UreMusic Education

Making a lyre harp requires some craftsmanship and a significant commitment to planning and organizing the structure of the harp. For the most part, you can use any structure you like, but the most common lyre harps consist of a triangle-shaped brace attached to a wooden base that supports the instrument. This activity should not be completed by a complete novice woodworker and if you have any doubts about your abilities, ask for help from someone more experienced in making instruments. Step 1 Lay out two spruce blocks that are approximately 15 inches in length. Using a chisel, carefully carve the sides of one of the blocks until you have a structure that is dome-shaped so that one side is completely curved and the other is flat. This will be your side brace. Step 2 Draw a curved shape on the other piece of spruce. The degree of the curve will affect the pitches, so try and create a subtle curve that dips down about 1 -inch at the lowest point of the curve. This will be your top brace....

The characteristics of West African music are identifiable through their fast-paced, complex, unusual methods of interpreting rhythm. Listening to the music of West Africa is a powerful experience that saturates the senses in sound. Since song and dance are used as an expression, these art forms have been integrated into the culture. Music and dance rely on each other to function as a whole in African culture. Instruments West African music uses specialized, culture-specific instruments to create a characteristic sound. It uses several types of three to four string harps to play pentatonic five-note scales. Mande guitars enhance melody and provide melodic and harmonic support. West African music uses a drum called the djembe to play multiple simultaneous rhythms. African drumming serves as a form of communication as participants listen and respond to each other within the musical framework. Language and Culture West Africa has a language that lends itself well to melodic inflections wi...

Many young composers ignore the treasure trove of music that other composers have written. The reasons for this range from a fear of sounding too much like other composers to feeling like nothing can be gained from taking the time to understand another composer’s work. After all, you’re a composer, you should be composing music and not worrying about the music that already exists, right? The truth is that a composer can’t exist in a vacuum. Without knowing what music is already out there, it’s impossible for you to say with any certainty that your music is actually unique. And, what if it isn’t unique? You could have been studying other composers that spent their life trying to perfect the music that you are just now learning to write. Taking the time now to study other composers works can greatly help you develop your music and may even act as a creative spark that propels you into an entirely new realm of musical composition. Music Theory Music theory teaches about the princ...

Composers who want to make a glissando on the drums should learn how drummers perform the technique. Most instruments are capable of glissando. This technique involves the slurring of pitches between a high and lower pitched note or a low and higher pitched note. Since drums do not have a specific pitch, the technique for creating a glissando is slightly different from most other instruments. The percussionist must experiment to get the desired sound. Ascending and descending glissandos are possible. Descending Glissando  Step 1 Place one hand on the head of the drum. Depress the drum to the degree that you want to create the glissando. To create a wide glissando, press down firmly; to create a narrow glissando, use less pressure. Step 2 Strike the drum forcefully with a mallet. Step 3 Release the pressure from the drum by removing your hand immediately after striking the drum. This will create a descending glissando. Ascending Glissando  Step 1 Strike the drum forcefully, wit...

As a composer, you may need to morph a female voice into a male voice and vice-versa. Audacity, a free audio editor, makes changing the pitch of a voice possible so that you can create a softer and more characteristically female timbre. Female voices tend to be higher than male voices. Audacity helps you to make several changes to the pitch and quality of the voice. Some of these changes are best completed when making the actual recording. Some women also have voices in the same range as men, so it is the quality and style of speaking that you will have to concentrate your efforts on. Step 1 Install and open Audacity. This will create a new file for you to begin recording with. Step 2 Plug your microphone into the mic jack on your computer. The mic jack looks like a microphone with a circle around the head of the microphone. Usually, it is situated next to the headphone jack. Step 3 Press the red record button in Audacity. This will begin recording your voice. When speaking try to rais...

You can make a cut of a song with the aid of an audio-editing program. Once you have determined the precise location to cut the song, you can use any number of audio-editing programs to complete the task. You will have to install a program since there are no native programs that allow you to edit the music. Cutting a song enables you to shorten a piece, cut out inappropriate words or prepare it to attach to the beginning or end of another audio file. Step 1 Import your song by dragging the audio file into the main editing interface. You may also go to "Import" under the "File" menu and select the song file. Step 2 Preview by playing the audio file and watching the cursor as it moves across the song. Find the point where you want to cut the song and place the cursor there. Use the zoom tool that looks like a magnifying glass to zoom in on the section you have selected. Step 3 Highlight the area before and after the cursor by clicking and dragging your mouse across...

Increasing the frequency, or pitch, of your whistle requires that you increase the tension of your lips when whistling. Less tension will create a lower pitched whistle. while more tension will create a higher pitched whistle. To whistle effectively in the high range, you must have a great deal of breathe support and control over your embouchure. An embouchure consists of the muscles in your face that are used when creating a whistle. Step 1 Position the tip of your tongue so that it almost touches the roof of your mouth. The tip of your tongue needs to bend slightly downwards and the flat part of the tongue must come close to touching the roof of your mouth. The tip of your tongue should line up with your bottom teeth. Step 2 Make a "woo" sound with your mouth and hold that position. You should notice that your lips create a circular hole in the center. This shape is crucial for creating a whistle. Step 3 Blow air through your lips until you can create a successful whistle. ...

