Music Matters
What is Pandiatonicism in Music? - Music Theory
What does pandiatonicism mean in music? How did pandiatonicism come about and which composers used it? This music theory lesson explains pandiatonicism, ‘pan’ meaning ‘all’ and ‘diatonic’ meaning inside a key. Examples are explored which...
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #21 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
The Difference Between a German 6th and a Dominant 7th - Music Theory
Why a German 6th sounds exactly the same as a Dominant 7th but functions very differently. This music theory lesson shows you how to construct a Dominant 7th in the key of Db and a German 6th in the key of C, drawing attention to the...
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #25 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
What a Piano Accompanist Should Do - Music Performance
Many musicians find themselves in the position of piano accompanist, often by choice but sometimes reluctantly. This music performance lesson offers top tips in relation to becoming a more confident accompanist. You may be an experienced...
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #27 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
Reading Chords On a Lead Sheet - Music Performance
How to read chords on a lead sheet on the piano. Many pieces of music are presented in lead sheet format i.e. where a melodic line is printed with chord symbols above. What do these symbols mean and how does one play from a lead sheet?...
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #22 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #17 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
How to use Augmented 6th Chord in Minor Keys - Music Composition
Learn how do to construct and use augmented 6th chords in minor keys. This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Augmented 6th chords and the best ways to resolve them. After explaining how to form...
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #18 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
Name the Composer Quiz! #24 Do you know your classical composers
How well do you know your classical composers? Find out with our name the composer quiz! We present ten facts about a random composer, see if you can guess the correct answer by the end of the video.
Music Matters
How to Resolve a Dominant 7th Chord - Music Composition
How to use diminished 7th chords. This music composition lesson explains how to construct a diminished 7th chord and how to key reference it, clearing up various common misunderstandings on the way. We explore the diminished 7th chord in...
Music Matters
How to use Neapolitan Chords in Major Keys - Music Composition
How do you use Neapolitan chords? How does a Neapolitan sixth chord resolve? What are the best approach chords to use before a Neapolitan? This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Neapolitan chords...
Music Matters
Combining Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales - Inside the Mind of Bach
How do you know when to use the harmonic or the melodic minor scale? Let's take a look at how Bach combines them in one of his chorale harmonization. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of accented...
Music Matters
How to use Neapolitan Chords in Minor Keys - Music Composition
How do you use Neapolitan chords in? How does a Neapolitan sixth chord resolve? What are the best approach chords to use before a Neapolitan? This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Neapolitan...
Music Matters
How to Realize Simple Figured Bass - Music Theory
How to realize and read diatonic chords in figured bass and how to play a short passage from a figured bass. This music theory lesson explains the figured bass system in relation to all the diatonic chords in root position, first...
Music Matters
How to use Augmented 6th Chord in Major Keys - Music Composition
Learn how do to construct and use augmented 6th chords in major keys. This music composition lesson explains the best ways to write approach chords to Augmented 6th chords and the best ways to resolve them. After explaining how to form...
Music Matters
10,000 Hours to Master the Piano? - Music Performance
Does it really take 10,000 hours to master the piano? This music performance lesson explores the theory that 10,000 hours is what is needed to produce a great pianist. The idea comes from Malcolm Gladwell, that it takes about 10000 hours...
Music Matters
How to Build Major and Minor Chords - Music Theory
Learn how to build and recognise major and minor chords. This music theory lesson teaches you how to construct major and minor chords above any given note. Two techniques are explained, one based on intervals and the other based on...
Music Matters
How to Realize More Advanced Figured Bass - Music Theory
How to go about realizing more advanced figured bass, including how to read diatonic chords and seventh chords in figured bass and how to play a short passage from a figured bass. In this music theory lesson the figured bass system is...
Music Matters
Elaborating Harmony - Inside the Mind of Bach
A look at how Bach elaborates a chord progression in one of his chorale harmonizations. We examine the choice of harmony, chromatic chords, secondary dominants, borrowed chords. and modulation, the part writing, the use of inessential...
Music Matters
How Did Brahms Compose - Composer Insights
How did Brahms go about composing music? Let's explore part of the opening section of the Intermezzo op118 no2 by Brahms as we try to answer that very question. We explain how Brahms handles the repetition of the opening phrase, which...
Curated Video
Jam Session with Duke Ellington and his Band
Original audio and film recording of a staged, 1942 musical jam session with Duke Ellington and his band: Ray Nance (violin), Rex Stewart (trumpet), Ben Webster (tenor saxophone), Joe Nanton (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), and...