Guitar Chord Transposition - How to Play Lots of Songs With a Few Chords
By Media Corp LLC | November 10, 2008
By M Wheeler
Many guitar players never have to transpose a piece of music in their entire lives, and certainly this is not something that most new players would need to do for quite some time.
Unfortunately, for those of us who like to play with a band, we are limited by a particular instrument. Basically unless your band is gifted with an exceptional vocalist, then you are going to need to play all of your music in a tonal range that the singer can actually handle, meaning we must transpose songs on occasion.
I am a rock and blues player, transposition for me is usually just a case of changing the position up or down the finger board that I play my chords, and this is without a doubt the simplest form of transposition there is. Indeed, if you are playing any form of music that is predominantly played using barre chords or power chords, then transposition is this simple, but what about other musical styles that use open chords and suchlike?
How do we begin to transpose these pieces?
If you are completely down with music theory, can name every note in every scale forwards and backwards, and no every note position on your fret board then you can probably already transpose things pretty simply.
For those of us who lack this entire knowledge, the best thing to do is get hold of a chord chart. Most guitar tuition books will contain one, and many are available on-line. If you need to transpose a piece of music, simply look up the original chord on the row that pertains to the key the song is originally in, then look up the correct chord to play in the column that pertains to the key you wish to transpose the song into.
How To Play a Transposed Piece
OK so now we have covered the basics of transposition, by simply using a chord chart, but what are the other problems associated with transposing song or piece of music?
The major problem faced by the guitar player when attempting to play a transposed piece, is the fact that it is highly likely that their ear will have already become trained or accustomed to hearing the song in its original key, making it difficult to play.
This problem is compounded if it happens to be a track that you have played many times before in the original key, you may find that your hands tend to want to move to the more familiar, original chord fingerings. I used to have this problem all the time, so I found a way to combat it, which I am going to tell you about.
I discovered that a lot of compute sound cards have the ability to transpose the sound that they are generating on the fly, so now I sample the entire track and have my computer transpose it in real time, as I jam along with it. The helps to re-train my ear and make me more comfortable playing the piece in its new key.
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Piano Lessons Enrich a Child’s Life
By Media Corp LLC | October 27, 2008
By Andrew Stratton
Should parents enroll their children in piano lessons? What are the benefits? Will lessons be worth the investment?
Parents can be assured that lessons will be worth the investment because there are many benefits from learning to play the instrument. All types of children can benefit from piano lessons. Here are just a few qualities and advantages that come from learning to play the piano:
Intellectual development: Many studies have shown that children enrolled in these lessons show improvement in memory, math skills and overall scholastic ability. Learning to read music is similar to learning a foreign language, while at the same time music teaches fractions, ratios, and proportions. All of the skills learned in reading music and playing piano transpose into many of the child’s other learning areas.
Self Confidence: As a child continues with lessons and improves in their music ability, they gain confidence from having gained another difficult skill. Children also learn to curb their nerves and act confidently as they perform in recitals. This ability to get up in front of others and perform becomes valuable later in life when presenting projects in school, public speaking, interviewing for jobs, or making business proposals.
Discipline: Children learn that practice is necessary to improve. And if they can learn to motivate themselves to practice the keyboard, they may be better able to discipline themselves to work harder in school or in their job to succeed.
Self-expression: Shy children may find an outlet in music to express their feeling openly. Hyper children may also find playing the instrument an outlet to channel their energy into something rewarding.
Coordination: Learning to play the piano requires children to concentrate and coordinate both hands simultaneously while reading ahead in the music. There are many professions and hobbies that require this type of manual dexterity such as surgery, dentistry, sewing, sports, carpentry, etc.
Commitment: Learning to play the upright takes time and commitment. Although the parents usually need to coerce their children to practice in the beginning, the children eventually learn to commit themselves to improving. They learn that to succeed they need perseverance and be commitment.
Healthy Competition: Not all competitive children are athletic but yet they still need the opportunity to participate in healthy competition. There are piano competitions on the local, state, and national level. Skilled players can also qualify for scholarships to schools.
Appreciation for the Arts: Giving children the opportunity to play piano at a young age helps broaden their appreciation for music and introduces them to the arts of the world.
