When musicians talk about seventh chords, they typically refer to the most common types: major seventh, minor seventh, and dominant seventh. But beyond these fundamental chords, there’s a whole world of less frequent seventh chords that add unique colors and emotions to music. What Are Seventh Chords? A seventh chord is a four-note chord that […]
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As a music teacher, I’ve spent years guiding students through the complexities of harmony, scales, and progressions. One of the most fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) topics that comes up is functional harmony. Learning about it is undeniably important for developing musical intuition. However, I’ve seen students—and even myself—fall into a trap where analyzing harmony becomes […]
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If you’ve ever tried to play a song by ear, you’ve probably heard that learning to recognize musical intervals is essential. But how does this actually work? And once you’ve mastered interval recognition, does that mean you’ll suddenly be able to play any song without sheet music? Let’s break it down. What Are Intervals and […]
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Imagine a world where a person has never heard a single note of music. No melodies, no rhythms, no harmonies. Now, introduce them to a set of instruments and ask: Can they become proficient at playing music without any guidance? It’s a fascinating thought experiment that challenges everything we assume about how music is learned […]
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Music has always been my passion. Since childhood, I have imagined myself immersed in it—practicing, composing, and performing. Now, as I plan for my senior year and ultimately college, I’m faced with a tough decision: Should I pursue a music major or opt for something more stable while keeping music as a lifelong passion? The […]
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There’s always been a divide when we talk about musical talent. Many people look at specific “geniuses”—think Prince, Charlie Parker, Stevie Ray Vaughan—and see their incredible music as evidence that talent is something rare and innate, embodied in certain people. There’s no shortage of stories and legends about these musical icons, adding to their near-mythical […]
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As a music teacher with years of experience, I often get asked, “How do people go about making fingerstyle arrangements for guitar?” It’s a question that resonates with musicians from various backgrounds, whether they’re pianists trying to write for guitar or self-taught guitarists looking to expand their skills. Fingerstyle arranging is an art that requires […]
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Have you ever wondered why certain chords just seem to flow naturally from one to another? Or why some keys feel more “at home” together than others? It’s not magic—it’s the circle of fifths! As a music teacher, I’ve often seen students struggle with understanding key relationships, chord progressions, and the theory behind how music […]
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As musicians, whether we’re songwriters, producers, teachers, or students, music theory is our foundation. Understanding the building blocks of music theory—like scales—is crucial for everything from composing to teaching. In today’s post, I’m diving into a concept that often confuses musicians: scale spelling. We’ll break down what it is, why it’s important, and how to […]
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One of the most fascinating aspects of music theory is how it allows musicians to create unique and interesting progressions by breaking (or bending) traditional rules. Let’s take a closer look at Nirvana’s song “About a Girl,” a track that blends simple and complex elements to create something distinctive yet universally appealing. Specifically, we’ll explore […]
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