Ways to use one's instrument or voice precisely to produce a desired musical effect.
8
votes
4answers
449 views
What is the technique Adrian Belew utilizes through-out : “Elephant Talk” by King Crimson?
Adrian Belew has some incredible sounds coming out of his Strat - one of them is the quasi-Elephant sound on Elephant Talk - King Crimson - "Discipline". I've watched him do it live but apart from ...
3
votes
1answer
35 views
Why is a particular measure of Rach Prelude in C# minor always played slowly?
I've noticed that in many renditions of Rachmaninov's Prelude in C# Minor (Op. 3 No. 2) that the fourth measure of the Agitato section is always played in a slow, unusual (almost weird) fashion. You ...
2
votes
4answers
131 views
Screaming / Proper Technique
I just started screaming properly (i think i have no idea) a bit ago like a couple months and i just need to know if im doing it right
I will try my best to explain how i scream
When i scream i ...
4
votes
2answers
68 views
Cello: Is it possible to play a double stop of a major 9th on the I and II strings?
The cello is using scordatura, the tuning is Cb Ab Eb Ab (from the fourth to the first string).
I want to know if the following passage is possible, tempo is around 220~240 quarter notes per minute:
...
4
votes
1answer
86 views
Tips for bowing in the Spiccato-esque part of Tchaikovsky's Pezzo Capriccioso on the cello?
See this video, about three minutes in, for details:
...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the best techniques to play overtones in the saxophone?
I play Alto Saxophone, and I've been wondering this for quite a while now.
I've not played one single overtone yet, so what are your suggestions?
2
votes
0answers
59 views
How does this technique (Beat Tap?) work?
I'm trying to play this song.
The part with the thumb slapping on the strings is quite difficult for me... He seems to perfectly hit just one string at a time (while beating the lower strings). ...
2
votes
5answers
810 views
How can I hold a barre chord for a long period of time?
I don't know if there is a special word for this playing style - I do it like this: I take a barre and I play all single notes along - if I need a chord I just keep the barre and press all needed ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
Raised leading tones in Phrygian mode counterpoint
In most cases the penultimate note of the counterpoint will be the
leading tone, which must be raised in minor to establish a sense of
tonality. But why is the leading tone in the Phrygian mode ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
How to play chords like G/B
I heard that if there is a chord written like x/y then that means an x chord with y in the bass. This can be played by playing x normally, but then playing the y note on the 6th string, correct?
Then ...
1
vote
4answers
237 views
What is the correct way to use your left hand on a fretless bass guitar?
I just recently bought a used fretless bass ($200 for a Schecter Diamond series = can't pass up) and it is the first fretless bass I have ever owned. The neck has fret inlays & markings, so it's ...
-2
votes
0answers
69 views
The way people playing on the bass guitar [closed]
I've always wondered on something since I watch bass players. I noticed that almost everyone plays the bass guitar (I hope I use this word properly) on a very strange way. Here's an example.
His palm ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
Drums - Having trouble playing bass 16th notes
The title is an understatement. I've been trying for months, and I can't for the life of me play bass drum 16th notes while playing 8th notes on the hi-hat. I can play snare 16th notes and hi-hat 8th ...
6
votes
5answers
3k views
How to bend and release without flicking the other strings?
I'm trying to bend up then back down on the G string (so it plays both notes, I'm not muting the bend back down to G) but I always catch my fingernail on the D string. So when I let the bend back ...
6
votes
2answers
261 views
How do I improve the rate at which I learn arpeggios?
I'm referring specifically to this sort of structure, where the notes cascade upwards or downwards but most often up and then back down. Many of the pieces I play (on piano) involve this rather ...
4
votes
2answers
97 views
Stopping high E string from muting by palm when using thumb to frett
After seeing many people recommending, I started following the book "Beginning Fingerstyle Blues". I was following the book perfectly till now but with the following piece I got a problem. The author ...
