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1500 questions
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6 answers
Do I have to be a virtuoso pianist to compose faster music?
I was about to compose my third movement of my first sonata, but the other movements are notated Andante and Adagio. I would want my final movement to be notated Allegro or something even faster than Allegro, but can't seem to compose fast music. Is…
Isaac Yang Hao Tung
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Score for orchestra tuning
I was talking this monring about Cage's 4:33 and I mentioned that I'd love to see a score for an orchestra tuning. It's one of the most recognisable sounds in concerts and has many distinctive musical aspects in various combinations:
the initial…
Dan Sheppard
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What does a mordent written to the left of a note mean?
In this arrangement of Wachet Auf, there are quite a few mordents sprinkled around, as well as trills and grace notes. I understand most of them, but in the middle of this excerpt,
right before the bar line, there is a mordent that appears to the…
LarsH
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What is an X symbol appearing in a piano part?
And it's not a double sharp.
I saw it in Miley Cyrus Fugue in measure 88 between the 3rd and 4th beat for the right hand. It's being reached at 2:42-2:43 in the video and I don't hear anything special. Here is a screenshot for convenience:
user1803551
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What makes graduate-level music theory different from undergraduate-level music theory?
It's been years since I graduated with a music minor. My background consists of:
Traditional two-semester sequence in music theory (basic notation to borrowed chords), i.e., Kostka/Payne
Twentieth-century (Kostka). Also did research in Ravel and…
Clarinetist
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Difference between a ride and a crash/ride cymbal
What are the main differences between a crash, ride and a crash/ride?
I ordered a 22" ride, but the retailer accidentally ordered a 22" crash/ride. I want a bright jazzy tap, and don't plan to ever use it as a crash. I asked them to re-order the…
Frantumn
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Piano vs Guitar Strings? Tension vs length?
Why do pianos have different length strings, while guitars have the same length strings? According to the guitar, it would seem that the pitch of a string is determined based solely off of tension, because all the strings are the same length. Yet a…
Ryan
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How to keep music books open?
You know, many sheet music books are quite springy and would rather close than stay open on the music stand while practising. How do you keep them open while allowing to turn the pages easily?
Esteban Martinez
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Distinction between same notes played on different strings
While playing a particular piece (not chords, fingerpicking/single note playing) on my ukulele (or as far as the question is concerned, any similar instrument), I use the standard notation and then play the different notes by engendering the…
stochastic13
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What music notation software allows you to code the notation?
I saw a recent notation software product that seemed to offer a novel and concise way to code your music notation. I can't find it so I'm reaching out for your help.
rpeg
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What methods can I use to aid note accuracy when playing a Theremin
The main problem I have with the Theremin is identifying "anchors" to help train my muscle memory for note accuracy.
My first violin, about 35 years ago, had tape added by my instructor for the first few months to help me visually confirm my finger…
Doktor Mayhem
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10 answers
How can I learn to play the chords by listening to the song (like I do with notes)?
I have started learning to play piano (I am from a poor family and can't afford a teacher). So,I've learned some popular songs and the notes from the internet.
From there I started listening to songs and try to play them on the piano. I figured out…
samantha
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3 answers
Can someone explain what a voice is in piano?
So as I was browsing the forum, I saw many posts about voices in piano, and how you should play them all at the same time. I really don't get when a voice exists in a song, and how I should I play it. For example, in this piece from Chopin, Winter…
Michael
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The Chords in this progression sound great but don't belong together - so why do they work?
I am a songwriter and compose my own music to go with my lyrics. Most of my chord progressions follow common patterns like using a I V IV or I IV V with an occasional ii or iii or vi chord thrown in for good measure. But I am always looking for…
Rockin Cowboy
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Why is music in music schools taught the way it is?
Let me briefly tell you my personal story with music as a hobbyist.
TLDR : Got taught technique as a child, had no fun and quit, learned music by ear by myself later in life, having fun now and playing. I don't get why music is taught the way it…
darkblue
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