All Questions
13
votes
8answers
1k views
What is intonation and how can I find out if my guitar has correct intonation?
What is intonation?
What is the best way to check my intonation and fix it if necessary?
13
votes
3answers
558 views
Acoustic guitar - how to wind strings on the tuning posts
While writing an answer to this question, I did a little web searching and found that the way I was taught 29 years ago to wind the strings isn't necessarily the best.
On an acoustic guitar, I tend ...
10
votes
7answers
648 views
How do I properly stretch my newly strung strings?
I came across this string stretcher device. It claims to properly and evenly stretch new strings and maintain tuning.
I never really made a point to properly stretch newly strung strings. Can anyone ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I get the instrumentals for a song?
I'm wondering how people usually get the instrument track for the songs they want to sing.
I was wondering if there is any way I could get the instrumentals for the song at ...
5
votes
2answers
605 views
How to Calibrate / Setup an Electric Guitar?
Even with new strings, my guitar makes some sort of buzzing noise on higher strings. I was told it needs to be set up. What are the steps or where can I find a good guide to do this?
4
votes
6answers
2k views
Tips playing F barre chord
Any tips for a newbie in playing the F barre chord.
I find it very hard to put my fingers in place. I've got a strat.
I hear you can move it up and down the neck for other barre chords.
1
vote
3answers
398 views
Instrument grade exams
How many grade exams are there for playing an instrument?
I came to know that there are around 8 grades to qualify you as a professional guitar player.
How are these grades decided and what is the ...
37
votes
8answers
2k views
Are there any games useful for ear training?
There have been several popular music games in recent years, but they seem to be most useful for developing a sense of rhythm. Are there any games that are helpful as ear training exercises? What ...
23
votes
8answers
6k views
How can a classical pianist learn jazz piano?
I'm a classically trained pianist. Took lessons all through my childhood. I've continued to play and read classical literature all my life. But I never learned anything about jazz piano. I also know a ...
19
votes
3answers
3k views
How can I train my ear for music?
I have noticed that some people are better at hearing music, e.g. they are better in distinguishing the notes or noticing mistakes when someone is play.
Is it possible to train oneself to hear music ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the most common ways to “decorate” a melody?
Yes, I know, there are way too many possibilities and it depends on the style of the music... I would be happy with an incomplete list for beginners (like me). Here is what I have so far:
...
17
votes
7answers
823 views
Is there a way to measure the consonance or dissonance of a chord?
I know that if I played C and B together they would be very dissonant compared to if I played a G or C one octave up. Is there a quantitative way to describe that sort dissonance?
Edit: I understand ...
13
votes
4answers
365 views
Where can I get started with my improvisation?
I have been playing the alto saxophone for a while now. I have also improvised from time to time and have some theoretical and practical background on the instrument, harmony, scales, etc.
I have ...
8
votes
4answers
724 views
What are good sources for free orchestra scores?
Are there usable free sources for (symphonic) orchestra scores?
I'm talking about legal sources for pieces that are now in public domain.
21
votes
10answers
4k views
As a guitarist, how can I learn to sight-read music?
I'm learning guitar right now, mostly from Justin Sandercoe's free online lessons, starting from the beginner's course. He has a lot of good tips for how to practice and drill chords, and scales, but ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
Memorizing notes on guitar fretboard
I have 2 questions, which are somehow interrelated.
Learning which-note-corresponds-to-which-fret-position was told to me as an extremely important task for any guitarist who want to get better at ...
20
votes
4answers
738 views
Examples of songs or phrases played in different temperaments
I've read about the fact that 12 tone equal temperament is a relatively recent phenomenon, and that historically, each key would have a different character due to the unequal temperament. I'm curious ...
13
votes
8answers
1k views
WHY do harmonics happen?
The answers to the question 'How do harmonics work?' were most interesting.
OK, that's the HOW it happens. But WHY does it happen ? What is the physics here ? Why doesn't a guitar string vibrate ...
10
votes
4answers
400 views
What gives a piece of music its personality and feeling?
What makes a piece of music sound angry, dark, sad, happy, or otherwise?
"La Chute" by Yann Tiersen sounds so angry to me and "A Dark Knight" from "The Dark Knight" movie sounds so dark and ...
31
votes
4answers
4k views
What does a conductor actually do?
Looking for the roles of the conductor during a musical performance, I mainly came across answers as the following, taken from Wikipedia:
"The primary duties of the conductor are to unify ...
16
votes
1answer
4k views
What are the differences between tone, note and pitch?
I was wondering what differences are between "tone", "note", and "pitch"?
13
votes
5answers
331 views
Is there any way to improve composing?
Beside playing drums I'm toying with software to create music. The problem is when I need to advance further. I may have some good, let's say "riffs" (or pieces, or melodies, or ideas), and I'm pretty ...
8
votes
6answers
259 views
What are good resources for learning music theory?
What is a good resource for learning music theory, especially as it relates to the guitar, coming from a completely beginner's perspective? I had a musician friend try to teach me about modes such as ...
25
votes
7answers
422 views
Guitar practice: more often but less time or once in a few days but for a few hours?
As many people, who have lots of every day responsibilities, like going to work, family and etc. I find myself struggling for the time to practice. Some days I just feel to tired to pick up a guitar ...
23
votes
7answers
423 views
What tools should every guitarist have?
What tools should every guitarist have to do most small/medium projects for their guitars? (change strings, tuners, knobs, pickups)
13
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I safely extend my vocal range?