The 1890s saw a dramatic change in the types and kinds of music available. This music period came about toward the end of the Romantic period. Composers of this time were seeking a new kind of music, especially in America. The country was trying to differentiate itself from the music of Europe and create a national style it could call its own. Composers felt free to experiment with new forms and create original music that was not dependent on the Germanic tradition of concert music of this time. Marches In 1890, there was growing interest in marches. John Philip Sousa is the most well-known march composer, and he wrote 136 marches in his lifetime. During the 1890s, he wrote seven marches including "The Liberty Bell," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "El Capitan." Known as the "March King" he produced more marches than any other composer in history. The form of the march is fairly standardized and includes an introduction, followed by a repeat...

Audacity offers several options for the removal of unwanted sounds. While it is preferable to get the best recording possible to minimize the need for audio editing, there are options available in the program to help clean up the audio. Not all options should be used for every piece, so judgment must be used. But by understanding the basic progression of how audio effects should be used, it is possible to improve your recording with a few steps. Step 1 Start Audacity and open the audio file that you would like to edit. Step 2 Find the "effect" menu located at the top of the screen. Step 3 Select "click removal" from the effects menu. Use the preview option to determine if the amount of click removal is appropriate. If the preview sounds like too much audio has been affected, lower the sliders on the "max spike width" option until the preview sounds appropriate. Click OK. This option will remove clicks and pops in the music. Step 4 Find the "noise ...

The acoustic guitar is notorious for its light, thin sound. There are, however, certain ways to increase the density of the guitar's sound to make it sound more full. The type of music that's chosen to be played is one of the prime reasons that a guitar doesn’t sound full. Choosing the right music and then modifying it to create additional density will allow you to achieve a sound that's full and rich. The choice of pick and strings will also help to get a full sound on the guitar. Step 1 Play with a heavier guitar pick to increase the density and fullness of the sound. Heavier picks create a thicker sound because they're less pliable and create more friction with the strings. Step 2 Change out your strings for heavy-gauge strings. You can either do this yourself by restringing the entire guitar, or purchase heavier strings from a guitar or music store and ask a qualified employee to do it for you. Some stores may even do this for free if you purchase the strings from t...

Vocalists need to prevent and reduce sore throats to help keep their vocal cords in top shape for performances. Vocalists can employ several methods of decreasing a sore throat while helping to heal their vocal cords. Healing the vocal cords in a healthy manner should be the prime concern of all vocalists. Some simple remedies exist to alleviate and reduce the pain associated with a sore throat. Step 1 Boil water to make herbal tea with honey. Honey helps to relieve soreness in the throat. Step 2 Stop smoking to reduce the irritation caused by smoke to your throat. As a general rule, singers should avoid smoking altogether; smoke dries out the vocal cords and hampers the voice. Step 3 Refrain from speaking to allow your vocal cords time to relax. Professional singers have silent days where they do not speak to anyone. Rest is important for recovery. Step 4 Avoid the tendency to cough or clear your throat. When you cough, you force the vocal cords to rub together. This creates extra ten...

mproving your snare drum sound to achieve a thick and dense sound requires proper drumming technique. The most important factor in determining drum sound involves the manner in which you hold yourself, your posture and your approach to striking the drum. Striking the wrong part of the drum will create a weak drum sound. Additionally, poor posture will create a loss of energy in your striking patterns. Before practicing any drum rudiment you must learn proper form and technique. Step 1 Stand in back of the snare drum with your legs spread shoulder-length apart to balance and support the weight of your body. Proper posture will help you create a strong, powerful snare sound. Step 2 Grasp a drumstick with your right hand and ensure that your fingers are wrapped around the top of the stick. The palm of your hand should be facing parallel to the floor and your wrist should be about three inches above the top of the snare. This will provide the best rebound, improving your sound. Step 3 Posi...

Knowing how to manipulate and arrange random sounds to create a musical composition is a skill required of modern composers. Composers learn to take everyday sounds and place them in a logical sequence to create patterns and form in a composition. The trick to learning to do this well is to think through the entire composition before attempting to write. Answering fundamental questions, such as how the piece will develop, and how to best convey your message, are crucial to creating an effective piece. Regardless of the audio editing program you choose to record with, the steps are essentially the same. Step 1 Download and install an audio editor to aid in manipulating and constructing your sounds. Step 2 Record several sounds with your computer by attaching a microphone to the mic input, labeled with a microphone, on your computer. Step 3 Plan a schematic for how you will place the sounds. The most basic pieces have a beginning, middle and end, which can be written as ABA, with the fir...

