Piano Guidance
Piano Guidance
Photo: Allan Mas
Singing is more of a learned skill than a natural talent, said Steven Demorest, a music education professor at Northwestern University who recently published a study in the journal Music Perceptionthat compared the singing accuracy of kindergartners, sixth-graders and college-age adults.
The world-famous Steinway Model Z upright piano on which John Lennon composed “Imagine” is now on display at the Strawberry Field exhibition in...
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Aeolian Mode It's the traditional minor key used in classical music, and has a sad, depressing and sometimes angry quality. It's notes are the same...
Read More »A children's choir rehearses in Chicago in 1970. A new study, co-authored by Northwestern professor Steven Demorest, found that singing is more of a learned skill than a natural talent. (Chicago Tribune) For the musically challenged who wander in our midst — you know who you are — don't despair. With a little practice, you may not have to lip-sync at weddings or family gatherings much longer. Singing is more of a learned skill than a natural talent, said Steven Demorest, a music education professor at Northwestern University who recently published a study in the journal Music Perceptionthat compared the singing accuracy of kindergartners, sixth-graders and college-age adults. "People tend to think of singing as a characteristic, either you have it or you don't," Demorest said. "We think it has a lot more to do with how much you do it." To be certain, he's not promising Beyonce-level skills. Singing on pitch does come easier for some, and some people pick it up more quickly. But for those who have been shunned for a lack of ability, that "tone deaf" label can carry with it damaging consequences long after it's uttered. "This poor musical self-image can shape future engagement in music, and the negative experiences of childhood are remembered vividly well into adulthood," Demorest and co-author Peter Pfordresher, of the University at Buffalo, wrote in their paper. They urge music teachers to take note because sometimes even a well-intentioned comment can scar a budding vocalist. Believing that students, especially those who haven't experienced musical success in the past, can grow to become good singers with practice is crucial, Demorest said. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > The other takeaway is the "use it or lose it" concept. The research found "considerable improvement" in carrying a tune from kindergarten to late elementary school. But when mandatory music class typically drops from the curriculum, so, too, it appears does singing ability. College students — whose practice time usually doesn't extend beyond the occasional karaoke night — reverted to kindergarten levels in two of the study's three tasks. Much like playing an instrument, singing isn't a skill that's mastered on the first try, Demorest said. "I think everybody at their core can improve their singing with practice," he said. "If I pick up a guitar for the first time, I go take lessons to get better."
One piano lesson a week is enough for most people. In some cases, more than one lesson per week can be recommended. For example, a second lesson...
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The ability to identify a note on the musical scale without a single reference point - known as absolute or perfect pitch - is a rarity even among...
Read More »Chord = three or more notes played simultaneously. These definitions are universally accepted.
Ultimately there is no unanimous definitions for these words, so it's useful to know how they can be used. One definition has a chord being three or more notes. This means that having only two notes wouldn't be a chord but would be an interval. As someone else pointed out, power chords are a thing and consist of only two pitches (though they may run through several octaves). It seems entirely reasonable to call such an interval a chord since it is functioning as one. Which leads us to a definition based on function. If your note aggregate under question functions as a chord in terms of voice leading and harmony then it would be a chord and an interval could then also be a chord. But, just having three notes sounding at the same time would not necessarily be a chord if they are not functioning as a chord re voice leading and harmony. Such a collection would just be a note aggregate or potentially a cluster. In summary, you can define chords in terms of numbers or function. An interval is always two pitches (though they can be the same exact pitch!) and can be considered a chord in certain circumstances/definitions. Under other circumstances having three or more notes might not be considered a chord but an aggregate or cluster (or even more confusingly a cluster chord!) You'll hear and witness any and all of these usages so it's good to be aware of the many different ways these terms are used.
Beginners need a keyboard with at least 61 keys (or 72-key, which will cover most music). You should get an 88-keys keyboard if you want to play...
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The most common kind is called a 'QWERTY' keyboard. QWERTY describes the top row of letters on the keyboard.
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