Questions tagged [learning]

Learning is the act of acquiring or developing skills and knowledge.

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What are the words above the staff called (especially at the beginning)?

What is this text above the staff for, and what is it called?
user48238's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
322 views

How to learn to create the right tone for my guitar?

This is quite a generic question. Since the day I started learning guitar, I have been lazy and never tried to understand how sound really works. I plugged the guitar in the amp and just turned the ...
David Dahan's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
482 views

Learning scales (skipping major scales) [closed]

I dabble in the piano for half a year(+) now. Just learned about scales through this video ( ). I guess i listen to a lot of music with minor scales, and I want to ...
reiner spaß's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
476 views

Is it helpful to study jazz when I like pop?

Recently I started an online jazz course, and and I enjoy studying it (all the chords and extensions). But at the end of the day, I don't know why I study jazz. I don't really like jazz, and it's hard ...
Orel Yaakov's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

How to practice for piano with chord in one hand and lead in another? [duplicate]

I am used to playing any song with both of my hand as I am good with harmonium in which with one hand you have to wave a door to flow air. But when it comes to playing actual notes (i.e., lead/melody) ...
Nisarg Desai's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
760 views

What is a good way to practice piano sight reading?

Recently I was practicing piano and my choral director walked by and tapped on the door and told me that, when he grew up, he wished he did a bit of sight reading every day when he was young. Hence my ...
A T's user avatar
  • 277
-1 votes
2 answers
396 views

How to learn pieces by heart when time is limited?

Instruction to learn a piece by heart (3 pages) in a brief space of time (2 days)?
Gogehat's user avatar
  • 65
5 votes
3 answers
891 views

What kind of saxophone is better to start learning?

I would like to start learning to play saxophone. I know there are many different ones but I am not sure whether should I start with soprano, alto, tenor or which other. Can you recognize and say ...
Davide Piras's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Should I learn to read sheet music for playing the guitar?

I would start playing the guitar with the app called Yousician, where it shows the string, and the fret's number. This feels too easy.
Mark's user avatar
  • 49
4 votes
5 answers
4k views

Is absolute pitch acquired by training, genetic or both? And if possible, is it much harder than relative pitch?

I have heard many different views of people that absolute pitch is ONLY acquired by training, ONLY by genetics, by genetics but also possible with training or ONLY both. But what is the truth? ...
user46792's user avatar
  • 1,467
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Learning piano the autodidact approach

I'm really motivated to learn to play the piano, though I can't afford any teaching and I don't know someone who could teach me. So I guess I have to do it "the autodidact way"—but maybe not really ...
reiner spaß's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
10k views

What can one do to understand time signatures?

I am struggling with the basics of Time Signatures. For one, I see it as more of a 'beat' signature. Notation is old, and time signatures are of an age where there was no clock, or way of keeping time ...
davvv's user avatar
  • 291
21 votes
8 answers
7k views

"The intervals considered dissonant have changed since the 'Middle Ages'"; How so?

In reading my new book 'Complete Classical Music Guide', I understand the following: If two notes are separated by a consonant the sound is pleasing to the ears. If they are of a dissonant ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

How to compose a new song when inspired by existing song?

Sometimes when I listen to a song, especially in foreign language, I get inspired by its atmosphere, and write some great lyrics. Question: Are there any tips or techniques on how to compose a new, ...
CodeVirtuoso's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
5k views

Understanding why notes are written on the other side of their stem

Beginner warning :-) In the following image, the outlined chords are not grouped like a majority of the other chords with four notes. There are four chords later on in the last several measures that ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
2 votes
1 answer
267 views

Advice on fingering and hand position

I am practicing left hand of the following peice on piano. It needs to be played relatively fast with fingers spanned over an octave, involving D3, G3, B3b, D4. Any advice on how to position my hand ...
Saj_Eda's user avatar
  • 215
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Piano both hands, learning curve

I had started learning a piece of music with both hands on piano. I have noticed that at the beginning, playing with both hands seems impossible. That is, one hand stops playing, presses wrong keys, ...
Saj_Eda's user avatar
  • 215
1 vote
1 answer
7k views

What are these two marking across the stem of the notes? [duplicate]

I have come across some markings on the stem of the notes that I have not seen before. I have underlined them in the image below: Strings section (violins, viola, cello and double bass) My initial ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Guitar: Left-handed or Right-handed? [duplicate]

I have just started learning guitar... I am a lefty, I play harmonium with my right hand... I don't know with which hand should I play guitar now... Which hand is considered as the main hand in guitar?...
user508615's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
143 views

How should I target learning chords?

