The Successful Music Student

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you want to know what the word attenuation means? Do you need to know what the attenuation control on your soundboard does? If you want the songs and demos you produce in your home recording studio to sound good, you need to understand how your gear works. This includes volume-related equipment such as limiters, compressors, and your soundboard’s various gain and attenuation controls. Keep reading “What Exactly Is Attenuation for Home Recording Studios” to find out what attenuation is and how it works in sound recording. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Have you ever seen a crazy chromatic scale or chord and wondered why it works? Do you want to understand how to write them? Chromatic notes and harmonies are effective because they take bad sounding dissonance and resolve it to good sounding consonance. Keep reading “Why Do Crazy Chromatic Notes and Chords Work?” to learn how chromatic harmony functions. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Have you been looking at gear and want to know whether tube amps or amp modelers are the better option for your guitar sound? Tube amps are old school and amp modelers are state of the art. However, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Keep reading “Hot Tube Amps Versus Cool Recording Studio Modelers” to learn the benefits of each. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Do you want to know what diction in singing is? In any vocal style, diction is central to a good performance, at least if you want your audience to understand you. However, if you’re not careful, you can overdo it and make your performance sound stiff and artificial. Keep reading “Understanding Basic Diction in Modern Singing” to learn what it is and how it works. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.