| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Programme notes on Kreisler's Variations and Saint Saen's violin concerto | 9/24/2008 |
Q: Redfarn, My son is preparing for his violin exam at ABRSM. He needs to write programme notes on i) ...
A: Programme notes don't need to be long - I usually think in terms of three paragraphs: composer, ...
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| Plagal Cadences | 8/17/2008 |
Q: Hey, I'm doing Music Theory by the correspondence school (which is really hard!) I need to write two ...
A: You don't say whether you're writing 4-part harmony (SATB) or triads in the RH, single notes in the ...
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| 5/3 | 8/6/2008 |
Q: i understand the I,IV, V,iii, system to represent chords....... I just wasn't following the 5/3 ...
A: The basis of the Western key system is that: the octave is divided into 12 equal semitones; the two ...
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| Music theory | 7/21/2008 |
Q: I used to take piano as a kid, when I was 6 years old, up until around 15. During that time, I ...
A: First of all you need to find out how much theory you remember. If you go to ...
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| programmae notes for Dip ABRSM | 7/14/2008 |
Q: I am a student about to sit my DipABRSM next month, and I was wondering if you could help with my ...
A: Programme notes don't need to be long - I usually think in terms of three paragraphs: composer, ...
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| Music composition | 7/12/2008 |
Q: I'm 18, I'm a singer/guitarist that's been playing for about 5-6 years and I would like to be able ...
A: If you're going to compose you need an understanding of how music "works". It's the difference ...
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| Help with transposition please | 6/25/2008 |
Q: In a desperate last minute search, I have come across this website. I am a singer (not classical) ...
A: Here's what we do. I won't post my private e-address on this forum, but give me yours and I'll ...
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| theory | 6/20/2008 |
Q: i really dont want to be to much of a bother. just a simpler question while im waiting for your ...
A: Music scores are very carefully proofread and, particularly where spacing/positioning of notes is ...
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| theory | 6/14/2008 |
Q: i have come across an x next to a note in the music text i was hoping you could tell me what it ...
A: It's a double sharp. There are also double flats, written as two flat signs next to each other ...
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| Icelandic music | 6/3/2008 |
Q: Clare Redfarn, Could you tell me anything about conventions of Icelandic traditional/folk music? ...
A: and thanks for being patient. The simple answer to your question is "no", so I did some research. ...
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| theory | 6/1/2008 |
Q: if a piece of music is in the key signature of 'c'sharp minor, and you come to an 'e'sharp note ,do ...
A: If your piece has four sharps as its key signature, then you're either in E major or C# minor. ...
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| harmony in textures other than 4 part vocal | 5/8/2008 |
Q: I've have an advanced understanding of harmony but only as it operates in 4 part vocal textures, as ...
A: I understand the problem all right, but I'm not sure how motivated you are to put things right. ...
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| harmony in textures other than 4 part vocal | 5/4/2008 |
Q: I've have an advanced understanding of harmony but only as it operates in 4 part vocal textures, as ...
A: You've asked me this question before, or something similar. I sent you a follow-up to my original ...
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| Musical notation - slurs | 4/1/2008 |
Q: My daughter is studying for her Grade 5 flute in the UK. Her teacher has never seen the slur mark ...
A: I've never come across this and neither has my mother, who's been a musician for 75 years! I can ...
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| singing lessons | 3/29/2008 |
Q: I would like to find in London some cheap singing lessons for medieval renaisance and barroc music.I ...
A: You need to visit your local library, which should have a list of singing teachers in your area. ...
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| Notation of Triads/Chords | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I'm a student at Berklee, and going through my books I still can't find out the answer to my ...
A: The rule with notes and stems is that if the stem points up the note heads are to its left, and if ...
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| Sounds Sour to me | 2/22/2008 |
Q: My name is Alex and I just wanted to ask you,my friend is getting a friend to invest in him.His ...
A: Alex, if your friend is going to work as a professional musician he needs to join a union. Here in ...
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| composition | 2/21/2008 |
Q: ok so i have to compose an 8-bar chorale with the following requirements: 4 part harmony, 4/4 time ...
A: I must say I'm surprised that you're not given at least one part because normally at your level ...
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| two part writing | 2/20/2008 |
Q: can u tell me about two part piano accampaniment writing. this is 4 my trinity grade 8 paper. mainly ...
A: I'm sorry but I'm still confused - I'm guessing from your name that English isn't your first ...
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| two part writing | 2/19/2008 |
Q: can u tell me about two part piano accampaniment writing. this is 4 my trinity grade 8 paper. mainly ...
A: I've had a look at past exam papers on the Trinity website and they seem straightforward enough. ...
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| Name of a particular type of sone | 2/16/2008 |
Q: In the (Irving Berlin?)song between Ethel Merman (and Donald O'Connor?)which begins with O'Connor's ...
A: I don't know the song you mention but your description is clear. It's a duet where two melodies are ...
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| Minor Keys = Sad | 12/14/2007 |
Q: Why do we associate minor keys with sadness? Do non-Westerners hear minor keys the same way? Do ...
A: I teach music and movement to three- and four-year-olds. It's very basic stuff - marching/clapping ...
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| Programme notes for Mozart's Sonata in Bb K 378, rondeau. | 12/2/2007 |
Q: I'm 18, doing Trinity ATCL violin exam this December and having trouble finding some programme notes ...
A: If you scroll down my profile, click on "more questions answered" and read the post called "help ...
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| name of a type of duet | 11/21/2007 |
Q: Is there a special name for the type of duet where both artists are singing 2 entirely different ...
A: No, I don't think so (and I've been thinking about this all day). I can think of a number of ...
