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1500 questions
32
votes
10 answers
Why don't "classical" stringed instruments mark their note positions?
So, I understand why classical strings (violins, cellos etc.) aren't fretted, because of the change this makes in the tone. I've often wondered though, why the note positions aren't marked on the neck anywhere.
Wouldn't notes relative to the open…
AJFaraday
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32
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4 answers
How can I be sure that I am singing effortlessly in my natural voice?
I have years of vocalization practice, but I still start straining while singing—especially if I am not vigilant. It happens imperceptibly and is a hard habit to break.
Is there a reliable technique to make sure that I don't lose my effortless…
explorer
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32
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6 answers
How do experienced pianists sight-read chords?
I enjoy sight reading, since it lets me "play" the piano without having to spend hours going over the same passage to get it right. However, I'm still progressing and have difficulty reading pieces with chords that have 3 or more notes, especially…
Michael Stachowsky
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32
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11 answers
How is counterpoint different from harmony?
Harmony is a kind of second sound you hear. Counterpoint is also the second sound you hear.
Aside from technical differentiation, how can you by ear differentiate these two concepts. Is it possible to judge something as harmony by ear, and…
Saeed Neamati
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32
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4 answers
What is the practical reason for reentrant tuning on ukulele and similar instruments?
I'm intruiged by the fact that some stringed instruments, like the ukulele, are traditionally tuned in the way of reentrant tuning where the strings are not ordered from the lowest to the highest pitch.
I do not play ukulele, or a similar…
Tim H
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32
votes
13 answers
What is the Difference between Maple and Rosewood Fretboards
Is there a difference that's based on feel or sound - why are they the two most widely used choices?
JustnBeaver
32
votes
6 answers
Why is bass note so important in harmonic analysis of music?
In any type of harmonic analysis the bass plays a big part in determining the function of the harmony. There are even special ways to describe what note of the chord is in the bass (known as inversions) and notation for chord symbols to make sure…
Dom
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32
votes
7 answers
How do I know when I'm singing in key?
I absolutely love to sing and do so on a daily basis, usually in the shower or while practicing guitar.
When I sing it sounds fine to me and I don't think I'm off but I have this fear that I'm actually a horrible singer and I just don't know it.…
user12539
32
votes
6 answers
Is there a Relative Pitch Clef?
To start out: I am more-or-less familiar with all the standard musical clef notations, including F, C, and G clefs; as well as the fact that clefs can be movable (tenor clef, french violin clef...) and have octave displacements (8va/8vb). I'm also…
Caleb Hines
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31
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8 answers
Aldous Huxley and 5/4 Meter in Music Predating "Take 5"
Background:
"Take 5" by Paul Desmond (and famously recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet) is one of the more famous jazz standards out there, and one thing any analyst would point out immediately is the tune's 5/4 shuffle, which from what I remember…
user45266
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31
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15 answers
Why aren't there attempts to evolve classical musical instruments so that they're easier to play?
Roughly speaking, it takes anywhere between 5 and 15 years to become proficient in one of the classical music instruments, making it a very difficult skill for most of us.
But why not try and make music easier to play, similar to how cars evolved…
JonathanReez
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31
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8 answers
How to identify the root note of a chord
I struggle with chords on the staff because I'm not sure which note is the root note. Is it the top note with the rest of the notes falling below it? E.g., if the top note is C, and bundled below it are an F and a G, is it a C Major triad? Also,…
Warren van Rooyen
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votes
10 answers
Is there any way to improve composing?
Beside playing drums I'm toying with software to create music. The problem is when I need to advance further. I may have some good, let's say "riffs" (or pieces, or melodies, or ideas), and I'm pretty harsh with everything I create (until I'm really…
Dreat
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31
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9 answers
What exercises can I do to improve my timing?
I recently made a recording consisting of overdubs in GarageBand. Playing it back, I was horrified to hear that while I felt as if I was in the groove while recording, I had actually been wildly inconsistent with my timing, despite playing with a…
slim
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31
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5 answers
Why does violin sound differently after playing on it for some time?
I have heard from some of my friends that when you have "fresh" violin, they sound different(presumably, worse) than after playing on it for some time(e.g. half a year). Is this statement true? If so, how does it work? I would imagine that sound of…
MatthewRock
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