If you have a MIDI file of the original song, you can change the song to sound like a music box. A MIDI file is a type of music file that stores information about the notes, volume and instruments in a song. Creating a MIDI file requires some knowledge of music and the ability to notate those ideas. Taking a course in music theory may be necessary before you're able to complete this process on your own. However, in the meantime, you can enlist the help of a friend or a composer to notate the MIDI file. Step 1 Open your music notation program and create a new score. This option is found under the "File" menu. Step 2 Go to the "Instrument List" located under the "Audio" menu. Select the "Instrument" option in the instrument track list. A list of available instruments will pop up. Click on "Music Box" or "Glockenspiel" to make the audio file sound like a music box. Step 3 Write out the rhythm for the piece on a separate sheet...

Making a vibrating sound with your lips is the first step towards learning to play a brass instrument. It is possible to vibrate entire scales with just your lips. The trick is to build the muscles in the face and improve your flexibility. Vibrating without a mouthpiece is much more difficult than vibrating with a mouthpiece. Many musicians cheat by using the pressure from the mouthpiece to create additional tension. This makes learning to vibrate only with your lips a crucial skill since it will help you become a better performer.  Step 1 Press your top and bottom lip tightly together without letting either one overlap. Step 2 Tuck in your cheeks to ensure that you are using all the muscles of your face to hold the tension. Step 3 Increase the tension by pretending you are sucking through a straw while maintaining your lip tension. By doing this, you will be using all the muscles in your embouchure. Step 4 Vibrate your lips by letting a small amount of air through the center of yo...

Creating a song in GarageBand when you don't have a vocalist to sing is possible, provided you are alright with using only vocal "oohs" and "aahs" instead of words. This technique is used often when the sound of a choir is needed, but there are no lyrics to give the choir or vocalist. It is used in acoustic music as well as electronic music and is a valid method of creating music without vocals. GarageBand makes it possible to create a song that is song-like in nature, and is "sung" by the computer instead of an actual person. Step 1 Open GarageBand and select the "Acoustic Instrument" option. When the program opens, select the "Vocals" option on the right-hand side under the "Real Instruments" tab. Choose the type of vocals you would like to use. There are several from which to choose including "Live Performance," "Pop Vocals, "Female Basic" and "Male Basic." Step 2 Plug your piano into ...

There are several audio-editing programs that will allow you to manipulate, edit and record audio. To increase the volume of a WMV audio file you need to use a process called normalization. Normalizing audio will take the WMV audio file and increase the volume to the maximum level possible without distorting of clipping the audio. Clipping is something that you want to avoid since it will create crackling and popping in your WMV audio. Audacity, Sonar and Peak all provide similar functions to make your WMV louder. Step 1 Install Audacity or a similar audio-editing program on your system. Audacity is available as a free download from the manufacturer (see Resources). Step 2 Start your audio editing program and drag your WMV file into the application. This will import the WMV file and prepare it for editing. Step 3 Open the "Effect" menu in Audacity or similar option in another program, then select "Normalize." Leave all the options on the default setting. Click ...

Learning how to play a bamboo transverse flute, also known as a side-blown flute, can provide you with an entertaining and productive hobby. Learning to play a musical instrument can add entertainment and musical enrichment to your life. Playing a transverse flute requires some experimentation, but, with a few guidelines, you can be playing your transverse flute with ease. Step 1 Hold the flute sideways with your left hand closest to the mouth and the palm facing toward your face. The right hand's palm faces away from you. The open end faces to the right and the blowhole is directly below your lower lip. Step 2 Place the first three fingers of your left hand (index, middle and pinkie) on the first three holes of the flute. Use the same position for the first three fingers of your right hand. Step 3 Keep the flute balanced by placing your left thumb and right thumb under the bottom of the flute in a place that is natural and comfortable. The thumbs should be below the index fingers....

Create an a capella group by selecting singers appropriate to the type of ensemble you wish to create. A capella groups consist of groups of all men, all women or combined gender choirs. Groups that use only singers without instrumental accompaniment classify as a capella groups. However, some earlier groups did use instruments, especially in the church. If you choose to use an instrument, the instrument should not add anything new to the music and should follow the singers lines exactly. Step 1 Create a budget for your group to buy music stands, hold rehearsals, purchase music and pay fees to enter contests and promote your group. Step 2 Contact a local community foundation group to find donors to provide funding for your group. Several donors exist to help you acquire funds for your group. Step 3 Locate singers for your group. A good size a cappella group will have 8 to 10 singers. Advertise at local universities for volunteers and contact your local musicians union for paid singers....

