Learning is the act of acquiring or developing skills and knowledge.
7
votes
4answers
787 views
A total newbie wants to learn how to write songs. What does he need?
I am recently being interested in writing my own songs/my own music. However, I'm a newbie when it comes to music. I am not really musically talented nor inclined. I only know basic guitar chords and ...
7
votes
3answers
839 views
What are some good slap guitar resources?
I'm fascinated by the technique of most of the guys on CandyRat records, specifically Andy Mckee. Are there any resources out there on slap guitar technique? How can I too become as epic as him at ...
7
votes
3answers
95 views
Is it useful to have different teachers?
I'm extremely satisfied with my Flamenco teacher, a real virtuoso.
When do you know that it is time to change to a new teacher?
7
votes
1answer
797 views
Where can I find jazz piano scales to practice?
I played the piano for years classically when I was younger, but eventually left it alone in my late teens and twenties. I probably wouldn't have if I'd been allowed to do more Jazz as I always wanted ...
7
votes
5answers
180 views
What can I do to learn violin before going to a teacher?
Well, I just got a violin today. Got it set up, tuned up (I think), aaaand... Most horrible sound ever heard in my life! :D
So, it is time to learn to play it. Apparently, it is highly advised to get ...
7
votes
1answer
454 views
Learning an alternative moving-do solfege — futile?
Here's a fairly specific but multi-faceted question.
I can only solfege (moving-do) in my head up to about Allegro 16ths at best, and I've been thinking if maybe there are ways to speed up. I noticed ...
6
votes
5answers
535 views
Is learning an instrument online a bad idea?
I took ballet and with ballet you gain something called muscle memory and if you learn incorrectly, it's almost impossible to ever be a great dancer (because of muscle memory.) Because of this, you ...
6
votes
6answers
422 views
Assess child's ability or interest in music and piano
I've played the piano a while ago (24 years to be exact!), then had to stop for a number of reasons.
Now I'm 37. I want to start playing again, not just for myself, but to get my 5-year old daughter ...
6
votes
5answers
314 views
What are the ABRSM graded examinations, and why would one want to take them?
I have seen several questions here about the exams offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. Most questions are from the standpoint of people who are in the ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Jazz piano versus classical piano
What are the main differences between a jazz Pianist and a classical Pianist, If there are any. If I play mainly songs of pop artists (e.g: The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, etc.) does this count ...
6
votes
5answers
406 views
Should I take piano class?
I had been playing keyboard for years. But I'm kind of interested to learn and practice in more proper way. As I had been self learning since the beginning. I know the basic of music theory and also ...
6
votes
3answers
537 views
How to start bass-guitar plucking?
I am looking for an online beginner tutorial to bass plucking (fingered) technique, something like the image bellow.
Important: I am not looking to learn how to play the notes etc., I would say I ...
6
votes
4answers
6k views
Using keyboard/MIDI controller to learn piano
I'm an adult just starting to learn music from scratch. The piano I have been using is sometimes not available for me to use, so I would like to buy a keyboard/MIDI controller so I can practice ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Rhythm/Drum exercises without drums
I am a 24 year old computer engineering student who just have started playing drums. I spend on avarage 1 hour on bus to school and 40-60 min on exercise like running, biking, etc every day. My point ...
6
votes
1answer
144 views
Warnings/Comments/Suggestions for low brass player learning tenor sax?
Let me start by saying that trombone is my main instrument next to piano and I've been playing it for several years.
I had a fleeting thought about attempting to learn tenor sax. I'm already ...
5
votes
4answers
310 views
Limb independence for non-drummers
I'm a beginning cellist, and one of the things I struggle with is limb independence. The simple act of trying to keep a steady beat with my foot while playing subdivided beats (i.e. 8th notes) with ...
5
votes
4answers
88 views
Memorising the fretboard when using dropped tunings?
I'm trying to memorise the notes on the fretboard so that I can more easily apply some of the chordal and scale theory I've been learning, but I downtune quite a lot (half-step down, whole step down, ...
