Questions tagged [technique]

For questions about ways to use one's instrument or voice precisely to produce a desired musical effect.

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25 votes
10 answers
5k views

Why do many classical guitarists move the fingers for vibrato like a violin?

I have seen many videos where it looks like the guitarist is doing some vibrato and they make a rolling motion like in a violin, cello... How can this work in a fretted instrument? As an amateur in ...
nck's user avatar
  • 353
1 vote
1 answer
148 views

How to play melody with middle finger and chords with others

I experimented a bit on the piano, say you play a chord with thumb, index finger, ring finger and little finger in a fast rhythm, and then play longer notes in a melody with the middle finger on the ...
Emil's user avatar
  • 719
3 votes
2 answers
167 views

How do I play these notes from "Zelda's Lullaby"?

How do I play the notes shown in the below image? Here's a link of the video if you want to see It's on minute 02:33
Nickジュリオ's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
228 views

Alkan Prelude in A-flat minor Op 31 No 8 - how properly use sostenuto pedal in this piece?

Link to the score This is the first piece I've attempted that calls for sostenuto pedal rather than sustain pedal throughout (assuming I'm interpreting the notation correctly). Other than sempre Ped. ...
markmarz's user avatar
  • 317
6 votes
6 answers
1k views

Is it possible to get a mandolin style tremolo on an acoustic guitar?

Somewhat inspired by my other question about the pipa I believe the Mandolin's unique sound comes from the tremolo made possible by double coursing. Is it possible in principle to get a similar sound ...
Bruce Adams's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
162 views

Trouble with barre

I am having trouble playing pieces that require barre technique. I am currently playing Francisco Tarrega's "Gran Vals". In that piece, for example, if I try and barre the second fret only ...
John Yates's user avatar
9 votes
8 answers
5k views

Is maximum speed a thing?

When playing guitar, piano, or any other instruments, I am always stuck on a certain speed limit, and I can't seem to get past that limit. I've tried practicing with a metronome (It didn't t work), I'...
John Yates's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
159 views

Piano - Triplets turn into sixteenths

I am having trouble with playing triplets at higher speeds (such as at the end of the Pathetique Sonata, 3rd movement). I find that when I speed things up to tempo that the triplets always turn into ...
Saemund's user avatar
  • 61
0 votes
1 answer
64 views

If I am going to dabble in the world of music, what aspect should I train more to build a solid base, and thus obtain better results(?) [closed]

Good morning, I think I summarized it pretty well in the question, however, I mean exactly that "push" that a beginner must have, something that avoids excessive stumbles in their learning, ...
Luis Ydival's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
170 views

Is it safe to use thumb position in lower positions on cello?

A piece I've been playing has a notation to use the thumb in 2nd position on cello (with thumb on the D-string F# specifically, where first finger would go in normal 2nd position). I tried it out but ...
knipine's user avatar
  • 51
0 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why is my pinky rotated towards the ring finger when it is on the fretboard?

As you can see the pinky is twisted towards the ring finger causing it to mute strings. Is there a way to fix this?
Michael Xu's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
49 views

Why is my pinky always rotating towards the ring finger on the fretboard? [closed]

My pinky finger is always rotated towards the ring finger, causing it to mute strings because it's flat on the side How can I make it straight?
Michael Xu's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
76 views

Nerve damage in middle finger fretting hand? [closed]

I have been playing guitar for 20 years and up until a month ago played regularly every day. A month ago I noticed that I was getting an intermittent burning sensation in the underside of my left ...
asRomeBurns's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

How do people play fast tremolo on guitar (with a plectrum)?

I've noticed that to play good, consistent sounding tremolo, especially on short, thick strings, you can't just move the pick back and forth because the sound is inconsistent - the string doesn't ...
Ivan's user avatar
  • 553
5 votes
1 answer
99 views

Is there a name for "singing between registers", as if one as at the end of their range, to produce multiple notes?

I've been experimenting with singing a note and then slowly devoicing it or applying less pressure with my, usually near the top of my chest / modal(?) register, and trying to get that harsh sound ...
awe lotta's user avatar
  • 1,760
3 votes
3 answers
263 views

Touching muted strings with picking hand

When I move across strings quickly (e.g. on arpeggios), I can feel bumping lightly into muted strings. For example when I inside-pick E and A, I will start with an upstroke on E and then slightly ...
Philipp Murry's user avatar
15 votes
7 answers
6k views

Where should I press white keys - between black keys or below them?

