Questions about the music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music during a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times.
12
votes
2answers
2k views
How do classical composers write music?
I am starting to learn about music theory and today it hit me how do classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven are able to write music for instruments they don't play, such as (for example ...
8
votes
6answers
726 views
Why classical music compositions are named with key/scale/note names?
I was always curious why classical composers use names like this Étude in E-flat minor (Frédéric_Chopin) or Missa in G major (Johann Sebastian Bach). Is this from scales of this songs? Weren't they ...
7
votes
1answer
155 views
What is the process by which singers identify their voice type/fach?
I am trying to gain insight about the process by which vocalists identify their voice type or fach. I am not looking for any discussion about the basic distinctions between, say, soprano and alto. ...
7
votes
1answer
110 views
Did Rostropovich ever play his Humoresque himself?
"Humoresque" op.5 for cello and piano is the only piece composed by Mstislav Rostropovich himself.
Did he ever play Humoresque himself?
From some sources I know that he didn't, whereas other sources ...
6
votes
1answer
111 views
Can someone explain the rhythm of a Mazurka?
While perusing some Chopin and Liszt sheets, I tried to play a Mazurka or two. But, I simply don't understand how the rhythm works. It feels awkward and unbalanced when I try and I just don't get it, ...
6
votes
2answers
174 views
Physiological basis for note durations?
For some reason (probably read something like this a long time ago), I have it in my head that there was some sort of physiological basis for some note durations.
This may have been something like, a ...
5
votes
4answers
190 views
Why do string players tend to breathe heavily in performance?
Recently, I've started to develop an interest in classical music, specifically chamber music and, more specifically, piano trios. Having listened to a few performances now, I can't help but notice ...
4
votes
6answers
3k views
Digital Pianos vs Old Upright Pianos for classical music
What should I take in consideration to make my final decision on selecting a $500-600 price range digital piano or old upright piano for classical music (practicing at home).
Some part of me tells me ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
What is “Sonata-Allegro form” and what other similar forms should I be aware of?
There are lots of classical pieces called "Sonata", and they usually have 3 movements. But there are guitar Sonatas by Paganini that only have 2 movements! And I heard there's a crazy Tchaikovsky -- ...
4
votes
2answers
358 views
How do I play these broken chords on a piano?
I have attached the starting of a waltz (A Flat Major Op. 39 No. 15) by Brahms. As you can see, the left hand plays broken chords while the right hand plays the chords normally. There are two ...
4
votes
3answers
304 views
What are some examples influences from external cultures on the development of Western classical music?
So, I think it's largely safe to presume that the core of Western musical theory developed almost entirely within Europe -- Greece in its very early history, mainly Italy and also the Franco-Flemish ...
4
votes
1answer
68 views
Are repeated octaves permissable in a fourt part SATB?
I am writing a four part SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and wanted to know if repeated (that is, successive) octaves are permissible?
I know that parallel fifths/octaves are not allowed, but what ...
3
votes
4answers
401 views
Can you help me expand this trill in Mozart's Sonata 16 (k545)?
I wonder if I am reading it wrong, or if i need much more practice on this segment. It simply doesn't sound right when I play it. Can you help me expand this trill into actual notes on the sheet ...
3
votes
1answer
184 views
Is there such a thing as “pop music theory”?
There is large body of work describing the theory of Western classical music;
I'm unaware of the state of analysis of popular music forms.
Are the differences between, say post-50's American ...
2
votes
2answers
238 views
Hannon or Czerny
What are the best exercises for someone who had played the piano for 3 years but has had a 4 year break and wants to get back into playing, Hannon or Czerny?
2
votes
2answers
272 views
Interpreting ornamentation in Haydn Piano Sonata in G Major Hob. XVI: 8
This is the first movement of sonata in G Major Hob. XVI: 8 by Haydn:
In bars 6, 8 and 12 there are trills (presumably in 8), but each one is represented a little bit differently. In bar 6 there ...
2
votes
3answers
619 views
How difficult is it to play Beethoven's (Emperor) Piano Concerto No. 5?
At what ABRSM grade would it be sensible to attempt the piano component of this sublime piece of music?
1
vote
0answers
89 views
Realistic long-term goals for an adult piano learner? (Limits of adult learning) [closed]
I started learning to play classical piano 6 months ago, at 27 years of age. Although I did not play the piano at all prior to this, I have been listening to classical piano and attending concerts for ...
0
votes
3answers
174 views
Piano Concerto Evolution
So I'm currently studying piano concerti, and I'm kind of stuck on a certain aspect of it.
How has the piano CONCERTO evolved from the classical period to the romantic period?
I always find ...
0
votes
0answers
28 views
Beethoven's Ode to Joy - interpretation [closed]
I heard that Beethoven's Ode To Joy was written to express the essence of life in terms of suffering and acceptance.
I'm not totally convinced by this sentence so I'd like to ask whether someone ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Listening to modern classical music [closed]
I am a classical music aficionado, but I haven't had any musical education — I'm an engineer. I've always liked classical music — the "older" kind — Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and the ...
-1
votes
2answers
96 views
Looking for advice on my self-taught music education
Until a year ago, I had absolutely no music education, and I decided to change that around this period, well more exactly I picked up on (acoustic) guitar as a hobby and from there gained interest in ...
-2
votes
1answer
99 views
Please recommend the next piano piece I should learn [closed]
I started learning to play the piano in September last year. I am taking private lessons from a young man who is a very skilled pianist and also a good teacher, but I happen to be his first student. I ...