5
votes
3answers
233 views
Adding accidentals that are already expressed by the key signature
I have been learning piano for almost two years now, making good progress. I have good knowledge of the different scales and their corresponding key signatures. When I learn a new piece, I usually ...
5
votes
2answers
98 views
Links and tips for Learning and using scales
Tips and links on learning and using different types of scales will be helpful.
If possible List of scales with songs in which they are used and (artists/types of bands) who uses certain scales to a ...
5
votes
4answers
344 views
What is the best way to start learning to play guitar by ear
I've been using TAB for a while but I want to transition to picking things up by ear. What is an effective way to do that? Please give answers about methods you have experience with and explain how ...
5
votes
6answers
939 views
Resources for learning to play the recorder
What are some good resources for learning how to play a baroque soprano recorder?
I've looked around on the internet but I didn't really find anything good.
I'd especially prefer a good book I can ...
5
votes
1answer
225 views
Does one play a song better after “sleeping on it”?
Whenever I'm learning something new on the piano, I'll usually
learn the basic notes and rhythm of a section of the song (several measures, maybe a full page depending on the complexity / tempo, ...
5
votes
2answers
158 views
Bach's Bourree BWV 996 timing issue
I'm currently learning Bach's Bourree, although I'm into second part of it, I have troubles getting the timing correct. Usually it follows a 3 bar flow (except few places, where it really speeds up), ...
5
votes
4answers
843 views
What are good beginner books to follow for classical guitar (self study or otherwise) ?
I've come across a lot of different series and 'methodologies' (Aaron Shearer, Mel Bay etc) books - and it's very confusing for the beginner when there's no teacher to guide him or her.
5
votes
3answers
277 views
Mastering simple songs vs trying harder ones when learning to play the piano as a total beginner
I've had this question in my head for ages. Recently I got myself to start playing piano again after about 5 years, but I'm still total beginner.
Is it better if I stick with really simple songs and ...
5
votes
2answers
413 views
Tool to help “read” sheet music
I'd like to learn how to sing songs. I have sheet music with 4 part harmony, but I don't really know how to read notes that well. Are there any tools that can sort of read sheet music for me? Like if ...
5
votes
2answers
454 views
How can I develop a high register on a brass instrument without creating tension?
Lately I've been reading about how trombonists (or any other brass instrumentalists) tend to develop tention in their neck or torso when playing in the higher register. In working to decrease ...
5
votes
1answer
293 views
What is the American system for graded teaching/examination of beginner musicians?
In many parts of the world, beginner musicians are taught and examined using a syllabus that is divided into "grades". It is a well known shorthand for ability level ("I play a bit of piano", "Oh ...
5
votes
2answers
282 views
How do I learn proper breathing when teaching myself the flute?
I have slowly, over time, begun to teach myself the flute. I play the piano and the recorder (sort of), so learning the note positions and how to read music is not a big issue for me. The biggest ...
5
votes
1answer
577 views
Are the lessons in GarageBand worth it?
In Apple's GarageBand, there are guitar lessons, but I think they cost money to buy. Does anyone have any experience with these, and if so, are they good value?
4
votes
7answers
2k views
What is the right age to start learning to play violin?
I heard that it becomes very difficult to learn to play violin after a certain age (14 IIRC). Is that correct? And what is the reason?
4
votes
5answers
381 views
How do you keep yourself motivated when you are doing mostly self-study?
There are numerous reasons one might have to resort to mostly self-study - lack of good teachers in the vicinity, lack of good players to interact with face to face, lack of time/money to attend ...
4
votes
3answers
189 views
Looking to expand my Spanish guitar repertoire
I'm a middle-level guitarist with a sort of rag-tag set of music under my fingers. I've recently become transfixed by the music of Paco de Lucia, Carcassi (I know, he's Italian), and Segovia. I'm ...
