A Gradient Approach To Music Theory

An area where people quite often run into trouble with their music theory is tackling a particular level too soon. This is also known as skipping a gradient.
A gradient is when you present a subject of study at its most simple stage and then proceed to gradually add complexities. When doing this, in actual study, one must be certain to have nailed a level before going on to the next.
People who have studied learning have actually said that virtually anyone can learn a subject if the above rule is followed. Often, in music study, students will pick up a music theory book where the author makes the assumption that the reader is already familiar with some of the terms that he is using. This leads to frustration, confusion and the student soon gives up hope of understanding the subject. They put the book away thinking that the subject of theory is just too difficult to grasp.
Here is a basic guide to a gradient approach to music theory;
1. Note types
2. Basic Rhythm and beat
3. Reading notes on Treble or Bass Clef
4. Intervals
5. Scales
6. Sharps, Flats, Whole Steps and Half Steps
7. Key Signatures
8. Chords
9. Chord Inversions
10.Primary Chords
11.Chord Qualities
12.Minor Scales
13.Other Scale Types.
A good teacher will make sure their teaching is on a gradient for each particular student and also make sure the student fully understands each level before proceeding to the next. The other thing is to make sure you clear up any music definitions that you don’t understand. There is a list of 

music definitions that cover the early levels. If you observe this rule of going by a gradient, your study of music theory will be easy and it will help you in your playing immensely.

Some Tips To Learn To Play Piano

Some Tips To Learn To Play Piano

The piano is often said to be one of the easier instruments to learn. Hence, it is often recommended as a first step in music to learn to play piano, before taking up another instrument. It's true there are a number of things about the piano which do make it easier than many other instruments; it tends to have a much less complicated technique than say, the violin. Even though there is definitely a technique to how the hands are positioned and the action of the fingers, still, pressing down a key produces a nice sounding note, provided the piano is tuned. Getting a nice sound out of a violin or a trumpet is a much more complicated matter.

 It is Easier to Understand Music Theory, if you Learn to Play Piano First.

The other advantage about the piano is that the notes are all laid out nicely, so it is easy to visualize many aspects of music theory. So, what are some of the hang-ups people encounter when learning the piano? Well, the piano uses two  clefs; the Treble and the Bass. People often do well getting their heads around the treble clef but sometimes neglect the bass clef. The other thing that people often have difficulty with is playing with both hands together.

Is It Hard To Learn To Play Piano?

The solution to the first problem; that of learning the bass clef is to just bite the bullet and drill it until you can read it easily. The bass clef has its own mnemonics to use in remembering the notes that are different than the Treble Clef so you should use these; you can get these in the free EBook 'Learn To Read Music,' which you can get by signing-up for the Gurus Newsletter. Getting both hands to play together is a matter of understanding rhythm well. Handling these little difficulties is simple and then it is easy to learn to play piano.

Sign-up for the Gurus News Letter and get the free EBook; Learn to Read Music and the free bonus; How to Play Guitar, which also covers basic rhythms.

Music Definitions For The Earlier Levels

Here is a glossary of music definitions.

This list of music definitions is for musical terms used on the earlier levels.

