Success Music Studio

Guitar • Bass • Banjo • Ukulele • Mandolin • Autoharp • Keyboard • Piano | Voice #: 978-440-9966 | Text #: 508-561-9724

geoff@successmusicstudio.com

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Geoff

Geoff (pronounce Jeff) Keith has taught instrumental music lessons for over 30 years, and special needs students for over 20 years, accruing over 6,000 hours working with special needs and LD students. In the 1990’s, he developed FBC Sudbury’s Kid’s Music Club program (children’s choir). His articles on teaching music to students with learning disabilities have appeared in the Dyslexic Reader. The information in the blog is similar to the information he presented at Berklee College of Music’s ABLE Assembly, which is a special needs arts conference for teachers. Also, he has been included in Marquis Who’s Who biographies.

What Does Dissonance Mean for Basic Seventh Chords - Sheet Music

What Does Dissonance Mean for Basic Seventh Chords?

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / / ,

Are you confused about how dissonant seventh chords work? Do you want to know how to make them sound incredibly good? Have you ever looked in a chord dictionary, seen a diagram of a crazy seventh chord, played it, and then wondered: “How am I going to use that thing?” That’s because dissonant harmony sounds tense and unstable. Keep reading “What Does Dissonance Mean for Basic Seventh Chords?” to learn how to make them sound smooth and satisfying. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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What’re the Basics of an Accompaniment in a Song - Keyboard Player

What’re the Basics of an Accompaniment in a Song?

The Craft of Songwriting / /

Do you want to know what a song accompaniment is? Do you want to know the basics for writing them? An accompaniment is an arrangement for the backing instruments that support your song’s principal melody. Keep reading “What’re the Basics of an Accompaniment in a Song?” to learn more about what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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Simple Instructions for Pythagorean Tuning - Monochord

Simple Instructions for Pythagorean Tuning

Intonation / / , , , , ,

Do you need simple instructions for adjusting your synth to play Pythagorean tuning? The Pythagorean scale is based on the Pythagorean tuning ratios that are credited to (you guessed it) Pythagoras (same guy that invented the hypotenuse formula). However, it has since become popular with microtonal composers. Keep reading “Simple Instructions for Pythagorean Tuning” to learn the deep, dark secret of this scale. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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How to Read Basic Guitar Tab for Beginners - Guitarists

How to Read Basic Guitar Tab for Beginners

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / / , , , , ,

Are you passionate about playing guitar? Do you want to turbo charge your learning using guitar tab? Guitar tab is a popular music notation that can help you master guitar songs quickly and easily. Keep reading “How to Read Basic Guitar Tab for Beginners” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

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How to Sing Powerful Vowels and Consonants - Man with Guitar Singing

How to Sing Powerful Vowels and Consonants

Singing in Tune / / ,

Your performance isn’t just about hitting your notes. It’s also about performing with precision: so that your vowels are powerful and resonant, and your consonants are clean and crisp. This in turn will impact your ability to add emotion to your performance. Keep reading “How to Sing Powerful Vowels and Consonants” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

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How to Employ Effective Equalization on Your Song - Recording Studio

How to Employ Effective Equalization on Your Song

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / /

Do you want to know what the word equalization means? Do you want to know how to EQ your song mix? Equalization (EQ) is a potent means for creatively sculpting the sound of your song’s mix. However, if you want to be really good at applying EQ to a mix, you need to train your ears to hear what the mix needs. Keep reading “How to Employ Effective Equalization on Your Song” to improve your listening skills. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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Meet Special Needs Music Expert Geoff Keith at Lexsepta 2025

News, Updates, and Milestones / / , , , , , ,

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be manning a table at the 2025 Lexsepta Special Needs Resource Fair. If you’re in the Lexington area, you’re invited to drop by the Lexsepta Fair and say, “Hi.” Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

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How to Read Piano Sheet Music for Beginners - Piano with Sheet Music and Roses

How to Read Piano Sheet Music for Beginners

Color Coding / / , , , , , ,

Are you a beginner pianist and want to know how to read piano sheet music? Or are you a parent and want to figure out if your child is ready to play piano? This post covers the basics of how to read piano sheet music. In addition, it has links to practical examples so you can get an idea of what it’s like to play and read piano music. Keep reading “How to Read Piano Sheet Music for Beginners” to embark on your musical voyage. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

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Learn the Secret of How to Play Guitar Trills - Guitarist with Les Paul

Learn the Secret of How to Play Guitar Trills

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / /

Do you want to learn the secret of how to play guitar trills? Trills add excitement and flash to your playing. However, if you want to know how to master guitar trills, you must first become proficient at two other guitar techniques. Keep reading to learn what these techniques are and how to best perform them. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

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