| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Passing chords | 8/19/2008 |
Q: first I'd like to say that learning jazz has fascinated me ever since i became involved in music, ...
A: com. "Passing Chords" or "Passing Tones" are a method of linear harmony. You are connecting one ...
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| music | 7/28/2008 |
Q: i am a rap artist and have not made any moves regarding pursuing a entertainment career! the rap hip ...
A: com. The internet is a great resource for research. Do some searches for forums that discuss this ...
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| Music.. | 4/17/2008 |
Q: Just wondering, if I were to play a few chords not found in the original key in a song, and solo ...
A: com. There is but one Key for most tunes, but there are sometimes many Tone Centers. The actual ...
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| Theory/ Chord Choice | 3/27/2008 |
Q: D C! You sound like JUST the person to help me! I've been playing guitar for about 30 years, on and ...
A: com. You say "But when I look at these great songs, from all these years past, sometimes I see any ...
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| voice | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I was just had a qusetion about my voice. Im in a band right now and I sing. My voice is that bad ...
A: com. When you sing, the air moves through the vocal chords which are situated in the muscular ...
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| scales and songwriting | 2/16/2008 |
Q: I want to know why learning scales are so important to songwriting, obvious to most people but not ...
A: com. It is natural for aspiring composers to want to follow their own passions and avoid the study ...
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| rap music | 10/17/2007 |
Q: ! You seem like someone knowledgeable in the field of musicology and contemporary music. I am ...
A: com. What is considered "real" music is specific to one's culture, however when defining music in ...
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| Rhythm | 8/27/2007 |
Q: I've been trained in vocal music for about a year but I always had trouble with rhythm. I eventually ...
A: com. Yes, music theory will help with rhythm. It's all related... melody, harmony, and rhythm. ...
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| 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: com. Yes and no. It depends what you want it to sound like. Instead of looking for a rule to apply, ...
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| 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: com. Music does use Major and minor keys. A tune is written in one key which determines the over ...
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| RE: I need a starting point | 6/12/2007 |
Q: I think I previously misrepresented myself. My primary instrument is now guitar, ( I haven't ...
A: If you cannot afford a teacher, the best I can suggest is using the links I gave you. There are ...
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| I need some direction | 6/12/2007 |
Q: my name is JR and I've been in love with music from the womb. I started playing piano and orchestra ...
A: com. First, I would recommend you finding a good private instructor who not only knows how to teach ...
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| Origin of "jazz" | 5/11/2007 |
Q: I know that jazz music is supposed to have started in New Orleans, but where did the word "jazz" ...
A: com. Yes, your history teacher is correct. The term "Jazz" has its etymology in the red light ...
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| guitar soloing | 12/31/2006 |
Q: If you could, I would like a little help in my guitar soloing. I am an amateur guitarist with a ...
A: com. Ultimately, one plays what one hears. Listening is key to opening up these endless ...
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| what to say | 12/25/2006 |
Q: i can sing, and I say that with the greatest humility. It's the only thing that makes me happy, and ...
A: com. Songwriting is indeed a much more artistic way of writing and there is no simple answer for ...
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| Singing | 11/27/2006 |
Q: I've always been good at singing. Ever since I was in elementary school and had to sing in front of ...
A: com. Instrumentalists take lessons to improve their understanding and develop their skills for ...
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| muisc thoery composition degree | 10/4/2006 |
Q: What can you do with a muisc thoery composition degree besides teach
A: com. You study for the knowledge and the enrichment of character. If all you wish from the Arts is ...
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| Need basic understanding of Jazz improv | 8/25/2006 |
Q: this helps a lot. Other than the web site (which I will use) can you recommend some good theory ...
A: Yes, I can highly recommend the 'Jazz Theory Book' written by Mark Levine. It's pictured and linked ...
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| Need basic understanding of Jazz improv | 8/25/2006 |
Q: I am a classically trained violinist but play mostly fiddle music now by ear. I just know what ...
A: com. Here is a chart that associates soloing scales with chord families. Also, follow the links at ...
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| Ryhming, Is it relevant in Goo Song Composition? | 8/24/2006 |
Q: I was just wondering if ryhing was of a major significance in good song writting?
