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1500 questions
23
votes
5 answers
How to know whether to write accidentals as sharps or flats?
I am writing a bassline for a song in Em and there is a passing note A# or Bb in the approach notes. How do I write this note? Since the key signature has one sharp, is it best to write the accidental as A#?
user35708
23
votes
6 answers
What are the problems in teaching guitar via Skype?
I have taught guitar one-to-one for several years and would now like to start offering lessons via Skype.
What are the major problems in teaching guitar by Skype and can they be overcome? Are there any advantages?
Mlshoe
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23
votes
7 answers
Is it true that cut time means "play twice as fast as written"?
I was just reading an e-book and saw this sentence which really confused me:
"Played twice as fast as written" - This isn't what cut time actually means right, or are there situations where cut time means exactly that?
I thought cut time is…
Andy
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23
votes
8 answers
Why is 'additive' EQ more difficult to use than 'subtractive'?
I've read in some articles that 'additive' equalization (EQ) (where you boost a particular frequency range) is more difficult to use than 'subtractive' (where you are reducing the gain in certain ranges). Is this true and, if so, why is that?
The…
Time4Tea
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23
votes
4 answers
What should I consider when I see a loose hair in a violin bow?
This drawing should do:
These are the hairs of a brand new bow. Straight, clean, etc.
I noticed this:
As you can see, it seems like a certain hair is a bit loose.
Is this bad? (I.e., does it affect performance, produced sound, etc.)
Should I try…
Saturn
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23
votes
1 answer
What is this metal M-shaped device for?
I inherited this with a box of piano sheet music, some of which was for beginners, and vaguely recall seeing one ages ago at a music store. It’s about the right size for wearing like a pair of brass knuckles, but I have large hands and it’s slightly…
brichins
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23
votes
8 answers
What's the best way to fly commercially with a guitar?
I've heard horror stories about guitars being damaged on commercial airline flights. Is there a safe way to fly with a guitar?
skinny peacock
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23
votes
10 answers
Etymology of word "Octave"
How come the etymology of the word octave is related to the number eight, when the numbers that you would associate with the meaning of the word are either two – doubling of the frequency – , or alternatively five, seven, or twelve, if we think…
z8080
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23
votes
3 answers
How to prevent one mistake from derailing an entire piece?
When practicing a piece, I find that making one mistake sometimes messes up my muscle memory and throws me completely off. This is especially true of memorized pieces.
This most often happens if, say, I hit a chord shifted by one key, but can…
Selvek
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23
votes
11 answers
Is it good practice to use Synthesia to figure out songs?
Just wondering what pianists think about synthesia. You can type Synthesia followed by just about any song name you can think of on Youtube. ex "Synthesia bach minuet in g" and you'll get a Synthesia video that shows you exactly how to play it. I…
user34288
23
votes
6 answers
What is the difference between swing and shuffle?
I am learning piano from a book and I can't understand the difference between swing and shuffle. I have searched, but I still can't understand the difference. Could someone please iterate the difference between swing and shuffle?
arman_aegit
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23
votes
13 answers
Are very cheap cellos acceptable for a beginner?
I'm looking at getting a 1/2 cello for my son. My options are either rent a mid-end one for 50$ a month, or buy a very cheap one (there seem to be some online for 150$~200$).
My experience with very cheap instruments is mixed:
The cheap ~100$…
Alex Kinman
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23
votes
7 answers
Performance practice of Viennese Waltz
Occasionally, when I listen to an orchestra playing a Strauss waltz or something similar, I hear something interesting in the background rhythm of 'boom chik chik' in that the first 'chik' happens somewhere before beat 2.
Take, for example, this…
NReilingh
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23
votes
7 answers
Is G sharp major a real key?
I'm mostly self-taught, so I don't know much in the way of theory beyond the basics. I have heard of G sharp Major a few times. I believe a scale in the key goes as such: G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E♯, Fx, G♯. Is this key real (as in, has it ever been used…
Luke_0
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23
votes
4 answers
Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier Order
I have played a few pairs of pieces from this collection, however it was some time ago. I have the ambitious goal to work my way through the entire collection.
It will obviously take me some time to work my way through the entire collection (both…
Rebecca Chernoff
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