Author: Musicality

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/voice-is-the-new-synthesizer-of-choice-for-producers/
Your voice is a synthesizer.

You might not have noticed yet, but music production these days is becoming more and more reliant on digital technology and a Do It Yourself approach.

There are several reasons for that: perhaps the most important one is the accessibility of tools formerly only available to the chosen few.

You don’t need to have access to a full blown studio to create a commercial-sounding and professional record.

You can do it all at home with your bedroom monitors, computer, some software and a pinch of passion.

Universal availability of software has created a legion of sleepless zombies (hmm, I mean “artists”!) who tirelessly lurk on the vast music-scapes, searching for sound and searching for ways to express their emotions.

In this article we will explore one of the newest techniques used to create sound. The Voice!

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/falling-in-love-with-flamenco-with-juanito-pascual/
Fall in love with Flamenco.

Flamenco phenom Juanito Pascual brings together global audiences through his mesmerizing virtuosity, original composition style, and passion for collaboration.

An acclaimed recording artist (featured on film scores as well as his own creations), educator, and performer, Juanito weaves jazz and rock with flamenco in a seamless, organic blend.

Last time we spoke, Juanito recounted his musical journey from midwestern roots through studies with Spanish masters, conservatory education, and an extended healing and rebuilding process of self-discovery.

Today, Juanito tells us more about flamenco and some of his varied activities in the genre.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/hearing-effects-dynamics-part-1-compressors/
Dynamics, Compressors, limiters, Oh MY!

Single band, multi band, soft knee, hard knee, ratios, attack, release… on and on and on.

These terms sound more like medical tools/procedures used in gastrointestinal bypass surgeries!

Despite some of their more gruesome sounding names, these are all terms related to, and describing dynamics – and dynamics control in audio.

In this article we define a few items of interest.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-tim-topham-teaches-piano-piano-teachers-differently-interview/
Tim Topham Creative Piano Teaching is changing the way piano students learn—

By changing the way they’re taught.

His piano teaching website guides piano teachers to teach creativity, curiosity, and competency.

Followed by over 8000 teachers, Tim’s innovations have impacted tens of thousands of piano students worldwide.

We found his website to reflect much of the philosophy about learning music that we hold at Musical U.

We were thrilled to speak with this kindred spirit about a wide range of topics.

Check out the interview and explore:
-musical creativity
-the state of piano education
-online vs. in-person lessons
-business education for musicians
… and more!

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/fix-the-mix-dont-let-a-muddy-sound-ruin-your-tracks/
Don’t depend on trial-and-error!

Train your ears to hear frequency.

In the studio, frequency training seems almost intuitive.

You may not know why your track sounds better with some deep bass, an added high-pitched synthesizer, or even a thinner texture, but you do know that your music can go from average to awesome after a few minor tweaks.

Learn how to improve your mix below as we take a simple music sketch and improve it using common frequency-mixing tricks.

Test your ear training skills. Listen for octaves, frequency, pitch and texture.

Then use the great tips from this article in your own music.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-tune-your-guitar-by-ear/
Can you tune your guitar by ear?

Or do you rely on an electronic device?

As we’re about to see, tuning by ear has multiple benefits over the “easier” path of using a tuner.

Guitars go out of tune for all sorts of different reasons, and you won’t always have an electronic tuner around to help you out.

For quick, on-the-fly tuning, tuning by ear reigns supreme.

By the end of this guide on how to tune a guitar for beginners, you’ll know how to tune your guitar with just your hands and ears, popular alternate tunings, and how to check that you’ve tuned correctly by using a piano.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/raise-the-fifth-listening-for-augmented-triads/
Looking for a harmonically ambiguous chord to add a little mystery to your band’s latest hit single?

Or maybe you are listening to a favorite tune and are jarred by a pretty bizarre harmony starring an augmented fifth?

Look no further than the rarely used and incredibly under-appreciated augmented chord.

From David Bowie to the Beatles, and even a little Broadway, the augmented triad is like that one wacky cousin that no one talks about, but you can’t help liking once you get to know him!

Check out this article and learn how to listen for the augmented chord.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/jazz-guitar-giveaways-what-makes-that-sound-jazz/
Nice playing. Now Jazz it UP!

An appreciation of common musical genres in important for any musician.

Guitarists in particular are often called on to provide accompaniment in a specific style at the drop of a hat.

Today we’re going to look at jazz guitar ‘giveaways’: musical elements that characterise jazz, which you can use to recognise it – and jazz up your own playing!

Check it out.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/listening-for-diminished-triads/
What is that weird mystery chord you are hearing?

Maybe you are listening to your favorite band playing a tune on the radio jamming out with your heavy metal band, or just trying to figure out what chords work underneath the saxophonist’s jazzy riff…

When suddenly you hear a chord that’s not quite a minor chord.

What could it be?

Well, it might just be a diminished triad. Though it’s a close cousin to the minor chord, as we’re about to see, there’s a key difference.

Explore this article and learn how to listen for diminished chords.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/beginner-music-theory/
Music theory is an extremely important piece of the musical puzzle.

Many musicians struggle to give it adequate time and attention.

After all, making music and learning to play instruments is the fun part; why spend time worrying about the nitty-gritty details behind it?

Believe it or not, your level of understanding of music theory can make or break your ability to advance as a musician.

No matter how long you’ve been playing, learning music theory can help you seriously improve your skills and overall comprehension of music.

With a little bit of time, dedication, and effort, you can use music theory to become the musician you’ve always wanted to be.

Fortunately learning music theory doesn’t need to be nearly as difficult as you might assume.

Dive in to this article and find out what you need to know.