4
votes
3answers
145 views
Leading a jam session
Our local youth center organises a jam session each two weeks. Most of the time, everyone is just playing stuff and not really looking at, listening to or paying attention to each other. The most ...
4
votes
5answers
26 views
Forums for Guitarists
Which are some the largest and most popular Internet Forums for Guitarists?
Ideally a large community, with input regarding all aspects of learning to play, song suggestons and advice on popular ...
4
votes
2answers
378 views
Beginning to learn the transverse C-flute : with offset-G key or inline-G key?
I have a nephew, eleven years old, who wants to start learning the flute next september.
I have seen that there are flute models with two central round keys either inline with the others or slightly ...
4
votes
3answers
176 views
Do the hands' sizes affect piano learning/performance?
I don't really know anything about pianos, but since I just got a digital one I guess I should give it a go.
The first thing I noticed is that it is difficult for me to press multiple keys that are a ...
4
votes
3answers
100 views
Effective learning from videos
I've taken lessons and taught myself songs from books and tablature. I have also listened to a song repeatedly and attempted to learn it by playing along. One method I have not tried is learning from ...
4
votes
3answers
110 views
Getting my Daughter Started in Music
My daughter is currently 3, she has a very keen interest in music. She sings a lot and "composes" her own little "songs" to her own tunes. She has apparently has a keen ear for music, she inserts her ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Learning to play bass guitar: Fretless vs Fretted
I took bass guitar lessons years ago, but decided I was going to start self-teaching again. I have 2 basses, a Squire P-Bass, and a Fender fretless J-Bass. I was thinking about teaching myself to ...
4
votes
2answers
232 views
Where can I learn more about tapping on an acoustic guitar?
I want to learn tapping on acoustic guitar; its basics, various techniques and so on. How should I start with it? Reference of some video lessons would be a great help.
4
votes
1answer
108 views
How does achieve a “distant” effect on piano?
I'm trying to teach myself some piano pieces by Joaquín Turina and he marks certain passages as "lointains" (French for "distant"). It occurred to me that I have no idea what this means in terms of ...
4
votes
2answers
212 views
Learning the piano strictly by learning chords…and saving scales and complex fingerings for later…
I studied piano for a couple years as a young adult. I enjoyed it, but got busy with school/activities/other instruments and it fell by the wayside.
I've been interested in picking it up again and ...
4
votes
2answers
4k views
How can I learn 48 holes tremolo harmonica?
Probably not the best harmonica to start with, but this is the one that I used to play around with when I was a kid. So, I just pick it up at the store and thought it might be easy to learn. And later ...
3
votes
7answers
3k views
How to start self learning to play guitar?
I didn't see any post of where I can find a site that have good program for free to learn how to play a guitar.
i have seen only those:
How do I choose my first guitar for self-learning?
How to ...
3
votes
6answers
1k views
Is Hanon's “Virtuoso Pianist” good for self-taught musician?
I am a self-taught painist (or keyboardist, whatever you prefer). Some time ago I came across The Virtuoso Pianist but, because I never played under an eye of a professional, I was turned away by the ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How to play upstrokes with our hand when playing an acoustic guitar?
I have seen a lot of guitar videos and read a lot of guitar books but one thing they all have in common is that while teaching strumming they tell you to "loosen up", "keep going up and down" etc. Or ...
3
votes
6answers
327 views
How to learn piano improvisation
I am a self-taught piano player, played for about five years with shorter and longer breaks. I've never had any formal education, don't know chords or music theory. What should I do to learn piano ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
One at a time or all at once?
I'm relearning guitar after several years -- well, several decades -- away. I'm actually finding that not only is it coming back to me easily, but I'm learning more than I ever knew before due to all ...
3
votes
2answers
248 views
Learning guitar, start at low end or high end?
Just starting to learn guitar and I have access to a good number of beginner material. In almost every single one they start with various chords at the low end - typically frets 1, 2 and 3. Also, they ...
