Questions tagged [technique]
For questions about ways to use one's instrument or voice precisely to produce a desired musical effect.
1,007
questions
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2answers
75 views
How many repetitions of a piece I'm learning should I do before the notes become permanently embedded in my memory?
Do people forget songs once they master it and don't practice it for months and years? I am practicing many songs and doing ear training and scales and chords and many things in parallel. Hence have ...
0
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1answer
45 views
Can anyone please tell me how to play this in “La Campanella”?
I can't play the grace notes. Either it gets out of sync or there is a noticeable delay.
0
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1answer
114 views
What's the trampoline sound in some solo piano recordings?
I listen to classical music while I study. I've noticed a couple songs that have a kind of springing, trampoline-like sound in them. What is that? Is it an artifact of a specific play style or some ...
1
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1answer
47 views
How to practice trumpet with mouthpiece alone?
I heard that trumpeters in a mariachi band are not allowed to pick up the trumpet until they have mastered playing with just the mouthpiece. How would I go about replicating this technique of ...
10
votes
4answers
792 views
Are notes played on the beat [always] played louder?
I know that the 4/4 time signature is played as [ONE-two-Three-four]. But in the third beat of the first measure there are two 8th notes; the first one coinciding with the beat. So would they be ...
2
votes
3answers
93 views
How to practice this kind of complex tuplet structures appeared in Scriabin's Poem Op.32 and his Etude Op.42 No.2?
Recently, I have put a lot of efforts in practicing Scriabin's Poem Op.32 No.1 and his Etude Op.42 No.2. But I've found it really hard to master the complex rhythm structures.
In bar 16 of his poem ...
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vote
3answers
96 views
While playing a song / melody, Why does my timing of hitting the chords go wrong?
Hello to all the music fraternity, mentors and experts. I am struggling long time now with the problem of playing the chords correctly at the required places while playing any song or melody. I am ...
3
votes
2answers
49 views
Are middle eastern flutes generally played with the left hand closer to the mouth?
I've seen different people on the internet play middle eastern flutes like the Ney and Kaval either with their left hand or right hand closer to the mouth. I'm unsure which of these is best for me to ...
3
votes
3answers
134 views
Block chord progressions on piano: how to improve landing fingers accurately and timely one after another
I dread block chords (just beginning to learn piano). They are much trickier than broken chords, as they require placing multiple fingers on respective correct keys all at once and land on the next ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Correct technique for multi string legato pull-offs
Here I tabbed out the tablature of legato line on two string i.e. G and D String.
I am self taught intermediate guitar player, still learning. I am trying to figure out solution or correct way to ...
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2answers
59 views
What's more important: Straight bow, or flexible grip?
I've been formulating my bowing philosophy.
Itzhak Perlman has a phenomenal bow hold--his grip is very flexible, and it makes his playing look very natural. His index and pinky fingers occasionally ...
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2answers
81 views
Piano Rhapsody of a Theme of Paganini: Varation 18: Confusing note count [duplicate]
I am studying Variation 18 from a Rhapsody of a Theme of Paganini. I have stumbled uppon a confusing set of notes. I see this comming back in the measures. In the first picture below you start, for ...
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2answers
57 views
Celtic folk music bass technique
Few days ago I joined a Celtic folk music band as a bass player.
I've never play that kind of music, but I found it very different to play compared to rock music, especially with the right hand.
...
0
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0answers
21 views
How to improve improvisation (darbuka / doumbek) hand drum
A few years ago, I bought an instructional DVD on how to play the darbuka, and now, all these years later, I have more or less got the all the featured beats down.
The issue is I tend to sound a bit ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
Chords in Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto
I am currently practicing the first movement of the 2nd Rachmaninoff piano concerto. Luckily I have no troubles reaching the chords in the left hand (Maybe because I am left-handed? The only time it ...
24
votes
6answers
7k views
Why do some pianists occasionally play their hands at different times?
Piano is not my main instrument, but I have always been taught that the same rhythms should always sound together. In other words, if both hands play on the downbeat of the measure, both hands should ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
Chopin - Étude in A minor, Op.25 No.11 “Winterwind” Pedalling Discrepancies Between Sheet Music and Performances
The nub of the question is: why are there pedalling discrepancies that most performers I listen to follow identically, but are almost universally not listed in any variations of scores and how could I ...