A: com. There are many types of 'song composition.' Popular songs most often use rhyme. For more ...
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| any good song suggestions? | 8/7/2006 |
Q: I am looking for some jazz songs for a female vocalist (myself). My range starts at a moderate alto ...
A: com. You will want to get with someone who can find your vocal range and transpose your tunes. Most ...
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| Jazz scales | 7/29/2006 |
Q: What are some Jazz scales? Are they modes? Thanks.
A: com. Any series of linear musical notes may be referred to as a scale. The more popular have been ...
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| Simple question | 7/20/2006 |
Q: It's just a very simple question! I just considered that I don't know the exact deference between ...
A: com. The beat is how rhythm is metered, or measured. Generally, rhythm pertains to the beat, tempo ...
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| Improv | 7/12/2006 |
Q: I'm 16 years old and I love to play. I would like to know what things I need to know to help me ...
A: com. As a general recommendation, I would say to first listen to everything you can. Compare ...
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| extra scale options over a V7b9 chord | 7/8/2006 |
Q: I'm currently studying jazz piano and improvisation from home. I have a good grasp of theory and am ...
A: com. Difficult to set any kind of rules when improvising, however you may find this chart helpful: ...
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| playing by ear | 7/2/2006 |
Q: I'm an intermediate jazz saxophone player and so far have had rather disappointing results with my ...
A: com. We study music through academic discourse, but as you have noted, that is not how we play it - ...
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| Improvisation and more | 6/15/2006 |
Q: I am a keyboard player in a rock/bluegrass/jam/blues type of band. When I was younger I took 15 ...
A: com. Soloing should be inspired from the tune you're soloing over. Try not to think so much about ...
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| Advanced chords | 5/11/2006 |
Q: I noticed, when reading jazz compositions that Advanced chords like 13th, for example, are played ...
A: com. There is no 'criteria' for which notes used to express your harmony, it's a matter of taste ...
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| realtive minor | 5/6/2006 |
Q: Here's a simple one. At one time I knew the chord voicings for the relative minor scale. My memory ...
A: com. - Chods made from Am (Key of C) scale - Am: A, C, G Bm7b5: B, D, F CM: C, E, G Dm: D, F, A ...
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| non chord tones | 4/25/2006 |
Q: I was surfing the web and stumbled upon your web site and wondered if you could answer a nagging ...
A: com. The 'suspension' is that you play the 2 or the 4 instead of the 3. Csus2: C, D, G Csus4: C, ...
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| Jazz Modes? | 4/10/2006 |
Q: What are Jazz modes? Thank you L.T.
A: com. Modes are incarnations of scales in which a certain note is taken as the root. Thus, each ...
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| 4 chords | 4/7/2006 |
Q: while playing rhythm guitar on the c maj chord,can you give me the 4 chords that i would play ...
A: com. There are many possibilities to complete the cadence (chord progression) you suggest. CM7/// ...
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| composition and improvisation | 4/6/2006 |
Q: What is the difference between composition and improvisation?
A: com. Improvising *is* composing. There are no rules, but a good solo is reflective of the material ...
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| soloing | 4/5/2006 |
Q: first of all i would like you to know i am self-taught on what i learn on music. well, i really ...
A: com. Improvising *is* composing. There are no rules, but a good solo is reflective of the material ...
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| seven elements of music | 3/29/2006 |
Q: I am just learning about music and the different elements and I am interested in finding a piece of ...
A: This composer says she's written a tune including all seven elements of music: ...
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| interval | 3/24/2006 |
Q: a d# down to a cb is four half steps--is there such a thing as a "double" augmented or diminished ...
A: com. "double flat" or "double sharp" are the standard terms used. Thanks for the interest, D C ...
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| Bebop | 2/20/2006 |
Q: In the Be-bop style, what exactly is deflection? What are good excercises to practice in the bebop ...
A: com. Deflection is a term for various improvisation techniques employing arpeggiated chord tones ...
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| Getting in to the swing. | 2/9/2006 |
Q: I am a grade 6 guitarist, singer, songwriter. I am very in to indie stuff and am interested in ...
