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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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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As a music teacher and piano player who hasn’t had formal lessons in many years, I recently found myself in an interesting situation: trying to help my son with his French horn. The more I looked into it, the more I realized that understanding how different instruments interpret the same note differently is a bit […]
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As a music teacher and lifelong learner, I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate relationship between music and human culture. Recently, I came across a study that shed light on the hidden patterns in folk songs and how they reveal the evolution of music across different cultures. This got me thinking about the universal nature […]
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Music, at its core, is about creating and resolving tension. As a composer or songwriter, you may have come across cadences and their powerful role in shaping the emotional tone of a piece. Whether you’re writing a classical piano composition or producing the next hit pop song, understanding cadences can give your music a deeper […]
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As a music teacher and piano enthusiast, one of the most common questions I get from students is: “What is the F# minor piano chord, and how do I play it?” Whether you’re a beginner pianist or an advanced player looking to deepen your understanding of music theory, learning and applying the F# minor chord […]
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Piano Companion is an incredible tool that can transform anyone’s journey into music theory, even if, like me, you have no idea where to start with a complex chord progression. Recently, my girlfriend, who is an accomplished keyboard player, sent me a screenshot with the message: “Have fun finding out what that means.” The screenshot […]
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Maple Leaf Rag, composed by Scott Joplin in 1899, is one of the most famous examples of ragtime music. But when it comes to understanding the song’s form or structure, a question often arises: what exactly would you call the song’s form? Is it Rondo form, or something else? In this blog post, we’ll explore […]
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