Listening to classical music can bring much joy, meaning, and solace to one's life. However, it can also be overwhelming or confusing. The following approach can help demystify classical music, whether you are listening to a recording or enjoying a live performance. It is a simple process that can elucidate the music, making it more accessible and meaningful. Let's say you are listening to a recording of a symphony or attending an orchestra concert. First, observe a memorable part in the music. When you hear something interesting or moving, write down the approximate time for that part. If you are listening to a recording, you can pause the track to do so. If you are listening to a live performance, you can make note of a memorable moment and refer to a recording later. What made the moment memorable to you? Was it the color of the sound? The texture? An idea that the violins played? Was it a series of low notes or a big swell in the sound? Revisit the moment and listen again....
Just like we need to sharpen our hockey skates and clean our dance shoes, we need to take care of our guitars. Ideally, the guitar should receive full maintenance at least twice a year. What’s involved in maintenance, you ask? Good question! Full maintenance, often called a setup, involves checking the height of the strings, the straightness of the neck, the tightness of the tuning pegs, and more. It’s similar to an oil change for the guitar. During a full setup, the guitar technician replaces old strings and adjusts the instrument for playability as well as longevity. It’s good to get a full setup done seasonally. This means at least once in cold weather and once in warm weather. In fact, you can use your car’s oil change as a reminder to get your guitar serviced. Put it on the calendar or simply remember to visit your local music shop when you check your car’s oil. You can also mark your calendar for service during major winter and spring holidays. If you play a lot, you may want t...
Just getting into guitar and unsure how to approach the fretboard? There are many systems and methods available to you. Let's take a look. One of the most popular methods is known as the Three-Notes-Per-String system. In this approach, the guitarist organizes the instrument into patterns based on three notes per string. It's a method that's popular among metal guitarists given its adaptability for tapping and legato playing. Another well-known approach is called the Berklee method, named after the Berklee School of Music in Boston. This method combines a classical perspective with position playing. Huh? In other words, this system presents the fretboard as a formal set of patterns according to numeric position on the neck - fret one, fret two, etc. Last but not least is the CAGED system, in which players conceptualize the fretboard as a series of predictable patterns resembling chord shapes. The open-string C, A, G, E, and D major chord shapes familiar to most beginners (o...
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