Music Matters
Rhythm Bootcamp - Pulse, Tempo and Rhythm
What is the difference between rhythm, tempo and pulse? This rhythm lesson looks at these three elements separately and will help you to build a steady pulse and slow, medium and fast tempi. It then moves on to counting and clapping some...
Music Matters
Why Learn Figured Bass? - Music Theory
See why every musician should become familiar with figured bass. For harpsichordists and organists needing to realise figured bass in performance realising figured bass fluently with style is essential. For others it’s a useful way of...
Music Matters
What is the Pentatonic Scale? - Music Theory
We explore the Pentatonic scale. As the title suggests the scale comprises 5 notes instead of the 7 notes that make up the major scale and the minor scale. This music theory lesson looks at the different ways of calculating the notes...
Music Matters
Using a Slow Moving Theme with Cantus Firmus - Music Composition
We explore how to write a free moving line over a sustained melody presented in long notes. The example here uses the first two phrases of “Happy Birthday to you” set as a cantus firmus in long notes in the left hand, while the right...
Music Matters
Improving a Bass Line - Music Composition
How to take a plain bass line and turn it into something much more interesting. By using quavers and eighth notes this music composition lesson works through how to use extra chord tones, harmony notes and non-chord tones, inessential...
Music Matters
Identifying Non-Chord Tones - Music Theory
This music theory lesson works through a short passage of music identifying all the non-chord tones or inessential notes. The video explores the harmonic outline of the piece before covering an explanation of passing tones, passing notes...
Music Matters
Composing Twelve-Tone Music - Implications of Tonality in Serialism
How to approach constructing a note row that also incorporates a sense of tonality. The music composition lesson explores how to build in some implication of a key within a twelve-tone serial piece and explains how to achieve a...
Music Matters
Using Alberti Bass as a Compositional Technique - Music Composition
Discover how Alberti Bass works and how useful it is in breathing energy into accompaniments. Often composers write a successful melody but the accompaniment is limited to block chords. Using Alberti Bass is one way of liberating the...
Music Matters
Two Against Three Rhythms - Music Theory
Triplets are explained, sextuplets are related to them, then how to play 2’s against 3’s. The “3 for the price of 2” is defined with examples given of triplets using different rhythmic units, as well as examples of triplets using fewer...
Music Matters
Playing Scales with Shape - Music Performance
In music exams credit is often given to candidates who can play their scales and arpeggios with shape. What does it mean to play scales and arpeggios with shape? This music performance video explores how to grade crescendos and...
Music Matters
How to Vary the Harmony for Repeated Notes - Music Theory
Many composers and students of harmony worry about harmonising repeated notes in a melody. Repeated notes can make for melodic stagnation and the remedy is often to create harmonic interest but how is this achieved? This music theory...
Music Matters
Creating a Moving Bass Line - Music Composition
Discover how to transform a piece of music that is using block chords into a much more engaging presentation with a moving bass line. Taking the opening of the British National Anthem this music composition lesson demonstrates how to...
Music Matters
Composing with a 5 Note Pitch Set - Music Composition
How to write a piece of music with only five notes. This music composition lesson takes a set of five notes and considers ideas for composing or improvising a piece based on those notes. We then explore how the Australian composer, Peter...
Music Matters
Composing Twelve-Tone Music - Including the Familiar
How using traditional elements of music theory is useful to think about when writing a twelve-tone serial piece of music. Examples of using tonal elements and rhythm that isn't too complex are explored in order to demonstrate that...
Music Matters
Beethoven's Delicate Side - Inside the Mind of Beethoven
Beethoven is often called ‘the bridge composer’ and emphasis is often placed on what he does to usher in the Romantic period. There is another more delicate, elegant side to Beethoven’s musical personality that has roots in the Classical...
Music Matters
Bach Goes Wacky - Inside the Mind Bach
The key movement is fast and chords do not always resolve as expected. In particular, we discover how Bach uses a number of unresolved dominant 7ths back to back, making this a radical approach for Baroque times. Discover what Bach is...
Music Matters
Adding Elegance to a Melodic Line - Music Composition
Many composers are happy to write basic melodies that fit with chords but how do we give a melodic line more identity and elegance? We discover how appoggiaturas can play a significant role. This music composition lesson shows you how to...
Curated Video
Playing the Recorder
A video describing how to play the notes B, A and G on the recorder.
Curated Video
CourseSpark 101: Finding, Sharing, and Licensing Videos
Enroll in CourseSpark 101 and discover the power of our CourseSpark platform, designed to help you find and license educational videos and podcasts. In just 5-6 minutes, we'll guide you through the seamless process of logging in,...
Curated Video
Understanding the Music Staff
This video describes how to identify both pitch and note duration.
Teaching Without Frills
How to Create an Outline for Kids - Planning Your Writing
In this video, you'll learn how to create an outline to plan your writing! We'll use a persuasive writing topic as an example to see how an outline can help you organize your ideas before writing.
Communication Coach Alex Lyon
Avoid These 3 PowerPoint Mistakes & Tips to Fix Them!
Avoid These 3 PowerPoint Mistakes and here are some simple tips to fix them. Public speaking and PowerPoint seem to go hand-in-hand but many speakers make the same mistakes when using slides.
Curated Video
Holiday Wishes Level 2 - Part 3: Maximizing Your Holiday Break for a Fulfilling Return
Welcome to the final installment of Holiday Wishes Level 2! Today, Jesse shares five essential tips to help you make the most of your holiday break, so you return to school feeling happy, fulfilled, and rejuvenated. Learn why...
Hip Hughes History
The USA Freedom Act Explained: US History Review
My Social Studies teacher look at how the USA Freedom Act changes the USA Patriot Act. Plus you get to learn what a backronym is.