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| how to write a song and where u starT? | 11/12/2007 |
Q: I want to know how to write a song and where u should start to learn all this songwriting? plz help
A: If you're going to compose a song you need an understanding of how music "works". It's the ...
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| Music and theory psychoacoustics | 11/11/2007 |
Q: The following information might help you to understand my doubts.over the last one year I have ...
A: It's no good, David, you've lost me. I've just read the Wikipedia article on "psychoacoustics" ...
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| music motifs modes | 11/2/2007 |
Q: I am a professor of Medicine[ Evidence Based Medicine]. My college is in a village in Southern ...
A: David, you must have given up hope of hearing from me. I'm so sorry - the silly season has started ...
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| music motifs modes | 10/29/2007 |
Q: I am a professor of Medicine[ Evidence Based Medicine]. My college is in a village in Southern ...
A: David, I'm sorry I haven't got back to you before now but I've had an exceptionally heavy week ...
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| music motifs modes | 10/27/2007 |
Q: I am a professor of Medicine[ Evidence Based Medicine]. My college is in a village in Southern ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| help with programme notes | 10/18/2007 |
Q: I am a student about to sit my ATCL next month, and I was wondering if you could help with my ...
A: Programme notes don't need to be long - I usually think in terms of three paragraphs: composer, ...
|
| Scales | 8/12/2007 |
Q: Ive been reading about scales and cycle of Vths. I understand all of it, but what is missing from my ...
A: It's all down to the mathematics of music, discovered by Pythagoras around 550BCE. The ...
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| Song in E minor | 7/19/2007 |
Q: I am writing a song in the key of E minor and I am not sure where to go with it. I need another ...
A: Let's go through the degrees of the scale in turn. Supertonic = F# minor - not a good idea. Forget ...
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| Music Notation | 7/18/2007 |
Q: I'm a beginning adult piano student. My question involves these notes I see in the bass staff of ...
A: This is a shorthand way of writing legato tremolo. You alternate between the two joined minims for ...
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| rhythm | 6/23/2007 |
Q: Please help me out with this drill which doesnt make me sleep anymore! If it is too difficult for ...
A: Your question didn't make a whole lot of sense at first reading. From the sound of it, the bar has ...
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| The minor scale, and grouping of notes | 5/20/2007 |
Q: I am studying music theory at the moment and hope to reach grade 8 by the end of the year. I have ...
A: The minor scale differs from the major scale in three places: the 3rd, 6th and 7th degrees are minor ...
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| Vocal Range | 5/7/2007 |
Q: I'm 17 years old and I have been singing in my school choir for the past 3 years. I also have been ...
A: Carolyn, I've only just read your question (Friday morning) as I've spent the whole week being ill ...
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| Beethoven's quartets | 3/29/2007 |
Q: in which Beethoven's string quartet the music seems to quote the German : Ich muss nicht " (I ...
A: You're thinking of the final movement of his last quartet, Op 135, which was also the last work he ...
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| composition help | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I have a question. My band, (we will be famous someday) and I do not know where to go from where we ...
A: and thanks for being patient, Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough ...
|
| Thanks | 3/22/2007 |
Q: I am replying in the 'ask a question section' because, for some reason, it won't allow me to ...
A: The Imperial March has a 4/4 time signature and you were playing 8 crotchets to the bar, eh? Sounds ...
|
| sustain pedal | 3/17/2007 |
Q: I was very pleased with your response to my first question so I am back to ask another. Let me just ...
A: I've got hold of the first pages Across the Stars and Duel of the Fates, but that's all you get with ...
|
| sustain pedal | 3/15/2007 |
Q: I was very pleased with your response to my first question so I am back to ask another. Let me just ...
A: One of the most common faults I come across as a teacher is over-pedalling. Remember, you use the ...
|
| stravinsky's major work | 3/13/2007 |
Q: 1.what are stravinsky's major works? 2.what do you think about his compositions? 3.How it apply ...
A: Major works (off the top of my head): Firebird, Petrushka, Rite of Spring, Soldier's Tale, ...
|
| Menuet and Trio modulations | 3/12/2007 |
Q: I was wondering if you could help me understand the menuet and trio form more clearly. I am not ...
A: The minuet is in triple time and an unhurried tempo - early minuets start on the first beat of the ...
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| early, medieval, renaissance, and baroque music | 3/11/2007 |
Q: i am having a really hard time finding the answers to my questions. can you please help me!! 1. ...
A: and thanks for being patient. I'm not answering your homework questions for you, but I'll give you ...
|
| merging two songs | 3/9/2007 |
Q: Can you tell me how I can merge two songs ( Lullaby of Braodway and On Broadway) to be performed ...
A: If you're going to sing two songs concurrently then they must share a common harmonic structure, ...
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| notation | 2/13/2007 |
Q: I appreciate the detailed response. I've asked this question to a few other experts as well, and I ...
A: Jon, and thanks for being patient - this week has been manic. Out of curiousity I had a look at ...
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| 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: Scales and arpeggios are the building blocks of all Western music, which is why we learn them. When ...
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| 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: My heart sank when I started reading your question! Transcribing music exactly is a terrible job. ...
|
| Phrases | 1/3/2007 |
Q: Please help me with this annoying drill in my head.. If in a piece of music, say a vocal one, you ...
A: and Happy New Year to you too. It's neither. "Question and answer" means the two phrases are ...
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| MUSIC THEORY | 12/20/2006 |
Q: COULE YOU HELP ME OUT WITH THESE QUESTION THEY ARE VERY HARD A strongly stressed beat is often ...
A: Because I'm a wonderful, kind-hearted person <g> I don't mind helping you with your end of term ...
