Most Popular
1500 questions
39
votes
11 answers
How can I teach a student who seems to have no rhythm?
I've been teaching a highschool kid acoustic guitar lately and even though everything related to the left hand is progressing well, he is having major problems with his rhythm.
To give you the full picture my opinion would be that he has no rhythm.…
xray1986
- 896
- 2
- 9
- 14
39
votes
2 answers
What does a triangle mean in chord notation?
For example, what does the △ mean in C△7?
Sam
- 621
- 1
- 5
- 6
39
votes
12 answers
Appreciating the music of J. S. Bach
I have been learning piano for many years and am able to really enjoy the music of Beethoven and Chopin. However, when it comes to Bach, I must shamefully admit, I can't see why he is held in such high esteem.
To me - his work just seems like…
gigahari
- 1,122
- 3
- 12
- 16
39
votes
6 answers
Why do people sometimes write notes as E♯ or C♭?
Instead of writing F or B, sometimes people use E♯ or C♭ to write these notes. Are there any advantages to this notation?
Tung D. Nguyen
- 761
- 9
- 21
39
votes
15 answers
Why shouldn't I put electric guitar strings on my acoustic guitar?
I've always found even the lightest acoustic (bronze) guitar strings to be a bit too heavy to play comfortably. Electric (nickel) guitar strings tend to be lighter. But nobody uses electric strings on their acoustic guitar - why not?
jrb
- 493
- 1
- 4
- 5
39
votes
12 answers
What is the definition of 'playing in the pocket'?
The phrase 'playing in the pocket' is used sometimes, in jazz, hip hop, funk etc. It sometimes refers to the way a drummer plays, sometimes to how an ensemble works together. I've Googled the term, and can't find a good, clear explanation of what it…
Tim
- 192,860
- 17
- 187
- 471
39
votes
14 answers
What makes an interval "Perfect"?
I've been trying to find an answer, but to no avail. Is what we call a perfect interval somewhat arbitrary? It seems as if the modern definition is "perfect under inversion". I know the other thing people say is that it is consonant, but I can't…
user12838
39
votes
15 answers
How can I practice in an apartment without annoying the neighbours?
I live in an apartment and I find my current amp (a 15W solid-state) to be poorly suited to that. I can't turn it up without upsetting the neighbours, but at low volume it sounds horrible with any kind of distortion or other effects.
What should I…
Adam Lear
- 2,252
- 4
- 24
- 24
39
votes
10 answers
What is the difference between sharp note & flat note?
In guitar or generally in any musical instruments, what is the difference between sharp notes & flat notes?
For example : Are A♯ & B♭ the same? And are C♯ & D♭ the same?
Does that make any difference in terms of the sound produced by…
ragmn
- 835
- 3
- 8
- 9
39
votes
9 answers
How does scale length affect my playing?
This one's a bit rudimentary, but scale length is a bit of a mystery to me. I understand what it is, but I don't understand what it does. I own guitars with different scale lengths (Telecaster vs Firebird vs Les Paul), but I have never really…
Jduv
- 11,515
- 8
- 43
- 80
39
votes
6 answers
Polymeter vs Polyrhythm
What is the difference between a polymeter and a polyrhythm? Do these words mean anything different for different instruments?
PS: I'm a drummer.
Anish Ramaswamy
- 493
- 1
- 4
- 6
38
votes
5 answers
Why do pianos not need to be tuned every time you play?
I usually tune my guitar and violin whenever I play them. I assume most people do too. But what makes piano strings different?
I know it is a lot of work to tune a piano, but I'm under the assumption that pianos do not need to be tuned as often as…
user5826
- 659
- 1
- 7
- 11
38
votes
9 answers
Why can't I play with a backing track or other musicians
I am a 63 year old man who has never played an instrument before but I have recently started learning to play the harmonica. I’m half way through my second 12 week term of harmonica and I am not only unable to play with other harmonica players in…
Paul
- 481
- 4
- 3
38
votes
7 answers
Why is the key included in classical music titles?
I was always curious why classical composers use names like this Étude in E-flat minor (Frédéric_Chopin) or Missa in G major (Johann Sebastian Bach). Is this from scales of this songs? Weren't they blocked to ever use this scale again? Why didn't…
teodozjan
- 2,545
- 4
- 28
- 52
38
votes
8 answers
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D: Why do some recordings seem to be in C sharp?
There are at least two recordings on Youtube of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major which seem to be played a half-step lower, in the key of C sharp. I assume this is a artifact of the recording process or uploading to Youtube but wonder if…
daniel
- 503
- 4
- 7