Hellloooo, sorry for such a long wait between posts. Kept forgetting about this place and had other stuff going on aaah.
I passed this horrendous music theory test finally (with help...lols), I was perfectly fine with the theory part...just not the ear training, it is not easy for me.
Don't really know what to update with...so, I'm alive!
Mog
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Wednesday 9 February 2011
Day Three: Uuuuuugh
I received the bad news that I FAILED MY LATEST THEORY ASSESSMENT. I was by far in the majority however, since around thirty four others of the forty in the class also failed.
The reason for this is that the last question had asked us to listen to a sample of music, write down the chords, then it's key and the roman numerals of those chords for that key. So for a lot of us, that was a big shock we were not prepared for and I think I can speak for all that we didn't know how to because we find it daunting. However I think if I can hum the roots notes in my head, I can count the semi-tones up/down from one chord root to the next and thereby figure out that next chord. So I've been practising ear training and it's...not been going that well - I think I just need to practise singing up the semi-tones and I should be ok...I hope.
Anyway, for things like ear training and other, free, music theory notes and exercises, there is this - www.musictheory.net
Bought five more books on theory and chords today. I have so much to read!
Have a good day!
Meow
The reason for this is that the last question had asked us to listen to a sample of music, write down the chords, then it's key and the roman numerals of those chords for that key. So for a lot of us, that was a big shock we were not prepared for and I think I can speak for all that we didn't know how to because we find it daunting. However I think if I can hum the roots notes in my head, I can count the semi-tones up/down from one chord root to the next and thereby figure out that next chord. So I've been practising ear training and it's...not been going that well - I think I just need to practise singing up the semi-tones and I should be ok...I hope.
Anyway, for things like ear training and other, free, music theory notes and exercises, there is this - www.musictheory.net
Bought five more books on theory and chords today. I have so much to read!
Have a good day!
Meow
Sunday 6 February 2011
Day Two: Links and Stuff
Hellooo,
Now, I said in the previous posts that I would link some things for whoever is interested, and here they are:
For vocal exercises, I use these youtube videos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpvc4SNCWHA&feature=channel . They're easy to follow and you can buy the CD for a full workout without the explanations for a reasonable price : ). Remember when you're singing to relax your jaw and breath from your diaphragm (don't raise your shoulders and feel your stomach expand as you breathe in)!. Never push your voice to reach something uncomfortable/ a note you can't reach, it will come to you naturally with enough practise (depending on your range of course). I made this mistake yesterday, and my vocal cords still hurt a little ):, if you do this for too long you can permanently damage them, so relax and don't strain yourself! Always drink plenty of room temperature water and stay away from alcohol, cigarettes and dairy when singing.
Phew, now on to guitar - http://www.mmissary.com/guitar~1.gif
Yay chords! And a lot of them too. I think that's every key listed on it...but I'm not sure. Anyway I figured it was a pretty good, free, diagram of chords in their keys. Beware though, I think some of them may be off in terms of strings played. I think the fret positions are right (the position of the dots) and the finger positions as well (the numbers at the bottom) but the number of numbers in the row at the bottom are sometimes off. For example, for the Dm chord in the key of C, it says to play the open A string first...when you should play the open D string first. Anyway just keep that in mind.
Also remember to practise your scales! If you're unsure what scales are, click the link at the end of this post.
For Keyboard I have a similar link - http://www.mmissary.com/chord-~1.gif. You'll notice it has the guitar chords in it as well, and it's basically the same setup as the previous link.
Unfortunately I don't really have anything for bass...but since you don't use chords (well very rarely, more often you maaay use two note harmonies) if you can get a hold of the tabs/notation of a song's bass part just practise that, along with scales of course. Alternatively, if you can get a chord sheet for the song, try to play along with the rhythm using the notes within that chord or the chord's scale.
Ooft sorry if this is confusing anyone so far, I'm not great at explaining things buut here is a link that may help you : http://takecourage.tripod.com/theory.html
It guides you through the very basics of music theory, so hopefully you'll understand more if you're having trouble following (and I don't blame you if you are).
That's all for today I think, thanks for reading!
Meow,
"Mog"!
Now, I said in the previous posts that I would link some things for whoever is interested, and here they are:
For vocal exercises, I use these youtube videos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpvc4SNCWHA&feature=channel . They're easy to follow and you can buy the CD for a full workout without the explanations for a reasonable price : ). Remember when you're singing to relax your jaw and breath from your diaphragm (don't raise your shoulders and feel your stomach expand as you breathe in)!. Never push your voice to reach something uncomfortable/ a note you can't reach, it will come to you naturally with enough practise (depending on your range of course). I made this mistake yesterday, and my vocal cords still hurt a little ):, if you do this for too long you can permanently damage them, so relax and don't strain yourself! Always drink plenty of room temperature water and stay away from alcohol, cigarettes and dairy when singing.
Phew, now on to guitar - http://www.mmissary.com/guitar~1.gif
Yay chords! And a lot of them too. I think that's every key listed on it...but I'm not sure. Anyway I figured it was a pretty good, free, diagram of chords in their keys. Beware though, I think some of them may be off in terms of strings played. I think the fret positions are right (the position of the dots) and the finger positions as well (the numbers at the bottom) but the number of numbers in the row at the bottom are sometimes off. For example, for the Dm chord in the key of C, it says to play the open A string first...when you should play the open D string first. Anyway just keep that in mind.
Also remember to practise your scales! If you're unsure what scales are, click the link at the end of this post.
For Keyboard I have a similar link - http://www.mmissary.com/chord-~1.gif. You'll notice it has the guitar chords in it as well, and it's basically the same setup as the previous link.
Unfortunately I don't really have anything for bass...but since you don't use chords (well very rarely, more often you maaay use two note harmonies) if you can get a hold of the tabs/notation of a song's bass part just practise that, along with scales of course. Alternatively, if you can get a chord sheet for the song, try to play along with the rhythm using the notes within that chord or the chord's scale.
Ooft sorry if this is confusing anyone so far, I'm not great at explaining things buut here is a link that may help you : http://takecourage.tripod.com/theory.html
It guides you through the very basics of music theory, so hopefully you'll understand more if you're having trouble following (and I don't blame you if you are).
That's all for today I think, thanks for reading!
Meow,
"Mog"!
Saturday 5 February 2011
Day One: An Introduction
Alliteration!
Although I still find it weird to refer to myself as a "man".
Anyway, I think I'll mainly be using this blog to document and describe my progress as an aspiring songwriter (and singer too, and also at my instruments ha ha). If any of you are also interested in music, I'll try to link anything I find useful on the internet here.
I need to do things today...and I really need to get into the habit of organising, but my brain is not set that way. It needs to go to brain boot camp, seriously. Objectives today (music wise): Vocal workout (I'll link this in my next post for anyone that's interested), guitar scales and chords practise, bass scales and general practise...damn I still need an adaptor for my keyboard (I wish I had a piano!).
Musically yours,
"Mog"!
Although I still find it weird to refer to myself as a "man".
Anyway, I think I'll mainly be using this blog to document and describe my progress as an aspiring songwriter (and singer too, and also at my instruments ha ha). If any of you are also interested in music, I'll try to link anything I find useful on the internet here.
I need to do things today...and I really need to get into the habit of organising, but my brain is not set that way. It needs to go to brain boot camp, seriously. Objectives today (music wise): Vocal workout (I'll link this in my next post for anyone that's interested), guitar scales and chords practise, bass scales and general practise...damn I still need an adaptor for my keyboard (I wish I had a piano!).
Musically yours,
"Mog"!
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