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| the major scales | 12/18/2006 |
Q: e.why we have to write the scale of g major or c major ?? its a bit confusing many thanks john:)
A: All Western music is based on a key system that originated in the latter half of the 16th century, ...
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| Harmonies | 12/11/2006 |
Q: Clare, you are absolutely incredible! If I had HALF the knowledge you have, I would be on the charts ...
A: I do strongly recommend that you take theory classes rather than trying to teach yourself, and if at ...
|
| Harmonies | 12/5/2006 |
Q: I am decent at singing my own harmonies after recording, but instead of 'hugging' the lead ...
A: I've never heard the Indigo Girls but from your description it sounds as if you want to learn to ...
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| Modulations | 11/28/2006 |
Q: I am trying to write a 16 bar theme with a modulation. What are the best ways to modulate and why? I ...
A: If you're writing 16 bars, that's four 4-bar phrases. The first one establishes your sense of the ...
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| chord progression | 11/17/2006 |
Q: how can I find the best chord progressions to fit the mood of the lyrics? example: I'm writing a ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| Musical Vocals | 11/1/2006 |
Q: I usually compose instrumental pieces, however after playing in many orchestra pits for local shows ...
A: Well, if you've got a mixed chorus you can write for as many parts as you like. You can have the ...
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| 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: In other words, what musical devices can a composer use to trigger an emotional response? That's a ...
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| Minor sixth | 9/14/2006 |
Q: I have been trying to come up with a song to associate with a minor sixth, and I CANNOT come up with ...
A: Are you old enough to remember a film that came out in 1970 called Love Story? It starred Ryan ...
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| How to become a gud singer | 9/14/2006 |
Q: Respected Sir/Madam pls. explain 2 me abt the technical aspects of a song and also about how to ...
A: I'm sorry but I'm not going to be able to help you much. I'm not sure what you mean by the ...
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| 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: The purpose of this question is to find out if you really understand about simple and compound time ...
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| Question on Harmonising a Melody | 8/20/2006 |
Q: I am an amateur composer, and I know a bit of theory, and I know how to harmonise melodies. ...
A: Before you tackle harmonisation it's vitally important to have a thorough understanding of ...
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| Melody writing and modulation | 8/16/2006 |
Q: I am working on Trinity Grade 6 music theory, and grappling with melody writing beyond the simple ...
A: The two skills you need to acquire as quickly as possible are a) inner hearing and b) thinking ...
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| Key signatures - flats and sharps | 8/9/2006 |
Q: I noticed that some key signatures have up to seven sharps/flats. How does this work? How can there ...
A: and thanks for being patient. When you start piano lessons you begin by learning the names of the ...
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| Different scale over each chord | 7/18/2006 |
Q: I'm working on a metal song with a power chord progression of e5 f5 c5 b5. Would it make sense to do ...
A: Well no, it wouldn't make sense, but then none of it does. If you don't know Chinese, there's no ...
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| Scalar Movements | 7/4/2006 |
Q: I have a firm grasp on all the modes of the major scale on the guitar. I also have a descent ...
A: and thank you for being patient. It's been a long, hard week. Your problem, and it's one shared by ...
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| Chord proggression | 6/28/2006 |
Q: Can you tell me the chord proggression to Bobby Vintons song I love how you love me?
A: I haven't heard Bobby Vinton singing this song, but I've listened to the midi file of it at ...
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| Cadential Points | 6/6/2006 |
Q: A question about part of the abrsm grade 5 theory exam. The background. The syllabus requires “the ...
A: and thanks for being patient. Don't worry, you're answering the question correctly. The wording ...
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| simple question | 5/27/2006 |
Q: could you tell me what's the difference between motete and cantate? thank you gabrielle
A: Well, the easiest way to define them is: a motet is a sacred madrigal, and a cantata is an unstaged ...
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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: A 2-3 suspension isn't the same as a 4-3 suspension, and the bass doesn't move in either case. The ...
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| counterpoint | 4/5/2006 |
Q: first of all i want you to know i am self-taught. i've been reading some books on counterpoint and ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| S.t. | 3/24/2006 |
Q: Yes thank you it is Bachs Tocaata and Fugue in MinorI was wondering, when i was looking at this bach ...
A: I'm sorry for the very long wait but it's taken me ages to get my hands on a score. I'm not 100% ...
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| chromatic usage to every degree | 3/20/2006 |
Q: ... not to beat a dead horse but i think i may not have been terribly clear on my ideal..... all the ...
A: Zach, you must have given up hope of hearing from me by now. I'm so sorry. I'm an ...
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| chromatic usage to every degree | 3/17/2006 |
Q: i have been playing guitar (and subsequently have learned a bit of piano too) and was wondering if ...
A: Well, for a start there are two blindingly fundamental errors in your attempt at E minor, there's no ...
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| What makes a song/artist last? | 3/7/2006 |
Q: (This is a school project. The answer can be technical or your expert opinion--anything!) What is it ...
A: I'm so sorry you've had to wait such a long time for my response but I was laid off for just over a ...
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| Electronic music forms | 3/2/2006 |
Q: Double Click is actually in a compilation called "Israel´s Psychedelic Trance vol.5", of 2001 so ...
A: Eduardo, Clare's ill. She's been laid up in bed with an extremely nasty dose of flu all week and ...
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| Electronic music forms | 3/2/2006 |
Q: my name´s Eduardo and I´m a 21-year-old music producer living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have a good ...
A: Well, you're right, I'm a classical musician and I've never heard of Infected Mushroom, but I'm ...
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| theory related question.... | 2/19/2006 |
Q: my name is John and ive been playing the guitar for 6 months, I know my scales but other than that I ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| Composition | 2/11/2006 |
Q: Just to make clear, Absolute pitch is more important, and don't learn relative pitch? Thanks Hi, ...