Making an electronica song with vocals requires employing a singer and laying the vocal track on top of the electronic music. While this may seem complicated, it should not pose much of a problem if you have an audio editor to help you manage the different tracks. Once you have created your electronic tracks, you can merge the tracks into a single audio file and add the vocals by having the vocalist sing along, while listening to the music through a headset. The functions for audio editors are essentially the same whether you choose a free or commercial version. Step 1 Combine your electronic music tracks into one stereo track. Exporting the audio sequencer file as a WAV file will simplify this process. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export" or a similar command on your program. Save the file as a WAV file and press "OK." Step 2 Select the "File" menu and choose "New" from the drop-down menu. Drag the WAV file you created from Step 1...

Learning to growl on the alto sax is a technique that all jazz sax players should learn. A jazz alto sax player that doesn't know how to growl will likely not have the same job opportunities as a proficient growler. The technique itself can be completed fairly simple. However, as with all things, you can become an expert at this technique and improve the tone quality and dynamic level with consistent practice. Step 1 Play a D in the middle of the staff on the alto saxophone and hold the pitch out. This will be your drone pitch that you set against another pitch to growl with. Step 2 Sing a pitch, while simultaneously playing, that is very close to the D while playing. This takes some practice, which is why you are starting on a lower, easier note. Avoid the tendency to hum instead of sing. Humming will not provide the strength of tone necessary to create a growl. Step 3 Experiment with the pitch of the sung tone until you get a nice clash between the two notes that sounds like a gr...

Pianos and spinet pianos are very similar but have one major distinction that will make it possible for you to tell the difference between the two. The spinet piano has a "drop action" mechanism which places the keys on the piano above the internal hammers. With a typical piano, the hammers are placed above the keys. Learning how to identify a "drop action" piano will make it possible for you to quickly and easily identify a spinet piano. Step 1 Open the lid of the piano by pulling up on the corner of the lid nearest the top end of the keyboard. Use the stick inside the piano to hold the piano lid open completely. Step 2 Find the hammers on the inside of the piano. Hammers are made of wood and felt, look like miniature hammers and appear in a row, with most models having 88 hammers. Step 3 Look at the keys of the piano. If the keys of the piano are above or at the same level as the hammers, then the piano is a spinet piano. If the keys of the piano are well below...

Things You'll Need Rhythm book Introduction A metronome provide a consistent beat to help count music. Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images It is possible to keep rhythm without a metronome to play music on tempo and with precision. Learning to accomplish this requires consistent practice and strong abstract reasoning skills. Calculating evenly spaced beats requires a strong sense of rhythm. Other methods exist to help develop a sense of rhythm that do not require the use of a metronome. Common household objects can make an excellent substitute for a metronome. Step 1 Tap a steady beat with the aid of a steady source such as a clock with a second hand. Tap your foot each time the second-hand moves. Continue to do this until you can consistently match the movement of the second hand with your foot. Step 2 Tap a steady beat with your foot. Use your best judgment at first using a moderate tempo to make it easier to get into the rhythm of the beat. It is more difficult to keep a slow or fast...

Determining if you are a soprano is a part of any vocal education. Beginning students may already be able to sing extremely high -- but high notes alone do not distinguish a soprano from a mezzo. The soprano voice is a classification that must adhere to certain characteristics involving both timbre and range. Mezzo-sopranos often have the ability to sing the same pitches as a soprano, but they qualify as mezzos because of their sound quality. Regardless of your classification, all voice types are necessary in an opera or choir. Step 1 Begin every vocal exercise with a good warm-up. Start by singing long tones. Move on to "hmm" exercises in which you start on a pitch that is comfortable and sing the vocal down a perfect fifth. Continue this exercise a half-step higher to the uppermost point of your comfortable range. Step 2 Sing along with the piano, starting at a note that is comfortable and easy to sing. Matching pitch with the piano, sing half-steps until you have reached t...

The history of music goes hand-in-hand with the history of the world, politics, fashion, art, war, and changing socioeconomic climates. Music history encompasses musical eras and the styles that defined them, as well as important composers and their works. It teaches performers the appropriate manner of playing for varying musical works, based on the piece’s composer and date of publication. Whether you’re a serious music student, an aspiring composer, the casual music hobbyist, or even just a concert lover, the study of music history is an integral part of appreciating the art form. Step 1 Start with a general book on music history that with all the major time periods — from Ancient Greece to contemporary music. Listen to the musical examples of each time period. Step 2 Learn about specific composers and how their music influenced others. Listen to their music and delve into the techniques that made the music important. Become familiar with the names of the most important composers of...

Learning the valve combinations on the trumpet can seem overwhelming at first, but there are only seven different combinations that make it possible to play all the pitches on the trumpet. Once you have learned the basic finger combinations, practicing specific exercises to increase your familiarity will not only help you memorize the fingerings, but you will also improve your technique and finger accuracy. When playing the trumpet, the valves must be synchronized to ensure that each note has a smooth transition from the previous note. Step 1 Memorize the position of the valves on your trumpet. The valve farthest from the bell is the first valve, the second valve is in the middle and the third valve is closest to the trumpet bell. Step 2 Play through the first few notes of a chromatic scale, starting on the note C. Play C by keeping all of the valves up and play the remaining notes by depressing the correct valves. Play C-sharp by depressing valves one, two and three. D will be played ...