1
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1answer
54 views
I am struggling with fingerboard muscle memory on the violin. Are there exercises, besides scales, that can help me?
I'm an adult learning violin for 5 months now. No tape or any markings on the fingerboard.
I can't seem to gain muscle memory when it comes to placing fingers.
I have an idea of where they should go,...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Are my hands too small for chord embellishments?
I’ve been playing guitar for about a year and I’m learning to play RnB style chord embellishments and right now they seem absolutely impossible. Playing an Emin7 and hammering on the 10th fret seems ...
2
votes
1answer
26 views
Are there any practice regimens or recommendations related to recovery or rehabilitation of skills due to a cervical spine condition?
In 12/2019 I lost the feelings in my fingers and had significant pain in my shoulder and arm. The condition was treated successfully and I am having regular physical therapy from a sports and medicine ...
2
votes
0answers
62 views
What is is called when you repeatedly press strings on a guitar and strum at the same time?
What is is called when you repeatedly press strings on a guitar and strum at the same time? If you do it fast enough on an acoustic guitar it will make a wah-wah-wah-wah sound. This is without a pedal,...
2
votes
0answers
61 views
What are some of the mechanics of playing guitar with your teeth?
if you were to begin a Jimi Hendrix tribute band and you want to do this...
Is there any specific mechanics or techniques you need to master to be able to play like ...
1
vote
4answers
94 views
What is the proper way to fret (R-3-m7-9-5) chords (on the fifth string)?
I'm sorry about the somewhat vague title, but my knowledge of chord notation is somewhat limited.
I've always had some issues when it comes to fretting this type of chord. If I leave the fifth out ...
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vote
2answers
104 views
How to do basic guitar spider exercise correctly?
I have just given the most basic spider exercise a go and realise I am not 100% clear what counts as a "doing it correctly". I'm playing A A# B C B A# A on string 1 by slowly holding down fingers 1 2 ...
2
votes
3answers
192 views
How exactly is this measure in Chopin's etude supposed to be played?
How am I supposed to play the staccato in the following section? I also don't understand when composers write 8th on bottom and then a 16th on top. Why do composers do this?
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Why tilt a violin bow inward? (I.e., stick towards bridge, not towards scroll)
In this recording of Jascha Heifetz he frequently tilts the bow inwards (by which I mean towards the bridge instead of "outwards" towards the scroll). Here's a frame showing it:
I have never seen ...
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votes
2answers
84 views
How does one compose in a certain style of a musician or musicians? [closed]
How do you compose in the style of a musician, or musicians that has a peculiar sound, but make it uniquely yours? I want to make my own accompaniment tracks on my keyboard and play in different ...
0
votes
3answers
88 views
What is a musical pattern and how do you use it in style?
In music theory what is a music pattern as it relates to style? Here is a quote I got from this website to help one get my question about style... and the use of "musical pattern. " "Style refers to ...
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vote
1answer
51 views
High notes in the mix voice
When singing high notes, is mixed voice the same thing as head voice? Is mixed voice just a bridge between head and chest, and when you sing higher, it is actually your head voice?
15
votes
12answers
4k views
I have been practicing a song for 3 hours straight but I keep making mistakes. How can I get it right?
There is this one song I have to play for school but every time I try to play it, I make a mistake. I did this for 3 hours straight and I sent an email to my teacher and he gave me some advice but it ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Which string instruments/playing techniques were used for Nashville Sound country music?
I've been delving into the history of a particular style of country music called "Nashville Sound" recently, which involved a lot of string sections in songs. Some websites describe them as being "...
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vote
2answers
84 views
What fingers should I use to play this section?
I'm learning a song on piano (the "Dungeon Theme" from The Legend of Zelda) and I'm having trouble with one particular section because I'm having trouble moving my fingers fast enough to play the ...
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vote
2answers
180 views
Simulate “modern pop sounds” on grand piano?
Recently I saw a couple examples of people using an acoustic guitar to create music that sounds similar to the kind you would hear from a whole band, i.e. one with guitar, percussion, and melodic ...