A: NO! I mean the exact opposite! Relative pitch is absolutely fundamental to a musician. The basis ...
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| Composition | 2/8/2006 |
Q: I was wondering what good internet sites and books are there on learning complete music thoery, I ...
A: Can I say at the outset that possessing absolute (which is the term I prefer to “perfect” as being ...
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| major/minor | 1/29/2006 |
Q: I know the difference between major and minor scales, but I don't know how to tell if a piece is in ...
A: Look out for the sharpened leading note. The sharpened 7th note is an important part of the minor ...
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| hi clare. flip again. i... | 1/27/2006 |
Q: flip again. i have 2 responses from you but i can't view either one of them due to micorsoft ...
A: I'm doing my best! Apparently you don't exist ... The original message was received at Fri, 27 Jan ...
|
| -------------------------
... | 1/25/2006 |
Q: i kinda feel like i'm asking a hammer to kill a fly cuz all i want to know is, are there any cool ...
A: Oh, you may not have seen a harpsichord but you've certainly heard one. Lurch the butler used to ...
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| hi. i kinda feel like i'm... | 1/23/2006 |
Q: i kinda feel like i'm asking a hammer to kill a fly cuz all i want to know is, are there any cool ...
A: ALL classical music is cool <g>! The term covers about 500 years' worth of music so what period are ...
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| how do I start learning composistion? | 1/20/2006 |
Q: Before I get to my question, I figure you would probably want some backround information on my ...
A: I don't know whether you're following any particular theory syllabus, but from the sound of it ...
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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: I've found a MIDI file of a Pink Floyd piece called Breathe in the Air at ...
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| music scale theory | 1/9/2006 |
Q: I'm trying to figure out a way to explain the music scale and theory to a group of high school ...
A: Minor keys. Every major scale has a relative minor, which shares the same key signature. You find ...
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| music theory | 12/17/2005 |
Q: I am sure I saw a programme on TV which talked about how the notes that we use in modern music were ...
A: If we take the term "art music" to refer to the music common to an entire culture, (as opposed to ...
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| Analysis problems | 12/16/2005 |
Q: I'm not sure if you recieved the question after the first one, but it was concerning the chords in ...
A: Yes, I did get your follow-up question and I'm sorry you've had to wait so long for an answer. The ...
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| Analysis Woes | 12/13/2005 |
Q: Please disregard the previous question and let me get straight to the point. In the piece "Ase's ...
A: I think (and I've spent the last half hour checking my beloved Prout and Morris to confirm this) ...
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| Scale composition | 12/9/2005 |
Q: I am studying music, and scales/modes in particular, and I have a question that I can't seem to get ...
A: The mistake you're making is in assuming that music is a branch of mathematics; it isn't. It's a ...
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| Composition Help for GCSE | 12/4/2005 |
Q: I need to write a ternary form composition for my GCSE. I have written my first section, which is in ...
A: Well, it depends on how confident you feel about handling modulation. You could stick to any of the ...
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| doubling modal tones in inversions | 12/2/2005 |
Q: Let me rephrase my question. I knew all of the information that you gave me already. When you are ...
A: My apologies for misunderstanding you but I've never heard of dividing the scale into tonal and ...
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| doubling modal tones in inversions | 11/29/2005 |
Q: I know that one does not, in the common practice era, double the modal tone when dealing with first ...
A: I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. What do you mean by "modal tone"? Do you mean the ...
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| theory of pentatonic scales | 11/4/2005 |
Q: i am teacher of music theories & rudiments.i just want to know about the chinese music theory in ...
A: I can't help you with Chinese music theory as I only know about Western music. I've found you some ...
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| Deaf singing | 10/25/2005 |
Q: To Ms. Redfarn, I am a partially deaf person from birth, but have a hearing aid. I've also been in a ...
A: I've been doing some research - did you know that Michael Bolton is deaf in one ear? I didn't. And ...
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| BEETHOVEN'S SYMPHONY No. 7 | 10/20/2005 |
Q: BEETHOVEN'S SYMPHONY No.7 ,Op.92 IS IN A MAJOR. THE THIRD MOVEMENT-PRESTO-IS IN F MAJOR. THE A ...
A: Bear in mind I'm not a clarinettist so what I know about the instrument is purely theoretical. ...
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| Transcriptions | 10/6/2005 |
Q: I would be delighted to have the rest of the Brian McKnight transcription if you were willing to ...
A: A piece can't be said to be in a key unless you have established its tonic by introducing a dominant ...
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| Transcriptions | 10/5/2005 |
Q: I have completed two degrees in Chemistry and have found that: A lot of the coursework could have ...
A: It depends how accurate you want your transcriptions to be. One of my first jobs when I was a ...
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| Programme notes for Kreisler | 10/2/2005 |
Q: I'm 14, doing Trinity ATCL violin exam this October and having trouble finding some programme notes ...
A: How many words are you required to write? Programme notes don't need to be long, say roughly three ...
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| What's the best book on learning composition you recommend? | 9/22/2005 |
Q: May I ask which is the best book on learning how to compose that you've ever read? Thank you for ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| Theory | 9/13/2005 |
Q: I would like to make my own song and I'm using these chords G,D,C,F#dim From my understanding: when ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
|
| Composition and Logic Pro 7 | 8/27/2005 |
Q: I've been a musician since 11 years now playing percussions. Now I'd like to start in the field of ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| Music Theory | 8/25/2005 |
Q: What is it called when a single piece of music changes from one style to another?
A: It's not called anything as far as I know - you'd simply refer to the various sections of the piece. ...