My goal is to be able to accompany a song with chords by ear on my ukulele. Now, irrespective of keys: Should I try to learn all of the diatonic chords of each key, or just certain important ones? (...
General Nuisance's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
96 views

What should I look in a portable piano (for frequent travels)?

What are the characteristics that a good portable piano should have? Considering that I will take frequent flights with it, what's the best I still can get for learning to play the piano?
Adam Bard's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
993 views

Do composers often compose one instrument 'section' at a time?

Whilst learning more about the art of composition for traditional classical music, I have come across a question that I always wish I knew the answer to. Multilayered classical 'songs' are so ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
1 vote
4 answers
764 views

learning scales on a piano

I've recently been practising on a piano (I usually play the guitar or the bass) to figure out what the pianist in our jazz band does and I must say I like it a lot (the heavy feel of the keys under ...
user45784's user avatar
  • 425
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

French counting system

I have learned part of the French counting system (crotchet=Ta, crotchet rest=Sa etc.). Where can I find the rest of the system? I've spent hours searching and have found more questions than answers.
Shannon Duncan's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
5k views

What is the texture to this Prelude by J. S. Bach

My piano teacher gave me the following to practice with. It is near on perfect for a beginner as it is only one hand playing, at one time. Prelude by J. Bach It got me thinking however. The image ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Learning road map for classical guitar

I have no condition to study classical guitar with a teacher (which I think is the best way to learn) because I'm moving much, and I found online lessons are not suitable for me. I have read some ...
trequartista's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
436 views

Can one's musical ‘ear’ be trained with practice and dedication? [duplicate]

These great composers of the past: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and my personal favourite Elgar, all lived in a time where they had only a piano to work out their various symphonies ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
18 votes
4 answers
5k views

Why was Brahms's music considered 'too academic'?

I posted on here before about learning to compose, after hearing some classical music that moved me enormously. I have been researching many of the famous composers from all over the world; Brahms ...
cmp's user avatar
  • 2,676
5 votes
4 answers
11k views

Fingerstyle vs Fingerpicking

Is there a difference between fingerstyle and fingerpicking. Due to age I am unable to sing, so which would be more appropiate for solo playing ?
rmedaugh's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
242 views

Learning from real pieces

My piano teacher is really into Beyer Op. 101 and the dreadful Hanon. In his view first Beyer, then others, Hanon always at the beginning for ten-twenty minutes. Now, I love (obviously) classical ...
senseiwa's user avatar
  • 277
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

Tricks to memorise Gymnopedie #1?

I’m trying to learn the 1st Gymnopedie from Eric Satie from this sheet music: http://hz.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/a/ac/IMSLP136037-WIMA.8862-Satie_Gymnopedie_1.pdf While the first page is rather ...
aspyct's user avatar
  • 223
2 votes
1 answer
6k views

How many grades are there in learning the drums?

I've gotten to grade 8 in the drums and I want to know how many more grades are left for me to finish.
Vivek Prasad's user avatar
13 votes
8 answers
427 views

Do you ever feel like an "imposter", and how do you get over it?

I'm pretty sure a lot of people tend to feel like this sometimes. Sometimes I go for a couple days or weeks without being able to muster up ANY inspiration, and everything I play just feels dead. I ...
user44261's user avatar
  • 131
23 votes
13 answers
9k views

Are very cheap cellos acceptable for a beginner?

I'm looking at getting a 1/2 cello for my son. My options are either rent a mid-end one for 50$ a month, or buy a very cheap one (there seem to be some online for 150$~200$). My experience with ...
Alex Kinman's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
3k views

is there any contradiction learning different instruments?

I wanted to know if there is any contradiction when someone is learning several different instruments? For example, I am learning to play piano . Would becoming a good piano player in any way hold me ...
Hitman2847's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
319 views

What can I do before buying and learning violin?