4
votes
3answers
173 views
Biggest differences between 4 mallet grips
I am aware that there are 2 popular ways to hold 4 mallets while playing the marimba. There is Burton's and there is Steven's. I am not really even sure which grip I currently use, as I just started ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
How are method books for instruments created and why do they work?
This is an odd question. But I think I can use some wisdom from teachers and other experienced individuals.
Now, most of the instruments have method books, and many teachers follow them as well. My ...
4
votes
3answers
189 views
How does countertenor vocal technique differ from “standard” vocal technique?
I am curious about the countertenor voice. What are the techniques for countertenor vocal production?
It would be helpful if the answer compared to the standard techniques of vocal production, ...
5
votes
4answers
170 views
Is it possible to strum (with a pick) separated strings?
There is a song I am trying to learn and the problem is that the guitarist plays the first and fourth strings together. I know this is easily possible if you are finger picking, but I am not really a ...
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Does it help if you learn to play certain instruments both right-handed and left-handed?
I once heard that if you switch hands when the violin, guitar or any other instrument that each hand has a separate task, it enhances your technical capabilities in music, general technique, and is ...
3
votes
2answers
123 views
How to play Rumba-Flamenco (Spanish rumba) style of music on guitar?
I want to play the rumba style of flamenco music on my guitar.
What are some defining characteristics of this style of music? Are there particular strumming patterns that define this music?
Which ...
3
votes
3answers
131 views
Any ways to physically improve hand and finger speed?
My question is general and is instrument agnostic (it's actually even music acoustic).
I'm looking for ways to improve my hand and finger speed, whether it's finger drumming on the kitchen table, ...
2
votes
2answers
110 views
Do I have a problem in my ring finger?
I play piano, guitar violin and other instruments.
I have a little weakness in my ring finger, especially the left one.
Instrumently-agnostic speaking, to reproduce what I'm talking, place your left ...
7
votes
4answers
166 views
Recommended arm and hand position for neck side
I was wondering if there are some really clear sites, videos or texts explaining the best practices regarding the way to hold your guitar, both to be efficient and to avoid straining your fingers/arm.
...
10
votes
1answer
196 views
Is there a common left hand position in accordion?
I'm an amateur accordion player who is having difficulties with the bass side. There's no problem when I'm using close keys such as jumping from C to A. But when I need to jump to a further key such ...
-2
votes
1answer
71 views
What is this song? [closed]
I've been hearing this song everywhere, but cannot identify it. It's the first few seconds of this video:
...
10
votes
8answers
5k views
Why does my thumb hurt when I play bar chords?
Certain chords cause my thumb to be sore. How can I play in a way to prevent this?
10
votes
2answers
162 views
Trill measure 29 3rd movement moonlight sonata
How do you play the trill in measure 29 of Beethoven's moonlight sonata?
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of Traditional Grip vs. Matched Grip for snare and drumset?
So far I've just been learning matched grip for my snare and drumset playing, but I see of lot of people using traditional grip as well. I'm curious, what are some of the pros and cons of matched vs. ...
20
votes
14answers
6k views
How can I best learn to play barre chords?
I've been trying to learn the F chord for a while now, and I am having a very hard time playing the barre chord. I've read that pulling back slightly with your finger and using the body of the guitar ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Is there a set of guidelines to indicate where on the neck to play equivalent notes?
I have just started learning mandolin and I am working my way through St. Louis Blues. The music that I am using includes the tablature as well as the music.
The tab for one section shows:
...
0
votes
1answer
127 views
Complete fingering-technique reference book for keyboard player for chords and scales?
I'm now studying harmony and since my instrument is not keyboard, I don't know how to execute complex chords such as 13 or other chords that involve more than 5 notes.
Do you play them with just one ...
0
votes
3answers
119 views
Finding a balance point learning to pick a guitar at a right angle?
I've been playing guitar for ten years or so and have the rather bad habit of striking across the strings diagonally. This is partly due to how I hold the guitar, and partly because I play a lot of ...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
What are the benefits to using different dulcimer hammers?