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| Vocal range | 8/24/2005 |
Q: I have been singing/performing for many many years. Just recently I've been challenging myself, ...
A: I'm afraid I can't help you as I don't know anything about vocal training. You need to speak to a ...
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| Theme and Variation | 8/22/2005 |
Q: I was wondering if you could tell me the different ways to vary a theme, as the only ones I am able ...
A: I've been thinking about this on the long bus ride home, and have come up with the following: a) ...
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| theory question | 8/9/2005 |
Q: Although I dont fully understand the answer to my first question yet(im sure your explanation is ...
A: I'm not surprised you didn't fully understand about modulation. It *was* a perfectly clear, ...
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| theory question | 8/8/2005 |
Q: I have just started learning music theory recently and I have two questions. In this page: ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| Time Signature | 7/23/2005 |
Q: I have a piece I'm playing that says a whole note=120bpm but the song is in cut time, so would the ...
A: You're confusing the number of beats in the bar, the value of those beats and the speed of the beat. ...
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| 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: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
|
| Harmony in Fourth or Fifth | 7/1/2005 |
Q: I am a musician and love harmony in 4ths or 5ths but it is very hard to find any well stabilished ...
A: Have you looked at the Impressionists, in particular Debussy? He frequently uses parallel 5ths in ...
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| orchestra p.3 | 6/28/2005 |
Q: and thanks again for getting back to me especially with your busy schedule. I understand that an ...
A: and thanks for waiting. Phew, what a week! I've read over what I've already written and I've ...
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| orchestra p.2 | 6/25/2005 |
Q: I will take your advise into consideration. Just a couple of things though. One, I dont understand ...
A: To answer your second question first, I'm not saying your piece isn't an orchestral composition - of ...
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| orchestra | 6/22/2005 |
Q: You were very helpful. I am not a conductor nor do i know anything about it. Ive never gone to any ...
A: So you don't want to conduct your own orchestra - you want the chance to hear an existing orchestra ...
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| imagry | 6/21/2005 |
Q: See below..I've noticed something in common with my favorite musicans, and I'm wondering if there is ...
A: I've heard of synaesthesia but I didn't think what you described was it. You're talking about ...
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| Composition | 6/20/2005 |
Q: I'm interested in learning composition but i am a bit confused about the subjects of study that are ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| orchestra | 6/19/2005 |
Q: I was just wondering if you know how i can go about starting my own orchestra? Thanks -mike
A: Well, you advertise for players. You're not going to get professional musicians (unless you're ...
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| MUSICAL COMPOSITION | 6/13/2005 |
Q: im jonathan from peru, my question is aobut muscical composition, i know about, intervals and scales ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
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| still have harmonic frustrations | 6/8/2005 |
Q: I'm confused by your PS, by the way. The Lydian mode is nothing like the melodic minor scale. What ...
A: I've just sung through Penny Lane, and there's no modulation in it. There's a key change in it, but ...
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| imagry | 6/7/2005 |
Q: I've noticed something in common with my favorite musicans, and I'm wondering if there is a term for ...
A: I've heard of Terry Riley but not Adam Jones. I've read a bit about them both on the Net but ...
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| still have harmonic frustrations | 6/4/2005 |
Q: I'm confused by your PS, by the way. The Lydian mode is nothing like the melodic minor scale. What ...
A: I don't know what they taught you at uni, but the sooner you start learning theory properly, the ...
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| would like to know everything about function of chords in a key | 6/2/2005 |
Q: Followup To Question - If you listen to just about any rock song, in any given key, the chords ...
A: Anyone studying music needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're going to ...
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| Musical Terminology | 5/29/2005 |
Q: I would like as complete (as possible) a list of musical terms that are synonymous with "response". ...
A: Well, let's start with a single melodic line. If you play a phrase and then repeat it exactly, it's ...
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| distances | 5/27/2005 |
Q: What's the difference between the distance of do-diez and Re-bemol? I mean the distance between do ...
A: The distance between do and re bemol is a minor 2nd, you're right, but it's also a semitone. So is ...
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| would like to know everything about function of chords in a key | 5/26/2005 |
Q: If you listen to just about any rock song, in any given key, the chords played are nearly always the ...
A: No problem, ask me what you like. The only reason I said I'm rushed off my feet (apart from the ...
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| The Troublesome 2/2 vs. 2/4 Question | 5/25/2005 |
Q: I'm so embarrassed to ask this question; hopefully it's one you've heard so often you've developed a ...
A: Oh, the exams are going as usual - last-minute panic as students realise they've maybe left it a bit ...
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| how to learn scales | 5/24/2005 |
Q: I have been told by my teacher to memorise my scales. She has explained to me how to play the ...
A: Okay, minor scales. Every major scale has a relative minor, which shares the same key signature. ...
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| would like to everything about function of chords in a key | 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 listen to rock music much but the D-C-G-C riff seems familiar, and you're right when you say ...
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| russian nationalism | 5/7/2005 |
Q: I'm doing some research on Shostakovich's fourth symphony and I'm looking into why he didn't release ...
A: I've been looking at websites and the following look useful: ...
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| Composing a song with several instruments | 5/6/2005 |
Q: ive been studying music theory over the internet (musictheory.net) and i love it. I'm an artistic ...
A: It'll help you to come to grips with transposing instruments if you understand why they transpose in ...
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| Giving music emotion? | 5/1/2005 |
Q: I'm a beginning composer with no training & know just the basics of how to play piano/keyboard.I ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| Wagner | 5/1/2005 |
Q: I hate to be the one to tell you, you sound like a serious person, but a french sixth is a ...