Learning the proper position to place each finger on the clarinet is the first step toward learning to play the clarinet. The clarinet is a complicated instrument with several possible finger combinations for each note. Getting the basic posture and finger position accurately placed will make learning to play the clarinet significantly easier. Although there are many options for fingering different notes, there is only one correct way to hold a clarinet. Step 1 Place your left-hand thumb on the hole beneath the clarinet closest to the mouthpiece. This thumb-hole is covered for almost all notes on the clarinet. Step 2 Place your left hand on the clarinet by placing the index finger on the first key, the middle finger on the second key and the ring finger on the third key. The pinky will be used to hit the extension keys on the side for certain notes. Step 3 Place your right hand on the keys that begin after the part that connects the top and bottom of the clarinet. This is easy to fi...

ayering vocals on a song requires an audio editing program such as Sonar, Audacity or Peak Pro. These audio editor programs allow you to record one track at a time using a technique known in audio editing as layering. This ensures that each track is perfected before moving on to the next track. Layering tracks enables you to record single soloists without exhausting the entire group. This is also an effective technique for creating choir works with just one singer as it enables the performer to sing all of the parts by himself. Step 1 Open your audio editing program and create a new track by clicking the "Tracks" menu and then clicking on the "Add New" drop-down menu. Step 2 Press the record button and, using a set of drumsticks, clack the sticks together four times in the tempo of the song. This will provide your performer the chance to get the tempo correct before singing. When the recording is finished it is easy to remove the initial four beats. Step 3 Press sto...

Music pitches are the basis for all western music. It is possible to develop the ability to hear pitch. A daily commitment and a strict training regimen are required to learn the pitches of the musical alphabet. In music, pitches are what are heard and notes are what are seen on a score. The treble and bass clef are used in music to represent pitches that are high and low. The higher pitches have a faster frequency, and the lower pitches have a slower frequency. Learning to tell the difference between these frequencies requires a step-by-step approach. Step 1 Identify the difference between a high pitch and a low pitch by using a piano. On the piano, pitches are consecutively higher as you move to the right along the keyboard. Have a friend consecutively play two pitches to see if you can identify which pitch is higher. Do the same with the lower and middle pitches of the piano. Pay special attention to how the higher pitches sound in relation to the lower pitches. Each person has a di...

Playing any song on the recorder requires spending the time to learn how to play the notes of the recorder, proper hand placement and learning to read music. Once you learn to read music you will be able to download the sheet music for any song you wish to play and with a little practice, it will be possible to play awesome songs on the recorder. Learning to play the recorder will provide you with a cheap and enjoyable way to enjoy music. Step 1 Start by learning the correct hand position for the recorder. The left thumb is placed underneath the recorder and is used to cover the single hole. The rest of the fingers can be placed with the index finger on the first hole, the middle finger on the second hole and the ring finger on the third hole. For the right hand, place the index finger on the fourth hole, the middle finger on the fifth hole, the ring finger on the double-hold and the pinky on the last double-hole. Step 2 Learn the different rhythms that exist in music. Learn about th...

Depending on your instrument, you may need to use physical force, air or even an amplifier to increase the volume. There is a limit to the amount of volume that can be created by a single instrument. This is one of the reasons that orchestras have up to 30 violins, 18 violas, 12 cellos and 8 basses. The additional numbers increase the density and power of the sound. Step 1 Determine what type of instrument you have. Some instruments such as children's electronic toys may be capable of only one dynamic level. Step 2 Play a harpsichord or celesta. These instruments have keyboards but use plectrums inside the instrument to produce sound (instead of hammers on a piano). The only way to increase volume is to play more notes. Step 3 Choose to play a piano. Pianos uses small hammers to hit strings inside the instrument. Increase the sound by pressing more forcefully on the keys. Step 4 Play an electronic instrument, such as an electronic piano. In most cases, electronic instruments can be...

Guitar strings emit frequencies that can be measured using special instruments. The frequency of a pitch determines how high or low the pitch will sound. Guitar strings can be measured just like any other frequency. Using a digital tuner, you can quickly determine the pitch of a string with the readout on the tuner's display. Frequency is measured in hertz and tells you how many times a vibration occurs in a single second. Step 1 Turn the digital tuner on and set it to the mode that allows you to identify pitches. Generally, this is the default mode and is listed as "Main" or "Tune" on most tuners. Step 2 Pluck the guitar string as you would normally play it. Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger and use the tip to flick the string.  Step 3 Identify the number on the readout of your digital display. It will be a three or four digit number and a letter name. This number tells you how many times per second the string is vibrating and is also your fr...

