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1500 questions
54
votes
11 answers
Why isn't there a classical composer like Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart today?
Why there aren't composers writing in a classical style today?
Why don't we hear of classical composers today like we do of Beethoven, Chopin or Mozart?
My question may be strange, but I am really curious.
Hajin
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54
votes
6 answers
I accidentally composed a song that sounds like a famous song
About six months into learning guitar, I tried my hand at composing a song. Looked into some basic composing theory, picked a specific tempo, learned how to record and actually play the thing, and then two months later I "finished" the song,…
GGMG-he-him
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54
votes
21 answers
Why are some people so paranoid about music theory?
Music theory is cool. However, I've noticed that a few genres of music tend to discourage it. I just read that learning music theory "seems like the antithesis" of being able to improvise.
Apparently, having the equivalent of a doctorate in music…
General Nuisance
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54
votes
13 answers
How do you identify a good acoustic guitar?
What do you look for when going for a guitar? I own an acoustic and am looking for a better one.
What should I be looking for? Wood quality, brand, strings, etc.?
Sandeep Singh Rawat
53
votes
11 answers
Does 3/4 time signature differ from 6/8?
I've always wondered how time signatures were thought of- I got the question because I noticed that well in terms of 'fractions', 3/4 is just half of 6/8. Does that apply to music when counting beats as well?
Nick
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53
votes
24 answers
Glossary of Guitar Effects
There are numerous effects options available to the guitarist, especially the electric guitarist. This question is intended to gather and cultivate a set of answers to questions in the form of:
What is insert guitar effect here for? How does it…
gomad
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52
votes
3 answers
What are the differences between tone, note, and pitch?
I was wondering what the differences are between "tone", "note", and "pitch"?
Tim
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52
votes
8 answers
Guitar practice: more often but less time or once in a few days but for a few hours?
As many people, who have lots of every day responsibilities, like going to work, family and etc. I find myself struggling for the time to practice. Some days I just feel to tired to pick up a guitar and it just doesn't seem worth it, to play just…
Silver Light
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51
votes
5 answers
Why are pianos traditionally tuned "out of tune" at the extremes?
My understanding is that the vast majority of western music uses equal temperament, i.e. all semitones have a frequency ratio of the 12th root of 2.
However I can hear in my piano that the notes at the low and high extremes of the keyboard are ever…
Michael Slade
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51
votes
11 answers
Why is a C7 chord named a dominant seventh chord?
I understand that a C7 chord contains a flattened 7th note in the C major scale, but what specifically makes this a dominant 7th chord? To me there is nothing 'dominant' about taking a note out of the major scale and flattening it. Can anyone…
jaffa
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50
votes
16 answers
How to know what notes will go together while improvising?
This is 3 questions in one, so it might take a slightly involved answer, or some good links.
Edit--- tl;dr:
How can you learn which keys to hit to make the notes you hear in your head? I know what I want to play when I'm improvising, I can hear it…
temporary_user_name
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50
votes
4 answers
Why do instruments have a key?
There are many instruments that have keys other than C. For example:
The Eb Alto Saxophone
The Bb Clarinet
The Horn in F
Why do these instruments have a key in the first place? Here's a more specific example:
On the alto saxophone, in order to…
SirPython
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50
votes
5 answers
What to look for when buying a digital piano for a beginner?
My wife has recently started learning to play the piano and needs something at home on which to practise. I'm inclined towards a digital piano as it is more practical (Mainly space but also no tuning required and transport).
Knowing very little…
Simon P Stevens
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50
votes
3 answers
In live performance, what is a "monitor"
In discussions about live amplified performance, I have heard the term "monitor" or "monitor speaker" - what does this mean?
slim
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50
votes
4 answers
What Does a Compressor Pedal Do?
Quite often, when I see a pedalboard of guitarists I admire, there is a compressor pedal in the chain. How exactly does this pedal affect the sound?
sfrench