seeing all the changes in order, I have trouble following all this. can you resend this ...
|
| Simple arranging for two saxophones | 2/14/2006 |
Q: Hope you can help. My friend and I are late-comers to music and playing in bands (I'm 54). He ...
A: If you mean "harmonizing below the riff" that if the top tenor notes ( in F ) are Eb D C D Eb ( as ...
|
| Simple arranging for two saxophones | 2/13/2006 |
Q: Hope you can help. My friend and I are late-comers to music and playing in bands (I'm 54). He plays ...
A: First off, I applaud you guys for getting out there and boogeying! :) As far as BG licks go, I ...
|
| Strings composition | 2/11/2006 |
Q: My name is Zachary Lamplugh and I play the piano, guitar, and jawharp. I listen to classical music, ...
A: I'm sorry that I'm not really familiar with your musical references, but I can give you a bit of ...
|
| composition positions and chord resolutions | 2/10/2006 |
Q: Alright, first off, thank you. My first question is, if I was to get a degree in music composition ...
A: Short answers: 1. After getting a degree ( Bmus ) in comp. you basically have a piece of paper that ...
|
| Beginning Composer | 1/29/2006 |
Q: I'm really interested in composing music for classical instuments. I have basic-intermediate ...
A: Well, in a word: it's really quite different due to the nature, variety and complexity of acoustic ...
|
| I'd like to get your feed back about my Vocal Demo | 1/20/2006 |
Q: My web site is www.philippaulkelly.zoomshare.com you can access my DEMO which is on PureVolume. ...
A: ( talk about coincidences! ) Normally, I wouldn't critique anyones talent on this site because ...
|
| Career Choices | 1/12/2006 |
Q: Upon receiving a Bachelor of Music Theory and Composition, are there a sufficient amount of career ...
A: Getting a BMus is a start, but getting into any phase of the music business will require you to gain ...
|
| Medieval and Renaissance Music | 1/5/2006 |
Q: For a research paper I'm writing about the changes that occured in musical practice from medieval ...
A: Matt: Sorry, but I cant answer this easily .. plus, you need to do the work! :D As a start,you ...
|
| Theory/Composition | 1/2/2006 |
Q: What makes certain chords darker or more emotional. I'm trying to write a dark, emotional piece for ...
A: Avoiding the obvious pat answer that minor chords are inherently darker that major ones ( which they ...
|
| music arranging techniques | 12/19/2005 |
Q: What exactly is the definition of an arranging technique? Is it using specific keys? Different kinds ...
A: I'm a bit mystified by this question .. Are you asking from the standpoint of a student or a ...
|
| Midi and Software (like Gigastudio) | 11/14/2005 |
Q: I'm a fledgling musician/filmmaker who desperately wants to use power software samplers such as ...
A: Although I use MIDI daily in my work ( Finale 2006 -which does in fact come bundled with a Kontact ...
|
| Vocal Harmony in Pop Music | 11/5/2005 |
Q: I want to know more about writing vocal harmony parts in pop songs such as The Beach Boys, Queen, ...
A: Keep in mind that much of what you're hearing in groups like you've described are sounds that are" ...
|
| jazz composing | 11/2/2005 |
Q: Philip: I have recently tried developing fusion-jazz style songwriting, however I can't think of ...
A: You sound as though you've had some theoretical background, so I'll get a bit technical here: One ...
|
| Arrnagment and harmony... | 10/25/2005 |
Q: I love to start arranging music for my local church and privately what do I stat with? Then have a ...
A: I'd start by finding a teacher or a community college course to solve your problems with ...
|
| composition | 10/10/2005 |
Q: I have a natural talent for lyrics and melodies. recently, I have been interested in writing some of ...
A: There is no "best way" ..both ways work. Sometimes a melodic fragment may get you going , sometimes ...
|
| Dim. Chords 7th with maj. 7th as a tension tone | 10/9/2005 |
Q: I'm wondering what is the most universal way to abbreviate a diminished 7th chord with a maj. 7th as ...
A: Since the purpose of chord symbols are to provide the most concise versions of chords with the most ...
|
| Transposer in NYC | 9/27/2005 |
Q: I have an audition tomorrow morning and need a song ("Black Boys" from Hair) transposed from the ...
A: Actually, any accompanist should be able to transpose a piece from the original key at sight for ...
|
| Recording another bands music in a studio | 8/28/2005 |
Q: Can you tell me if theres a law against a band going into a studio to record another bands music as ...