Creating background music with MIDI instruments is an advanced skill requiring the musician to know music composition. Once you have learned to read and write music, you can begin to use notation software to create MIDI realizations of your background music. Even without rudimentary composing skills, you can experiment and hear your creations played back with a notation program. Through trial and error, you can move notes around on the staff and hear them played back. Eventually, this will lead to a completed piece if you trust your ear and work patiently. Step 1 Install your music notation program and set up a default score. Notation programs will ask you to select the type of score you want when you start the application. For now, just select a single treble clef staff. Step 2 Select the "MIDI/Audio" menu and select the "Instrument List" option from the drop-down menu. Step 3 Choose the musical instrument you would like to playback. There are 128 general MIDI opti...

You can measure a trombone mouthpiece with a measuring tape and the proper understanding of the different parts of the mouthpiece. The main parts you need to measure are the rim diameter, the rim width, the throat, cup and the bore of the mouthpiece. The bore refers to the total width of the end of the mouthpiece. The cup refers to the cup-shaped interior of the mouthpiece and connects to the rim. The throat refers to the hole in the cup of the mouthpiece. Step 1 Measure from one edge of the mouthpiece to the other edge. Make sure you measure directly across the center of the mouthpiece, otherwise you will get the wrong number. This measurement should be completed in millimeters. Step 2 Approximate the depth of the cup. If the cup extends inward about 0.5 inches, the cup is considered a medium cup. A deep cup is about 0.7 inches and a shallow cup is about 0.25 inches. You can measure the depth by pencil inside the cup and marking where the rim meets the pencil. Step 3 Identify the rim ...

Motivating actors for a musical production performance requires you to be able to encourage and provide them with appropriate guidance to help them fulfill the appropriate acting roles. By providing clear guidelines and sticking to schedules, you can ensure that the actors know what is expected of them and when it is expected. This will help to improve morale and provide the structure that actors need to perform each role at the highest level. Step 1 Provide specific goals and performances to work toward. If the actors don't know when they will be performing and why it is important, they will be less motivated to act. Step 2 Plan trips that allow the actors to perform outside of the home town. Planning a tour to visit a nearby state can help encourage the actors to prepare with earnest. Step 3 Enter the group in contests. If the actors know they are going to be judged and competing with other groups, it will increase the odds of them attempting to perform at a high level. Step 4...

Measuring voice pitch requires understanding how to use the system of musical intervals. Voice pitch measurements are easiest if you have a score of the music to enable you to count the distance between the pitches. There are 12 basic types of intervals that you must learn in order to accurately describe the distances between vocal pitches. Step 1 Start by learning the chromatic scale. The chromatic scale consists of 12 pitches starting with A-flat and ending on G. Use a reference chart to identify the pitches of the chromatic scale. Step 2 Learn the names of the musical intervals. There are 12 basic intervals you will use to identify voice measurements: minor and major seconds, minor and major thirds, perfect fourth, tritone, perfect fifth, minor and major sixths, minor and major sevenths and finally, the octave. Step 3 Learn about the distance between each interval. A minor second is one half-step, which is the distance between two notes on the chromatic scale. For instance, a min...

Regardless of the instrument being played, a trill is a straightforward process that all musicians should learn within their first year of study. There are two types of trills performed in the same way, with a small modification. With trills, there are always two notes that quickly alternate. To play trills, the performer must first determine the two notes involved in the trill and then alternate between those notes. Step 1 Identify the type of trill requested by the music. If there is symbol an italicized "tr" abbreviation above the note, you will trill up to the next note in the key from the notated pitch. If there is a flat superscript next to the abbreviation you will trill a semitone up from the notated pitch. Step 2 Start the trill on the first notated pitch and then alternate quickly between the notated pitch and the trilled pitch. Step 3 Practice the trill so that it starts slowly and gradually increases in speed over the length of the piece. Tips If you are playing a...

Playing a homemade flute requires some practice and knowledge of how the instrument works. There are two types of homemade flutes available, transverse and end-blown flutes. Since the flute was constructed at home, the pitches available will vary greatly. Even the pitch of handcrafted Native American flutes can vary from one instrument to the next. The key to playing these flutes requires an understanding of how to hold, breathe and create the sounds. Step 1 Breathe from the diaphragm and take air in deeply to your lungs. Sit up straight to allow a clear path for the air to travel. Step 2 Place your left hand on the holes at the top of the flute. Place your index, middle and right finger on the first, second and third holes. The thumb should support the flute from below. Step 3 Position your right hand on top of the remaining holes, with your other thumb supporting the flute from underneath. Step 4 Blow across the mouthpiece, similar to how blow might blow on a bottle, if the flute is ...

