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1500 questions
13
votes
2 answers
Do the EDO and TET acronyms mean the same thing?
In the context of dividing an octave into n intervals, I understand n EDO to mean n Equal Divisions per Octave and n TET to mean n Tones Equal Temperament. Do the EDO and TET acronyms mean the same thing or is there some subtle difference?
Brian THOMAS
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13
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5 answers
Why are different keys necessary / important?
If all major key songs can be played in C major, then why do people play them in other keys? Assume there is no singer involved and we're just talking about what sounds "good". My understanding is that keys just change the pitch of the song. So the…
user34288
13
votes
3 answers
What is the clearest way to notate this rhythm?
What would be the clearest way to notate this rhythm?
There are multiple ways to represent this; should I clearly represent the beat or use the least amount of rhythm notes as possible? Is this subjective or is there a method to this?
(The time…
Kellen Stuart
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13
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4 answers
Is "horns" a common term to describe saxophones?
Im attending a jazz performance that promoted a horn section. It is two saxophones. I was expecting trumpets or related siblings. Did I misunderstand the use of the term?
rpeg
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13
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2 answers
Why does the dominant lead to the tonic?
Going from a dominant to the chord to which it is a dominant always sounds good to the ear. It feels like the chord leads to the next one. And if the composition or movement is written in a specific key, then when the harmony reaches a dominant…
Max
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13
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8 answers
What is distinctive about the Hammond B3 organ?
Reading the credits of a jazz or blues album you might come across a musician who played using a Hammond organ (not just any organ, but a Hammond). I know that the Hammond has a long and storied history, but I have never been able to discern what…
digitalmaps
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13
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5 answers
Keeping rhythm when performing live without a drummer
I'm a member of a small band, and a common problem that arises when playing faster-paced music is keeping everyone in sync, rhythm wise. It goes without saying that one person falling out of time can trip everyone else to disastrous ends. A few…
Nathanus
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13
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10 answers
Can music time signatures really be irrational?
In this video around the 5 minute mark, the presenter mentions that "irrational units of time cannot exist because of Planck's constant", and therefore music time signatures like 2:√2 cannot be perfectly performed in the real world (he used Conlan…
B. S.
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13
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4 answers
What is the correct process for deriving the 'mirror' or 'negative' harmony of a progression?
I recently stumbled upon the concept of negative harmony in these…
blueskiwi
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13
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6 answers
Do accidentals in one staff apply to notes in other staffs?
For example, when reading piano music on a grand staff, I know that if there is an A# in the treble clef staff (where it's normally natural), it changes all of the A's in the rest of that measure to A#.
Do all of the As in the bass clef staff stay…
Nick
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How can I get the most out of my practice time?
When I practice, I often spend half the time on technique (scales, exercises), and half of the time on preparing a piece of music for performance.
The amount of benefit that I get out of any given practice session varies greatly, but it is not clear…
David LeBauer
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13
votes
4 answers
What effect does compression have on music?
When I listen to and play around with a number of effects other than compression (reverb, delay, etc), I have no problem hearing how altering them changes the sound of the music.
With compression it's not as apparent, though. I know that the…
Bryant Lewis
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13
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4 answers
What does this rhythm notation after the tempo mean?
After the tempo there are eighth notes that are equal to a quarter note and an eighth note with a '3' on top. What does that mean?
user36115
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13
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7 answers
What is the American system for graded teaching/examination of beginner musicians?
In many parts of the world, beginner musicians are taught and examined using a syllabus that is divided into "grades". It is a well known shorthand for ability level ("I play a bit of piano", "Oh really, what grade are you at?").
Related question:…
slim
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13
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2 answers
When did keyboard partitions start to use the G-clef for the upper staff ?
When you look at very old sheetmusic (for harpsichord or organ), you see that the upper staff has a C-clef, first line. The lower one is the familiar bass F-clef, fourth line.
Why and when did the habits change?
Can you still find sheetmusic printed…
Eric
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