A: An augmented sixth is *not* the same as a diminished seventh, so a chord built around an augmented ...
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| Wagner | 4/30/2005 |
Q: An analysis of the first vertical sonority of Tristan, please.
A: It's a French sixth on the submediant decorated with a chromatic appoggiatura, which resolves onto ...
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| composing for orchestras | 4/28/2005 |
Q: I want to compose a work for a whole orchestra, but I lost my sheet that says what the relationships ...
A: I ran a web search for "transposing instruments" and came up with a useful list on ...
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| V7 - I resolution in the minor key | 4/17/2005 |
Q: I know it is possible to put the leading tone in an inner voice and frustrate the resolution by ...
A: The rule, in both major and minor keys, is that the leading note resolves up to the tonic. Usually ...
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| Music Composition | 3/21/2005 |
Q: Ms. Redfarn I am currently 23yrs. old. My journey through the world of music began in grade school ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory. If you're ...
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| Opinion needed per 2 lines of my song/poem.......... | 3/18/2005 |
Q: Clare: My wife and I have been having 180 degree difference about 2 line parts in the chorus of a ...
A: I'm flattered that you should ask my opinion, but I'm not sure why. This isn't a question about ...
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| chord harmony, bridges, key changes | 3/3/2005 |
Q: It's hard for me to put this into technical terms, but I'll do my best. I've been a guitar player ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| Read a score | 2/26/2005 |
Q: I think I follow you.. Are you aware of any method books or texts that might give me a little focus? ...
A: No, I can't personally recommend any coursebooks but I've had a quick look at amazon.co.uk and there ...
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| romantic style music | 2/23/2005 |
Q: i have to compose a piece of music in a romantic period style but im not sure how to compose like ...
A: You don't say what instrumentation you're composing for but I'm assuming the piece is short - if ...
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| symphony questions | 2/22/2005 |
Q: what are the four movements in a symphony and why and what about the 18th century enabled ...
A: Start your essay by mentioning the Italian "sinfonia" or opera overture, which by 1700 was in three ...
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| counterpoint | 2/13/2005 |
Q: I just wanted to know what the actual definition of counterpoint is, i haven't been able to find a ...
A: Counterpoint is the art of adding to a given melody one or more other melodies, above or below, in ...
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| CHORDS AND MELODY | 2/13/2005 |
Q: I am currently trying to teach myself to play the piano. As I try day after day I can 't help to ...
A: If you don't know Chinese, there's no use my giving you an English-Chinese dictionary and asking you ...
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| music theory/mathmatic statistic | 2/10/2005 |
Q: Clare: I have thought about this for a while. Considering there are a finite number of notes in ...
A: Music isn't a series of mathematical formulae, it's a language, constantly developing, evolving, ...
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| music theory/mathmatic statistic | 2/6/2005 |
Q: Clare: I have thought about this for a while. Considering there are a finite number of notes in ...
A: If you put an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters in a room for an ...
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| schillinger system of composition | 2/1/2005 |
Q: I am very interested in learning about about the schillinger system of composition, what do you ...
A: I ran a websearch and came up with http://fusionanomaly.net/josephschillinger.html and ...
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| Music Harmony | 1/11/2005 |
Q: How can I put Harmony with melody? That is, if I have the melody already, is there an easy way of ...
A: Music is a language with its own grammar and syntax, and if you're going to compose you need to ...
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| advance harmony | 1/3/2005 |
Q: i am jess and i teach music composition but i have poor knowledge on advance harmony subject.. can ...
A: I follow the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music syllabus but now only take pupils who ...
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| Learning Theory | 12/13/2004 |
Q: My question is, What is the best way to go about learning Music THeory? I have been ...
A: Music theory is the grammar and syntax upon which Western music is constructed. The basis of our ...
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| Random notes vs. scale patterns | 12/10/2004 |
Q: I'm always challenged when it comes to writing a guitar solo for a song. I write mostly 70's-80's ...
A: I haven't a clue what the characteristics of 70s-80s rock music are - I'm a classical musician - so ...
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| counterpoint | 12/9/2004 |
Q: I've recently (for the past month) been listening to the fugues from the well tempered clavier. As ...
A: When you study music theory, you first learn to recognise something by eye and ear (which is why ...
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| Composing | 12/6/2004 |
Q: How do you compose a composition with strong classical themes in it?
A: The three inseparable and interdependent elements of music are rhythm, melody and harmony, and all ...
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| Theory: Scales | 12/5/2004 |
Q: .. wondering if you could point me in the right direction... I'm at a low level of theory ...
A: All Western music regardless of genre - classical, heavy metal, C&W, jazz, whatever - is based on a ...
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| live performance | 11/25/2004 |
Q: please could you describe the main functions and provide a breakdown of the different job roles in ...
A: I only know about classical music, and in the classical music business there are ...
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| Variations | 11/18/2004 |
Q: Are there any typical ways to create variations on a piece of music?
A: For variations to "work" their relationship to the original theme has to be apparent ie no matter ...
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| actual requirements and methods of marking Associated Board Grade VI VII VIII | 11/7/2004 |
Q: Im trying to write some detailed theory notes that colour code for the things needed in different ...
A: Since you're following the Associated Board syllabus, the best place to start is the Associated ...
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| Night on a Bare Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky | 10/24/2004 |
Q: Can you tell me the actual story of A Night on a Bare Mountain as I find it Impossible to find it on ...
A: and thanks for the nomination, I've got a couple more useful sites for you. ...
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| bad transition | 10/22/2004 |
Q: I've been writting a rock/alternative/punk/emo/whatever song lol. I have determined that these ...
A: The basis of the Western key system is that: the octave is divided into 12 equal semitones; the two ...