A: Although you should bounce this of a real intellectual rights attorney to be sure, I THINK you're ...
|
| Mozart | 8/10/2005 |
Q: friend. No matter how cheesy this sounds; I'd still like to thank you for offering your services as ...
A: As to your basic query: "Is Mozart the best composer of music ?" My answer would have to be: ...
|
| identify the chords | 8/4/2005 |
Q: i have this problem to identify the chords when my piano teacher gives me the aural test.how can i ...
A: What you need is some practice in ear training ( aka solfeggi ) which aids you in hearing intervals ...
|
| Music | 7/27/2005 |
Q: I have always wanted to write and play songs that are in my head, but have no musical training ...
A: The bad news : there is no" easy way "about anything musically creative .. it all involves years ...
|
| writing for a small brass ensemble | 7/27/2005 |
Q: I'll have to write for a small brass & sax section : 1 alto sax, 1 tenor sax, 1 baryton sax; 2 ...
A: I wish I could show you some examples, but this setup doesn't permit attachments of manuscript. ...
|
| songwriting | 7/15/2005 |
Q: I play the guitar and Im a vocalist ,and is very eager to learn how to compose songs with it. I have ...
A: What you're asking is too broad to go into here, but I can point you in a couple directions to find ...
|
| Is 6/8 time sig. usually a faster tempo than 3/4? | 7/5/2005 |
Q: Mr. Kelly, Your answer to my last question helped a bunch! But now I've got to write the music down ...
A: There's no real "rule" about when to use a quarter note basis or an eighth note one. Many classical ...
|
| Identifying Identifying key signature changes in my guitar compositions | 7/1/2005 |
Q: I compose melodies and lyrics, but especially concentrate on coming up with unique guitar ...
A: I don't know that theres a specific rule that qualifies as an actual "modulation" or change of key, ...
|
| evaluating my singing and keyboarding on demo | 6/26/2005 |
Q: A. Who can i got to to ask before sending my demo to see if my demo has 1. A Professional ...
A: see my inserted comments below >>>>. for what it's worth, you've already done several things ...
|
| Starting an orchestra P.3 | 6/22/2005 |
Q: Im not entirely sure by what you mean "college john zorn assembaly", but thank you very much for the ...
A: For the record, a musical "collage" is an assembled cut-and-paste piece with sudden shifts of ...
|
| Credit designation in a show's program | 6/20/2005 |
Q: I have written the script, music, and lyrics for a musical. I programed the harmonies for all of ...
A: Well, normally in a professional situation, the tasks your friend is doing for your show would done ...
|
| Starting an orchestra P.2 | 6/19/2005 |
Q: im sorry i didnt give you enough information. The kind of orchestra I want to start is one that has ...
A: I went to the site and listened to a taste of what you're into. Its pretty collage-type John Zorn ...
|
| Starting an orchestra | 6/19/2005 |
Q: I was just wondering if you know how i can go about starting my own orchestra? Thanks -mike
A: Not enough info: What kind of orchestra? What size? What style of music? What is your musical ...
|
| MUSICAL COMPOSITION | 6/13/2005 |
Q: im jonathan from peru, my question is aobut muscical composition, i know about, intervals and scales ...
A: The creation of a good melody is something that requires more than just a few "hints" I can give ...
|
| Composition | 5/28/2005 |
Q: .. my name is alex, and i'm sixteen years old. I have been playing the clarinet for 5 years and i ...
A: What you've run into is the fact in music ( especially music composition ) ,your ear can only take ...
|
| Contrapuntal lyrics | 5/26/2005 |
Q: Occasionally (the last of which I know is the duet "Better Than A Dream" from the musical "Bells Are ...
A: Actually, it's still just a "duet" ..but I guess with contrapuntal implications. "Baby it's cold ...
|
| theory and primary, secondary chords etc. | 5/25/2005 |
Q: If you listen to just about any rock song, in any given key, the chords played are nearly always the ...
A: Daniel: Most ( if not all ) of the answers you are looking for will be found in a good basic music ...
|
| theory an primary, secondary chords etc. | 5/24/2005 |
Q: If you listen to just about any rock song, in any given key, the chords played are nearly always the ...
A: I don't know about a statement like "just about any" anything because it indicates a rush to a ...
|
| orchestration | 5/6/2005 |
Q: " Hello Philip, I am getting more and more interested in music composition for symphonic ...