Knowing how to tune, hold and strike the drums properly will help you make your bongos sound better. Bongos come in pairs of two drums and are indefinite-pitched instruments. The Proper technique ensures your bongo playing follows correct performance standards. With a strong commitment and practice sessions with the correct playing methods, your form and technique will gradually improve. With time, your technique will improve and your bongo playing will reach new levels of professionalism. Step 1 Tune the bongos by tightening the screws along the sides with a tuning wrench. Move between each peg around the drum to ensure that the tension spreads equally. While you can't nail down a specific pitch, generally you can tune the bongos approximately a fourth apart from each other. Step 2 Sit on a chair or stool with your feet solidly on the floor, shoulder-length apart. Straighten your back and ensure that you are sitting up straight. Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back, ...

Memorizing scales on the viola seems overwhelming until you learn to visualize the notes in each scale. Since violists who are trying to memorize the major and minor scales already know how to finger and play scales, the only thing left is learn the note patterns in each scale. Violists can play all 24 major and minor scales as soon as they memorize the key signatures for each scale. Then in conjunction with visualization techniques, it is possible to quickly memorize the scales without even touching the viola. Step 1 Create flash cards for all the major and minor key signatures. On one side, write the alto clef, a staff system, and sharps or flats in the correct order for all of the keys. Write the major and minor key that matches the key signature on the opposite side of the flash card. Quiz yourself until you no longer need to think about the keys. Step 2 Visualize the C major scale using a visualization process. In your mind, visualize the first note C as it appears on the alto cle...

Playing accompaniment on the keyboard is a skill that requires the keyboardist to carefully listen to the soloist. Keyboardists often have to play with several different types of soloists from singers to instrumentalists. Each individual will have a different style of playing and the keyboardist must be capable of adapting to the style, tempo and interpretation of the soloist. Remembering that the role of the keyboardist is to be supplemental to the performer will greatly improve your ability to play accompaniments. Keyboards include any instrument that uses a keyboard to create sound, including the piano, organ, harpsichord and digital keyboard. Step 1 Follow the lead of the soloist when interpreting rhythm and tempo. If she wants to increase the speed, it is your job to follow her. Work with the soloist ahead of time to nail down a precise tempo. Usually the accompanist will start the piece, so it is imperative that you get the opening tempo correct. Step 2 Do not overpower the soloi...

Memorization of the musical notes on a staff comprises the first, basic step in understanding music. Students must learn about the staff system and how the system of notes works in different clefs. Two main clefs, bass, and treble, which together form the grand staff, are the basis for all musical notation. Depending on the clef used, notes' names vary, making it necessary to pay attention to the clef at the beginning of the staff system. Step 1 Memorize the system of lines and spaces on the staff. Staff systems have five lines and four spaces. Each line and space gets a different note name. The musical notes move consecutively from line to space in alphabetical order. Step 2 Learn the musical alphabet that starts with A and ends on G. When G is reached, the cycle starts over again at A. Step 3 Create an acronym to memorize the lines of the treble clef. A common acronym is "Each Good Beginner Does Fine." This acronym (EGBDF) will allow you to remember the names of the lin...

The G5 chord is most often played on the guitar. The "5" in the G5 chord refers to the interval above G. In this case, the fifth above G is D. Although not technically a chord, since it only has two notes, the G5 chord creates ambiguity. The listener will naturally want to make the chord major or minor, but with the third of the chord missing, this is not possible. This creates an ambiguity of the key that leads some professionals to refer to it as a "power chord" since it is not controlled by a major or minor key center. Step 1 Determine what instrument you will use to play the G5 chord. It can be played on piano or guitar fairly easily. Step 2 Play the G5 chord on the guitar by placing your first finger on the E string just behind the third fret and your second finger on the A string just behind the fifth fret. A three-note G5 chord can be played by adding the third finger to the D string just behind the fifth fret. Step 3 Create the G5 chord on the piano by using...

nowing how to play either piano or keyboard will allow you to perform increasingly complex pieces and improve your musical ability. Both instruments require the same fundamental techniques and function in the same tactile manner. Both instruments use a clavier, or set of keys, to produce pitches and require great finger independence to play melodic lines smoothly and easily. Learning how to employ these techniques will help you increase your skill and versatility. Step 1 Sit at the keyboard or piano with proper posture. Sit tall and allow your elbows to fall just below the line of the keys. Your arms should be free to move up and down the keys. Step 2 Practice finger exercises to increase your finger independence. Place all five fingers of one hand on the keys of the instrument and slowly press down each key five times, without moving any other fingers. Start with the thumb and work toward the index finger. Then, switch hands and do this again. Step 3 Play major and minor scales using ...

Memorizing the notes of the trombone develops essential music literacy for a performer. Trombone players who can't read music notes lack fundamental skills, which results in poor technique. Learning trombone note names will greatly improve your ability to read music. There are two clefs that the trombone uses when playing music. Bass clef appears most commonly in trombone music. However, the trombonist must also learn the names of the pitches in tenor clef to memorize all the trombone note names. Bass Clef Step 1 Learn what the bass clef looks like. You can distinguish it from the tenor clef easily by remembering that it looks like a backwards C with two dots. The two dots will always appear on either side of the F note line. Step 2 Identify the names of the notes on the bass clef by using a simple acronym. The lines from bottom to top spell out the first letters of the words in the phrase "Great Brains Don't Forget Answers." You can also create your own acronym whe...