I've been learning to play piano for couple of weeks, and I've faced a question that has some controversial answers on the internet: What is the correct position of 2-3-4 fingers on white keys (WK) ...
AlexandrX's user avatar
  • 347
3 votes
1 answer
192 views

How to get rid of a sharp resonance in the first formant region during singing?

On recordings I've noticed, when I belt, my voice tends to have a sharp resonance in the region of the first formant, typically when the 2nd harmonic hits the 1st formant, causing it to become ...
Fid Rewe's user avatar
  • 500
11 votes
1 answer
664 views

How is this dissonant harp sound achieved?

In "L’Impatiente de Balfour" for viola and harp by Claire-Mélanie Sinnhuber, there are some harp notes that sound somehow dissonant and metallic, almost like a prepared piano. In this video ...
All Ears's user avatar
  • 113
2 votes
1 answer
216 views

Why is my flute squeaking when moving bottom finger

I just bought a Native American flute and it plays beautifully with one problem. When I remove the finger from the bottom hole, sometimes there is a loud squeaking and the flute goes high pitched. I ...
Jamie's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
0 answers
37 views

Recommendations for dobro instruction books [closed]

I’m a mostly self taught, intermediate guitar player. I recently started playing dobro in open G tuning and love it. I’m looking for recommendations for instruction books. I want to learn harmonized ...
4restg's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
1 answer
177 views

Where is the most "realistic" CDP-S100's volume level that is closest to real acoustic piano?

As a very beginner I've bought the CDP-S100. It seems enough at least for first year of leisurely learning. But while practicing, I noticed that I apply different force to keys depending on volume ...
AlexandrX's user avatar
  • 347
2 votes
3 answers
238 views

How to fix dissonant legato scale technique hammer-ons on acoustic guitar?

I was trying to do the technique described in this video on my acoustic guitar. My hammer-ons sounded really dissonant once I got to around the 12th fret and above: ...
Eriek's user avatar
  • 536
3 votes
4 answers
506 views

What is this embellishment called?

There's a technique I've seen used a lot in jazz, gospel, pop singing, etc. where someone will play a note and play a quick semitone up and back down into another note. Heres an audio example. Does ...
user77466's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
110 views

Ideas on How to Play This

I've played piano for many years and am learning an arrangement of a medley of The Greatest Showman by David MacDonald — you can see his video here. I'm very much liking this arrangement!! Amazing ...
Hugs's user avatar
  • 13
2 votes
1 answer
742 views

Is there a word or music term for when a singer is mimicing the instrument, like at the beginning of the song Dang Me by Roger Miller? [duplicate]

Title is self-explanatory. I'm asking if there is a word or musical term for when a singer is mimicking the sound of the instrument that's playing. An example of what I'm asking for is at the very ...
Cathy Massey's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
414 views

Why do I hit some notes only on some days

I'm a lyric baritone. My lowest modal note is D2 (I just developed it few months ago). My higher notes however seem to pose a problem. I can sing an F#4 in just about any day, however, my G4 seems ...
Ifeoluwa's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why do guitarists move fingers up and down on the same note?

Usually at the end of playing a set of notes, I have noticed guitarists move a string up and down on the last note of that part (although not so much such that it classifies as a bend). What is this ...
rahs's user avatar
  • 191
1 vote
1 answer
278 views

Synchronizing right hand with left

I'm getting back into seriously playing guitar after a few years and I've noticed a synchronization problem. My left hand is much faster than my right hand while alternate picking sixteenth notes, ...
Hikaru's user avatar
  • 111
0 votes
1 answer
121 views

Difference (if any) between legato scale technique on acoustic vs. electric?

Are there any differences between legato scale technique on acoustic guitar, and how it is explained in this video for electric guitar?
Eriek's user avatar
  • 536
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is it bad to make a drums double stroke roll using the rebound?

Watching a lot of YouTube videos about how to make a clean double stroke roll, and I was wondering why so many people on the videos say "do not rely on the rebound"! Is it a bad habit to ...
BestAboutMe's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
442 views

Violin left-hand thumb position

Adult self-taught violinist here. I've been learning for about three years. I've developed a habit of allowing the left-hand thumb to protrude rather high above the fingerboard, so that the neck of ...
padd13ear's user avatar
  • 141
2 votes
2 answers
210 views

Having tough time with bottom finger skin hitting bottom guitar strings

I'm a "beginner" at guitar playing, been actively on my guitar for at least a month practising every day. I've enrolled with Guitartricks, I've been watching MANY Youtube videos on beginner ...
user75984's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
157 views

What do you do to transcend physical technique?

