The Successful Music Student

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you want to know what in the world the odd sounding word onomatopoeia means? Do you need help learning how to write them? We’ll define the word and have examples from writing, songwriting, and poetry. Keep reading “What Exactly Does Onomatopoeia Mean in Writing” to learn what it is and how it’s used. Estimated reading time 2 minutes.

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.

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.

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.

Do you want to know how to tune your microtonal keyboard so that your chords sound incredibly cool? The term microtonal covers a lot of different types of tuning systems. Some which will sound like a cappella music, and others which will sound exotic and otherworldly. Keep reading “How to Tune Your Incredibly Cool Microtonal Keyboard” to learn how to have beautiful sounding harmonies. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.

Do you want to know how to play the open D minor guitar chord? Do you want to know why it sounds sad? Minor chords have a sweet, haunting sound. Open D minor has medium difficulty, but with the right fingering strategies, it’s not that hard to play. Keep reading “How to Play the Sad Sounding D Minor Chord” to find out how to best play open D minor. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.