A: What you see is a shorthand version of what the instrumentation used is in the composition ..reading ...
|
| BEST WAY TO KNOW | 5/4/2005 |
Q: Mr. Kelly, I have been writing music on and off for about 20 years (I am now 40). In the early ...
A: I don't want to unnecessarily dampen your enthusiasm, but getting a song heard ( let alone placed ...
|
| Melody Writing & Chord Progression | 5/2/2005 |
Q: How would one go upon writting a melody. And, how would i come up with a chord progression. I know ...
A: First off, there seems tot be a bit of contradiction in yourIf you really have a working grasp of " ...
|
| Are you my former bud from TVHS? | 4/16/2005 |
Q: Commercial Art? Joe Wagner? Linda Forrer? Are you that Phil Kelly? Hope so! BR
A: Holy Crap! Guilty as charged! ..wow.. talk about voices from the past! drop me a note at my e-mail ...
|
| composing/arranging | 3/24/2005 |
Q: I'd like to get started in composing and arranging choral music. I teach k-12 vocal music and am ...
A: I 'm assuming your question involves the mechanics of the publishing process. First of all, getting ...
|
| Music composition wage rates | 3/2/2005 |
Q: I'll be having a client (which is a big software company) who wants me to compose a 2 minute music ...
A: I've never had to do a gig for "phone tree hold music", but I'd imagine it would be similar to a ...
|
| practical writing for orchestra | 2/25/2005 |
Q: Your answer really made me feel more easy about the whole process. I like the idea of different ...
A: Actually, you've asked many questions which I really can't to justice to in this format, but I will ...
|
| practical writing for orchestra | 2/24/2005 |
Q: my question is: how to practically write music for orchestra? i mean the page is large with many ...
A: I always recommend that anyone attempting an orchestration first of all make a DETAILED CONCERT ...
|
| Composition Technique | 2/18/2005 |
Q: I can write a decent melody and I am pretty good with harmony. What is puzzling me is how to put ...
A: I'm sorry I missed the mark on your question,and I'm not sure that I CAN answer it to your ...
|
| Composition Technique | 2/18/2005 |
Q: I can write a decent melody and I am pretty good with harmony. What is puzzling me is how to put ...
A: You pose a very interesting question .One of the hardest things to do in music is write an effective ...
|
| Learning to arrange for a small group | 12/22/2004 |
Q: Phil, My son is a High School senior this year and is an accomplished alto/tenor sax player. He also ...
A: My compliments to your son ..I was a junior in high school myself when I started to write for the ...
|
| Film Music | 12/3/2004 |
Q: Good morning. As part of my A-Level in Music I have opted to specialise in composition. I have ...
A: First of all, most film music is specifically written to picture to enhance the drama, set the scene ...
|
| Music | 11/23/2004 |
Q: I have many compositions written as mostly a lead sheet and some as piano compositions. They are ...
A: First off, have you submitted the pieces you want to promote for copyright? Very Important ..if ...
|
| Playing by Ear/Ear Training | 11/22/2004 |
Q: How can i improve my ear?! I'm a young and very frustrated rock guitarist that can only play the ...
A: I know nothing about the Burge method beyond all the ads I've seen, but without knowing any more, ...
|
| Orchestrating | 11/18/2004 |
Q: If i wanted to compose a light but complex piece of music, how would i arrange it fir woodwind and ...
A: Jake: You give no indication of the style(s) you are working with.. therefore, it makes it hard to ...
|
| arrangement | 10/25/2004 |
Q: I have this music project at school, which involves arranging a piece called Lost Without Your Love- ...
A: it has cleared a few things up, but I am still slightly confused about a few things that you ...
|
| arrangement | 10/22/2004 |
Q: I have this music project at school, which involves arranging a piece called Lost Without Your Love- ...
A: First off, I would immediately add a bass to the rhythm section ( and possibly a guitar as well ...
|
| bad transition | 10/22/2004 |
Q: I've been writting a rock/alternative/punk/emo/whatever song lol. I have determined that these ...
A: >>>I have determined that these chords are in it: ...
|
| Transposing | 9/11/2004 |
Q: I have almost finished my music assignment except for arranging the grouping of notes properly, ...
