This article comes from Hayley Bauer, a musician and writer! Some music makes the key obvious by putting it in the title.  Take, for example, classical music.  Classical music often has the key identified clearly in the title of the selection.  Or, if you purchase a song from Musicnotes, you will often have a transposition option, and therefore you’ll know exactly what key you are playing or singing in.  But how do you determine for yourself what key a song is based on? Well, it turns out there are several aspects to look at that can help you identify the key, even when it ..read more

This article was written by Shawn Leonhardt (Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer)! The pentatonic is the most commonly used music scale across the entire world; almost everyone knows and uses it. Some guitar lessons jump straight to learning this scale over the maj/min scales. Most melodies from many genres and styles follow either a major or minor 5-note scale, and since so many people love it, it’s hard to go wrong when using it! Here are some examples of how to use the pentatonic scale in riffs, licks, and solos in real-world situations. How the Pentatonic Differs from the Major and Minor Scal ..read more

This article comes from musician & writer Hayley Bauer! Simpler sheet music has so many options. While it’s easy to fall in love with an advanced arrangement, try not to overlook more basic sheet music, even if you’re an advanced musician. Simpler sheet music gives the option of “filling in the blanks” with your own embellishments and creativity. The following techniques are excellent for many skill levels. If you’re a relatively new musician, they will spark ideas to nurture your artistry while sticking to sheet music that you’re comfortable with. For the advanced musician ..read more

You may already have that perfect album or playlist for when you’re studying for a math test, but did you know that playing an instrument actually improves your math skills? There are many similarities between learning an instrument and learning math, believe it or not. Here are just a few: Share this Image On Your Site Please include attribution to Musicnotes with this graphic. The Mozart Effect Listening to certain music, like classical, activates a part of the brain that aligns with learning. So if listening to certain music activates that part of the brain, learning music also has tr ..read more

Bruce Springsteen is a New Jersey native who became an iconic rock artist in between the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout his career, he created 20 albums and amassed numerous Grammy awards. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of heartland rock. He was often referred to as "The Boss" because of his songwriting and guitar playing prowess. Music artists continue to emulate his style today. To master Bruce Springsteen on guitar, here are some tips and tricks to master. Basic Music Theory to Grasp the Bruce Springsteen Guitar Technique Before trying to conquer Bruce Springsteen on guitar, you s ..read more

This article comes from composer & music producer Tero Potila! Music throughout human history has always been a powerful form of expression, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. At the heart of this universal language lies musical notation, a communication system as complex and nuanced as any written language. I learned to read music at 3 years old; my father, now retired, was a clarinet, saxophone, and music theory teacher at the local music institute. Because of his teachings, reading music has always felt natural to me. In my professional music career, I've worked a few times ..read more

Tchaikovsky’s emotionally expressive and culturally unique music offers players of almost any level a chance to stretch their skills and explore a range of moods. The composer’s influence on Russian, and, indeed, many other classical composers, echoes through the nearly two centuries since his lifetime. Thus, learning how to play Tchaikovsky represents an opportunity to connect with his era and the numerous works that owe a debt to his music. Whether you want to perform his ballets, some of the most magnificent ever composed, his marvelous Russian operas, or you want a point of entry to his t ..read more

Frédéric François Chopin may be the most beloved composer of piano music in the Western canon. His music is performed around the world at concerts, recitals, weddings, funerals, and just about every occasion you can imagine. Playing a Chopin piece can even help you relax after a stressful day.  While many of his pieces are very difficult and present challenges to the most advanced pianists, there is something for everyone who would like to play Chopin, regardless of skill level. Who Was Chopin? Chopin was born in a town outside of Warsaw, Poland in 1810 to a French émigré father and a mo ..read more

Claude Debussy makes an appearance on just about every list of favorite composers. His music is often described as soothing, relaxing, and just plain beautiful. He was a prolific composer for the piano, leaving dozens of pieces for all to enjoy today. Are you wondering how to play Debussy? While some of his pieces are difficult and require advanced skills, there are Debussy piano pieces for every level and interest. Who Was Claude Debussy? Debussy was born in 1862 in France to a very poor family. They recognized his musical talents, however, and managed to give him piano lessons starting at t ..read more

Learning to play the piano is a rewarding project. There is so much repertoire you can learn, from The Beatles to Broadway to Bach. One composer you might enjoy learning to play is Ludwig van Beethoven. He was a prolific composer and wrote numerous pieces for pianists of all levels and abilities. Studying his pieces in order of difficulty will help you learn how to play classical music. Who Was Beethoven? It’s always helpful to know a little about composers before you play their music. The time and place in which composers lived tell you a lot about how to interpret their style. Ludwig van Be ..read more