1.  Accidentals; an accidental is a sharp, flat or natural that is used in one measure. The accidental does not appear in the key signature and it applies to the particular pitch it is used on, in all octaves but only for that measure.
2. Arpeggio; An arpeggio is a broken chord, that is to say the notes of the chord are played individually, usually straight upwards or downwards, cycling through the notes of the chord.
3. Bar; another term for measure. The vertical lines that are seen in a musical score divide the music up into bars or measures and they contain the same number of beats as indicated by the time signature.
4. Bar line; the lines that run vertically in written music and divide the music up into measures or bars.
5. Bass Clef; Also known as the F clef, it is found usually at the very beginning of a piece of music and shows where Middle F is (the first F below middle C)
6. Beam; When 8th notes or the next smaller note values are connected with a single line, they are said to be beamed together.
7. Beat; The steady, rhythmic pulse that determines the speed or tempo of music.
8. Broken Chord; When the notes of a chord are played individually in any pattern.
9. Chord; A group of three or more notes built on a particular note and then added by skipping letters in the musical alphabet.
10. Circle of 5ths; the arrangement of key signatures.
11. Clef; a symbol used at the very beginning of music, usually, and each clef designates which notes of the musical alphabet are assigned to which lines and spaces on the staff.
12. Common Time; 4/4 time, indicated by a C where the time signature goes.
13. Crescendo; to gradually get louder.
14. Degree; what a note of a scale referred to as.
15. Diatonic; Notes found within a major or minor scale.
16. Diminished; smaller.
17. Diminuendo; to get gradually softer.
18. Double Bar; two bar lines together, usually marking the end of a piece or section.
19. Dynamic Markings; the symbols that indicate the loudness or softness that a piece should be performed at.
20. Eighth Note; A note that is half a beat or two 8th notes equaling 1 beat.
21. Eighth Rest; a rest that is half a beat.
22. Fourth; an interval of a fourth or four letters apart.
23. G Clef; another name for the treble clef, since it locates G on the staff.
24. Half Note; a note that gets two beats.
25. Half Rest; a rest that gets two beats.
26. Half Step; going to the closest possible note either up or down.
27. Key; shown by the key signature, indicates that one note is the 'home note' or 'tonic.' Simply put, the note the piece must end on in order to sound finished.
28. Key Signature; shown at the very beginning, right after the clef, usually; it shows how many sharps or flats are in the key. Also tells what that key is called.
29. Major Scale; the scale that corresponds to the name of the key. It starts on the note that is the name of that key and has whatever sharps or flats in it that that key does. It is all whole steps except between the 3rd and 4th degrees and the 7th and 8th, which are half steps.
30. Natural; a note that is not a sharp or flat. C major has no sharps or flats so you can say that natural notes are those found in the key of C Major.
31. Octave; an interval of an 8th. Octaves will give you the same letter and most standard scales have at least 8 notes or an octave.
32. Pentatonic Scale; a scale that has only five notes or letters in it and usually avoids half steps.
33. Quarter Note; the note that gets one beat.
34. Quarter Rest; the rest that gets one beat.
35. Rest; there are rests that correspond with each note type. the corresponding rest gets the same duration but it is a duration of silence.
36. Rhythm; how notes of different duration are played against a pulse or steady beat.
37. Scale; in it's most general sense, a scale would be any time notes go up or down with no skipping of notes. More specifically a scale is usually 8 notes in a row and named after the note it starts on, e.g. CDEFGABC
38. Scale degrees; the names and numbers given to each note in a scale; I is Tonic, ii is Supertonic, iii is Mediant, IV is Subdominant, V is Dominant, vi is Submediant, vii is Leading Tone.
39. Second; interval of a 2nd, also called a step.
40. Staff; the group of 5 lines and 4 spaces that notes are written on.
41. TAB; abbreviation for Tablature.
42. Tablature; a popular notational system for guitar and other stringed instruments.
43. Tempo; the speed of the beat.
44. Time Signature; the two numbers at the beginning of a piece. The top number indicates how many beats are in a bar or measure and the bottom number tells what kind of note gets one beat.
45. Treble Clef; also called the G clef because it shows where treble G is on the staff.
46. Whole Note; the largest note. It gets 4 beats.
47. Whole Rest; the rest that gets four beats. This rest also means to rest an entire measure so, if the measures have three beats, this rest is then only three beats.
48. Whole Step; going from one note to the next with a sharp or flat in between. Two half-steps make a whole step.

These are some of the most used music definitions on the earlier levels.

Music Lessons For Kids

Music Lessons For Kids Should Be Fun

Of course every parent hopes, when looking for music lessons for kids, that they will 'stick with it,' and maybe, someday, even be able to play something. Perhaps when they are adults they'll be really grateful that they took piano lessons. So the question, of course, is how do you get children to stick with their music lessons?
Well, one way is to just make them do it. And, if you're absolutely sure there will never be any issues in the future about this, then that's probably the way you should go. Let us know how that works out for ya, will you?
The other way is if they enjoy their piano lessons. Research has shown that people tend to keep doing the things they like and, if you think about it, you never hear people complaining about the things they like, either.
So, how do you get children to enjoy music? Games? Dress like a clown?
Well, the Gurus of Music have a little secret to impart. Promise not to tell anyone, okay?
Here it is; being able to play music is actually fun and enjoyable. We know, we've done it!

We've played music before and it's fun.

All that's needed is to teach it correctly and without drama. If you teach the basics and just be patient until the person gets it, soon they'll be able to play music and be having fun. The remarkable thing about this is it often doesn't matter what music you play; there's quite a bit of music that's more fun to play than to listen to. Sometimes, however, you end up liking the music as well.

And here's another little Guru's secret; this doesn't just apply to kids. The only adults who can't enjoy playing music as well, are those who are no longer among the living.  We know, we're adults and we have fun playing music. When you think about it, any other reason is stupid. So, whether it’s music lessons for kids or adults, it’s supposed to be fun.

Call 626-765-1292 and schedule music lessons for kids today.

Learn To Read Music

It Is Not Difficult To Learn To Read Music, Unless You Make it That Way.

Learning to read music is a matter of application but they way you apply it will determine your success or failure at it. Learning the notes is not difficult and I have prepared an ebook, called 
The Book of Music Basics that will help you learn to read music. It gives some valuable tips, as well to make your note reading easy and facile. It has links to exercises that help you, and also explains basic rhythm in depth. 

The Biggest Mistake People Make When They Learn To Read Music.

What's the biggest mistake people make when learning music notes? Thinking too much! They try to read each and every note by its name, as they go. Their thinking is something like this; "what's that first note? Let's see...'every good bird does...' Oh, it's a D. Now where's D? Oh, there it is. (plunk). Okay, what's that next note? Um, F, A, C,..oh it's E. Now where's E? Oh there it is. (plunk). Well. what do you know? The E was right next to the D! How weird!" It's no wonder it takes them an hour to get through a couple of lines of music and it's no wonder they get frustrated and quit! This way is pulling teeth. So what's the answer? You might have to figure out the first note but, from there you can track the notes in an up and down fashion by just knowing which way is 'up' and which way is 'down' on your instrument. The musical notation system is wonderfully 'what you see is what you get' in this aspect. You should continue to read notes in this fashion and, at the same time, drill your note recognition separately with flash cards until it becomes very automatic. Then you will be ready for the next level of note reading when things jump around a bit more. The beauty of when you learn to read music in this way is that you will always use it to some extent, even when playing at the most advanced levels.