Author: Musicality

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/open-ears-cumbia-music/
Music is forever growing and changing.

It’s so fascinating the way different influences from all over the world combine to make exciting genres and styles.

We can learn a lot from opening our ears to different sounds in music.

In this article we explore Cumbia, a form original to the people and traditions of coastal Colombia, where indigenous flutes collided with African percussion and rhythms that filtered in via the Caribbean.

Learn more about the history and evolution of Cumbia with this 5 song journey.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-overcome-stage-fright/
For the performing solo pianist, stage fright can be crippling.

Bigger stages and bigger audiences can amplify this fear.

In this article, we talk to about stage fright and how to better prepare so that in the future the fear won’t be so intense.

Stage fright can be dealt with and overcome.

Learn how.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-does-ear-training-work/
People have different interpretations of what “ear training” involves, depending on their musical background.

For example, a classical violinist probably has a different idea about ear training to a self-taught rock guitar player.

Find out how we define ear training and get started today.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/play-ukulele/
Have a ukulele and not sure how to get better?

It’s exciting picking up a new instrument for the first time, but that excitement can quickly turn to frustration and self-doubt without noticeable improvement.

Here are some tips to start playing like a pro in no time.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/the-lydian-scale-part-2-lydian-meets-major/
Do re mi fa so la ti do… The major scale, one of the first concepts anyone learns when studying western music.

It seems to be the basis of everything! But of all the ways of arranging notes, why is the major scale so, well, major?

Gain insight into the major scale by uncovering the mysteries of the Lydian scale.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/ukulele-songbooks/
Want to start playing songs for friends?

The ukulele is a great way to start learning songs!

Here we share some of the best ukulele songbooks and resources.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/musicality-means-playing-from-a-lead-sheet/
What are those books with hundreds of songs and how do they work?

They are lead sheets or “fake books”.

Reading from a lead sheet is an important skill of musicality.

Learn more in this article.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/jazz-improvisation-and-fixed-key-ear-training-with-julian-bradley-the-musical-ear/
Want to get amazing ears for improvising jazz music?

Check out this interview with Julian Bradley, author of “Jazz Theory Explained” and founder of The Musical Ear.

With Jazz Tutorial

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/songwriters-secrets-writing-harmonies/
Once the lyrics and melody are ready, now what?

Harmony is a great way to add excitement and variation.

Learn what harmony is and how to use it in this article.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-tune-your-guitar-by-ear/
Ever tried tuning a guitar by ear?

A lot of discussion can be had over whether the guitar should be tuned by ear or with the help of an electronic device.

Tuning by ear has multiple benefits over the “easier” path of using a tuner.

Learn exactly how to tune guitars by ear in this article.