Musical questions and answers thread

[EdgeleyRob]

Algebra is easier.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Blimey this teach yourself music theory is a minefield.
Would something similar to



not do the same job ?

It might - and many composers prefer this method, making a constant pulse clear by putting quaver = quaver over the change of metre. In the case you gave earlier, there's a move from a compound beat (the dotted crotchet) which implies three beats between each pulse (ONEandaONEandaONEanda) to a simple beat (the quaver) which implies two or four beats between each pulse (ONE and ONE and ONE and).

It might help to think of Bernstein's America: ONEandaONEandaONE ONE ONE (or 1231231 1 1). If you wanted to conduct this, it'd be easiest to beat a Two (Down-Up: DOWNandaUPanda) followed by a three (DOWN-RIGHT-UP). Or - if you prefer slapping thighs (and I know I do) - LEFTRightRightLEFTRightRight, LEFTRightLEFTRightLEFTRight. This lets you hear that the quavers are all the same speed, but the pulse changes with each grouping.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There is usually another way round, in this case by using triplets perhaps, along with possibly a tempo change.

Yes, and then the composer would put "crotchet = dotted crotchet" (I so wish we could type Music notation) over the score at this point.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Anyone else got sore thighs now?

[teamsaint]

Yes, but interestingly in a ratio of 3:2 in favour of the right thigh.

Was it supposed to be our own thighs?

[EdgeleyRob]

Anyone else got sore thighs now?

Post #332,brilliant ferney,sort of makes sense.
Thanks guys for taking the time and trouble.

[mercia]

teach yourself music theory

may one ask how you are going about teaching yourself ? - I only ask because perusing eBay just now I see they have lots of ABRSM (Associated Board Royal Schools of Music) music theory booklets and test papers/model answers for sale at different grades - but perhaps that is the sort of thing you are already using

mind you if you are asking about dotted crochet = quaver you must be quite advanced already

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Yes, but interestingly in a ratio of 3:2 in favour of the right thigh.

Was it supposed to be our own thighs?

Don't try this at the Oktoberfest. Apart from the thigh thing, it's close to Bruckner-land, where threes and twos have a habit of happening at the same time (e.g. the first movement of AB6).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes, but interestingly in a ratio of 3:2 in favour of the right thigh.

If one is left-handed, it would be easier the other way round, of course.

Was it supposed to be our own thighs?

Judging from the reaction I received on the bus into work this morning: probably.

[teamsaint]

If one is left-handed, it would be easier the other way round, of course.


Judging from the reaction I received on the bus into work this morning: probably.

You clearly dont know how to conduct yourself in public, Ferney.

Yorkshire is clearly still less liberal than one might ideally hope for.

[EdgeleyRob]

may one ask how you are going about teaching yourself ? - I only ask because perusing eBay just now I see they have lots of ABRSM (Associated Board Royal Schools of Music) music theory booklets and test papers/model answers for sale at different grades - but perhaps that is the sort of thing you are already using

mind you if you are asking about dotted crochet = quaver you must be quite advanced already

Thanks Mercia.
Not advanced at all really.
I would have saved myself a lot of trouble by turning up for music lessons at school(or even turning up at school) all those years ago.
I have this plan,when (if) I ever retire,to learn to play a musical instrument and perhaps take a course in music theory.
About a year ago I decided to try to pick up bits and bobs of knowledge from tinternet and such,as and when time allows,which aint very often.
I've been pointed in the direction of some great online resources by the kind forumites,teamsaint and others.
Every so often I come accros something new,for example dotted crotchets,ask the question on here,lo and behold there's the answer.
Reached a point now whereby I pretty much know different notes,key signatures,notation,read up on orchestration,I can even follow simple music scores now.
Struggle a bit with harmony,sub mediant this,dominant that,etc,but hey ho I'll get there.
Those booklets look interesting,thanks for that,and thanks everyone for the replies.
There will be another silly question very soon.

[Pabmusic]

Thanks Mercia.
Not advanced at all really….Struggle a bit with harmony,sub mediant this,dominant that,etc,but hey ho I'll get there.
Those booklets look interesting,thanks for that,and thanks everyone for the replies.
There will be another silly question very soon.

I don't know if you've tried just following a score, but that can be very helpful. Pick something straightforward that you know and like very well and get hold of a score (local library, or imslp online, for instance) and just get used to following the music. Take notice as things happen, and begin to anticipate. Try to hear the difference as things happen in the score.

This won't answer questions like your last one, but it will give them some context.

[MrGongGong]

I don't know if you've tried just following a score, but that can be very helpful. Pick something straightforward that you know and like very well and get hold of a score (local library, or imslp online, for instance) and just get used to following the music. Take notice as things happen, and begin to anticipate. Try to hear the difference as things happen in the score.

This won't answer questions like your last one, but it will give them some context.

I'd start with Ligeti or Xenakis (really !!) with pieces like Atmospheres orMetastasis it's really easy to follow the flow of the music.

[Pabmusic]

I'd start with Ligeti or Xenakis (really !!) with pieces like Atmospheres orMetastasis it's really easy to follow the flow of the music.

This doesn't surprise me at all . But I'd still go for something you (think you) know really well - whatever it is - since it's very familiarity will be to your advantage - your brain simply won't have to bother assimilating a new piece and can concentrate on how that piece you know so well is notated.

[mercia]

I like it when folk on youtube upload the score as well as the recording, so that even if you get lost, the page is (so to speak) still turned for you