Most Popular
1500 questions
35
votes
7 answers
What is the difference between a "band" and an "orchestra"
Growing up, my father listened to big band music. These bands are usually referred to as "Glenn Miller and his orchestra" Or "Paul Schaeffer and the CBS Orchestra". Is it that an orchestra has strings? What is the primary reasoning to calling a…
InternalConspiracy
- 1,680
- 2
- 14
- 13
35
votes
12 answers
What is the difference between a "riff" and a "melody"?
How do I tell when a riff becomes a melody, or is it even important to know? Can you construct a song around a riff - what are some suggestions on how to construct a song in that manner?
JustnBeaver
35
votes
8 answers
When to use a dot or a tie in music notation?
Let's say I have the following piece in 4/4, Should it be notated as:
or
Are there any specific rules? From my previous experience, I believe the second one is the correct notation since it shows all the beats in 4/4, am I correct?
rexcfnghk
- 453
- 1
- 4
- 6
35
votes
3 answers
Why is A4 the standard pitch reference for tuning?
Why do musicians use concert A, the A above middle C, as the standard pitch reference for tuning? Various national and international standards define the frequency of this note. For example, ISO 16 specifies that musical instruments should be tuned…
Bradd Szonye
- 6,708
- 9
- 39
- 76
35
votes
10 answers
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?
bn01
35
votes
14 answers
Arthritis In Hands (Playing With Pain In Hands) - Are There Recommended Approaches?
I have been playing guitar for 12 years now and I'm 28.
I am under treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) and was wondering if anyone who has R.A., or other pain in their hands, has any approaches they have used to reduced their pain when…
bn01
35
votes
2 answers
Unknown notation - thick horizontal bars between notes
I haven't the faintest idea of what these bars could mean. They're thick and mostly horizontal with a slight tilt. Some sort of run perhaps? How do you effect the dynamics/notes these bars are referring to?
EDIT: For reference, this specific…
Tanaki
- 515
- 1
- 4
- 7
35
votes
15 answers
Why is dropped D tuning used so often?
Many metal/rock songs use dropped D tuning. What reasons are there for it?
gak
- 1,925
- 4
- 18
- 16
35
votes
11 answers
Advantage of 7-note based theory over 12-note alternative
I'm a beginner at music, so I apologize if this is a dumb question. I've been trying to figure out why (in a 21/12 equal temperament tuning) music theory is based on 7 distinct notes (A,B,C,D,E,F,G) instead of the 12 semitones.
Here are a few things…
Alexbib
- 623
- 6
- 11
34
votes
4 answers
What is the difference between 'chorus' and 'refrain'?
I'm trying to learn something about song structure. Reading the Wikipedia article about the subject I came across two terms that looked somewhat similar: chorus and refrain. There seemed to be a debate about the definitions for both words. The…
Charlie
- 569
- 1
- 4
- 12
34
votes
1 answer
Beginning "adult" piano for musicians
My piano skills are the weakest part of my conducting/rehearsal technique, so I'd like to work on them essentially starting from scratch. I don't have the option of a piano teacher, so I'm looking for method books or suggestions on what to practice…
Jamie Banks
- 451
- 4
- 7
34
votes
8 answers
Understanding minor key harmony
A comment discussion under this question from me, clued me in to the fact that I don't really understand how minor keys work very well. So here is what I think I know
The natural minor comes from the Aeolian mode of the major scale. It gives us the…
Tim Seguine
- 655
- 2
- 8
- 13
33
votes
4 answers
What are the Solfège names of the semitones between the basic do, re, mi, etc?
What are the names of all the notes in a sol-fa scale, especially the chromatic notes between the basic Do, Re, Mi's.
Bob de Bruin
- 331
- 1
- 3
- 3
33
votes
5 answers
The differences between natural, harmonic and melodic minors
I'm studying scales and came across the natural, harmonic, and melodic minors. I understand the patterns for each scale but what other important differences exist between the three?
thank_you
- 1,589
- 4
- 18
- 24
33
votes
4 answers
Why is the saxophone not common in classical repertoire?
Other than the fact that its relatively new compared to other orchestral instruments (e.g. the violin), why is the saxophone (any of them from the family, alto, baritone, tenor etc) not more prevalent in classical repertoire? Are there historical…
Khalian
- 541
- 5
- 9