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| Counterpoint | 10/20/2004 |
Q: I am a bassist of 8 years and the past couple years I've been studying Jazz. I never knew what ...
A: If you've played any trad jazz, then you've played counterpoint. It's the art of adding to a given ...
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| composing terminology | 10/16/2004 |
Q: I thought writing a melody has no formula, but in classical music, they speak of " melody-building ...
A: The problem with answering your question like this is that I can't demonstrate on the piano or ...
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| C Minor, D Major, etc. | 10/15/2004 |
Q: I am really new to music and I was wondering what does it mean when they say like "in G Major" or in ...
A: Any subject - music, maths, geography, whatever - has its distinctive terminology and it's important ...
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| about counterpoint | 10/14/2004 |
Q: I understand what is harmony. A simple example in C major if i play the notes C- D -E I can ...
A: "Harmonisation" is the art of fitting appropriate and effective chords as an accompaniment to a ...
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| Can you tell me anything about... | 10/7/2004 |
Q: Can you tell me anything about the "Mozart Effect"
A: I'd heard of the Mozart Effect but didn't know much about it so I've had a look at a few websites. ...
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| How do you notate harp music? | 9/30/2004 |
Q: Umm... Well, actually, the same as the subject. I know there are pedals and stuff, but how do you ...
A: The concert harp has a six and a half octave range (nearly the same as the piano), from C three ...
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| Music Theory | 9/15/2004 |
Q: I'm a drummer who has been playing for the past fifteen years. Recently I've begun to realize how ...
A: I've been asked about music theory books before on this site, and the problem is that American and ...
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| It, Fr, Gr and Neapolitan 6ths | 9/15/2004 |
Q: What is a relatively easy way to learn It, Fr, Gr and Neapolitan 6ths?
A: Take what my pupils refer to as the Euro-sixths first. They're three versions of the same augmented ...
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| quesion | 9/8/2004 |
Q: What is Harmony and tone color.Answer me in very easy and simple words please. thankyou!
A: Western music is based on a key system where the octave is divided into 12 equal semitones; the two ...
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| Compositional techniques | 9/6/2004 |
Q: I am looking for some advice on compositional techniques in the style of Bach and Haydn - do you ...
A: I'm confused by the last part of your question since Bach (1685-1750) and Haydn (1732-1809) were ...
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| Counterpoint problems. | 9/4/2004 |
Q: I am a 2o year old man, who is looking to learn about counterpoint, I know about chord ...
A: In order to write good counterpoint you need to think vertically as well as horizontally ie you need ...
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| 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: If you're going to get anywhere as a musician, let alone a composer, you must be able to hear ...
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| theory of harmony | 9/1/2004 |
Q: I've just found the allexperts site and have spent a wonderful morning surfing around. To explain ...
A: You're lucky to be able to harmonise instinctively - my grandmother and her two sisters could, and ...
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| Harmony | 8/24/2004 |
Q: my friend and I are attempting to learn more about compossing. The only problem is that I have so ...
A: Music is a language with its own grammar and syntax, and if you're going to compose you need to ...
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| music composition | 8/16/2004 |
Q: i'm a 17 year old artist with interests of producing my own music, there is one problem, i'm ...
A: All Western music, regardless of its type (whether it's art music, rock 'n' roll, jazz, hip-hop or ...
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| Musical Form/Composition | 8/15/2004 |
Q: I was wondering if you would help me. I have just one small question. I was wondering if you knew ...
A: The earliest function of instrumental music was to accompany dancing and singing - music for pure ...
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| A composers 'voice' | 8/6/2004 |
Q: and that is why I have come to you again for more information. Before you mentioned about a good ...
A: I'm back at last. Sorry for the long delay. If you've followed what I've said so far, you'll see ...
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| Part writing | 8/5/2004 |
Q: I just wanted to check something. The vi chord although following the V wasn't part of a cadence (I ...
A: I've checked in Morris (Oxford Harmony), Kitson (Elementary Harmony), Thiman (Guide to Elementary ...
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| Part writing | 8/3/2004 |
Q: Hope you're well. It's been a while since I've needed to ask a question, but I've recently started ...
A: good to hear from you. The answer to your first question is yes, you must. It's an interrupted ...
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| 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: This should be easy. The first beat of the bar is stressed more than the others so you need to ...
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| Accounting For Taste | 7/13/2004 |
Q: What subconscious or physiological component differentiates consonance from dissonance?
A: If you play a major triad followed by a minor triad to children aged 3+ and ask them what the ...
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| Piano vs. Harpsichord etc. | 6/18/2004 |
Q: What are the differences between touch on the piano, harpsichord, clavichord, and organ? I've heard ...
A: To begin with, the piano and clavichord are touch-sensitive and the harpsichord and organ aren't. ...
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| song writing | 6/16/2004 |
Q: i'm opening a performing arts school in july and one of the sections i would like to work on is song ...
A: Performing arts students study drama, dance and music, is that right? I'm unclear how much music ...
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| aural training | 6/15/2004 |
Q: what sort of voice exercises is suitable for mixed voices-choir?
A: A lot depends on your choir members - are they trained singers, or musical but untrained (ie they ...
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| theory books | 6/11/2004 |
Q: Clara, how are you? I'm thinking of going back to college after about 20 years away from a music ...
A: The first thing is to find out how much theory you know or remember, so get onto the Associated ...
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| Classical Structure | 6/8/2004 |
Q: Classical piano concerti often end the cadenza with a scale run followed by a trill in a ...
A: The scale and trill themselves don't have a name as they're not particularly significant (the trill ...