Sometimes when I practice a lot, I get into a mode of thinking purely of music, and forget my hands. Once in a while, I feel like I'm a god of piano-- I hear how I want the music to sound with my &...
Bennyboy1973's user avatar
  • 3,943
2 votes
1 answer
249 views

Playing a tin whistle or recorder out of the side of your mouth

Is there any advantage or disadvantage to the position of a tin whistle (or penny whistle) on (in?) the mouth? Some background: I play flute, so nothing in the mouth. I tongue on various parts of my ...
Pam's user avatar
  • 355
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

How can double-stroke rolls be faster than single-strokes?

How can double-stroke (RRLLRRLL) rolls be faster than single-strokes (RLRLRLRL)? If someone can hit 2 notes with the same hand, surely they'll get faster if they intertwine this with the other hand ...
uukgoblin's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
991 views

How does it feel (or where) to change the pitch while singing?

I unfortunately use my larynx while I change my pitch, and I really don't know where or what or how to feel while I change my pitch without using my larynx. How do I even control my vocal cords ...
Dream's user avatar
  • 21
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why do the members of one orchestra generally sway while playing, and the others don't?

I'm listening/watching to two videos on YouTube with two different orchestras, each playing a rather distinct style of music, but the members of one really seem to get into the physicality of playing ...
user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
977 views

On piano how do I play one note, and the same note an octave higher with one hand?

I have been playing piano for a few months now, and I have come to a roadblock, in this one song I play CDEFG C on octave 4, while I do the same on octave 5. All of this is with one hand, I have been ...
Knights Dagger's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
128 views

Ways to play piano without tensing ones fingers

I am learning Fantasie impromptu C# minor op 66. right now, and my fingers tense up intensely near the ending of the first part before the slow transition; i.e., the place where you play all of the ...
al's toy barn's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

How to Practice Torrent Etude (Chopin, Op. 10 no. 4) measure 2 [closed]

Even though I got my ARCT 5 years ago and can stretch to reach a 10th, simply put, the torrent etude is the hardest etude I have come across played at the right speed, true presto, like how Richter ...
SunlightScreen's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
93 views

Singing body technique: How to blow past vocal glass ceiling?

Two must-do's for singing deal with expanding the vocal apparatus (voicebox, chest, diaphragm) in the outwards and downwards directions: Puff out ribs when inhaling air as well as during singing ...
user610620's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
163 views

How does one play a longer note interrupted by the same note in another voice? [duplicate]

I found this note and I couldn't figure it out. How can I play D flat 3 beats when I got in the last beat another D flat? The last one interrupt the first one that why I cant play the first D flat All ...
G P's user avatar
  • 41
27 votes
11 answers
4k views

Are there pieces that require retuning an instrument mid-performance?

Are there any musical pieces that call for the musician to detune/retune the instrument, not in advance like a scordatura, but mid-performance? I think it would be a neat avant-garde concept—for ...
user3932000's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
1k views

Why do guitarists specialize on particular techniques?

I don't play the guitar and have only a casual knowledge. (I was defeated by the barre F chord.) I have the impression, though, that guitarists tend to specialize -- or at least favor -- specific ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 87.6k
4 votes
1 answer
186 views

How do I play these widely spaced keys on keyboard?

I am struggling to play these keys, and I am not getting the right phrase to search on Google for this type of question. It's clearly impossible to play this with 2 hands. If this is played with 3 ...
Naitik's user avatar
  • 43
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

How to quickly play octaves with one hand (piano)?

In some songs there are portions where the melody is made of pairs of notes, where the pair spans a whole octave. Sometimes the melody is played pretty quickly. I'm wondering if there's some technique ...
Achintya Agarwal's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
394 views

Exact timing of piano pedal re-engagement

In this example, do I release pedal BEFORE beat 1 of the second measure, or ON beat 1 of the second measure?
John's user avatar
  • 1,237
8 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is it possible to learn how to sing properly without a teacher?

Can you learn to sing with correct technique only using videos and online courses - without feedback from a teacher that guides you? How much of a difference would it make?
AvidListener's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
145 views

What form is a Waltz in? [closed]

What form is a waltz in? I've heard lots of things coming from lots of people but it is not very clear. I need it for a music theory study.
Brandon Bercian's user avatar

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