UreMusic Education

Headphones and earphones come in many shapes and sizes. It is important to buy a set of monaural earphones that are comfortable and fit properly. With monaural earphone units, it is possible to achieve good sound quality, but they must fit properly to achieve this. Loose fitting monaural earphones will diminish the overall quality of the sound. Look for monaural earphones that come with multiple fitting options, or have cushioned moldings that will adjust to your ears. Monaural earphones have two designs: single cup that attaches to one ear and two cups that attach to both. Sound Quality Technical specifications can help you rule out lower quality monaural earphones, but it is still much more important to listen. Low-quality earphones will have a poor frequency response, low impedance, and poorly constructed drivers. No set of monaural earphones will sound the same to everyone. While the specifications are interesting and can help give you a general overview, there is no substitute for...

Pots and pans make great percussion instruments. Making instruments at home is an activity that most people can do in their spare time. While you aren't going to be able to make a professional instrument out of materials you will find around the house, it is possible to create a small family orchestra for your own amusement and enjoyment. With a few basic materials, you can make an orchestra of homemade instruments. Strings Effective homemade string instruments are possible. Find a coat hanger that is made of wood. You may have to go out and buy one if you don't have one already. Get some thumb tacks and several pieces of string. Attach seven thumbtacks on both sides of the coat hanger from the outside edge working in toward the middle. Make sure to align the tacks evenly. Cut seven pieces of string and wrap the string around the thumb tacks. Tighten the string until it creates a resonant plucking sound. Do this for each set of thumbtacks and tighten or loosen the strings as...

The bugle has been used throughout history to send signals to troops. Throughout history, bugles have signaled to troops across a large distance to perform specific functions. With its penetrating sound, piercing range, and sturdy construction, the bugle served to unite troops, wake them, provide reminders, signal rest, and honor fallen soldiers. Today, there are varieties of calls that buglers must know and memorize. History Before bugles came on the scene, drums were used to signal commands. Wars fought with soldiers in close file did not require bugles. Soldiers listened to drummers for cues on how to proceed in battle. As British armies started to expand their pursuits to different territories and fought wars with lighter units that spread out, new strategies designated commands to soldiers. The bugle gradually replaced the drum for keeping troops aware of unit commands. The bugle was a better choice for battle due to its low weight and compact design in relation to the drum. Warni...

Singing in a choir is a big responsibility with important objectives. Singing in a choir is a tough responsibility with many objectives to maintain and observe. Choir singers have unusual restraints placed on their personal lives since the decisions made outside the choir directly affect the overall choir sound. Learning about these objectives ahead of time helps the director to organize rehearsals, and students to know what is expected. Concerts The choir’s main objective is to perform concerts for audiences. Concerts should seek to entertain and inform the audience. Program notes included with each concert should explain to the audience what each piece in the concert is, the composer that wrote the piece, the date of composition and some background information about the choir. For a more complete and entertaining program, the choir should include additional historical information about the music performed. All choirs must fulfill this objective. Without concerts, the performers never...

Fingerboards are also called fretboards. The type of wood used for a fingerboard affects the tone quality of the guitar. Wood choice largely depend on the personal preference of the guitarist. Guitarists choose woods based on appearance, texture, resilience and sound. Fingerboards have a lesser impact on the sound than the main body. This makes the choice of which wood to use mainly an aesthetic choice. Choose a fingerboard based on how comfortable it is to play. Guitarists may prefer the stickier texture of maple or the slick texture of rosewood. Sound Fingerboard woods create specific timbres, the sound quality of an instrument. Clean sounds are characterized by tones that eliminate a lot of distortion and extra frequencies. Penetrating sounds have the ability to cut through the ensemble. Bright sounds are light and airy while dark sounds are thick and dense. Maple fingerboards have a narrow and focused sound with good penetration. Rosewood fingerboards reduce brightness. Unwanted, e...

