All Questions
9
votes
2answers
460 views
Software for microtonal MIDI?
I'm looking to make some microtonal music (19/22 tone equal temperament). I want to produce it with midi. Timidity++ used to be able to produce a WAV file from a microtonal tuned .MID file, but it is ...
6
votes
5answers
10k views
How to start learning FingerStyle guitar?
How do I start learning fingerstyle guitar? I am lookin for a good book with CD, or any video series that will help me to get started. Basically, I want have some direction about how to play like ...
2
votes
1answer
333 views
Are there in-depth music theory books that can serve as a compendium?
If I'm looking for Music Theory on Google I find articles, tutorials and sites that explain the basics.
However, this won't allow me to really master Music Theory and be able to look up advanced ...
20
votes
4answers
4k views
How should I “store” my guitars?
I have a bunch of guitars of varying quality from unplayable to quite nice. I intend to hang some (or all) of them on walls for decoration, but I'm not sure if this is good for the guitars, so perhaps ...
18
votes
8answers
724 views
Is there a way to develop “Perfect Pitch”?
I was wondering if there is/are any aural exercise('s), analogous to how playing scales can develop your muscle memory, that can help to develop "Perfect Pitch"?
14
votes
3answers
962 views
How to properly tune drum heads?
I would like to know if there are any tips on tuning drumheads; I keep hearing harmonics.
11
votes
4answers
691 views
Trumpet low C# and D
Most trumpets' low C# and D are too low, and need correcting by pulling the 1st of 3rd valve.
My first understanding was that the distance between tones in the lower register is larger than between ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Order
I have played a few pairs of pieces from this collection, however it was some time ago. I have the ambitious goal to work my way through the entire collection.
It will obviously take me some time to ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Are Hanon exercises mindless unmusical repetiton or a great way to develop finger strength and dexterity?
There are a lot of different opinions about Charles-Louis Hanon's "The Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises". Some say it is unmusical and can even lead to wrist damage, while others think they are the ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
Software that Transposes Music?
I would love to be able to learn the flute by playing more popular music. However, all the free sheet music that I can find for a flute in the key of C is lame stuff like "Jingle Bells."
In my search ...
9
votes
2answers
200 views
How does one start learning music theory?
I know some basic stuff like scales and how to construct chords, but I don't know much about the roles notes play in melody, what kinds of melodies there are, how to do chord progressions, and so on.
...
8
votes
4answers
448 views
How can I improve my note accuracy and intonation?
Over time my pitch has improved simply through singing more, but I still have some problems with being a bit off sometimes (or way off on very high or very low notes). It helps if I focus on a ...
8
votes
6answers
1k views
Playing one hand loudly and the other quietly
I'm currently learning to play Comptine d'un autre été from Yann Tiersen (Sheet music(pdf) - youtube video) and when I play starting from the 13th bar I barely hear the notes my right hand plays.
...
7
votes
4answers
793 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
5answers
721 views
Learning Guitar by hearing
I am a little worried/tired of learning guitar by, note-by-note, scale-by-scale learning process.
I have the basic figured out. Now, I was wondering if there is a way/process/resource to learn ...
17
votes
4answers
4k views
Will a 61-key keyboard severely restrict my piano repertoire?
I'm planning on trading my 88-key digital piano for a 61-key portable music workstation as I'm more inclined into rock keyboards as of late than classical music. However, I do enjoy playing classical ...
13
votes
4answers
393 views
Is it possible to create the illusion of a sub-harmonic?
The way I understand it, a normal plucked tone consists of a great many overtones in addition to the base tone. A pinched harmonic, however, shifts the base tone higher into the overtone series by ...
11
votes
3answers
288 views
How can I move beyond learning songs?
I can competently learn and play chord progressions and simple runs on the guitar but I do not feel like I understand the instrument. My playing progresses by memorizing songs.
However, I know that ...
11
votes
3answers
773 views
Why do standard modern pianos have 88 keys?
I know that the piano contains 7 octaves plus a 4th. I also know that it accommodates the full circle of fifths (from C and back to C). But since a fifth contains 7 semitones, it only
"needs" 7X12 = ...
10
votes
3answers
401 views
Most common jazz theory method book
What is the most common text book for learning jazz music theory?
I have a strong background in classical music theory and would like to supplement it. I particularly am looking for something for ...
10
votes
1answer
419 views
Singing: How to pre-visualize harmonies
When singing, I have a good singing voice for harmony--once I've identified the note. However, finding the note is exactly my problem; I tend towards singing the note the lead singer is using if I'm ...
9
votes
3answers
476 views
Why Is Just Intonation Impractical?
I've read about the debate of "just intonation" vs 12-tone equal temperament. And nowhere it was clearly stated why just intonation is impractical. Here are my assumptions. Please let me know if I am ...
9
votes
2answers
303 views
What is an “open tuning”?
I know that Keith Richards has been known to use open tunings on some songs, but what is an open tuning exactly and when/why would you use it?
9
votes
4answers
297 views
Free exercise books
I've asked a question here: What is a string skipping exercise?.
A follow up question: Are there some good free exercise books available on-line for the post-beginner stage? A link to a good ...