I, like many hammered-dulcimer players I've met, have a bag full of hammers. However, I find that I only ever use one pair, a set of double-headed hammers (padded on one side, unpadded on the other). ...
6
votes
2answers
115 views
Tips for using complex time signatures in a “catchy” pop song?
I'm looking to write some music in the vein of a band I discovered recently called Icarus The Owl, who use some pretty wacky time signatures (anything from 21/16 into weirder territories) but always ...
7
votes
6answers
1k views
When singing, how to avoid being distracted by vocal harmony or other vocal lines?
I'm not a professional singer but I love singing. I find it very difficult to focus on my own vocal line when I hear other vocal lines. For example,
When I was in the college choir, I sang bass, and ...
9
votes
1answer
235 views
What are good techniques to bend notes on brass instruments
I play Eb tuba, and sometimes I come across bending down in my notes - either as an effect at the end of a note, or sometimes as a slide between two notes. I find this difficult to achieve with a good ...
7
votes
3answers
137 views
When doing strict alternate picking, is it OK to play a downstroke twice in order to start a new phrase on a downstroke?
There are a lot of advocates of absolutely strict alternate picking, like Chris Thile. I've been practicing that for a couple of weeks now, and I'm at the point where I can play just about anything ...
4
votes
5answers
150 views
Is there a significant difference between playing one note or multiple ones per bow stroke?
So recently I realized that I tend to do just one note per bow stroke for everything I play.
I was taking a look at how violinists played, particularly with Fur Elise, which begins something like ...
0
votes
1answer
74 views
How do I play harp-like licks on a piano?
Many R&B songs I listen to have a similar sort of sequence of notes which flow in a manner similar to that of a harp. A good example is Beni's song 'Last Lie', in which the first chord is done in ...
5
votes
3answers
129 views
Downshifting in high positions on violin
I'm having trouble going down to fifth position from a higher position. I often land a little offkey (usually flat by a quarter-step unless I overcompensate), I think because that's where the base of ...
3
votes
2answers
196 views
What technical difficulties will I encounter transitioning from violin to 5-string viola?
What is harder to play, violin or viola?
My question is should be completely agnostic, i.e. no relation to the classical repertoire or any other rep., nor should it be about the string order.
The ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
Repertoire recommendation for beginning viola? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What to look for in beginner etudes for a second instrument?
[Stumbled upon this on meta. So I thought I'd attempt a trial by fire.]
I just got a shipment of necessary ...
8
votes
3answers
671 views
What is the difference between 'martelé and 'détaché' bowing?
As the title asks, I wish it could be clear to me. Can someone give me a good characterization? Do you produce them differently on a cello than on a violin or viola?
6
votes
4answers
268 views
Do competent violinists avoid open strings?
I just picked up a violin for the first time in what must be 25 years. All that time ago, I had lessons and playing in school orchestras - but moved on to other instruments.
As a beginner I would use ...
5
votes
3answers
215 views
What's the correct technique for strumming a guitar?
By correct I mean from a biomechanical perspective to minimize the risk of injury. I have seen some advice saying that strumming should be controlled by the big muscles such as the shoulder. My ...
3
votes
4answers
224 views
Is there a name for this guitar technique for Paganini's Capriccio #6?
I've spent several years working up Paganini's Capriccio #6 for the violin on the guitar and I wonder if the idea already exists and has a name.
For the violin, the piece is a coninuous double-stop ...
19
votes
9answers
2k views
“one finger per fret” - is it worth following this rule?
When I first got into guitar, I was given advice to follow a "one finger per fret" rule with the left hand.
Basically, to fret notes with all four fingers, and to follow a pattern such that in any ...
4
votes
3answers
178 views
What are the dos and don'ts of positioning your thumb on a guitar?
What are the Dos and Don'ts of thumb position in guitar playing? Are there bad habits or just alternative techniques?
