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1500 questions
14
votes
5 answers
Why are guitar strings numbered this way and not the other way around?
Considering that pitch goes up from low E to high E through all 6 strings, why is the high E called the 1st and low E the 6th string?
I find it a bit confusing... just curious if there are any historical reasons.
EDIT just a couple of reasons why I…
krookedking
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2 answers
Is circular breathing something an oboist needs?
Is the Circular Breathing a technique that is needed to know by a good Oboist?
SysDragon
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14
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9 answers
Is writing lyrics similar to writing poetry?
I'm having trouble writing my first lyrics for a song. I think the main point I'm having difficulty with is how a lyric sentence is written? I know it's not written like a novel but similar to a poem but not exactly because lyrics are suppose to be…
user5344
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1 answer
What are the Coltrane Changes?
Also known as Coltrane Matrix, Coltrane Cycle, chromatic third relations, and multi-tonic changes.
What are the Coltrane Changes? What's the theory behind them? How are they used in improvisation, harmonization, and reharmonization?
TaylorSwiftFan5932
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14
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4 answers
How important is to reach the bottom limit of the key when pressed?
When practicing, I noticed that in forte scale runs I always reach the bottom limit of every key I press, but when playing the same run piano or pianissimo I don't always reach the bottom limit.
So, my question is: How important is to reach the…
TaylorSwiftFan5932
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14
votes
4 answers
How to choose a key signature for a song that modulates often?
In jazz, let's say, how would one choose a key signature for writing a lead sheet for a song where keys change every few measures or faster? Is writing the key changes explicitly going to be helpful or distracting? And if it isn't helpful, should…
Duncan Malashock
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14
votes
4 answers
What are the differences between blues and jazz walking bass?
Both blues and jazz (especially swing) feature walking bass lines. Do they differ? If they differ, how does one differentiate them by just listening to the bass line, disregarding other instruments.
seseorang
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14
votes
3 answers
What is a parallel mode?
What is a parallel mode? How are the parallel modes used in composition and/or improvisation?
TaylorSwiftFan5932
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14
votes
1 answer
I've "lost my voice." What physically happened to my vocal physiology?
I've been suffering from a mix of allergies and a cold over the past few days, and woke up this morning to find that overnight, my normal singing range of about F2 to G4 had been reduced and lowered to about Db2 to Ab2. I can breathe in and out…
NReilingh
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14
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7 answers
Can any diminished chord be used as V anywhere?
I've been playing with diminished chords as 'V' in ii-V-I progressions. I often use one of the three diminished chords in a ii-V-I progression -- I sharpen the 5th note of the scale and hang a diminished triad over it. So in C major I would use G#…
David Wallis
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4 answers
How do I approximate instruments when arranging an orchestral piece for brass ensemble
I am going to arrange Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod for British brass band. I am not sure if it will be a good fit, but it is worth a try.
The instrumentation that I am writing for is…
Eric
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14
votes
4 answers
What can be done about a buzzy sitar-like fret?
I have an acoustic-electric guitar, which I took home new about 10 years ago. Lately I've noticed that the G on the high E string (third fret, play it all the time) has started to sound like a sitar. The twangy "bwang" whenever I hit it. The F# and…
Dave Jacoby
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14
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17 answers
How to learn piano without owning a piano?
I'm getting married in a year and the venue has a piano that we can't move but we can play.
I'd like to learn a song for my wedding day but I want to surprise my future wife. We don't already own a piano and she would see it as odd if I just brought…
Corey Ogburn
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4 answers
What defines pop music as a genre? Which patterns and trends can we find in pop music?
Today, not all popular music is labeled as pop. To me it seems that pop has become a genre that can be defined by its musical patterns, techniques, and styles. Similar to rock, jazz, and classical music.
Which are the patterns, techniques, and…
TaylorSwiftFan5932
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14
votes
4 answers
Are there any "etudes for the orchestra"?
Are there any "etudes for the orchestra"? Football teams don't practise just playing football all day long, but they do all kinds of "orchestrated" team exercises just like hockey players and basically every team sports there is. And musicians…
Kari Kääriäinen
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