A: com. How to get started? Ultimately, one composes what one hears, and what we hear is a ...
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| E minor/G Major scale | 1/14/2006 |
Q: Im doing a music production analysis piece on Breathe by Pink Floyd and I have a question with ...
A: com. While a tune is usually written in only one key (identified by the key signature at the ...
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| Music, facility improvement | 12/27/2005 |
Q: Just retired senior now picking up where I left off years ago with an electronic keyboard hobby. ...
A: com. You will improve with practice. Play the 2 octave Major scales, single handed at first, then ...
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| composition | 12/26/2005 |
Q: What are some compositional techniques that can be used to further develope a piece. (for instance ...
A: com. Here is a list for improvisation techniques and is also applicable for composition development ...
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| Improvisation practice & help | 12/21/2005 |
Q: My sister-in-law will be getting married next month and she has asked that I play the piano at their ...
A: com. That 'Nordstrom sound' you refer to is due to the way the melody note and the harmony notes ...
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| Chord theory | 12/19/2005 |
Q: What is the difference, if any, between a dominant 7th diminished 5th and a dominant 7th raised ...
A: P. Cardoza, and thank you for contacting me through All Experts.com. The difference is the harmony. ...
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| Improvisation | 12/17/2005 |
Q: Dowdell I've got a question about improvisation on the piano. When hearing all this fantastic jazz ...
A: com. Students ask, "So how do I improvise?" There is no 'big secret' to Improvisation. Ultimately, ...
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| Perfect Pitch | 12/11/2005 |
Q: I am looking to develop "perfect pitch". What steps and techniques do I need to practice to attain ...
A: com. Perfect pitch is more of an urban legend than a reality. It lays claim to have the ability of ...
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| jazz composition | 11/13/2005 |
Q: DowDell: I am trying to throw a bunch of thoughts into a pool to pick from about writing jazz ...
A: com 1.) You say "I guess I could ask if you have any radical suggestions as to where to go with a ...
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| Identifying key signature changes in music composition | 7/1/2005 |
Q: This is a wonderful service and am glad I ran across it. I compose melodies, lyrics, and the ...
A: com. The Key a tune is written in can very widely. Most composers prefer to write in the main key ...
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| Improvisation | 6/17/2005 |
Q: As your might can guess,my name I provided is a nickname. I never give out my real name online. Now, ...
A: com. This is rather an abstract question since I do not know what your playing proficiency is, nor ...
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| Composition | 6/10/2005 |
Q: What ways can one go about comprehending the music of Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and other ...
A: com. Not sure I understand your question when you say "What ways can one go about comprehending the ...
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| basic harmony | 5/24/2005 |
Q: Just want to know this. Say you've got G major. The tonic is your most important. Fifth comes ...
A: com. Hereere is a simple chart for Reharmonization that should give you the information you ask: ...
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| Music Composition | 5/15/2005 |
Q: I was wondering what the best free(yeah, those two words shouldn't go together i know) online ...
A: com. Sorry, I don't know what your idea of "best" is. Thanks for the interest, D C DowDell ...
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| Musical composition | 5/10/2005 |
Q: my name is Cole and im an aspiring musician. My question for you is actually specific to your ...
A: com. "how to go about writing song" is a very broad topic almost impossible to comment on. It's ...
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| first time composer | 4/18/2005 |
Q: i am a lover of jazz music, and though i play jazz (saxophone) i haven't the slightest clue how to ...
A: com. I would suggest spending some serious time playing through standard Jazz tunes. Buy a Jazz ...
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| Need Help with new Music Project | 4/1/2005 |
Q: My last music project was completed with my band where I am the drummer. In this music project I ...
A: com. You've found the solution in your own question. Give these tunes their individual treatment. ...
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| jazz composition | 3/26/2005 |
Q: I am experienced in playing and performing jazz and am now intersested in composition. I have tried ...
A: com. Key to all composition is vision. However, one doesn't really need to envision everything from ...
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| Which passing notes to play | 3/15/2005 |
Q: I've been playing guitar for two years, the first one without my heart in it and the second with, ...
A: com. Think linear. Where are you going? Where are you coming from? Just as chords are vertical ...