What type of vocal exercises should I be looking for?
Are there any temporary influences to the vocal range, like having had a drink?
12
votes
10answers
1k views
Guitar tutoring software that listens to your playing?
I'm looking into learning classical guitar. I know most people will suggest getting lessons, and I'm looking into that.
But I was also wondering if there are any software tutors out there that can ...
5
votes
3answers
463 views
Is it acceptable to move hand position while practicing scales on guitar?
I was reading through the answers posted here, and I liked the idea of playing with the "finger per fret" method, but it's not always applicable. For instance I was practicing the Fmaj scale last ...
35
votes
7answers
1k views
Will learning to play another instrument help me to become a better guitarist?
I am a programmer and I do this for living. As a programmer, I've noticed how much difference it makes to learn another language - the quality of your work improves greatly, just because you know how ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What tempo is Agitato?
I'm looking at Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor and notice that the tempo changes from Lento to Agitato. I'm familiar with the former tempo marking, but not the latter. At what tempo should Agitato ...
6
votes
2answers
676 views
What's the best method for learning how to play triplets over quavers?
I've always struggled to play pieces where one part is in quavers (or any multiple thereof) and another is in triplets (or any odd number).
I'm going to have to finally conquer it, as I am attempting ...
6
votes
11answers
225 views
How do you tune your guitar?
I'd like to hear about the different techniques of tuning a guitar with standard tuning, and why you use them.
4
votes
1answer
456 views
What can I do about my problems with piano scales which manifest in just one direction?
I've been practicing scales for some time now, and I found them mostly easy and fun to play. The problems begin when I have to play them faster, but oddly enough my problem manifests only when playing ...
4
votes
4answers
298 views
Backing Tracks for Practicing
Looking for Backing Tracks for Practicing on Guitar, I listen to Heavy Metal and Progressive Metal genre.
27
votes
15answers
5k views
Changing the strings: one by one, or by taking all strings off at one time?
The title says it all. Should I change strings one by one, or take them all at once? Does this matter at all?
If I take all strings off, will it damage my neck in any way, because the pressure is ...
18
votes
4answers
5k views
What is the relationship between “do re mi” and note letter names?
When the people sing the song, we use do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti (or si).... but some time I hear that the music people say A, B, C, or C flat..., what is their relationship? or are they two ...
17
votes
4answers
8k views
How does scale length affect my playing?
This one's a bit rudimentary, but scale length is a bit of a mystery to me. I understand what it is, but I don't understand what it does. I own guitars with different scale lengths (Telecaster vs ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
Why do tube-based guitar amplifiers sound so good?
Is it just a cultural thing ("they've always sounded that way") or is there some basis in music theory for this?
12
votes
8answers
1k views
How is counterpoint different from harmony?
Harmony is a kind of second sound you hear. Counterpoint is also the second sound you hear. Aside from technical differentiation, how can you by ear differentiate these two concepts. I mean, is it ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
How to hide a flat pick in the right hand when switching to finger picking, Warren Haynes style
Watch any Warren Haynes video on YouTube and you'll notice that he often likes to mix it up and play solos with a pick but mid-way switch to using his fingers.
...
10
votes
5answers
392 views
Skills needed for classical guitar
I've been playing steel-string acoustic for 25+ years, and I'm becoming more interested in classical guitar playing. While I'm fairly good at fingerstyle, I'm aware that making the leap to ...
8
votes
3answers
341 views
What is the the Nashville Numbers system?
Recently, a couple of my bandmates were talking about a technique they use called Nashville Numbers. It's similar to writing out chords, but instead uses numbers. These numbers are a pattern that ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
What is a “Circle of Fourths” chord progression?
Are there any examples of songs that employ a Circle of Fourths that I might be able to practice along to? How does the progression tie in with different scales?
6
votes
1answer
280 views
One-to-one techniques for improving ability to sing in tune
There are a number of questions on this site from singers who want to find software so they can work, on their own, on their ability to sing in tune.
However, I am hoping to do some one-to-one (and ...
5
votes
4answers
729 views
Why does the Dorian mode on C have two flats?
I'm studying scale modes and I just found on Wikipedia that the Dorian mode on C has two flats...
Why is this? Because the Dorian mode is just the major scale (Ionian) starting from the second ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Causes of sharp pain in a fretting finger after playing guitar or bass?
I have been playing guitar and bass for about 20 years now and I have noticed that sometimes, particularly in the last five years, I will do something with my fretting hand that causes a sharp pain in ...
4
votes
4answers
329 views
Chord books and theory
I have some basic knowledge on chords but I was wondering what books on chords and theory were the best for expanding my musical knowledge? As in, intermediate to advanced level books ?
2
votes
2answers
130 views
Driving a Novation UltraNova synth via a Yahama synth guitar (G10 ?)
Would it be possible to play on a Yahama syntheziser guitar, and get the sounds and instruments to actually come out of the sound bank of the Novation UltraNovation synthesizer ?
(please feel free to ...
11
votes
3answers
365 views
How can I do rough vocals without hurting my voice?
I recently wrote a song where the vocals are supposed to sound rough, but not quite growling/screaming. What's the best way to get that sort of sound from my voice without any long-term or short-term ...
10
votes
8answers
3k views
Cleaning the fretboard of an electric guitar
I have had my electric guitar for several years and I noticed that there is some "sweat dirt" on the fretboard of the guitar, so the inlay is less shiny.
I'd like to clean that without taking the ...
