Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 4 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Is singing solfege actually helpful for learning to hear intervals by ear? Sort of. In some contexts, solfege can be useful for hearing how the intervals sound so you can sing in tune. In others, solfege won’t help at all. Read more to answer the question, “Is singing solfege helpful for learning to hear intervals by ear?” In the 11th century, a monk named Guido of Arezzo developed a system of solmization. It used a variety of syllables to represent the different notes in the mediaeval hexachord system. Are ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 2 minutes Table of Contents Introduction “On the electric keyboard can you play dynamics?” Well, that depends on the type of keyboard that you buy. In music, dynamics refers to the volume and intensity of sound, ranging from very soft (pp = pianissimo) to very loud (ff = fortissimo). Not all keyboards can play loud and soft through the keys though. Read more to learn what you need to think about when buying an electronic keyboard. This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article. On the Electric Keyboar ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 2 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Do you struggle with reading music notes? Have you always wanted to learn to read music, but found it too hard? Try rainbow colored music notes. This post has stories about musicians who’ve achieved music literacy through color coded music notation.  Read more to learn about accurately reading musical notes and the colors of a rainbow. The stories I’ll tell you will focus on students who have LD and special needs. However, these strategies can be used by any student, typical learner or otherwise. This ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 4 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Do you need talent to write music and compose lyrics for a song? Or can you get by using music theory and compositional techniques? We’ll talk about that and a whole lot more in today’s post. Read more to answer the question, “Do I need talent to write music and compose lyrics for a song?” This article has links to definitions of the musical and poetical words used in this post, which you’ll find in the Glossary at the end. Do You Need Talent to Write Music and Compose Lyrics: Talent vs Craft? “Do I n ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 2 minutes Table of Contents Introduction to "Tips for How to Stay Calm and Cool Before a Concert" Do you want tips for how to stay calm and cool before a concert? Today’s post contains two tips that’ll help keep your nerves at bay. Read more to learn how it works. Tip #1 for How to Stay Calm and Cool Before a Concert Want tips for how to stay calm and cool before a concert? Transform your fear. Strong emotions get tied to the body’s physical responses: Thudding heart Cold hands Shaking limbs Dilated eyes Upset stomach This results from your ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 4 minutes Table of Contents Introduction What common mistakes do people make when tuning their guitars? We’ll discuss the three most important tuning tips plus three bonus tips. Read more to fix the three most common mistakes that people make when tuning their guitars. This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article. What Common Mistakes Do People Make When Tuning Their Guitars #1 What common mistakes do people make when tuning their guitars? First, not bothering to tune often enough. Guitarists often ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 4 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I learn to play the piano one hand at a time or simultaneously?” The answer to this question might surprise you. Read more to find out the practice strategies used by the most effective practicers. This post deals with the question of whether you should learn to play the piano one hand at a time or simultaneously. Also, it discusses the general question of how to practice effectively. However, if you want specific tips on how to successfully play hands together, see: H ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 5 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Is there a difference in difficulty in singing specific vowels? Yes, some vowels will be easier to sing in tune, and others will be easier to sing with a strong tone. Read more to understand why there is a difference in difficulty for singing specific vowels, and how to do something about it. In the post Sing in Tune with Vowels, we looked at the difference in difficulty level for singing specific vowels in tune. For example, vocalists found it harder to sing /u:/ than /a:/ in tune. In today’s post, we’ll l ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 3 minutes Table of Contents Introduction After they can sight-read what’s left for musicians to learn? Lots of things, such as: Repertoire Memorization Interpretation Performance Practice Improvisation Composition Music Theory Music History Read more to find out about what’s left for musicians to learn after they can sight-read. This article uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post. What’s Left? Lots of Stuff! Again, after you’ve learned to sight-read, there’ll be lots left for a musician like you to learn ..read more

Facebook Twitter Estimated reading time 3 minutes Table of Contents Introduction Do you find sight reading hard to do? Have you ever asked if there is a better way to learn sight singing? Shape notes can really help. Read more to answer the question, “Is there a better way to learn sight singing?” This article uses technical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the post. Contrasting Standard Notation with Shape Notes to Find a Better Way to Learn Sight Singing Mobile users: for best results reading the examples, tilt your screen 90o to the right. Solfe ..read more