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| Jazz training | 3/8/2005 |
Q: I have read that Jazz is a language so I was wondering if there exist a Jazz method that teach you ...
A: com. Music is a language. Jazz is a genre of music. Yes there are many methods of music study, and ...
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| Jazz improv | 2/28/2005 |
Q: I've trumpet for five and I've recently started improvising. I understand a lot of the theory with ...
A: com. You say "I don't know if I should be thinking modally or chromatically..." Trying to fit a ...
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| composition | 2/22/2005 |
Q: I have been a professional musician all my life. First as a saxophone and clarinet player in local ...
A: com. You ask "Is there a course for just composition and the development of materials?" Not sure ...
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| Composition Technique | 2/18/2005 |
Q: Sorry if my question was unclear. This issue is how to learn to imagine/hear/write melody and ...
A: com. I didn't say your question was unclear. I understood you. This service responds to you without ...
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| Improvisation & Technique | 2/17/2005 |
Q: Was looking for some help getting started playing jazz, improvisation, and style. I am a proficient ...
A: com. Go to: http://www.apassion4jazz.net and study the charts for Jazz Scales, Progression, ...
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| Improvisation | 2/10/2005 |
Q: I began playing piano late in the game but fell in love just the same and am a music major feeling ...
A: com. You ask "My main question is, should i be thinking more of scales or modes?" First, a mode is ...
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| JAZZ IMPROVISATION | 2/6/2005 |
Q: I AM A TRUMPET PLAYER WHO LOVES JAZZ WITH A PASSION.I CAN PLAY THE WRITEN NOTE WITH PRACTICE AND I ...
A: com. There is no 'big secret' to improvisation. Ultimately, one plays what one hears. Listening is ...
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| jazz play | 2/3/2005 |
Q: my name is Samm. I have been playing piano for about 12 years. I play many other instruments as ...
A: com. I think you will appreciate the charts found here: http://www.apassion4jazz.net/keys.html ...
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| Composition... where to begin? | 1/23/2005 |
Q: Three months have passed since I made the decision to become a composer. Within the first week I ...
A: com. A skilled composer has a firm understanding in harmony and theory. Harmony is the 'what' (what ...
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| Chord Progression | 1/14/2005 |
Q: The tonal center is Bbm. I am sure of this. Going to the relative minor of Ab major doesn't provide ...
A: You ask "Is it possible... to go to the relative major of the tonal center?" Yes, quite common for ...
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| Chord Progression | 1/14/2005 |
Q: I have been searching for a couple of days for something with no luck. Surely you know the answer. I ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Yes, Ab Major sounds about right, although ...
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| Composition | 1/12/2005 |
Q: I have been wanting to compose some jazz charts that I have on a CD. They are original compositions ...
A: com. You will need to perform a "take down" by transcribing each part. The key to this is ...
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| Harmony or Melody First? | 11/21/2004 |
Q: I am a composer, but am always stuck on which to consider first, the melody or the harmony? What do ...
A: com. That's a question that many songwriters continually ask: Do you start with the tune, then add ...
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| composition | 11/12/2004 |
Q: i am doing GCSE music and I am a competent guitarist, but I would also like to involve piano in ...
A: com Can't tell whether you are composing a new piece or if you can arrange an existing tune for ...
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| I'm confused... | 11/11/2004 |
Q: I have a brief question about musical compositions as a whole, but mainly from the jazz perspective. ...
A: com. "I run out of fluency, my music becomes choppy" Try voice leading. Use notes from the next ...
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| What are "chord scales?" | 10/31/2004 |
Q: I keep hearing from people that if I want to better understand how to harmonize, I should should ...
A: com. "Chord Scales" are the chords that can be made using only the notes from that scales, aligned ...
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| Improvisation | 10/24/2004 |
Q: How important is it to transcribe solos? What are some techniques that I can practice to help ...
A: com. * You ask "How important is it to transcribe solos?" Transcribing someone elses solos can ...
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| writing for horns | 10/12/2004 |
Q: As I have become more and more engrossed by the jazz world, I have come to realize that even though ...