I'm going to buy and learn violin in next several months. I want to ask what I can do now, such as ear training or anything to improve my "sense" on music. I usually listen to baroque music and Suzuki'...
Feliks's user avatar
  • 13
2 votes
2 answers
179 views

How can I get or play sounds from a tablet DAW?

I invested in a tablet and downloaded a couple of apps just to get a feel for all this, and I know I'm going to sound like an idiot, but after downloading Touch DAW and other similar apps, how do I go ...
Charlie's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
3 answers
145 views

Stick the sound of the major scale in my head

I recently began learning sight singing from Robert Ottman's book. I've gotten to the point where you should sing simple melodies, with the biggest interval between 2 notes being a major second. The ...
Catalin Petre's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Restarting without a teacher

A couple of years ago, I stopped practicing the piano due to school and other commitments. At that stage, I had recently passed my ABRSM grade 5 and grade 5 theory, and was starting to practice a ...
joseph's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

How do I master melodic dictation?

What is the most efficient way to become proficient at melodic dictation? Could you give a basic algorithm which one can follow to learn to transcribe music in different keys?
olegst's user avatar
  • 231
11 votes
14 answers
809 views

What instruments can a four-year-old with left-side paralysis begin to learn/hope to ever learn?

My four-year-old sister has tragically suffered left side paralysis from a brain injury. Because she's so young, her brain is remarkably plastic, and a lot of functionality has returned. She can walk, ...
General Nuisance's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the Arabian Scale in the key of G? What instruments are tuned to the Arabian Scale?

I read about a Native American Flute tuned to the Arabian Scale in the key of G. I know the NAF is tuned to a pentatonic scale but am not familiar with the Arabian Scale. Does it have 5 notes? 7 notes?...
Jim Passantino's user avatar
4 votes
6 answers
6k views

Mode mnemonics instead of memory

Does anyone know a mnemonic for modes? I am not asking how to remember what they are, Ionian, Dorian...etc.. I am asking about one that will enable me to know what the Dorian note is in any scales. I ...
user33232's user avatar
  • 1,153
3 votes
3 answers
1k views

Being deaf and still produce music, how is that possible

Does anybody knows Sean Forbes? He is deaf, but produces music, like this. According to sources he can also play guitar and drums, how is this possible? Also check out the story of Patric Costello. ...
StefanH's user avatar
  • 1,515
1 vote
3 answers
728 views

Can I become a professional musician

Hi I am wondering if it is a good idea for me to become a professional musician? Currently I am 16 and learning piano Grade 10 (RCM) and preparing for the exam. I want to finish it, but I don't think ...
Anthony Dang's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
635 views

How to tell the difference between a difficult passage and a lack of technical skill?

I'm working through a piano study (Burgmuller Op. 109, "La Separation" if it matters). I'm using this study to gain a better handle on large jumps in the LH and rapid chord changes. I think it's ...
Michael Stachowsky's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
331 views

Beginning on the Dulzaina

I'm keen to receive advice or tips on how one can start out with the Spanish wind instrument the Dulzaina (in Catalan it is called the Dolçaina). Dulzaina on Wikipedia Since we're not in Spain we ...
lithic's user avatar
  • 113
2 votes
1 answer
617 views

Piano learning books: history

Learning piano, I learnt, changed over time. There are classical books like Hanon, Beyer, and Czerny, and modern ones which I don't know (I am half-way with Beyer's). What are the major differences ...
senseiwa's user avatar
  • 277
0 votes
3 answers
398 views

Example of a child which got in two years very far on the guitar with just a very moderate amount of practice

Here is a link to the channel of an extremely young and talented guitarist. He has uploaded six different pieces up to now, and writes: Hi I'm Adrian. I'm 14 years old and live in Philippines. ...
StefanH's user avatar
  • 1,515
0 votes
1 answer
65 views

What is my vocal type? Help me :D! [duplicate]

Hi i am a young guy of an age 16 years! Now i'm wondering cause i'm confused with what vocal type i am! I have been testing myself at several music teachers and i have expanded through the years. My ...
Linus Grey Larsson's user avatar

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