3
votes
2answers
87 views
Hands stiff in the morning after practice on the previous day
I think there has been an error somewhere. I have not been playing for 30 years and have just started on the keyboard a month ago.
I think you are right about the fingers doing bulk of the work ...
1
vote
3answers
65 views
Question on piano technique for fast, light and loose runs: How much fingers and how much elbow?
I have been playing for over 10 years but never had technical guidance on piano. Lately I have been trying to correct that. I have been working on getting my scales and runs more relaxed, homogeneous ...
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vote
2answers
87 views
Is it ok just to play the Melody instead of the main grand Staff?
As A total novice I'm attempting to play the look of love by Bacharach. I have the music in front of me and I notice a Treble Clef above the Grand Staff.
I quickly Google this and find it is the ...
0
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0answers
77 views
How did Kurt Cobain go straight from “Tourette's” to “Polly” in the Live at Reading concert?
In this video of Nirvana's 1992 Live at Reading performance, Kurt screams out the song "Tourette's" (35:10), and it sounds like he's absolutely destroying his vocal chords. Then, at 37:04, he's ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
Bassoon line in Pink Floyd song
I played bassoon all through high school and was lured away by rock and roll. Someday I'd like to take it up again and probably will.
My question concerns the bassoon line in the Pink Floyd song, "...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
Fingering for a left hand C-G-C-G-C arpeggio
Newbie player here. I've been playing piano for almost a year now (I'm 22, self taught), and have been recently trying to move up to two octave arpeggios. I'm currently struggling with a C-G-C-G-C ...
0
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2answers
79 views
Safety of exercises in Alan Greene: “How to Sing and Speak Properly” book
I have years of experience singing incorrectly on a hobbyist level. My voice has a lot of tension and I have very little concept of what makes up "good technique". I want to improve my singing tone ...
4
votes
8answers
831 views
How to practice for speed and consistency
I am practising a piece on piano and I find that I can not progress beyond 70% of the intended speed without hitting a lot of wrong keys by accident. In fact, I even have problems playing the song at ...
2
votes
1answer
52 views
How Do I Utilize My Practice Time So It Is Efficient (Clarinet)?
As a high school clarinetist, I have showed skill and potential. I play a Buffet E12F, with a Vandoren Black Diamond mouthpiece, and use 3 1/2 strength V12 Vandoren reeds. I made all-state this past ...
2
votes
3answers
45 views
Ständchen Schubert arr. Liszt help with line
While learning this piece I encountered this line connecting two notes between the different clefs. I’ve never seen it before but my best guess is that maybe it’s showing a change in the voice between ...
2
votes
3answers
86 views
General technique and sight-reading recommendations for piano [closed]
I played piano for many years in an "informal school", which helped me get some experience. I started when I was really young and learnt almost no classical music, mainly movie soundracks and modern ...
3
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2answers
74 views
Using 3 fingers to mute particularly intense harmonics — is there a better way?
When playing the bass, I'm noticing a lot of hard-to-mute harmonics at certain points. Most of the time I can stop a note by easing off but still applying pressure with my fretting hand, and muting ...
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3answers
99 views
Is this slide made unnecessarily hard?
Sliding from 3 to 5 and then hitting 2? Do I need to stretch my hands that much? Or is this made unnecessarily hard?
2
votes
2answers
72 views
How to fix tension when playing octaves?
When I play octaves, or any chords that require an octave stretch or more, I find that my hand and forearm become very tense to play them accurately. If I try to play relaxed, the octaves are sloppy ...
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2answers
75 views
What to do about impossibly fast transitions in Well-Tempered Clavier prelude 15?
Do composers really mean that one should play what they write exactly? For example, in The Well-Tempered Clavier, prelude 15.
In measure 2, last 3 notes: does Bach really intend that one should keep ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Playing song more smoothly on oboe
I have to play John Rutter's A Gaelic Blessing but I am finding it a little hard to play smoothly. I can play it through with good fingering but I am having trouble with the dynamics and sometimes I ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Mastering oboe dynamics
I have been playing the oboe for a term now, and I have come across some songs that require me to use dynamics. How do you achieve dynamics on the oboe, and what exercises can you do to master it.
