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A choral vocal score with a breath mark, a melisma slur over one syllable and a divisi split marked on the staff
Sheet music notation· 8 min read

Decoding Vocal Scores: A Guide to Musical Notation Symbols

Vocal scores are the treasure maps of the singing world, guiding us through a musical piece's landscape. They include vocal lines and often a piano or orchestral reduction, making them invaluable…
Two bars of rhythm notation, one in 4/4 with paired eighth notes and one in 12/8 with triplet groups
Rhythm & time signatures· 7 min read

Choosing Between 4/4 and 12/8: Music Arrangement Insights

Time signatures are the backbone of music, providing the framework to understand and feel rhythm. They indicate how many beats are in each measure and which note value gets the beat. Think of music…
A grand staff piano score beside a lead sheet and a chord chart of the same tune for comparison
Sheet music notation· 9 min read

Easiest Sheet Music Notation for Pianists

Sheet music serves as a magical map for pianists, directing fingers across keys to produce beautiful music. With various notation systems available, selecting the right one can be transformative…
A close-up of a score showing a fermata, a caesura, a marcato accent and a segno sign in one system
Sheet music notation· 6 min read

Uncommon Musical Symbols and What They Mean

Imagine a world where music existed only in the air, uncapturable on paper. Early musicians faced this challenge until the advent of musical notation—a language that transformed fleeting melodies…
Time signatures 5/4, 7/8 and 11/8 printed on a staff with their beat groupings numbered underneath
Rhythm & time signatures· 14 min read

Can You Recognize Odd Time Signatures?

Hey there, fellow music lovers! As a music teacher, I spend a lot of time thinking about rhythm. It's the heartbeat of music, right? We all tap our feet to a steady beat, usually in patterns of…
A musician sitting at a piano with hands resting on the keys and a notebook of unfinished sketches
Tutorials· 15 min read

Why You Feel Like You're Failing at Music (And How to Keep Creating)

Have you ever sat down with your instrument, or stared at a blank music sheet, and felt that familiar sting of inadequacy? That heavy feeling that no matter how hard you try, you're just... not good…
A syncopated rhythm on one staff line with the counting syllables written under each note
Rhythm & time signatures· 26 min read

How Do You Count Syncopated Rhythms? A Practical Guide

Syncopation is the spice of music, the groove that makes you want to tap your foot, the rhythmic surprise that pops up everywhere from classical pieces to your favorite pop song. But those…
Circle of fifths with the major keys marked and the step pattern of the major scale written beneath a keyboard
Scales & modes· 20 min read

Stop Reinventing the Wheel: How to Actually Learn the Major Scale

Have you ever sat down to practice your scales and felt like you were trying to build a rocket ship from scratch? Perhaps you tried memorizing patterns note by note, instrument by instrument, key by…
An open songwriting notebook with Beatles-style chord symbols and roman numerals written out
Tutorials· 15 min read

Lessons from 'The Songwriting Secrets of The Beatles'

An online discussion recently struck a chord with countless musicians. It centered on the frustrating gap between learning music theory and actually using it to write songs. As a teacher, I hear…
A university music building practice room with a piano, a music stand and a folder of audition repertoire
Tutorials· 18 min read

Can You Jump Straight to Music Grad School After a Non-Music Bachelor’s?

You spent your undergraduate years diving deep into history, science, or business, but all the while, your heart sang a different tune. You dreamt of composing, performing, or teaching music. Now…
The same melody written twice, in C major and in A major, with the new key signature and moved notes side by side
Scales & modes· 15 min read

Musical Transposition: A Guide to Vocal Ranges and Key Signatures

Let's dive into the world of musical transpositions, an essential tool for any musician or vocalist. At its core, transposition is the art of shifting a piece of music from one key to another. This…
A grid of six equal subdivisions with the three-side marked on counts 1, 3 and 5 and the two-side on counts 1 and 4
Rhythm & time signatures· 12 min read

Mastering the 3:2 Polyrhythm: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Musicians

Polyrhythms are the secret sauce that adds a unique flavor to music, creating intricate and engaging soundscapes. Essentially, they involve playing two or more contrasting rhythms simultaneously…