Music Matters
The Easy Method to Work Out Intervals - Music Theory
Discover an easy method to work out and accurately identify intervals using this simple interval chart. In music, an interval is a measured distance between two notes. When the notes sound at the same time it is called a harmonic...
Music Matters
Why Practice With a Metronome? - Music Performance
Why should you be practising with a metronome? Good rhythm and tempo are essential for all musicians. Find out how the metronome can help you practice. In this music performance lesson we consider the value of using a metronome....
Music Matters
Rumba Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano, we explore how to present the Music Matters theme in Rumba style. The distinctive Rumba rhythm is explained and Gareth talks through how he has arranged the melodic design to fit the Rumba...
Music Matters
Composing Using the Whole Tone Scale - Music Composition
Showing you how to begin a composition using the whole tone scale. The two transpositions of the whole tone scale are explained and consideration is given to how the scale can be used as the basis for melodic and harmonic construction....
Music Matters
Writing Better Harmony - Music Composition
How to write better harmony and chord progressions. This music composition lesson begins with what is often a typical working of a four-part harmony exercise, which doesn’t sound bad but doesn’t sound good. We explore what works and what...
Music Matters
Writing a Melody Over a Chord Progression - Music Composition
How to compose and develop melody over a set of chords. Are you someone who can come up with a chord progression but you’re not quite sure how to improvise or write a melody to go with it? In this music composition lesson, we take a...
Music Matters
The Interrupted Cadence - Music Theory
Learn all about the interrupted cadence, also known as the deceptive cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Would you like to write an interrupted cadence? Would you like to be able to hear interrupted cadences? Cadences...
Music Matters
Reading Treble Clef Ledger Lines - Music Theory
How well do you know your treble clef ledger lines above and below the stave? You may be fairly new to reading music or you may have been a musician for years but many musicians get caught out when it comes to reading notes on ledger...
Music Matters
Extended Chords Made Clear - Music Theory
Always wondered what we mean by the term extended chords? Want to use extended chords but not sure how to? Are you a composer who can use chords but want your chords to be more interesting and more colourful? Want to be able to use...
Music Matters
Making Music with 7th Chord Chains - Music Composition
Making music with 7th chord chains and advanced chord progressions in any style, from baroque to cocktail piano. The chain of 7ths has been used by composers since the Baroque period as a means of providing a rich sequence of 7th chords...
Music Matters
Can You Work Out the Time Signature of these Rhythms? - Music Theory
Can you work out the time signature of these rhythms? This music theory lesson presents a quiz to help you sharpen your skills. A number of different rhythms are presented and by looking at the numerical value of each bar and at the...
Music Matters
The Difference Between 2/4 and 4/4 Time Signatures - Music Theory
What is the difference between 2/4 and 4/4 time signatures? On the face of it, there may appear to be little difference between music in 2/4 time or music in 4/4 time. Often it is possible to count 2 or 4 beats to the same piece of...
Music Matters
How to Build Diminished and Augmented Chords - Music Theory
Learn how to build diminished and augmented chords. This music theory lessons show you how to start with major triad and modify it into an augmented or diminished triad, before showing an alternative method of calculation by counting...
Music Matters
Spot the Music Notation Mistakes - Music Theory
We explore an extract of music that contains some mistakes with its notation, can you spot them all? This music theory lesson explores some of the most common errors when it comes to notating notes, rhythms, time signatures and other...
Music Matters
A Beginner's Guide to Four-Part Harmony - Music Theory
Beginner's guide to four-part harmony. This music theory lesson explains the basics of how to write four-part harmony to fit with a given melody. Often people can write a tune they are happy with but they are not sure which chords to use...
Music Matters
What is a Secondary Dominant? - Music Theory
Find out what makes a secondary dominant and how best to use them. A secondary dominant is a way of adding a touch of harmonic colour to a piece of music. It occurs when a V-l progression occurs in a key other than the prevailing key....
Music Matters
How Well Do You Know Your Intervals? - Music Theory
How well do you know your intervals? Interval recognition is a core skill in for any musician with questions like these often appear in music theory exams. In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate...
Music Matters
Can You Name the Interval? - Music Theory
Can you name these intervals? In this music theory lesson you will have an opportunity to discover how accurate you are at identifying intervals. Do you know your major intervals from your minor intervals or your augmented intervals from...
Music Matters
Orchestration & Writing for Brass - The Trumpet
All you need to know in order to begin composing for the trumpet. This orchestration video explores the Trumpet as a solo instrument and in the context of playing as part of an ensemble of Trumpets or wider Brass, and explains the rather...
Music Matters
Decorating Straightforward Harmony - Inside the Mind of Bach
Find out how Bach goes about decorating a straightforward chord progression and use multiple harmonic devices to create a really moving piece of music. We examine the choice of harmony and modulation, the part writing, the use of...
Music Matters
What is a Cadential 6-4? - Music Theory
What is a cadential 6-4? What does it sound like? How does it function? What do we mean by “cadential” and 6-4? This music theory lesson explains the cadential 6-4 and answers all those questions. The melodic, as well as the harmonic...
Music Matters
Intervals Quiz - Music Theory
How good is your ability to work out the interval between two notes? In this music theory lesson we practice working out intervals. Do you know your Major intervals from your Minor intervals or your Augmented intervals from your...
Music Matters
Consecutive Fifths and Consecutive Octaves - Music Theory
Consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves. This music theory lesson presents a short passage of four-part harmony that is filled with consecutive fifths and consecutive octaves (also known as parallel fifths and parallel octaves)....
Music Matters
Transposing a Melody into Another Key - Music Theory
How to transpose a melody from one key to another. Suitable for students preparing for Grade 5 theory exams. Are you confused about transposition? Do you need to transpose some music by playing or writing out music in a different key? Do...