8
votes
6answers
734 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
487 views
What are the shared fundamental components of Baroque and Minimalist music that make them sound similar?
Baroque and minimalist music are two of my favorite genres. In particular, I like the repetitive note sequences with variations. J.-S. Bach's Goldberg Variations and Phillip Glass's Naqoyqatsi are ...
7
votes
4answers
184 views
Electronic drums in apartment
I'm a drummer and recently moved into an apartment with high ceilings and hardwood floors. I have a Roland TD-4. I've been researching for ways to be able to practice quietly without disturbing my ...
7
votes
5answers
290 views
How to go learn through a book
This is not your average "which book to learn from" question. I'll post my research and background in as much detail as possible (since this could potentially help others with similar question).
I've ...
7
votes
1answer
587 views
What is this called? Why is it allowed?
"Golden Train" by Justin Nozuka (YouTube link below) is in the key of Ab major. However he uses a Cb major chord throughout the song, which is not in the key of Ab major. It sounds good and works ...
7
votes
4answers
5k views
What are most common effects (pedals) for Post-rock music genre?
I still don't get rules of our community (stackoverlow is more friendly on best-practises).
But I really want to know what pedals do bands using for post-rock music?
Tons of bands have simillar sound ...
7
votes
4answers
161 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.
...
7
votes
3answers
199 views
What are good tips for remaining composed during one's first public performance?
One's first public performance can be daunting in terms of the amount of anxiety involved. How should first time performers who have never been on stage (or performed in front of unknown people) deal ...
6
votes
3answers
513 views
How much louder can a singer go safely above the conversation voice ?
It seems that some increase in loudness is inevitable when going to higher notes. Is there any widely known recommendation or rule of thumb from the voice experts as to how many decibels can a singer ...
6
votes
4answers
295 views
When is it proper (if ever) to extend time signatures (8/4 vs 4/4)?
When listening to most contemporary music, in my experience, time signatures tend to be in "common time", or 4/4. But sometimes it feels like the phrase or measure extends beyond the four quarter ...
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
3answers
768 views
What are alternative “voicings” for Major/Minor/Dominant Chords if I can't play “Barre Chords”?
I would like some alternative Chord Voicings if I don't want to play the standard barre chords for major/minor/dominant voicings: Thanks!!
5
votes
4answers
347 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
Should I mute “unwanted” strings or not when playing power chords?
I've been playing guitar for a while but haven't yet actually learned to play any songs featuring hard power chords. Now I'm trying to learn some songs by Metallica and AC/DC, and I don't have to tell ...
4
votes
1answer
211 views
Can vocal range extrema be reached by a lot of practice?
Wikipedia lists the world records and extremes of the vocal range,
can extrema be reached by a lot of practice or were they born with that?
3
votes
2answers
484 views
How can I learn to play funk on a keyboard?
I used to play piano when I was a kid, mostly classical education in a Gulbenkian conservatorium. Now I'm 24 and nurturing a deep love for Booker T's funky keyboards. Besides my piano, I have a ...
1
vote
4answers
232 views
How Can I Replicate The Sound Of An Instrument?
I have experience of basic music theory, guitar and piano. My current project involves creating a computer program that can replicate the sounds of any given instrument (starting with piano).
I can ...
18
votes
15answers
5k views
What instruments are inexpensive, portable and not too loud?
I'm a college student, and I'd really like to start playing an instrument. But I want to find something that is:
Inexpensive
Small / portable in a backpack
Quiet enough to practice in my dorm room
...
16
votes
5answers
4k views
What does it mean to write a song in a certain key?
I have been searching for a while to try to correctly understand this.
What exactly does it mean if for example a song is written in C Major? Does it mean the song's notes cannot contain any sharps ...
12
votes
5answers
2k views
Why does the D string in a guitar breaks so often?
Well... that's about it. D strings (on acoustic nylon guitars at least) break way more often than the others.
I guess there's a physical explanation but I wasn't able to found anything on the ...
11
votes
2answers
637 views
Well-known composers or piano pieces generally suitable for someone with small hands?
One of my struggles with playing the piano is that I have small hands. I can reach an octave - mostly. I can reach it, I just can't maneuver between octaves quickly. Often times a piece will have a ...
10
votes
2answers
217 views
What is the name of the interval Db - D#?
I know that Db - Eb is a major second/diminished third. What is the interval Db - D# called (and why)?
EDIT: oops, Db - Eb is NOT a diminished third.
10
votes
3answers
667 views
What's the difference between the “smooth” strings and the “rough” strings?
On my acoustic, the first 4 strings are "rough" - that is they are covered in a type of metal corkscrew. The last 2 strings though are completely smooth, and don't have a corkscrew finish.
Why are ...
9
votes
5answers
256 views
Learn guitar chords?
I like to play guitar and I'm quite good playing tabs. However, I don't know the chords and I would like to learn them and to play them easily. Any tips on where to learn them on internet or tips to ...
9
votes
2answers
834 views
How to begin learning the CAGED Method
What is the best way of approaching the CAGED Method. What are some good resources for beginning to learn this method.
