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1500 questions
25
votes
4 answers
Origin of the 'squigly line' used for quarter note rest?
This has been driving me nuts - I can't find a single thing on the net that would indicate why the quarter rest is penned the way it is.
Did it evolve from some initial or abbreviation or was it always a random scrawl?
norlesh
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25
votes
8 answers
Where to rest your thumb when playing bass: Pickup vs. Strings vs. Thumbrests
I'm a beginning bass player with a couple months' lessons under my belt. I haven't gotten far along enough yet to solidify a playing style, so I'm still able to change my habits if I want to. I was wondering what the pros and cons are of the various…
FAE
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25
votes
4 answers
Why do drummers put (duct) tape on their drums?
I've seen quite a few drummers put (duct) tape on their snare drums. Why do they do it?
Does it reduce volume or change the tone? Can you use it for other drums, eg toms, as well?
Benjamin
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25
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3 answers
How does a piano go out of tune?
I haven't tuned my upright acoustic piano for one, maybe two, years. I'm inept, so I can't tell if it's out of tune, but a friend recommended me to get a tune-up at least once a year.
My question is: How exactly does a piano go out of tune? Do all…
SEL
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25
votes
10 answers
Can absolute pitch be learned or acquired by anyone?
As a companion to questions about absolute (or perfect) pitch, discussions about if the trait is achievable through training are sure to follow. After these discussions I have read up a bit on the subject, and changed my views somewhat. I thought it…
Meaningful Username
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25
votes
9 answers
What are good resources for learning music theory?
What is a good resource for learning music theory, especially as it relates to the guitar, coming from a completely beginner's perspective? I had a musician friend try to teach me about modes such as Mixolydian, but I feel I should start far more…
Don
25
votes
6 answers
Mental approach to improvisation
Improvisation for guitar is a fairly well-covered topic, with good resources to be found within multiple contexts (Web, traditional literature, etc).
However, most of what I've read is basically designed to "arm" your playing with resources, so that…
Rafael Almeida
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25
votes
8 answers
How to hide a flat pick in the right hand when switching to finger picking, Warren Haynes style
Watch any Warren Haynes video on YouTube and you'll notice that he often likes to mix it up and play solos with a pick but mid-way switch to using his fingers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMxG90vP-aU
Joe Bonamassa is another guy I see doing this…
asgeo1
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25
votes
4 answers
Why do many acoustic pianos have a wooden block to the left of the keys?
I have no idea what it's called but I'm curious why most pianos have a flat section to the left of the keys, and what it's called.
It almost looks perfect for resting a cup of tea on which sounds like a horrible idea unless you want sticky keys.
joeyfb
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25
votes
10 answers
Why don’t piano teachers teach the chord method of playing to young children and adults?
I have been playing piano since I was 10 and now I am 43. I have never really been good at sight reading sheet music. I have recently been researching alternative methods of learning songs fast as sometimes learning one piece of sheet music took me…
Jennie
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25
votes
2 answers
What does it mean when one flat in the key signature is in parenthesis?
Can someone please help me make sense of why some flat symbols in the key signature are in parenthesis?
user35708
25
votes
10 answers
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 both instruments, I don't know how can that work on…
nck
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25
votes
7 answers
Why can't the piano play middle eastern music?
I'm a beginner pianist, and I asked my teacher about the possibility of playing some Persian music on the piano. He told me it's typically not possible, but didn't really elaborate on why. So why is it that the piano shouldn't be able to play that…
gobifur
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25
votes
6 answers
What is the first scale one should learn on guitar
The title really sums it all up but I'll try expand it slightly. Lets say I'm learning guitar and would like to improve my guitar work. Which of the scales should I learn first and why?
Gareth
25
votes
9 answers
I don't understand the bottom number in a time signature
I've learned that 4/4 means 4 beats with the kind of beat being a crotchet. However, I've seen pieces with that time signature that don't just use crotchets, but minims, quavers, etc. I am still a beginner in music theory, so there's a lot I don't…
Jessica Cunningham
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