Exploring Common Chord Progressions
Harmony in Western music would not exist without chord progressions – much of Western music, especially pop, rock, blues, jazz, and classical, is built on sequences of chords. Creating a chord...
View ArticleThe Many Moods of Musical Modes
Scales are pretty incredible. A collection of notes played in ascending order has the ability to tell a story and convey a mood. Within that linear sequence of notes, there is tension and resolution....
View ArticleA Meeting of Musical Minds, with Carpool Tunnel
Your bandmates are your brothers and sisters-in-arms, your musical co-conspirators, your toughest musical critics, yet your biggest fans. You share a musical synergy that is evident in your jam...
View ArticleAbout Playing in Any Style
Musical U welcomes back Steve Nixon of FreeJazzLessons.com to discuss the art of playing in multiple genres, and the skills and knowledge that will help you shine in jazz, rock, pop, classical, and...
View ArticleAbout Klezmer Music
You may have heard the word Klezmer before – or maybe not! Learn more about this distinctive style of Jewish folk music with Musical U’s Content Editor and Product Manager Andrew Bishko, who has...
View ArticleClave: The Secret Key to Pop Rhythm
When you hear the word “clave”, what do you think of? The two most likely answers are either “Nothing – I have never heard of it!”, or “Why would I want to learn clave? I’m not planning on playing...
View ArticleAbout the Clave
Get acquainted with the two meanings of the word “clave”, hear the instrument in action, and learn how to count out the ubiquitous rhythm that borrows its name from the instrument. Listen to the...
View ArticleThe Most Festive Holiday Playlist
Have you ever had your local holiday radio station on and wondered why every musical artist feels the need to put out a Christmas album? (Answer: it has to do with one of two Christmas colors, and...
View Article3 Ways to Interpret Your Favourite Piece of Music
One of the fascinating things about being a musician is that you can perform the same piece that has been played by thousands of musicians for centuries – while still communicating it in a way that...
View ArticleClassical vs. Rock/Pop vs. Jazz Harmony (with Tony Parlapiano)
What’s the difference between Classical music, Rock and Pop, and Jazz? Well, that’s probably a question with an endless answer! But one of the most significant differences is in the harmony: what...
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