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1500 questions
13
votes
5 answers
Why don't all humans have absolute pitch?
I'm not looking for an evolutionary reason. I'm looking for answer based on how the brain works. I believe the way the brain works is not solely determined by natural selection. Sometimes natural selection will select for a certain ability and then…
Timothy
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13
votes
12 answers
What does it take to make metal music?
I happen to have my father's old guitar laying around in storage. While I was listening to metal music on youtube, I had a thought: I wonder if I could play metal on the thing?
Problem is, I have really bad dexterity, and the only instrument I have…
user64155
13
votes
8 answers
What is more proper notation in piano sheet music to denote that the left hand should be louder?
Sorry if this is a stupid question. In this passage I'm notating, the right hand has accentuating chords and the left hand carries the melody. I wonder whether I need to denote that (and if so, whether method A or B is more proper - I have seen both…
KeizerHarm
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13
votes
4 answers
Notation clarity question for a conglomerate of accidentals
I have encountered the following slightly weird notation for three close-by notes intended to be taken together. However, in order to fit the sharp and double sharp accidental symbols at appropriate places, while keeping the key signature, that…
Anton
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13
votes
6 answers
Are there objective criteria for classifying consonance v. dissonance?
There has been a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing regarding consonance and dissonance lately here. What I cannot understand is that the two terms seem to encompass rather subjective opinions.
Looking at a recent list, I find myself disagreeing with…
Tim
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13
votes
2 answers
Which is the correct version of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition?
I was using a score of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition from
https://imslp.org/wiki/Pictures_at_an_Exhibition_(Mussorgsky%2C_Modest). This one was published by V. Bessel & Co. in St. Petersburg, 1886, a reprint of the first edition. In bar 10,…
user51819
13
votes
4 answers
What to expect in a jazz audition
Context:
In my city, the government is going to open a music school for free. In two weeks they going to make auditions for the jazz class for beginners, intermediate and advanced players. I play the bass guitar. I have some experience playing for…
Lvcios
- 131
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13
votes
2 answers
Unknown indication below upper stave
The number 2, quite large and in italics, appears twice below the notes on the upper stave.
There are some fingering indicators but one quarter the size.
The time signature is 6/8
Anne
- 133
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13
votes
4 answers
Why doesn't a marching band have strings?
In a regular orchestra the violin takes an important role. Why is it that in marching bands there are no strings usually? To give some context I'm working on a march composition and I like strings because they add a nice cinematic effect but I'm a…
user34288
13
votes
2 answers
What is the oldest instrument ever?
What is the oldest musical instrument played other than the human voice, but body parts are acceptable? Did Neanderthals use instruments to play music?
Muze
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13
votes
4 answers
A♭ major 9th chord in Bach is unexpectedly dissonant/jazzy
Measures 21-24 in Prelude VII from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier I
I was looking at the Prelude VII by Bach and noticed that on the measure 23 Bach ended that phrase with a A♭ maj9 chord. I was wondering how often do extended chords show up in…
Diego Alvarez
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13
votes
5 answers
Trumpet valves, lengths, and pitch
I would like to know a bit more about how the valves of trumpets (and other brass instruments) work than is here: Trumpet at Wikipedia.
I am ignoring issues such as it being a transposing instrument. I only interested in the relative pitches of the…
badjohn
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13
votes
5 answers
What can I do to learn violin before going to a teacher?
Well, I just got a violin today. Got it set up, tuned up (I think), aaaand... Most horrible sound ever heard in my life! :D
So, it is time to learn to play it. Apparently, it is highly advised to get a teacher (Do I need a teacher to learn violin?),…
Saturn
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13
votes
4 answers
Why does it sometimes sound good to play a grace note as a lead in to a note in a melody?
While playing around with some simple melodies on my piano i realized that tapping (like a single tone in a trill) the tone one half-tone below in a melody before playing the actual tone sometimes sounds a lot 'more right' than just playing the tone…
Richard
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13
votes
1 answer
Bartok - Syncopation (1): Meaning of notes in between Grand Staff
Bartok - Mikrokosmos Book 1 - 91)* Syncopation(1)
What's the meaning of the notes in between the Grand Staff?
xvan
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