All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics

Introduction

Welcome to the All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics blog category page. For this category I’ve scoured social media to find the questions that people have been asking the most. It functions as a catch-all covering a wide range of music topics.

It might be a student practice tip one post, while it could be a music instructor teaching tip the next post. Or perhaps it will be a music theory or other general music topic.

Sometimes it’ll apply to typical leaners. Other times, it’ll be geared toward special needs students. However, the posts will usually be helpful for all students. In any case, these are the topics that you, the people, have been asking about.

Everything that doesn’t have a home in another blog category will land here. Thus, the “All-Purpose” part of the title. The “Tips and Topics” part hints at the practice tips, teaching tips, and other topics we’ll cover in this blog category. For example:

Practice and Playing Tips

Do you have a hard time playing with both hands? The All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics category has a post that deals with that.

Are you terrified of playing in front of an audience? I’ve got you covered.

Music Teacher Tips

Or does your student have small hands and needs to play pieces of music that have fast octaves and other wide stretches. It’ll be in The All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics category.

Do you have a student who plays by ear, but wants to learn how to read music? We’ll definitely deal with that.

Music Theory and Other Music Topics

Have you ever wondered why minor scales sound sad? I’ll discuss the theory and science behind why this happens.

Want to know what’s left to study after you’ve learned to sight read music? The All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics category will cover that too.

As you can see, we’ve got a lot of fun posts. I hope you’ll join me for the ride.

The Cornerstone Post:

D’you Want Some Music Tips and Tricks I’ve Learned Over the Years?

The Posts:

The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.

– Geoffrey Keith

Back to the Successful Music Student blogs page

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?

Are you unclear about what harmony is? Do you want to know how it works? Harmony is a major subcategory of music theory that helps musicians to understand how notes should go together. This in turn impacts how they arrange their music. Keep reading “What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean?” to learn how it works. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

What Exactly Is a Chord and What Does the Term Harmony Mean? Read More »

Requiem Meaning - Music, Memorial, and Mourning [Video] - Mozart Choral Music - Perfect Pitch: Discover the Truth [Plus Absolute Pitch Test] - Explore Mozart's Enchanting Music in Less Than Four Minutes - What Makes a Barbershop Quartet a Special A Cappella Group?

What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? [Video]

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Music

Do you want to understand the astonishing beauty and heartbreak of a requiem? Do you need to know which famous composers have written them? A requiem is a major musical art form and a solemn ceremony both at the same time. Famous composers such as Mozart, Verdi, and Berlioz have written them. Keep reading “What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem?” to learn more. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

What Is the Meaning of the Death Requiem? [Video] Read More »

Beethoven (Why Did He Keep Composing After Deafness) - Sheet Music - Singing Beethoven’s Beautiful Ode to Joy - Explore Beethoven’s Beautiful Music in Less Than Four Minutes - The Top 10 Best Iconic Classical Music Compositions

Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness?

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Music

Do you want to know what motivated Ludwig van Beethoven to push through adversity to create some of the best and most influential classical music ever? By the time he turned fifty, he was considered by many to be the world’s best living composer. His funeral was attended by 10,000 people. However, to achieve this level of fame he literally had to suffer for his art. That begs the question, why did Beethoven keep composing after suffering deafness? Keep reading to learn the answer to this and more. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Why Did Beethoven Keep Composing After Suffering Deafness? Read More »

Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Music

Do you want to know the symphony definition and meaning? Would you like a quick guide on where to start listening? The orchestra has a rich history spanning hundreds of years with tons of fun pieces to listen to and enjoy. Keep reading “Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide” to dip your toes in the orchestral waters. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

Symphony Meaning: Definition, Videos, and a Quick Guide Read More »

I’d Like to Know the Meaning of the Word Cadence [Video]

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics, The Craft of Songwriting / Geoff / Music

“I’d like to know the meaning of the word cadence. How does it differ in language vs music?” Candence in music and language both have to do with regulating the flow of sound. However, even though the definitions are related, they’re not the same. Keep reading to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

I’d Like to Know the Meaning of the Word Cadence [Video] Read More »

Exploring the Music Themes and Leitmotifs of Star Wars

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Music

Do you love the “Star Wars” soundtrack and want to understand it better? Are you a budding composer and want to understand leitmotifs and how to write them? It doesn’t matter if you’re a composer or just a fan, exploring the music themes and leitmotifs of “Star Wars” will be a rewarding experience. Read more to understand themes and leitmotifs, and to get indexed lists of each theme and where it occurs within the film. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Exploring the Music Themes and Leitmotifs of Star Wars Read More »

Song Structure, Musical Phrases, Musical Structures and Forms

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics, The Craft of Songwriting / Geoff / Music

Do you want to know how song structure, musical phrases, musical structures and forms work? Musical structures and forms in instrumental music works differently than popular song structure. However, motifs and musical phrases works pretty much the same in either type of writing. In this post, we’ll talk about all that plus the difference between motifs and leitmotifs. Read more to get music structure examples for both songwriting and instrumental music. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Song Structure, Musical Phrases, Musical Structures and Forms Read More »

What Should I Look for in a “Piano Teacher Near Me”?

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Instrument, Keyboard, Piano

“What should I look for in a ‘piano teacher near me’?” Most parents start by doing a web search for a “piano teacher near me” or for “piano lessons near me.” But how do you choose a teacher? Piano lessons cost a lot of money, so finding the right teacher is important. Getting it right can mean the difference between getting a good lesson experience and wasting your money. Read more to learn what you should look for in a “piano teacher near me.” Estimated reading time 4 minutes.

What Should I Look for in a “Piano Teacher Near Me”? Read More »

Making Sense of Why Treble and Bass Clef Are So Different

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics, Color Coding / Geoff / Guitar, Instrument, Keyboard, Piano

“How do I make any sense of the treble and bass clefs? Why are they so different?” To answer this question, you need to understand the grand staff, the pattern of the clefs, and middle C. Keep reading “Making Sense of Why Treble and Bass Clef Are So Different” to learn how the clefs work. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

Making Sense of Why Treble and Bass Clef Are So Different Read More »

BPM (Using the Metronome to Get the Music Beat)

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics / Geoff / Guitar, Instrument, Keyboard, Piano

Do you want to know the purpose of a metronome and how to read it? A metronome helps you find the tempo of a song in beats per minute (bpm). Also, it helps you practice by clicking at a (user adjustable) speed. So, that way you can play along with (for example) the tempo moderato on the metronome. Keep reading “BPM (Using the Metronome to Get the Music Beat)” to learn the various ways it can help. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.

BPM (Using the Metronome to Get the Music Beat) Read More »

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

geoff@successmusicstudio.com

All-Purpose Music Tips and Topics