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1500 questions
43
votes
7 answers
Major scale of one note is the Minor scale of another note?
I am learning guitar at the moment and I learned the major scale.
Then I checked the minor scale and the positions are the same!
Not only that, the C major scale is the same as the A minor scale.
So how is that possible? Is there any distinction…
user1584421
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43
votes
20 answers
Why does conventional playing style give the string manipulation to the left hand?
For the majority of players, the right hand is used for most tasks that require exacting manipulation: writing, throwing, etc.
However, guitar, violin, lute, etc., use the right hand for plucking the strings – often with a pick – and the left hand…
D Mac
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43
votes
8 answers
Is there a difference between 2/4 and 4/4
I cannot figure out the actual difference between these two beats. Isn't it sufficient to have only 2/4 (or 4/4 )?
DinushanM
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43
votes
10 answers
Software that allows playing in different temperaments
Do you know of any software out there that will allow me to play in different musical temperaments (e.g. Well temperament and Meantone temperament)? I'm especially interested in software that accepts MIDI input.
Babu
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43
votes
10 answers
Why is the double bass the only instrument in the violin family tuned in fourths?
Out of the 4 instruments of the Violin Family (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), the bass is the only instrument tuned in fourths.
Wikipedia states
The double bass is generally tuned in fourths, in contrast to other members of the orchestral…
Shevliaskovic
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43
votes
8 answers
How to start playing by ear/improvising?
Up till now I've been playing music from the sheet, and eventually I've grown frustrated how after 3 years of playing I can't even play Jingle Bells if I'm asked to without figuring it out from a sheet first. I know some theory but I guess not…
neuviemeporte
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42
votes
13 answers
Noise while not touching guitar strings or metal parts
I get a buzzing noise from my guitar when idle. However, when I touch the strings or touch any metal parts (strings, bridge or the metal portion near the output jack), the noise goes away completely. What is the reason for this and how can I…
Bijoy Thangaraj
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42
votes
8 answers
What do 'vent holes' do on a music stand?
I was looking at music stands and a number of them do not have solid backs, rather, they have holes through them, like shown. Are these just for aesthetic purposes, or do they have a practical purpose?
tarun
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42
votes
11 answers
Why are the white and black keys on the piano placed the way they are?
I am pretty convinced it is not just for historical reasons.
I have found a mathematically-sound explanation of the twelve-tone musical scale, thanks to this question. Does anyone know a similar, human-readable explanation for the piano key…
Ali
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42
votes
17 answers
How to minimize the pain for a beginning guitar student so they won’t give up before they develop calluses?
This is a common problem and solving it will ultimately lead to a much higher success rate for beginning guitar students. So I wanted to share the information here on Music and Theory.
Many of my beginning guitar students start out on their journey…
Rockin Cowboy
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42
votes
12 answers
Why do many songs in major keys use a bVII chord?
Based on my understanding of chord theory, the chords used in most modern popular songs are comprised of notes that occur in the scale of the tonic key for that song. The I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, and diminished 7th chords in any major key, will (to…
Rockin Cowboy
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42
votes
16 answers
What do you do when a string breaks or you drop your pick on stage?
One of my nightmares when I'm on stage is breaking a string or losing my pick. The former has happened to me before once, and also once right before I had to go on stage.
Are there any tips my fellow guitarists might have for when they lose their…
Haris
42
votes
9 answers
What are modes and how are they useful?
I'm a self-taught guitarist with zero to little experience in music theory. After marrying a violinist I found that there's a lot to music theory that I know tribally but don't understand the technical or formal definitions for.
I'd like for someone…
Jduv
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41
votes
11 answers
Forgetting the musical notes while performing in concert
Yesterday I performed my favorite piano piece "Liebestraum no.3" by Franz Liszt in an audition.
I forgot a lot of its musical notes although that I prepared it very well and I even played it a lot in the last few years. I feel now very bad and…
Christina
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41
votes
3 answers
Why are violin bows longer than viola bows, than cello bows, than double-bass bows ?
What is the logic behind this ?
As the larger instruments have larger gaps between the strings, I would have expected a larger bow to accomodate more easily continuous bowing while changing strings.
ogerard
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