Melodic percussion instruments are large instruments suitable for orchestra use. Melodic percussion instruments add color to the orchestra, provide support for melodic lines and create vibrant aural effects within the music. Composers have used percussion instruments for centuries to enhance chords and create a variety of timbres within the orchestra. Whether you are a casual listener, professional musician or seasoned composer, knowing the types of melodic percussion instruments will enhance your musical experience. Xylophone The xylophone was the first mallet percussion instrument introduced to the orchestra. The xylophone is a mallet percussion instrument with hard wooden slats organized in the same way as a piano. The black keys on the piano correspond to the top row on the xylophone, and the white keys correspond to the white row of piano keys. While registers vary, the xylophone has a minimum range of three octaves starting on middle C. More expensive xylophones have an extended ...

The cello is capable of extended techniques to create novel effects. Having a solid understanding of modern cello techniques can make the difference between a good performer and an exceptional performer. The modern cello has developed into a substantial instrument capable of several modern cello techniques. Using the bow in non-traditional ways, cellists use different parts of the bow to create effects and manipulate the strings in non-standard ways. Modern composers use extensive techniques and utilize the instrument for passionate solo performances, dramatic effects and harmonic techniques to enhance the music. Virtuosos like Yo-Yo Ma have brought further attention to the cello and its advanced techniques. Col Legno Col legno is Italian for “with the wood.” It is a technique that emits a wooden crackling sound from the cello. The cellist performs this technique by bowing the strings with the back, wooden side of the bow instead of using the hairs. Composers will write “col legno” at ...

Guitar tops can be made from several types of wood. Having an understanding of what a spruce top on a guitar means allows you to evaluate different guitar models expertly. The type of spruce used will affect the overall tone production and you should be aware of these effects on tone before making a decision. The richness of tone and physical characteristics of the instrument are greatly affected by your choice of materials. Understanding these differences will make your buying experience less stressful. Spruce Top Most guitars tops are made of spruce, which provides an ideal balance between the flexibility and strength of the wood and the overall weight. Using a wood that has too much mass will put unnecessary strain on the musician who has to hold the guitar during a performance. Also, using materials that are weak would require the performer to be more careful not to break the instrument. The top must be strong since the strings create tension that pulls upon the wood. Using a we...

Music composition teaching methods are not standardized and depend on the instructor. The study of music composition is a venerable tradition that goes back to Ancient Greece. Through diligent study, the elements of music instruct students through sound pedagogical approaches. Whether the goal is to teach popular or classical music, there is a rich tradition and resources available to assist composers that seek to enrich student composers' lives through composition. While each teacher is different, there are components to a sound teaching method that should be included in every course of study. Counterpoint Counterpoint is a method of teaching composition first codified by Johann Fux in his treatise "Gradus Ad Parnassum" in 1725. This text served as the first written and authoritative guide to teaching composers to write music. To this day, composers around the world still use his text to learn how to write multiple independent lines that create harmonic progressions. Th...

Loosely defined, a ternary form has three sections that serve to form the overall structure of the piece. A few types of ternary form exist to help further distinguish one type of ternary from the next. The clarification between different types of ternary form has to do with the way in which sections repeat and the manner in which the music moves through different keys. Simple Ternary Simple ternary form consists of three sections that do not necessarily link together through chord progressions. Each section may be a completely different idea. This type of ternary form usually follows the pattern: A B A, where each letter represents a different section and musical idea. Simple ternary has a tendency to be very simple and easy to follow due to the limited changing nature of the thematic material. Music needs a certain amount of repetition to create musical connections, and simple ternary makes this possible. Some popular songs consist of simple ternary constructions, such as "So...

Music provides developmentally delayed children several benefits. Music therapists have found that music can help the developmentally delayed child improve his achievement in several basic areas. Using music therapy resources, games and activities help increase attention, productivity, arithmetic scores, coordination, self-control and speech development. Even rudimentary music activities can greatly enhance a student's life and ability to develop complex mental functions. Music teachers specializing in music therapy use several activities from keeping a basic pulse to learning the basics of music and develop crucial life skills. Pitch Discrimination Using an instrument, or the voice, children can learn to identify and reproduce musical sounds. The first step in working with a developmentally delayed child involves teaching them the difference between high pitches and low pitches. You can provide several instruments for the student to categorize by pitch. Play a musical example of a...

