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3 answers
Classical music theory notation for chord inversions (figured bass)
In classical music harmony analysis, we see the chord inversions notated like I6/4, I6, V4/3.
Examples:
What are those numbers? How do they define the inversion? What's the theory behind using those specific numbers?
TaylorSwiftFan5932
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28
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7 answers
Why is the aeolian mode the minor scale?
I've studied music theory for many years now, and one thing has always confused me about the naming methodology for the minor scale.
A major scale is based off the Ionian mode and consist of only major and perfect scale intervals.
C D E F G…
Dom
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28
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18 answers
Why does the dominant chord contain a flattened 7th?
Why does the dominant chord contain a flattened 7th while this tone is not even in the scale?
Let's take, for example, a C7 chord. It is a 1-3-5-b7 of a C scale (C-E-G-B♭).
But the C-major scale does not contain B♭. So why do we use a flattened…
PaulD
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10 answers
What is the difference between upstrokes and downstrokes while strumming a guitar?
One of the most basic guitar skills are strumming up and down freely. And I have noticed in songs that there usually appears to be a difference in sounds between the two strokes. But when I'm practicing I don't feel that difference between my…
Mugen
28
votes
19 answers
Software that slows down music to help in transcribing
While reading some of the questions about transcribing music here. I have come across these software tools that allow to slow down music and manipulate it freely. I think this is very interesting stuff and would like to dedicate this thread to make…
Raskolnikov
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28
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2 answers
Why does the C7 chord on guitar omit the G note (5th) in open position?
0 C7
C7 ( 1-3-5-flat7) is suppose to contain a G as its 5th right? So how does a guitar get away with this in open position?
Vigrond
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16 answers
What modern innovations have been/are being made for the piano?
The piano underwent major changes between its invention ca. 1700 through the late 1800s: the double escapement, the iron frame, cross-stringing, among others. But the piano reached a mature state by the late 1800s and is largely unchanged since ...…
Aaron
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28
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14 answers
To what extent is music theory just giving us a language to describe/break down music, or does it really have significant "scientific content"?
For instance, you can always chop up notes into chord tones vs non-chord tones; and then separate non-chord tones into passing tones and neighbor tones. These are very much just classifications.
Thus, it seems that, to a large extent, music theory…
J Li
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If someone can sing a melody, why can they not also recognize the intervals within that melody?
Surely everyone who struggles with relative pitch already has in-built relative pitch, so why is it so hard to actually recognise intervals?
What I mean is from a child I (and most other people I imagine) could sing a tune they had just heard. They…
smotala1
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How to extend and strengthen low end of vocal range? (I need about a whole tone extra.)
There are a bunch of songs that I'd like to sing that sit just under my vocal range (the low E of the guitar range, or the D under it). I can reach these notes with some effort, but it feels forced and the volume drops dramatically. What can I do to…
Tikitu
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12 answers
I can learn guitar fast, but I haven't got the nerve to sit and practice for hours, how to practice for long sessions?
I've been playing an acoustic guitar for 5 months or so. I noticed a little problem on my way to success.
I feel as if I'm not getting to my potential of playing.
I'm not impatient - I know it takes a LOT of time to be good at guitar. I noticed…
Nikad
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27
votes
7 answers
The function of Gm G♭ B♭ chord progression in "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"
Over the Christmas break I heard this programme on BBC radio:
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
David Gilmour discusses his famous four-note motif B♭ F G E but what wasn't discussed and I wished had been was the first three chords of the song, which…
Brian THOMAS
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27
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1 answer
What does "NC" mean?
On some tabs, I sometimes see a "NC" text on top of the tab.
What does it mean ?
How should it be played or interpreted ?
Julien N
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4 answers
Are there any great open questions in music theory/psychoacoustics?
In many sciences there a are a number open questions that are well known in the field, and for which a solid answer would gain the answerer much Prestige. For example, maths has many open questions, including a few very important ones, for which…
naught101
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9 answers
When counting in, why do people often do it at two speeds? (1_2_1234)
Something simple that I've found curious:
When people 'count in' a tune, to get all the players ready to start at the same time, I often hear them do it first at half-speed, then at full speed.
e.g. if the tune is in 4/4, and there are 4 characters…
HarryApp
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