Strong musical foundation: Piano lessons teach the basics of music, reading notes, terminology, and technique. After learning to play the piano, children can move onto other instruments with ease.
Well-Rounded Character: Children that are enrolled in music lessons along with school and other extra-curricular activities learn to manage their time and add varied experiences to their repertoire. The lessons help create a well-rounded individual.
Shy children will learn self expression and confidence, ungraceful children will learn coordination, competitive children will thrive, hyper children will learn concentration, and children that give up easily will learn discipline and commitment. Every child is different but no matter their disposition, they will benefit from piano lessons.
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Learn Country Guitar - Three Tips to Create Professional Bass Parts
By Media Corp LLC | October 19, 2008
By Mike P Hayes
Traditional country songs all feature strong bass parts, in fact many tunes were recorded with two bass parts, a string bass (upright bass) that duplicated and reinforced the electric bass.
Sometimes the electric bass was played with a pick to give more definition. Playing with a pick created a brighter sound which produced an audible ‘click’ a split second before the actual note.
On the other hand, some country record producers preferred the electric bass player to use a felt pick. Felt picks are usually used for playing ukuleles, however when used on an electric bass can produce a sound similar to that of an upright bass.
Often a guitar player finds himself or herself in a situation where there isn’t a backing band to help them present their material, that’s when it’s handy to be able to create your own bass part on the guitar.
Here’s three tips to help you create great sounding bass parts on your guitar.
1. Tonic note on first beat
The most important thing to remember when creating a bass part is to play the tonic note on the first beat. This is an very basic idea, but one that must not be overlooked.
The tonic note is the same name as the chord e.g., if you were playing a ‘D’ chord the tonic note would be ‘D’.
Here is how you would apply this principle, let’s say you have a rhythm guitar part that consisted of the following 8 bars:
D/// | D/// | G/// |G/// |A7/// | A7/// | D/// |D/// ||
Simply replace the first strum in each bar with a bass note the same name as the chord, in the instance of A7, use the note ‘A’.
Regardless of the chord type e.g., whether it is a major, minor or seventh chord etc., you still play the tonic note i.e., a bass note the same letter name as the chord itself.
2. Learn to create alternating bass parts
The next step is to create an alternating bass part, this is done by playing the tonic note on beat one of the bar then playing the fifth of the chord on the third beat.
Again, using ‘D’ chord as an example: the tonic would be ‘D’ and the fifth note (the alternating note) would be ‘A’.
D, E, F#, G, A
1, 2, 3 , 4, 5
Notice how I had to make the third note F# because the key of D contains two sharps F# and C#.
Using this concept you can easily create professional bass parts for any major, minor or dominant seventh chord.
Here’s another example this time using A7: the tonic would be ‘A’ and the fifth note (the alternating note) would be ‘E’.
A, B, C#, D, E
1, 2, 3 , 4, 5
3. Bass patterns in 3/4 time
Country songs in 3/4 time require special treatment, there’s two ways to can approach this challenge.
(a) use exclusively the ‘tonic only’ on the first beat bass part approach.
(b) when there are two bars of the same chord use alternating bass and when there is only one bar of a chord use ‘tonic’ on the first beat.
Even if you do play with a bass player the octave difference between the pitch of the notes on a guitar and bass guitar will make certain your bass parts won’t get in the way of the bass player, in fact it will sound great especially if you palm mute your bass part on the guitar.
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Music Education
By Media Corp LLC | September 15, 2008
Author: Eddie Tobey
The aim of education is to inculcate values in people, which will go a long way in creating a good society. In the same vein, music education refers to the field where educational methods are adopted for teaching music.
Sometimes, music education refers to the process and the activities undertaken to create awareness among people about music and its utility. Mostly, music education is still treated as a special education only. This situation needs to be changed, and music education has to be given due recognition.
Music Schools
Music education can be imparted through music schools, forums, academies, etc. Like other avenues, music education brings a person’s creativity and his musical acumen to the limelight.
Since time immemorial, music education has been carried out through word of mouth and listening by ear. This is the reason why there are some forms of music even today, like folk music, which have no literary background. In other words, they cannot be annotated.
In some countries like India, music education has been an integral part of life and there were special lessons included in the educational system itself. Such was the popularity and significance of music.
Modern Trends
Music education can include vocal or instrumental lessons. These can be learnt either by practice or mere rote.