The French horn has a brassier sound than a flugelhorn. The main visual difference between a flugelhorn and a French horn is the rounder shape of the latter instrument. A flugelhorn looks like a large trumpet; the french horn does not. Sound-wise, however, the two instruments do share some similarities. It takes some extra study to figure out the differences. Range The flugelhorn has the range of a typical trumpet, sounding from G# below middle C to three octaves above middle C. While the range seems impressive, only the most talented and skilled performers have the ability to play higher than two octaves above middle C. In contrast, the French horn can play the low B sounding pitch below the bass clef to a concert A above the treble clef staff. Concert pitch is the sound heard when an instrumentalist plays a written note. The written note differs from the actual sounding pitch of the flugelhorn and French horn. Timbre The differences in timbre between the two instruments are sub...

Music production requires expert knowledge of electronic music. Professional recording companies edit, manipulate, reassemble and restore audio require music production tools. The basic tools required of any music producer can be expensive to acquire. Many of the programs cost between $500 to $1500 dollars at the time of publication. Samplers can be even more expensive and cost thousands of dollars. Any music production company that wants to create high-quality content must invest in these tools to be successful. Computers Music producers must have a computer to coordinate all of their samplers and audio programs used in editing. There is a big debate over whether a Macintosh or Windows PC is the best option for music production. Most universities use Macintosh computers, including The University of Washington, University of Arizona and Michigan State University. The decision to choose one platform over the other is largely the preference of the individual. If you are used to using a W...

Men's and women's vocal ranges have different roles and classifications, depending on the range of the singer. Women tend to have more penetrating voices since they sing at a higher pitch level. Men's voices provide excellent foundations and bass and balance well with female voices. The differences in both sexes have been exploited by composers to create effects and delineate the difference in characters to the audience. Highest Register There are two different names for the highest register in men's and women's voices. When men sing in their highest range they are using falsetto. Women, on the other hand, are using their whistle registry. The concept behind using these registers is the same. Both sexes have to close off the vocal cords to create faster vibrations along the edges of the vocal cords. These faster vibrations result in a higher register. However, some of the richness of the tone gets lost due to the restrictions placed on the vocal cords. Classifi...

Music theory games may involve groups of students or individuals. Teaching music theory to children requires patience, the ability to engage the child and a safe atmosphere. Children that learn music theory early will find that other abstract concepts such as math and reading will also come more easily to them. The best music theory exercises are simple, teach a specific concept and allow the child to experiment with several different outcomes. Treble Clef Teach the child the names of the notes in the treble clef and explain that this clef plays high-pitched notes. Tell them that when they look between the lines they will see their “FACE.” Then explain that the four spaces spell the word “face” from bottom to top. Then teach them the names of the lines (EGBDF) by helping them create an acronym for each line. A commonly used one is “Every Good Boy Does Fine.” Let them get creative and try to come up with their own acronyms. Bass Clef Explain to the child that the bass clef is where all ...

Common orchestra instruments are capable of animal sounds. Instruments throughout history have replicated and imitated animals. From Beethoven to Bernstein, composers have sought new and interesting uses for traditional orchestra instruments. The temptation to recreate nature through musical sounds comes in both literal and abstract ways. Learn about instruments and animal sounds they make so that next time you hear one, you will be able to identify what instrument is making the sound. Lion's Roar As its name suggests the lion's roar makes a sound very similar to a lion roaring. Taking a bass drum and puncturing a hole in the head of the drum accomplishes this. A rope extends and pulls through the drum creating a sound that is very similar to a lion roaring. This instrument is so accurate it is often used in film scores and to indicate the roar of a lion in orchestral scores. Trombone The trombone is capable of imitating the sound of many animals. The glissando technique involv...