Musicians must know how to determine the meter of a song if they are going to perform it correctly. Without this basic information, the performer will not know where to place the natural accents and how to create motion that pushes the piece forward. The meter of a piece will help a performer know which beats should be accented and which beats should be weakened. This natural ebb and flow of strong and weak beats are the basis for a successful performance. Find the Meter of a Song Step 1 Tap your foot along with the song to find the steady beat. Step 2 Tap more forcefully on the beats that feel strong, while tapping lightly on the beats that feel weak. Step 3 Take note of which beats are strong and which beats are weak. Step 4 Decide if your pattern of strong and weak beats fits comfortably with the song. If it feels awkward, try experimenting with differing patterns of weak and strong beats. Step 5 Once you have found a comfortable pattern, add together the first set of strong and wea...

When you see a chord that lists two notes separated by a slash mark, it indicates that the chord is an inversion. The number on the right side of the slash must be placed in the bass. The chord quality, whether it is major, minor, augmented or diminished is indicated on the first part of the slash. If there is no indication such as a lowercase"m" or a "dim." abbreviation, then the chord must be major. Step 1 Build a G major chord. The G major chord consists of G, B and D. Step 2 Place the B in the bass so that it is the lowest note played. Step 3 Position the other notes above the B so that the chord is completed. You must include the G and D somewhere above the B. Preferable the G and D should not be separated by more than an octave. Step 4 Play B on the 2nd fret, D on the 3rd fret and G on the open G string to play this chord on guitar. On piano, just place B in the bass and then play G and D on top.

The ocarina consists of five holes that are covered by the fingers to raise or lower the pitch. Learning to play the ocarina requires only that the player be able to blow through the instrument with a steady stream of air. Playing the ocarina only requires moderate energy since the instrument can create a high quality sound with very little effort on the part of the performer. Learn to coordinate your fingers to play the five hole ocarina and you will succeed. Step 1 Hold the instrument with the mouthpiece between your lips. Place your hands on either side of the ocarina, using your left thumb to cover the hole on the bottom and your left and right index and middle finger to cover the four holes on top. Step 2 Cover all five holes and blow through the ocarina. This will allow you to play the lowest note on the ocarina. Different instruments will produce varying low notes. Ocarinas can be pitched in any key. Step 3 Cover the first two holes on the left side of the instrument with your i...

Merging and splitting MP3 files can be completed by using the same functions within an audio program. Converting MP3 files is a separate process that can be completed after the files have been split or merged. To accomplish this task, you will need an audio editor capable of manipulating audio. Audacity is a popular free audio editor that works on Macintosh and Windows platforms. It can be used to split, merge and convert MP3 files. WavePad Sound Editor (Mac and Windows) and Power Sound Editor (Windows) are other options. Splitting Audio  Step 1 Start by downloading an audio editor if you do not already have one. Once you have installed the program, move on to the next step. Step 2 Drag the file that you would like to split into the audio editor. This will import the file and prepare it for editing. Step 3 Place the cursor at the point in the audio file that you would like to split. Drag the cursor over the entire section that you would like to cut. Step 3, I'm confused why we...

Miking the clarinet in the right place will make a crucial difference in how the recording sounds. If you place the mic at the bell, you will lose three quarters of the sound produced through the open finger holes on the clarinet. The sound of the clarinet does not come through the bell of the instrument; it emits from the entire length of the clarinet. Knowing this will make it possible for you to place the mic in an appropriate location. Step 1 Place the small-diaphragm condenser mic on a mic stand that is approximately 4 feet high. Step 2 Aim the microphone toward the lower joint of the clarinet, about one foot from the actual instrument. Step 3 Experiment with the position during the sound check. Ask the player to perform as normal and monitor the mic through your recording equipment. Using a small clip-on mic is possible for live performances. Place it on the side of the clarinet immediately after the lower joint connects with the upper joint. This is a less preferable option to a...

Planning a solo concert is a large undertaking that can seem overwhelming. The trick is to make a list of things that have to be accomplished and seek out the solutions that will create success with your planning. If this is the first solo concert you have orchestrated, take heart; future concerts will be much easier. Determine the music that will be in your concert. If you are doing this as part of a university degree or in conjunction with a private teacher, ask for suggestions. The music should be diverse enough to keep the audience interested while still maintaining a central theme. Decide on what instruments will be needed for the music in your concert. Even though this is a solo concert, it doesn't mean you have to perform alone. Soloists often perform with string quartets and piano as accompaniment. Find a location for your solo concert. Churches, universities, community centers and arts centers are all acceptable places in which to present your concert. Look for a location ...