With huge advancements in information broadcasting and knowledge sharing, music education has witnessed tremendous changes both in quality and quantity. Today, online music lessons are available, which are explained by online tutors. This arrangement is called a virtual classroom. There are music forums where one can share his or her views and learn new concepts, too.
Music education plays an important role in shaping a person’s personality. Music has a mellowing effect on our mind and soothes our soul. We forget all our worries once we are under the healing influence of music.
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The Benefits Of Learning Music Theory
By Media Corp LLC | September 14, 2008
Author: Kevin Sinclair
That’s music to my ear is a common phrase used to express a person’s emotional response to how a particular tune can make them feel. Some people listen to music all the time. Some study the art of playing an instrument. It’s therapeutic; it’s enriching; it’s a way of creating moods in any environmental setting. If you are interested in music for more than the pure enjoyment people get out of listening to it, then learning about music theory is an ideal mode for you.
Music theory can be an important attribute in a person’s life, for many reasons. People often ask, “Is music theory necessary?” “Why do we need it?”
First of all, even though you don’t have to understand how to read sheet music to perform as a musician, you will need an understanding of music theory. It opens so many other doors for you in the world of music. Music theory will not show you how to understand music, but with music theory you will be able to communicate musical ideas, explore music in whole new ways, and redefine the tremendous scope that entails the magical world of music.
Music theory allows you to voice your opinion with others in the field, expand your musical horizon. Give a little input to a fellow musician and you’ll get something in return.
Notations And Communicating With Other Musicians
Music lovers all develop a keen sense of awareness, musically speaking. Sometimes, musicians explain that if they study music theory, then it’ll stunt their creativity. Wrong! The world’s greatest composers were all masters of music theory: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, J.S. Bach. These experts composed a keen understanding of the theoretical concepts. Years were spent studying the concept, down to some of the smallest details.
Music can be played by ear, picking out tunes without the aid of written music. Your ears can be your guide. The reason this is brought to light is that some musicians with strong theoretical training often disregard the art of playing by ear.
Think of playing music by ear this way: We’re all born as non-verbal creations. Communication begins with crying, making sounds, displaying body language. Parents quickly become experts on baby talk. It’s an innate sense. Over time, language develops by mimicking sounds. Toddlers don’t learn nouns and verbs; they learn to speak by example. Music can be the same way. Hence, the reason so many people pay top dollar for live performances. It’s invigorating, magical.
Understanding Harmony And Chord Progression
Chord progression and harmony, two features of music theory, help broaden any musician, regardless of their genre of study. Chord progression is a series of chords that are used to harmonize music. All compositions use chord progression. Those that improvise - which, as already mentioned, adds charm and magic to the environment of music - invent brand new melodies that blend in with an existing chord. It’s a musical transition, something that must be practiced, repeatedly. The great composers and musicians develop chord progressions and transitions until it becomes natural, a second-natured maneuver.
If a musician improvises in a more interconnected manner, these new melodies show the musician the progression as one whole unit, and not a series of bumpy transitions. The more practice that goes into this aspect of music learning theory, the more interesting substitutions they will develop along the way. Once the concept of chord progression and its structure is understood, it will be easier to remember. Jazz musicians, therefore, show a keen interest in the study and analysis of chord progression.
The study of music theory will show musicians and musical scholars that the objective, initially, is not to consider an entire composition in one sitting. Instead, musicians, students and teachers alike, view a chord progression in segments, or units. These units correspond to musical sections known as stanzas.
A stanza is the complete statement and development of a single musical idea. It’s a fairly simple act of dividing pieces into small manageable sections, with the melody itself forming, or suggesting the boundaries for sound.
Tonality, another element of chord progression, means different things to different people. Some would consider it to be this: any piece of music with a well-defined key center. Others envision any music that uses the conventional chords as tonal.
Music without the use of chords in a functional manner to reinforce a tonal center is not tonal. It is referred to as non-tonal music. The names of these styles are not always agreed upon between musical connoisseurs. But expressing difference is one key element that makes music such a beautiful art form, with countless possibilities.