Trumpet mouthpieces fit into the lead pipe of the horn. Choosing a trumpet mouthpiece that works with your body type and current ability is a crucial process. If you haven't been playing for very long, you should choose a mouthpiece that reflects your young and less developed face muscles. For those who have been playing for several years, it is possible to narrow down the mouthpiece to a specific permanent mouthpiece. As you age, your needs will change as well. Don't be afraid to change your mouthpiece as you go through your career. Cup The cup is the rounded portion on the inside of the trumpet mouthpiece. Cup sizes are described through a vague system of very deep to shallow. The deeper the mouthpiece, the further the cup slants inward and usually, deep cup sizes are very large. A shallow cup will be smaller and closer to the lip area. A shallow cup has more resistance than a deep cup. Resistance means that the trumpet player must use a faster, quicker airflow to produce ...

Old pots and pans can make great rhythm instruments. Making musical instruments at home is a great activity for parents to complete with children. Teaching them about acoustics and helping them create their own musical instruments can be a memorable and exciting experience for kids. Before starting, explain that sound relies on vibrations, and vibrations are caused when something moves back and forth very quickly. Explain that it isn't always possible to see the object move and that vibrations are often very quick. Drums If you have some old pans lying around it is possible to make drums using the pans and a pair of wooden spoons. Attach two or three layers of wax paper over the top by tying a string around the pot and use the wooden spoons as drumsticks. The layers of wax paper should help prevent drumming straight through. You can hold the spoons by the rounded part and use the tips to tap out rhythms. Woodblocks Woodblocks commonly used in orchestras and bands help keep and acce...

Teach preschoolers musical notes with games. Teaching preschool children the names of the musical notes in a creative and educational way requires preparation and knowledge of the notes on the musical staff. With preschoolers, you have to keep them engaged in the activity to prevent them from losing interest. Music provides the type of engagement that preschoolers respond well to. Crafts Supply the preschooler with construction paper and stencils of rhythmic musical notes, such as quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes and whole notes. Have her trace the outline of the notes on the paper. Let the preschooler color the insides of the notes and detail the music note however she wishes. When she is finished with her craft, ask her to get up in front of the class and discuss what note value she chose, and what the colors and images she chose for the design meant to her. Treble Clef Spaces Show the child a picture of the treble clef staff and tell him, "when you look between the lines...

Ask the science teacher for help in formulating your experiment. Music science projects for seventh-grade students should test your ability to follow a scientific process and use the scientific method. The outcome of your project will not be as important as your ability to follow your teachers' suggestions and test your hypothesis to determine if it is true. Music and Plant Growth The effect of music on plant growth is a fun experiment with a little time and proper preparation. The experiment should ideally last for one month. You will need to control all variables of light, watering, type of plant and any special fertilization used. Buy a light that is made for plants so that you can isolate the plants in separate areas. You should have at least two plants; play music continuously to the first plant and leave the other plant as a control without music. You can also experiment with different types of music, as well as different types and sizes of plants. Music and Heart Rate Select...

The clarinet reed has an effect on the clarinetists playing experience. When discussing the strength of a reed, the clarinetist should concentrate on the sound produced and the degree of ease with which a reed responds. A clarinetist that uses a strong reed naturally can produce the same sound as a clarinetist that uses a weaker reed. There shouldn't be any competition to see who can play on the strongest reed. Find the reed that fits you comfortably and provides the best sound. Over time, you will find that your reed strength often changes. Strength There are several types of reed strengths ranging from one to five in increments of 0.5. You can use the reed strength as a starting point if you know what strength you normally play, but keep in mind that the actual strength varies between brands. The type of reed you must use depends on your ability, experience, and embouchure. The stronger reeds generally vibrate less and require an experienced player with a strong embouchure to ...

