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1500 questions
19
votes
4 answers
What is a string skipping exercise?
What is a string skipping exercise? I've heard about this exercise a lot, including on this website. What is it? What skills does it develop? Can you give an example?
Silver Light
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19
votes
11 answers
Software that transposes music?
I would love to be able to learn the flute by playing more popular music. However, all the free sheet music that I can find for a flute in the key of C is lame stuff like "Jingle Bells."
In my search for songs that I would like to play on the flute,…
Melanie Shebel
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19
votes
6 answers
What are the ABRSM graded examinations, and why would one want to take them?
I have seen several questions here about the exams offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. Most questions are from the standpoint of people who are in the middle of the examination process. Here in the…
user1044
18
votes
7 answers
Why is a violin so loud compared to a guitar?
The violin is comparatively louder than a guitar.
This is a surprising fact, given that:
the violin instrument is generally smaller than, say, a typical classical or folk guitar,
both use strings.
In other words, how can such a small instrument…
Michael Baudin
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18
votes
7 answers
Guitar chords high on the neck
Apologies, this is an incredibly vague question, but any help would be appreciated.
When watching skilled acoustic guitar players, I regularly see them playing chords high on the guitar neck (ie around the 5-8th frets). I'm still pretty new, and…
Dominic P
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18
votes
1 answer
What do the terms "arco" and "ten." mean?
I am following along with a score of Beethoven's first symphony. I came across two abbreviations, arco. and ten. What do those stand for?
Chris Olszewski
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18
votes
5 answers
Does music all over the world tend to centre on a single note which is returned to, and split up the range of pitches most fundamentally into octaves?
What are the exceptions to this, if they exist?
Assuming that's the norm, do we know why this is the case?
What are the causes of the exceptions?
Why is what I've outlined in the title the norm?
Step Start
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18
votes
6 answers
Electronic drums in apartment
I'm a drummer and recently moved into an apartment with high ceilings and hardwood floors. I have a Roland TD-4. I've been researching for ways to be able to practice quietly without disturbing my neighbors. I'm sure if I used all mesh heads that…
wwwuser
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18
votes
4 answers
How do I develop a bass voice?
I am an 'adult male human' and can sing from A2 to G4 comfortably. It would be great if I can sing up to a whole octave below this. I am in no hurry and am willing to expend time and effort. I just want to know what are the techniques and what…
gigahari
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18
votes
5 answers
Trumpet low C♯ and D
Most trumpets' low C♯ and D are too high, and need correcting by pulling the 1st of 3rd valve.
My first understanding was that the distance between tones in the lower register is larger than between tones in the higher register, therefore the…
Gauthier
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18
votes
2 answers
When were the Db piccolo and the Eb horn phased out of the wind band?
In many classic wind band pieces, there are parts written for Db piccolo and Eb horn. I imagine these were more common in the genesis of the military band, but now Db piccolo is all but unheard of, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a horn in Eb.…
NReilingh
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18
votes
3 answers
In musical terms, what properties are varied by the human voice to produce different words / syllables?
Why, for example, does the word "hello" sound completely different to the word "goodbye", or the letter "a" from the letter "b"?
I know it can't be pitch, because all of these words and syllables can be spoken at the same pitch and still sound…
JShorthouse
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18
votes
9 answers
Does Doodling or Improvising on the Piano Have Any Benefits?
I have a friend who recently spent around seven hours of his day playing on the piano by himself. While around three hours was spent actually practicing, the other four were spent doodling or improvising.
I've researched the problem without much…
Victor Resnov
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18
votes
4 answers
Getting started with an electric guitar and Rocksmith as an absolute beginner
I am an extreme beginner to the guitar and music and just picked up Rocksmith and an electric guitar. Some reviews of the Rocksmith game suggest its a good learning aid for those who know a certain amount of basic skills.
What should I do in…
ccook
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18
votes
3 answers
What value does practicing have without paying attention to what you do?
I've recently come across an interesting way to practice. I was asking a very accomplished guitarist on how he practiced technique, since his was amazingly effortless.
What he told me surprised me. He said he'd watch hours of movies etc. while…
Dahn
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