A: com. Jazz is about harmony. Yeah, it's about improvisation and a swing'n rhythm and the player's ...
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| Harmonisation of minor scales | 9/25/2004 |
Q: Would you please tell me about chords construction around the minor (melodic&harmonic) scales. In ...
A: com. Here is a good chart to display the chords made for these scales. ...
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| jazz comp | 8/2/2004 |
Q: i'm looking through the charts of Thelonious Monk's song, Round Midnight. Oh, I'm also a guitarist ...
A: com. Yes, 'Round Midnight is a great tune. In the 1st measure, the bass is descending ...
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| Jazz walking bass | 7/6/2004 |
Q: I have tried to write walking bass parts in the past and not one of them has really sounded good. ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. You're on the right track. First find your ...
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| musical scales | 6/28/2004 |
Q: I am doing my grade 1 violin exam in a few months and i am having trouble with scales. Could you ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Here is a great tool to help you with the ...
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| composition | 6/22/2004 |
Q: How do u compose 4 the trumpet
A: com. Trumpet is a Bb instrument, so it's 1 whole step below concert C. When the Trumpet plays a C, ...
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| Jazz Scale | 6/17/2004 |
Q: I was wondering if you could help me with something. I play tenor sax and I have a solo on a song ...
A: com. You say the key is F#min, which is really the key of A Major. Jam'n around using the A Major ...
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| schooling | 5/3/2004 |
Q: What classes would you suggest I should take in high school and in college if I want to become a ...
A: com. In high school, join one of the choirs. If you're not a strong singer, see if you can still be ...
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| Composition | 4/26/2004 |
Q: I'm a Choir conductor in my Church. Although I'm able to clearly read musical pieces arranged by ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. AllExperts.com is a terrific resource for ...
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| Scatting | 4/21/2004 |
Q: Hey, I have always been interested in how to scat. Is there a good way to go about it, or is there ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Scatting is soloing using your voice as the ...
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| How to play improvisational jazz guitar | 4/19/2004 |
Q: I am a rhythm guitar player who would really like to make the transition to jazz improvisation. My ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Jazz is about harmony. Yes it's about ...
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| soloing | 4/4/2004 |
Q: ok ive been playing guitar for 6 years, i play mainly a blues rock style for lead and im interested ...
A: com. Unlike scales of fixed pitch, modes are arrangements of tones and semitones which may be ...
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| Major key and relative minor | 3/29/2004 |
Q: I am now at the point where I want to put my music on sheet music. My question is this how do you ...
A: and thanks for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Yes, you are partly correct. It does, in a ...
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| Songwriting | 3/17/2004 |
Q: I'm wanting to develop songwriting. I played classical piano for about 7years as an adolescent and ...
A: com. Your best bet will be to visit Jodi Krangle's website, The Muse's Muse. It's a terrific ...
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| Late 50's jazz song | 3/7/2004 |
Q: At the beginning of the movie "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), there's a wonderful song playing - ...
A: and thanks for contacting me through AllExperts.com. I'm terribly sorry, but not having seen those ...
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| method book for scale/chord progression | 3/6/2004 |
Q: I am asking as both a long time pro, AND yet as a fairly inexperienced "jazz teacher". I play horn ...
A: com. Mark Levine's 'Jazz Theory Book' does a nice job. The several books by Bert Ligon take it ...
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| compisitions | 3/1/2004 |
Q: im doing a music compisition but am finding it really hard to create it....do u have any tips or ...
A: com. How to get started? Ultimately, one composes what one hears, and what we hear is a ...
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| compostion | 2/28/2004 |
Q: DowDell, It's funny I should come across this site the very day this question came up. I have ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Whether we are focussing on the feeling or ...
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| practice schedule | 2/25/2004 |
Q: I hope you can share some insights about the practice of scales and arpeggios with different rythms, ...
A: and thank you for contacting me through AllExperts.com. Yes the scales can become boring, but ...
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| jazz theory | 2/9/2004 |
Q: i'm looking for a boiled-down version, a synopsis, perhaps, of george russell's lydian chromatic ...
A: com. Russell's concepts were/are pioneering, especially for the day. Unfortunately, he never really ...
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