Brass mutes are shaped to fit inside the bell. One common misconception about brass mutes is that they only serve to make the instrument softer. While the dynamic level can be reduced significantly, the type of mute employed can also change the timbre. One famous example of an entire section using mutes for a dramatic effect is Vaughan Williams' "Symphony No. 6," starting in measure 39. In this example, the horns, trombones, and trumpets are all using straight mutes to create a metallic and subtle textural change. Straight Mute When a mute is called for in an orchestral score and there is no additional information about the type of mute to use, brass players will use a straight mute. The straight mute received its name from the fact that it is a simple mute that comes straight out of the horn. This mute softens the instrument and can be made of fiberboard or metal. Depending on the material used, the sound will change from cutting to soft. Cup Mute Cup mutes are named bec...

Theatre historically consisted of two styles -- comedy and tragedy. The elements of tragedy stem from Greek tragedy. In Greek tragedy there are several components that make up the dramatic work. Singers and actors combine with dance and theatrics to create a complete dramatic work that combine the arts. Historically, audience members would surround the stage and sit on pillows to watch the tragedy unfold. Tragedy According to Aristotle, tragedy is the “imitation of an action” in line with “the law of probability or necessity.” He further indicates that a tragedy acts out a situation rather than through narration. In a comedy, everything works out, and contrary to the term, the action does not have to be humorous to qualify as comedy. A tragedy involves the destruction of a powerful figure who is essentially a good man whom the audience empathizes with who makes a decision, usually involving hubris, that leads to his downfall. Prologue The prologue of the tragedy sets the stage fo...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived from January 27, 1756, to December 5, 1791. Born in the middle of the Classical period, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the greatest composers of that time. Through his father’s tutelage, he quickly became one of the most famous child prodigies in Europe. His musical mind absorbed what was occurring around him and quickly made sense of it. Joseph Haydn is responsible for starting the Classical period of music, but Mozart is credited for both refining and defining it. Choose an autograph score to analyze. Editors often will create different versions than the original music manuscript. This practice of "simplifying" the music tends to add confusion for the performer. Pay attention to the way in which slurs appear in the score. Historically, slurs indicate that the notes under the slur use a legato style. When the slur breaks, use a stronger articulation to create emphasis on non-slurred notes. Slurs indicate phrases. If there are a series of sho...

Glissandos appear commonly in string music. The glissando technique provides a way to quickly move between two pitches and brush over all of the pitches in between. The technique varies depending on the instrument due to differing mechanical capabilities. Strings, brass, woodwinds, voice, piano and even percussion instruments can all create a glissando between pitches. The actual technique consists of sliding through the pitches between two notes, quickly moving up or down a scale. The glissando appears in the score as a wavy line between two notes with the text "gliss." above the line. Strings String glissando provides one of the most effective methods of glissando since you can easily slide your finger along the string. This enables the violinist to play all the chromatic notes between two pitches as well as the microtones. Microtones are the pitches between the standard chromatic pitches on a keyboard. On a string instrument, playing an ascending glissando comes easier...

The Proper piano technique will improve your playing. Having the right posture while playing the piano will make your approach to playing much more healthful and efficient. Excessive arm tension affects your ability to play without restriction. Tension can cause pain and make it difficult to approach long, extended works. Learn to approach the piano more relaxed, and loosen your limbs to increase your enjoyment and performance. Use an adjustable seat and ensure that your feet touch the floor. Sit on the edge of the piano bench and avoid taking up more than half the bench. The majority of your weight should be forward and directed toward your feet. Place your knees just below the piano keyboard. Your thighs should never sit under the keyboard as this will create tension in your arms. Stretch your arms before playing by placing one arm behind the neck and straight into the air. Grab the straight arm with your free hand to make a T-shape with your arms. Position your elbow closer to the i...