A: I'm not exactly sure how Sibelius works ( Finale person here ), but it looks to me like if you ...
|
| Music Composition and Computers | 9/2/2004 |
Q: I came across this website and figured I might as well make the best of it! I am currently a ...
A: forgive me ..I'm fighting a new computer and OSX 10.3 so I'll be somewhat brief .. the best ...
|
| Music Industry | 8/8/2004 |
Q: I am a recent college grad with a degree in music composition--classical training. I also have a lot ...
A: Well ..it sounds as though you have the tools at an academic level to do anything you want. You ...
|
| A Welsh Christmas Carol | 8/5/2004 |
Q: I was wondering if you have ever heard of or even have a copy of the sheet music for the Welsh ...
A: Sorry ..I 've never heard the carol you seek, but I have a couple ideas to help you look: 1. check ...
|
| music | 7/25/2004 |
Q: Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get better at conducting(how I can figure out if song's ...
A: Any conducting method book has the standard beat patterns illustrated in detail ..( if you're taking ...
|
| Thanks Phil. I had no idea... | 7/23/2004 |
Q: I had no idea that you lived about 2 hours north of me in bellingham. Ok, so the 'Theme' then is ...
A: two hours ...you must be from around Tacoma ..( I assume you know that Dave Marriot is at MSM as ...
|
| "theme" writing | 7/22/2004 |
Q: I have a question about writing material based on themes. People talk about a song and say that ...
A: First off, this is one of the most intelligent questions I've received in the past couple years ...
|
| orchestration | 7/9/2004 |
Q: Let's say I have a piece of music that i have written in piano format, but want to orchestrate it. ...
A: FirstHow big is the ensemble you have to work with? If its a chamber piece, and you already know ...
|
| arranging and composing for Jazz Bass strings and flute | 6/5/2004 |
Q: I have played flute for many years and I Would like to learn how to write my own arrangements ...
A: If you're interested in getting into arranging, I suggest you start at the beginning and learn to ...
|
| Opus | 5/8/2004 |
Q: What is an opus and why are their so many of them in classical music
A: "Opus" merely means "a work" see below: ( Merriam Webster ) Main Entry: opus ...
|
| hello phil-
Within the last... | 4/29/2004 |
Q: Within the last 3 years ive found myself dedicating more and more of the day to singing. Its come to ...
A: If it's the actual improvement in voice production and tonal and sound quality improvement is your ...
|
| Music Production/Egineering Education | 4/21/2004 |
Q: Can youtell me about the lifestyle that goes along with being a music producer or engineer. DOes it ...
A: First of all, you've asked too many questions to be able to answer them all, but briefly, to be a ...
|
| A Sousa Style Concert March | 4/21/2004 |
Q: I play no instrument, and only read enough to sing a little 4 part harmony. I created a march ...
A: The best way to get your composition distributed is still going to be through a publisher that has ...
|
| Theory genesis? | 4/14/2004 |
Q: My child and I are learning to play and to compose music. I am trying to find good books or sites ...
A: I must admit, your question involves something new to my experience: explaining music theory to ...
|
| Music Theory | 4/12/2004 |
Q: I'm a Senior in AP Music theory at my school and I have some questions I was hoping you may be able ...
A: First off, I dont even know what AIM is ( Im not a big computer guy ) but: what you're trying to ...
|
| Songwriting | 3/17/2004 |
Q: I'm wanting to develop songwriting. I played classical piano for about 7years as an adolescent and ...
A: Your enthusiasm is contagious, but I think you should first start breaking down your goals into ...
|
| where should I go from here? | 3/8/2004 |
Q: My dad has performed in the North Carolina Symphony as principal Violist since 1975. I believe I ...
A: first of all , if you saw me with Doc S, it was probably on one of the road band versions of the ...
|
| Musical Composition | 2/26/2004 |
Q: Im trying to compose a piece for wind and brass and need to know the range of the instruments, is ...
A: I don't know of any specific website with the information you seen , but you can find out all of it ...
|
| Trumpet vs. Cornet | 2/15/2004 |
Q: I've played in concert bands for a number of years and have seen music selections written for just ...
A: Generally, the basic difference is in the size of the bore ( with the cornets being a bit larger ...
|
| Dear Mr. Kelly: I chose to... | 2/9/2004 |
Q: Kelly: I chose to write you because your resume is impressive; it appears you've worked in many ...
A: You've asked a very long , elaborate question that has legal implications that I'm not qualified to ...
|
