Music Matters
Late Romantic Style - Composing for the Piano
In this episode of composing for the piano we talk about writing in a late Romantic style. We take the music matters theme and arrange it into a late Romantic style, discussing music composition techniques and tips when composing for the...
Music Matters
How Did Liszt Compose: - Composer Insights
How did Franz Liszt compose and what are some of the hallmarks of his compositional style? We try to get inside the head of Liszt and unpack the first page of his monumental Sonata in B minor for piano, of 1854. We explore the shielding...
Music Matters
Solfege and Tonic Sol Fa for Beginners - Music Performance
Solfege and Tonic Sol Fa. What is it, and how is it used? Many musicians use sol fa. Others have heard about it but are not sure how it works. In this music performance lesson, we explain the sol fa system and how it can transfer from...
Music Matters
Antecedent and Consequent Phrases - Music Composition
How to write and compose music with antecedent and consequent phrases, particularly useful when composing melodies. This music composition lesson explains how musical phrases often come in pairs as questioning and answering phrases or as...
Music Matters
What is Texture? - Music Theory
Musical texture explained. Texture is the word we use to describe how sound is organised. Texture might be described as high or low, depending on the pitch; as thick or thin, depending on how many notes are sounding at any one time; as...
Music Matters
What to do with a Melody? - Music Composition
Wondering what to do with a melody you've written? How could you go about turning it into a piece? In this music composition lesson we start with a melody in a minor key, then work out how best to harmonise it, considering various...
Music Matters
Alto Clef and Tenor Clef Explained - Music Theory
Learn all about the alto and tenor clef, how to draw them and how to read the notes. Instruments such as the viola read music in the alto clef. Other instruments, such as the trombone, also use the alto clef some of the time. The tenor...
Music Matters
Which Key is this Piece of Music in? - Music Theory
Just by looking at a melody can you work out which key it is in? How can you tell just by looking at the notes which key a melody is in, especially when there is no key signature? Even if you can work it out how do you know if it’s in a...
Institute for New Economic Thinking
Opening Up the Ivory Tower: Using Video to Get Out New Voices and Ideas - Pierpaolo Barbieri
Pierpaolo Barbieri, a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, believes that people in Ivory Towers should get out, and interact more fully with the public. And to do this, technology (and video in particular) can help immensely....
Music Matters
The Whole Tone Scale - Music Theory
How to build a whole tone scale and exploring some of its uses. Most musicians are familiar with major and minor scales but what about other scales? The whole tone scale was much used by Debussy and other composers, and it generates a...
Music Matters
Modulation by Semitone Shift - Music Theory
Learn how to modulate by semitone shift, sometimes known as the truck driver's gear change modulation, this technique is often used in pop music and musicals where the piece shifts up by a semitone towards the end of the song. By...
Music Matters
Musical Note Names in the USA and UK - Music Theory
There are two conventions used across the world for naming the rhythmic values of notes. This music theory lesson explains the two systems used either side of the pond. In both systems there is an element of logic that helps to grasp how...
Music Matters
Swing Rhythm Explained - Music Theory
What is swing rhythm? Some people find playing swing rhythm a little tricky. In this music theory lesson, we explain what swing rhythm sounds like, how to play swing rhythm and how to count swing rhythm. Swing rhythms appear in jazz and...
Music Matters
Balancing Textures in Music - Music Performance
How to bring musical refinement to your playing and composing by balancing textures. When we are performing, balancing textures well can add an extra dimension to our playing or singing. Performers who fail to consider the balancing of...
Music Matters
What is a Hemiola? - Music Theory
Learn what hemiola is all about. In this music theory lesson, we explain how the hemiola works and listen to what it sounds like. A hemiola is a rhythmic device that will make any music in triple time sound more interesting. Hemiola can...
Music Matters
How to Remember Which Notes Stringed Instruments Are Tuned to - Music Theory
We introduce you to Reckless Eric. Who is Reckless Eric? He’s the guy who helps you remember to which notes stringed instruments are tuned. Do you ever have trouble remembering which notes the strings are tuned to on the guitar, the bass...
Music Matters
Methods for Memorizing Music - Music Performance
Many musicians have tried everything in their powers to memorize music but feel very frustrated when the task cannot be mastered. Even though most musicians don’t actually need to memorize music, some do and there are benefits for all in...
Music Matters
Hearing Rhythms & Rhythmic Dictation - Aural Dictation
Learn rhythmic dictation and improve your ear. How often do you hear a rhythm in your head but you’re not sure what that rhythm is or how to write it down? How often do you look at a rhythm in a score but you’re not sure how to play it...
Music Matters
Classical Voice Types - Music Theory
Classical voice types and vocal categories. This music theory lesson explains the various voice parts and clarifies vocal ranges. In the standard four-part choir we expect to find Sopranos, Altos, Tenors, and Basses. The Tenors generally...
Music Matters
Debussys Use of the Whole Tone Scale Composer Insights
How Debussy makes use of the whole tone scale to achieve his signature evocative sound. We look through his Piano Prelude “Voiles”. The use of low dynamics, slow tempo and plenty of rhythmic space are just three of the ingredients...
Music Matters
Having Fun with 12 Bar Blues - Music Theory
Having fun with the 12 bar blues. This music theory lesson explains how the 12 bar blues pattern works and how you can have hours of fun with 12 bar blues. We look at the basic chord scheme, how the 12 bar blues is constructed and then...
Music Matters
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Harmonized in 4 Different Styles - Music Composition
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star harmonized in four different styles, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century. In the first style the melody is presented as a Cantus Firmus in Baroque style with two lower parts added below using Baroque...
Music Matters
The History of Musical Pitch - Music History
The history of musical pitch. Many of us assume that musical pitch has always been gauged at the same level but this is not the case. Concert pitch is the pitch reference to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a...
Music Matters
The Imperfect Cadence - Music Theory
Learn all about the imperfect cadence, also known as the half cadence, which chords it uses and how it sounds. Want to know about cadences? Want to know about the imperfect cadence in particular? Want to be able to write an imperfect...