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The Basics of Music Theory – Part 4 (Cycle Of 4ths)
Now that we have looked at key signatures (see The Basics of Music Theory – Part 3 (Key Signatures)), we are going to delve into the mysterious cycle of 4ths or 5ths depending on which way you see it. It is important and useful to be able to recognize each key and the notes that…
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NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert With David Russell
I’m not sure how many readers are familiar with NPR’s Tiny Desk Series. For those that don’t know, it is a series that takes place behind a tiny desk in at NPR headquarters. Whenever I watch one I feel like I am sitting down at my local library absorbing the music from a local musician…
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The Basics of Music Theory – Part 3 (Key Signatures)
In our last installment (The Basics of Music Theory – Part 2 (Intervals & the Major Scale)) we covered the major scale. With the scale comes the identification of keys. That brings us to today’s subject, key signatures. Defining A Key Signature The key signature is found at the beginning of every line of music…
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The Basics of Music Theory – Part 2 (Intervals & the Major Scale)
Last time (in The Basics of Music Theory – Part 1 (The Chromatic Scale)) we discussed the chromatic scale. Therefore, we will take the chromatic scale and create intervals. These intervals, in turn, will create scalesโspecifically the major scale. These two components are the building blocks of almost every single song you have ever heard…
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The Basics of Music Theory – Part 1 (The Chromatic Scale)
No matter what level you attain at any skill, the basics always seem to need review. Therefore, whether you are new to the guitar or not, this series will hopefully help you understand or remind you of the importance of theory. As this is a guitar-focused blog, the theory will obviously have a bent toward…
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Discovering The Fingerstyle Guitar Of Davey Graham
Discovering the wonderful world of fingerstyle guitar in the hands of Davey Graham.
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Learning To Connect Two Guitar Scale Forms – Part 2
Learning to connect scale forms lets a guitarist breaking free from the confinement of one particular scale form during their solos. This series will help you find that path.
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Learning To Connect Two Guitar Scale Forms – Part 1
Learning to connect scale forms lets a guitarist breaking free from the confinement of one particular scale form during their solos. This series will help you find that path.
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Itzhak Perlman’s Inspiration on the Alan Aldaย Podcast
This is a wonderful interview with Itzhak Perlman that a student (thank you Jim) sent my way. I am not a consistent subscriber to many podcasts and bounce around with my interests and tastes at any given moment. With this one, other than Itzhak’s words, Alan Alda’s voice is great and soothing to me for…
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Performance Practice: Atmosphere That Simulates Performance
When I was in college, I would set up bright lights in my dorm room (or the brightest I had) and aim them at my practice chair. Then, I would turn off all the other lights. Next to the lights, I would place a cassette recorder (yes I am old enough to remember when phones…