Horns can be considered a low, middle or high brass instrument. The trumpet has the highest register in the brass family, but it is not the only brass instrument that can hit a high note. Certainly, it is the most common high brass instrument, but the cornet and french horn can hit high octaves as well. For this reason, any brass instrument that plays in the treble clef and is capable of playing, at least, an E5, which is the E on the top space of the treble clef staff, is considered a high brass instrument. Trumpet The trumpet transposes down a major second from its written part. This makes it an instrument in Bb, since all transpositions use the note “C” as the basis for transposition. The trumpet has a cylindrical bore that provides a majestic, brassy timbre suitable for triumphant and joyous music. The trumpet has the ability to extend up to three octaves above middle C. Cornet The cornet does not transpose like the trumpet and, as a result, falls into the category of a non-t...

Pirating music is illegal and has a definite impact on artists. The debate about downloading music illegally is fierce and highly vocal. Supporters of illegal downloads say that the music industry has enough money, and a digital download doesn't cost anything to reproduce. Others believe that it is stealing from the artists, who should be paid for their creations. In either case, the economic, ethical and artistic ramifications of downloading music illegally are widely documented. Commercial Loss Pirating music creates a commercial loss that makes it more difficult for music producers to fund projects that benefit fans. If profits are lost through illegal downloading of music, that is money that cannot be spent on concerts, tours, promotions and even the creation of music videos. Many people mistakenly think that they are just taking money from an already rich organization. According to Worldwide, "Ninety-five percent of the music downloaded via the Internet is pirated." ...

Finale is a professional-level music notation program that lets musicians create a digital version of their handwritten score. The program creates computer-generated sheet music. Finale uses time signatures to determine the number of beats in a measure. This makes it easier for the musician to read the music by breaking up large musical sections into smaller units of time based on the time signature indicated. In some cases, when a composer wants to create a feeling of free time, or when a soloist plays a solo not conducive to a musical time signature, it becomes necessary to remove the time signature. Open Finale and click on the "Window" menu at the top of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear. Select the "Main Tool Palette" option to make the toolbar appear. Select the treble clef icon to make the "Staff" menu appear at the top of the screen. In the drop-down menu, select "Edit Staff Attributes." Find the option in the "Edit Staff Attr...

Piano keys are one of several smaller piano components. The grand piano consists of six main parts that function together to create sound. Each part is expertly crafted and manufactured in a factory. The making of a grand piano is largely still a job that requires craftsmanship and skill. While machines are used in the process, each component is hand-inspected and guided to ensure a high-quality instrument. Frame The frame is made of iron and is cast out of a single sheet of metal. Since the frame has to support a large amount of tension on the strings, it is necessary to use iron to prevent the frame from breaking under the pressure. The frame sits on top of the soundboard and serves to hold the strings in place through tension nuts that the piano tuner can tighten or loosen to raise and lower the pitch. Soundboard The soundboard of the piano is made of spruce. Spruce is a soft wood that can be damaged easily if mishandled. The woods acts to capture the vibrations of the strings and a...

The flute is a virtuosic instrument that flutists can play extremely fast. The flute is one of the most versatile and virtuosic instruments in the orchestra. Flutists must familiarize themselves with the parts of the instrument and how those parts function in the overall structure of the instrument. Several smaller components compose the main three parts of the flute. Knowing their names and functions will enable the flutist to take better care of the instrument and talk competently about the flute's construction. General Construction The flute's three main parts can be taken apart. This capability has several benefits. Separating the parts makes it easier to clean the flute, provides the possibility of tuning the instrument, makes it more compact for travel and allows the flutist to incorporate advanced techniques such as blowing through the head joint alone. Head Joint The head joint of a flute has an embouchure plate that the flutist blows through to produce sound. By pushin...

The orchestra encompasses 4 main sections and half of those are winds. Wind instruments require air to create a vibration, which then sends the sound through the instrument. The two main types of wind instruments encompass a large, significant and colorful part of the orchestra. Learning about these instruments will make listening to music a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience by making it possible to talk specifically about music. Types of Winds Woodwind and brass instruments are the two main types of wind instruments in western music. These instruments create their sound by sending vibrations through the instrument propelled by sound. Each group of wind instruments has a different purpose and mechanical function. The method of sound production determines the instrument classification. Both groups of wind instruments use air, but materials create the vibrations specific to each group. Woodwinds The woodwinds either are made of wood or produce their sound using a wooden reed. The ...