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Learn About Producing Music
By Media Corp LLC | September 13, 2008
By: Jefferson Baileyy
Learning how to produce music is something that is fun and allows you to be creative, it’s frees the mind, body and soul and allows your emotions to come out in the creation of music. Producing music is always a challenge to someone who hasn’t produced music before but don’t feel pushed back because your friends can already make hot music, you can too and I have some information that will get you making music as soon as you want.
I find the best way of learning something is by watching someone else do it so if you had a mentor, or someone to guide you through problems of how to work with the music software things would move a lot smoother. I have found a website that does just that and truly, the results are amazing. Learning how to produce music within a few weeks and possibly finding a career in it in the near future is a lot of new producers dreams and is now possible.
Start today producing music today - Fruity Loops is the most used music production software, it is very user friendly and allows you to add many Plugin’s to it like advanced music programs, it allows you to mix your music and export them at industry standard. Truly a great tool to sound just as good as the big producers out there and a great way to enter the music industry, this is the beginning and hopefully I will see you reach the stars.
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Music Helps In Relieving Stress
By Media Corp LLC | September 13, 2008
Author: Dr Julie Trudeau
Listening to music does wonder to alleviate stress. Everyone has different tastes in music. We should listen to the music that makes us feel comfortable. Sitting down and forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that you don’t like may create stress, not alleviate it.
Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once.
The entire human energetic system is extremely influenced by sounds, the physical body and chakra centers respond specifically to certain tones and frequencies. Special consideration should be given to the positive effects of one actually playing or creating music themselves.
Among the first stress-fighting changes that take place when we hear a tune is an increase in deep breathing. The body’s production of serotonin also accelerates.
Music was found to reduce the pain during dental procedures.
Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress.
Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote higher body temperature - an indication of the onset of relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy was more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone.
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Music Education Theory
By Media Corp LLC | September 13, 2008
By: Eddie Tobey
Music education is a concept mainly dealing with the employment of education methods in teaching and learning music. There is a theory behind every concept, which underlines a principle.
Music education theory is the basis for either teaching or learning music. Basically, music education theory is a study of the elements or rudiments of music. As we know, music consists of certain basic elements, which should be studied before proceeding further. A pre-requisite to learning is that the matter of study should be interesting and any drabness associated with it should be alleviated first.
The music education theory helps in standardizing music as a field of study. This is useful to maintain a minimum standard for music so that it gains due recognition than just a hobby.
Moreover, music education theory explains the rudiments of music clearly so that the foundation is strong for a learner of music. Only if a learner is strong in the basics, will he or she be in a position to appreciate music.
Another utility of music education theory is that it guides a user to apply the correct form at the right place. The theory can be applied to any function, like composing, singing, playing an instrument, reviewing and more.
Audiation is an area of music where the listener does not listen to the music at the surface level. It refers to the function of grasping the exact meaning of the words and also analyzing what the music conveys and why the song written in such a way. It is a deep-rooted study, applying the music theory.
Prior to the establishment of a standard or theory, music was learned either by rote or listening by ear. The religious Psalms were among the first songs to be learned through these methods.
Music theory helps you in understanding and appreciating the fineness of music by thoroughly learning its theoretical elements like sound, pitch, harmony, melody, notation, and rhythm.
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Benefits of Music Education
By Media Corp LLC | September 13, 2008
Author: Eddie Tobey
It would be easier to deduce the benefits of music education, once you are clear about the basic qualities of music.
Music Soothes
Music is an ever-expanding field. What do you do when we want to relax? An immediate reply would be: listen to good music. And why? Because you tend to forget that a world exists outside, especially when the music is soft, lilting, and melodious.
This has been proved through research too. Wondrous are the effects of music on the human mind. Music creates positive energy and releases it to the individuals. That is the reason why music therapies are being adopted in every field.
Multi-faceted Benefits
Music improves the efficiency and attitude of the people. Its effects are especially felt and useful in treating sick and afflicted persons, because both the young and the old like it.
Music education helps us to learn new concepts and forms of music. You can learn and enjoy the serenity of music while sitting in your living room. Music education can be complete only if the learner grasps it properly. Efficient tutors can simplify complicated concepts and present them in a suitable manner.
Music education helps in creating awareness, and develops a person’s attitude by making him or her appreciate the finer things of life. Music is not merely an art, but a fine art too! By learning the basics, nuances, and forms of music through music education, you can enjoy the benefits bestowed by music in a holistic way.
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