Success Music Studio

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 on Earth Exactly Is Vibrato - Violinist

What on Earth Exactly Is Vibrato?

“What on earth exactly is vibrato?” It’s a pulsating sound that musicians use to make their music more engaging. Views on vibrato have varied through the centuries. However, currently it’s felt that it adds warmth to the notes, and by extension, it adds more emotion to your playing. Keep reading to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo - Sheet Music

What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo

Do you want to know what the difference is between a trill and tremolo in music? The two terms sound alike, and superficially they have some things in common. However, they produce very different results. This is particularly true when you consider that tremolo picking on guitar and orchestral tremolo are two different things. Keep reading “What’s the Key Difference Between Trills and Tremolo” to learn how they’re similar and how they differ. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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A How to Guide to Learning Conducting with Musicality - Conductor

 A How to Guide to Learning Conducting with Musicality

Are you confused about what all the conductor’s hand gestures mean? Do you want to learn how to conduct a musical ensemble? Conducting isn’t just brandishing a stick. The conductor is the coach of an ensemble. Also, they interpret the musical score, making it so that each ensemble has its own unique sound. Keep reading “A How to Guide to Learning Conducting with Musicality” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

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What Is the Essential Meaning of Crescendo in Music - Sheet Music 2

What Is the Essential Meaning of Crescendo in Music?

Do you want to know the meaning of the word crescendo? Do you want to know how to play crescendo and decrescendo? Dynamics (like crescendo and diminuendo) are an important part of musical expression and interpretation. Keep reading “What Is the Essential Meaning of Crescendo in Music” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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How to Record Vocals for a Professional Sound - Condenser Mic with Pop Screen - How to Figure Out Your Voice Type - How to Record a Professional Quality Podcast

How to Record Vocals for a Professional Sound

Do you need to be able to record your vocals? Do you want to have them sound professional? Good recording skills are an essential part of creating a high-quality sound. Moreover, it’s basically the same process for recording your voice for speech or for singing. Keep reading “How to Record Vocals for a Professional Sound” to learn how to get the best sound possible. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

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How to Effectively Use Music Theory to Transpose Music - Sheet Music

How to Effectively Use Music Theory to Transpose Music

Want to know what the word transpose means in music? Do you need to know how to change the key of a song? There are a bunch of reasons you might need to change the music’s key: 1) it’s the wrong range for your voice, 2) you need to make it fit your instrument’s range, 3) or you may play a transposing instrument (such as Bb trumpet) but need to read some music written at concert pitch. Keep reading “How to Effectively Use Music Theory to Transpose Music” to learn how to do it. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

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What’re Critical Fine Motor Skills for Special Needs Music - Girl with Ukulele

What’re Critical Fine Motor Skills for Special Needs Music

Do you want to know what fine motor skills are and how they impact special needs music lessons? Fine motor skills are small, precise movements and therefore are a critical component of musical instrument lessons. Gross motor skills are also important in music. However, most instruments require a high level of finger precision, which is why in today’s post we’ll mostly focus on activities to develop finger dexterity. Keep reading “What’re Critical Fine Motor Skills for Special Needs Music” to learn how to increase finger dexterity in your special needs students. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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What’s a Melody (and How to Write Strong Ones) - Woman with Headphones

What’s a Melody (and How to Write Strong Ones)

Do you want to learn how to write a melody? A melody is a series of notes that sound in rhythmic sequence. In a song, it’s the musical part that the lead vocalist sings. It’s the main focus of the music, because it’s what sells the song. Keep reading “What’s a Melody (and How to Write Strong Ones)” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

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What Precisely Did Bach Mean by Well-Tempered Clavier - Harpsichord

What Precisely Did Bach Mean by Well-Tempered Clavier

Do you like Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Well-Tempered Clavier” (WTC) but wonder what the “well-tempered” in the title means? Bach advocated for the well-temperaments which are circular tuning systems that allow keyboardists to play in any key without restrictions, similar to equal temperament. Thus, WTC was written to showcase well-temperaments. Keep reading “What Precisely Did Bach Mean by Well-Tempered Clavier” to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

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