Knowing theater etiquette shows respect for all audience members. Learning theater etiquette will enable you to avoid embarrassment. There are certain unspoken rules that apply to theatre attendance that only those that have been initiated into the process know. Avoid the risk of seeming boorish by learning about the proper way to manage your behavior in a performance to increase your level of enjoyment and participate as a courteous audience member. Electronic Devices Silencing all of your electronic devices is considered proper etiquette for attending a theatrical performance. To be safe, you should completely turn off all electronic devices. If you have a watch that beeps, leave it at home or silence it before entering the theater. Setting a device to vibrate should not be a substitute for shutting down a device. Vibrating devices still make noise and may come in contact with keys, change or other items in your pocket, making the device make unnecessary noise. Silencing a device doe...

Carefully evaluate your trumpet for signs of problems. Evaluating a trumpet requires some proficiency with playing and a knowledge of what to look for under the hood to ensure proper maintenance and a long life. Take the time to carefully evaluate the instrument before making a purchase. Trumpets need to function properly and have no deteriorating mechanical defects. Valves The trumpet valves contain the heart of the instrument. If the valves appear to be in poor condition, you may as well stop looking at the trumpet. Corroded valves will stick and prevent you from playing the trumpet altogether. If the valves are covered in a blue corrosion, a music shop can buff them and return them to normal. However, if the corrosion has affected the metal and leached into the valve, then avoid the trumpet at all costs. To check the valves for corrosion, remove the valve caps by turning them counterclockwise. If the trumpet has springs in the valve casing, check to see that they are all approximate...

Writing your own music requires advanced skill and technique. Songwriting is a difficult profession that requires commitment and creativity. Often songwriters will experience writer's block and find it difficult to come up with new ideas. In these times, it is important to continue to expand your knowledge of music and push yourself to improve your technique. By continuing to work, even through the difficult times, songwriters can continue to develop their skills. Audience Know the audience that you will be writing for. Learn about their likes and dislikes and write music that will be relevant to them. Great songwriters know how to take universal ideas that apply to a large audience and put them into musical phrases, lyrics and songs. Talk with others who like your music, ask them what they like about it and put up surveys on your website. If you have a social media site ask your fans what they would like you to write about. Maybe even start a contest and offer an autographed album...

French horn players have specific requirements because of their extended range. Auditioning for All-State Band or Orchestra is a stressful process that will help improve your musicianship and prepare for college and scholarship auditions in the future. The adjudicators are looking for specific elements that a qualified candidate will display. Knowing what these characteristics are will make you better prepared for your audition and enable a successful audition process. Scales The audition judge will likely first ask you to play two to four scales in your audition. You should be prepared to play all 12 major scales in at least two octaves. Check with the individual audition sheet requirement for your state. Each audition will have to tell you whether you need major and minor scales or just major scales. The audition sheet will also let you know how fast to play your scales. Generally, you want to aim to play your scales at 120 beats-per-minute in 16th notes. Use a metronome and slowly i...

One method of whistling involves puckering your lips.Whistling without using your fingers can be difficult to learn but is certainly possible with the proper technique. Learning to whistle without your fingers is a skill that is useful even in the concert setting. Charles Ives, a famous classical composer from the 1900s, included fingerless whistling in his compositions. Fingerless whistling also comes in handy when you need to get the attention of a group and need to use your hands for other tasks. Lip Position The bottom lip should curve around the bottom teeth. Make sure that the bottom lip stretches tightly across the bottom teeth. It helps to create a grin and stretch the corner of your lips outwards towards your ears. The upper lip should be tight against the teeth and make contact with the bottom lip. This will help to create the lip vibrations necessary to whistle effectively. Tongue Position The tongue should be placed in the center of the mouth and connect barely with the fro...