Musical Alphabet

The musical alphabet is a series of seven letters which are used to identify musical notes. The interesting thing about the musical alphabet is that it spans only from the letter A to the letter G. There is no H, I, J, K or anything after the letter G. Rather, after G we simply go back to the letter A and then repeat the ...

How To Read Notes On The Staff

The staff is a series of five lines and four spaces which are used as a template for identifying musical notes. The letter names for each line and space on the staff are designated by a symbol placed at the beginning of the staff called a clef. The two most commonly used clefs are a treble clef (also known as a G clef) and a bass clef (also known as an F clef). In this video we will discuss how to read and

Enharmonic Equivalents

An enharmonic equivalents is a note or tone that can be spelled with two or more different letter names. In this video we go in depth on how to identify each enharmonic equivalent with examples on the staff and on a piano keyboard.

Understanding Basic Rhythm

Aside from having a pitch position, each note on the staff can also be read by its rhythmic duration. Different rhythmic durations, such as whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes imply that the note should be sounded for a different length of time.

How To Read Eighth Notes

An eighth note is a subdivision of the quarter note in which each beat is broken down into two equal parts. Therefore, in a staff with a 4/4 time signature, each measure can hold up to 8 equal eighth notes.

How To Read Sixteenth Notes

A sixteenth note is a subdivision of the quarter note in which each beat is broken down into four equal parts. Therefore, in a staff with a 4/4 time signature, each measure can hold up to 16 equal sixteenth notes.

The Dot

A dot placed next to a note increases the rhythmic duration of that note by half of its original value. For example, if a whole note sounds for two beats, a dotted whole note would sound for four beats. In this video we will discuss what happens when a dot is placed next to a whole note, a half note, a quarter note, and an eighth note.

The Tie

A tie combines the rhythmic duration of the notes its connects. In this video we will discuss what happens when two rhythmic durations are connected by a tie.

Understanding Intervals And Accidentals

An interval is the distance from one to the next note either above or below the original note. The two most basic forms of an interval are a half step and a whole step. A sharp raises a note by one half step, while a flat lowers a note by one half step. In this video we will discuss how to read and write intervals as well as accidentals on the staff for any instrument.

Interval Construction And Identification

An interval is the distance from one note to the next note either above or below it. In this video series we are going to discuss what constitutes each interval, see how they pertain to the scale, and learn how to properly read and write intervals on the staff. Additionally, we will go over a number of tips and tricks which will make working with intervals much easier.

Ledger Lines

Ledger lines are short lines placed above or below the staff which are used for notes that exceed the tonal boundaries of the staff. In this video we will discuss the easiest way to read notes on and between each ledger line above or below both a staff with a treble clef and a bass clef.

Understanding Major Scales

Major scales can be constructed from a very specific pattern of whole steps and half steps. Major scales are the foundation from which all seven modern modes, as well as relative minor scales, may be built. The letter names of a key signature represent the notes of the scale which make it unique from other scales. In this video we will discuss how to read and write Major scales and key signatures on the staff for any instrument.

Mode Construction

By far the most requested video in our inbox has been "What are modes?" and "How to play modes". In this video series we dig into all seven of the modern modes and discuss their origin and construction. We will learn how to identify and construct the Dorian mode, Phrygian mode, Lydian mode, Mixolydian mode, Aeolian mode, and the Locrian mode with easy to understand narration and simple, clear animation.

Understanding Triads (Chords)

A triad is a three note chord which can be built from the first, third, and fifth scale degrees of a corresponding Major scale. In this video we will discuss how to read and write triads on the staff for any instrument.

Chord Inversion Identification

It is important to remember that a chord is not defined by the shape that it takes on your instrument, but rather by the letter name of the notes being used. An inversion occurs when the order of these notes are rearranged so that the root note is no longer in the bass. In this video we will discuss what it means when a chord is in root position, first inversion, second inversion, and third inversion.

Seventh Chord Identification And Construction

In this 5 video series on seventh chord identification and construction we discuss how to create a Major seventh, minor seventh, Dominant seventh, half diminished seventh (also known as minor seventh flat five), and a fully diminished seventh chord from the notes of a scale as well as from the intervals which separate each consecutive note.