I probably hear more comments about this song from Looking Up than any other because it is so far off the beaten path in a lot of ways. Watch it first and then we will talk about it.
Category Archives: Free Lessons
There is no real substitute for pianists listening to themselves. If you can learn to really listen to yourself, you will get better. One of the great benefits of recording is that it forces you to listen to yourself critically.
Someone sent me this question this week:
Why would a writer choose to modulate up a half step versus a whole step (or vice-versa)? Aside from the obvious answer that few would purposely modulate up to the obscure keys (F#Maj/GbMaj/BMaj), why would someone writing a song in the key of C modulate the final chorus to D flat versus D? Are there rules behind that?
A real-life example of a theory principle.
Here is a video that will give you what I would consider to be a very important concept. It is not easy and will take some time. However, it is important enough that it is worth spending the time on even if it takes you the whole year to get it down.
There are a couple of blogs that I read that I really appreciate. I don’t agree with everything I read on them, but the authors are thoughtful and great writers, far better than I will ever be. If I had any complaint about their writing style, it is that they tend to overuse shock as […]
Someone called earlier today asking questions about the courses she had purchased and I thought I would pass on what I told her to you guys as well.
A few years ago, I posted this video that discusses how to reharmonize “Silent Night.” If you have not seen it, you might enjoy it. I was watching it and noticed that I would still do these things today. I do not know if that means I have not learned anything in 3 years or not!
Everyone is posting and sharing a video spoof on The Christmas Song right now. The lyrics have been changed to give some bit of insight into the theory behind the song.
A few weeks ago, I introduced a concept about congregational accompaniment: making it more musically meaningful. Today, I want to discuss that in a little more detail and move in a bit more of a practical direction.
A few people wrote in after a recent post and mentioned that they feel guilty about changing written arrangements (such as piano offertories or choir pieces). Let me take a moment to relieve you of that guilt and tell you this: the idea that you can’t change music is almost always completely without merit. I […]