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| The fall and the lift? | 5/20/2004 |
Q: I was recently listening to a beautiful song by Rufus Wainwright called Hallelujah. In it he ...
A: I've never heard of Rufus Wainwright but I gather this song appears in "Shrek", is that right? ...
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| harmony for new learners | 5/14/2004 |
Q: How does one write harmony?
A: Harmonisation is the art of fitting appropriate and effective chords as an accompaniment to a melody ...
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| School fight songs | 5/12/2004 |
Q: I work in a University Athletic department and we are looking at incorporating a fight song (we ...
A: The simple answer is that I've no idea whether such a genre as a fight song exists - I've never ...
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| trouble getting started! | 5/10/2004 |
Q: im in nairobi kenya.ive done music up to high school.problem is i cant seem to be able to get ...
A: You say you've studied music in school but you don't say whether you're following some kind of ...
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| sonata form | 5/9/2004 |
Q: Please give a description of sonata form
A: Sonata form is also known as first movement form because it's the form used for first movements of ...
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| Counting | 5/4/2004 |
Q: How in the world do you count 32nd and 64th notes?
A: You'll find complicated rhythms easy if you get out of the habit of counting and start feeling the ...
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| Composing Music | 4/30/2004 |
Q: I´m in a Puzzle for years now, I compose Music. I´ve studied a Bmus in Composition and I know how ...
A: If you've got a degree in composition you know more about it than I do, so I don't know how useful ...
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| Music Theory/Composition | 4/27/2004 |
Q: I am a young composer, or rather I am a young student who aspires to become a composer. I study ...
A: Anyone studying music seriously needs to acquire a thorough understanding of its theory, and a ...
|
| counterpoint | 4/27/2004 |
Q: Im a bit stuck on how to write counterpoint. What do the numbers underneath the notes mean? and what ...
A: In order to write good counterpoint you need to think vertically as well as horizontally ie you need ...
|
| Music Theory | 3/28/2004 |
Q: I have been playing classical and eletrical guitar for about 3 years now and i have just memorized ...
A: First, a question for you. Why do we bother to learn scales (and arpeggios) at all? What's the ...
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| singing | 3/23/2004 |
Q: where did the art of singing originate from?
A: ), I hope you mean in the context of Western art music, because I don't know anything about ...
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| Aural training | 3/18/2004 |
Q: Having been a long-hair musician all my life, I am now interested in popular music (jazz ...
A: You haven't got back to me so I'm going to assume you're a pianist. It doesn't make a great deal of ...
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| Contrast between jazz and classical composition | 3/16/2004 |
Q: Could you give a basic technical overview of the differences between jazz and classical rhythm, ...
A: Jazz came about at the end of the 19th century and is a fusion of two disparate musical cultures ...
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| studying music theory | 3/14/2004 |
Q: I have had a life-long interest in music and started writing music from when I was 12 (I am 43 now). ...
A: The first thing is to find out how much theory you know or remember, so get onto the Associated ...
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| Notation | 3/9/2004 |
Q: When I write for piano, and use an 8va above the staff, does that apply to the left hand as well as ...
A: It's a useful tip to remember that some poor sap is going to have to sightread every page of music ...
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| music (piano) composition using theory | 3/1/2004 |
Q: I've been playing the piano for about 11 years, and am now doing a senior project on music ...
A: and thanks for being patient. I must say I find your question a strange one. Every piece of music ...
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| Chord Progressions/Comping | 2/24/2004 |
Q: I'm a guitar playing with about 15 years of experience and I'm now studying classical and working on ...
A: There are no "tips or tricks" to acquiring a sound knowledge of music theory - you've just got to ...
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| composers | 2/22/2004 |
Q: I have copied and pasted a note from my instructor. She has offered bonus points for anyone who can ...
A: Okay, so if we disregard all the superfluous information, we're looking for a composer who writes ...
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| Order of accidentals | 2/21/2004 |
Q: Glad to see you're back on the board again! Just a quick question this time. I'm working on the ...
A: Yes, it's good to be back at last. I do see what you mean, and no, there's no set order for ...
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| Need advice on how to see the big picture of Vernacular progressions | 2/12/2004 |
Q: Progression and vernacular composition. Hi, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on ...
A: "Progressions" is the fancy term for chord sequences, and they're usually there to accompany the ...
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| Brian Wilson | 2/12/2004 |
Q: I am having some trouble with some things about BareNaked Ladies song Brian Wilson. I have the ...
A: You're in luck - I've found a downloadable MIDI and have been listening to it for the past hour. ...
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| Brian Wilson | 2/12/2004 |
Q: I am having some trouble with some things about BareNaked Ladies song Brian Wilson. I have the ...
A: I've found the lyrics online, which don't help us much, so I'm now trying to find either a ...
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| History of alternative music | 2/11/2004 |
Q: I am having some trouble finding some brief history of alternative music. If u can, can you send me ...
A: This is completely outside my sphere of expertise or interest - however, I ran a Net search for ...
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| Brian Wilson | 2/11/2004 |
Q: I am having some trouble with some things about BareNaked Ladies song Brian Wilson. I have the ...
A: Okay, now I really *am* confused. Am I looking for a song called "Bare Naked Ladies" by Brian ...
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| I've since spotted that you were away when I asked my question. | 12/23/2003 |
Q: sorry for asking a question (21/12/03) when you were away - it said you were available, but later I ...
A: Jon, hello and PLEASE HELP ME. You've just rated my response to your last question, which means ...
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| Harmony | 12/21/2003 |
Q: -) I'm now starting to work on Anna Butterworth's ABRSM Harmony in Practice book, - I don't know if ...
A: First of all, I'm sorry about the long delay in answering. Something peculiar has happened to my ...
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