Piano: Harmonic Tension and Release Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Tension and release are everywhere. It’s in how our bodies move, how we breathe, how we swallow our food. These two aspects provide the forward impetus that keeps music moving forward on the “canvas of time” https://www.musical-u.com/learn/harmonic-tension-and-release-resource-pack-preview/

When we are creating our own music through improvisation, understanding tension and release brings our music to life. Otherwise, our solos may sound bland.

While tension and release can be found in many aspects of music, one of its richest manifestations is in the area of harmony, and how our melodies intersect with the harmonic environment set up by chords and chord progressions.

Often, when beginning improvisers first learn to play over chords, they practice hitting the chord tones in their melodies. That can produce a “safe” improv, where everything blends and works well. But without some tension and release, there’s a risk of the music sounding static, bland, and boring.

This tension and release can be produced with chord tones through rhythm, dynamics, and other musical dimensions. But even more magic happens when you step out of the box and explore pitches beyond the chords – or, as Resident Guitar Pro Dylan Welsh shows us, even beyond the scale!

Yes, it’s a risk, but a risk worth taking. And the more you explore beyond the chord tones, the more you’ll find that all the “other” notes have varying degrees of tension that provide new and wondrous shades of harmonic coloration to your musical expression.

In this month’s Instrument Packs, Musical U’s Guitar, Bass, and Piano Pros open your eyes and ears to the possibilities of harmonic tension and release through fun and challenging improvisation exercises.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/harmonic-tension-and-release-resource-pack-preview/

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Ruth Power: https://www.pianopicnic.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pianopicnic

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pianopicnicofficial/

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Piano: Harmonic Tension and Release Resource Pack Preview

About Hearing Key Changes

New musicality video:

Katie Wardrobe of Midnight Music shares her tips on hearing key changes in music. http://musicalitypodcast.com/127

Links and Resources

Midnight Music – http://www.midnightmusic.com.au/

Special Membership Offer for podcast listeners – https://www.musical-u.com/join/podcast-offer

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Hearing Key Changes

Learning to Rock the Stage, with Kevin Richards

New musicality video:

Today we’re joined by Kevin Richards of RPM Vocal Studio, a renowned vocal coach who’s worked as a musician, producer, songwriter and arranger for over 30 years, and coached Gold and Platinum award-winning artists including Bette Midler and Sir Rod Stewart. As you’ll be hearing in this interview Kevin has a particular angle on his vocal coaching that sets him apart from most of the technique-focused singing teachers and vocal coaches out there. http://musicalitypodcast.com/126

Kevin specialises in the performance side of singing, meaning what you actually do up on stage or in front of a crowd and how you make sure your singing performance is the best it can be, even though you’re far from the familiar and relaxed environment of the practice room.

As we were preparing for this episode and trying to figure out what part of Kevin’s expertise would be most useful to you all as listeners of the Musicality Podcast, we were really thinking about how some of you are, I’m sure, performing already – and looking for tips on improving. And others are probably too self-conscious or too unsure of your musical abilities to feel comfortable performing or taking center stage.

We think whichever category you might be in, this episode is going to blow your mind a bit – and in a very good way.

In this conversation we talk about:

Why performance was the big piece he found was missing from all the traditional material for learning to sing.
One slightly brutal but effective (and ultimately enjoyable) exercise he does with his students who are nervous to perform in front of people.
And how working as Sir Rod Stewart’s vocal coach revealed a remarkable attitude to performing that we can all learn from.
This conversation was a total pleasure and really illuminating for us, so we hope you’ll love it too.

Listen to the episode: http://musicalitypodcast.com/126

Links and Resources

RPM Vocal Studios – http://rpmvocalstudio.com/

The Vox Shop – http://www.thevoxshop.com/

Kevin’s YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXncrpgDAX620BkKFc5ZJ5g

Confidence is Overrated video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgJ_v9e8yLw/

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Learning to Rock the Stage, with Kevin Richards

About Taking a Long-Term Mindset

New musicality video:

David Andrew Wiebe from Music Entrepreneur HQ discusses the importance of approaching your musical journey with a long-term mindset, and how this sets you up for success and growth. http://musicalitypodcast.com/125

Links and Resources

Music Entrepreneur HQ – http://www.musicentrepreneurhq.com/

Special Membership Offer for podcast listeners – https://www.musical-u.com/join/podcast-offer/

Finding and Sustaining Creativity, with David Andrew Wiebe – http://musl.ink/pod28/

If you enjoy the show please rate and review it! http://musicalitypodcast.com/review

Join Musical U with the Special offer for podcast listeners http://musicalitypodcast.com/join

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Taking a Long-Term Mindset

Making Sight Singing Child’s Play, with Dale Duncan

New musicality video:

How do you feel about sight-singing? To be handed a sheet of music and expected to sing it, perfectly, right off the bat? Or, stepping back, how do you feel about singing in general? Maybe even singing a familiar song seems a bit intimidating to you. http://musicalitypodcast.com/124

Today on the show we’re joined by Dale Duncan, also known as “Mr. D” online, who is the creator of a popular method for teaching sight-singing, specifically to grade-school students – perhaps one of the most self-conscious groups of students you can imagine to try to get singing!

We were desperate to pick Dale’s brains on how exactly he approaches this and how he’s able to quickly get young people up to an impressive level of sight-singing that has them winning competitions and sight-singing material that the vast majority of experienced adult singers would struggle with.

In this conversation we talk about:

– How he helps students who struggle to sing in tune and why he never requires members of his choir to sing solo.

– One core technique he uses to teach sight-singing, and how it enables you to practice sight-singing independent of score notation.

– And the clever way he helps students to integrate their pitch and rhythm skills when sight-singing.

Dale’s “S-Cubed” method for teaching sight-singing is specifically designed to help other music teachers and choir directors like himself, but as you’ll soon hear, Dale has a ton of insight that can be helpful to move anybody’s singing or sight-singing forwards. We hope you’ll enjoy this!

Listen to the episode: http://musicalitypodcast.com/124

Links and Resources

Dale’s website, “In the Middle with Mr. D”: http://inthemiddlewithmrd1.blogspot.com/

About S-Cubed: http://inthemiddlewithmrd1.blogspot.com/p/about-s-cubed-successful-sight-singing.html

S-Cubed! Successful Sight Singing and Sight Reading Course for Middle School: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/S-Cubed-Successful-Sight-Singing-and-Sight-Reading-Course-for-Middle-School-745123

“Forbidden pattern” game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1uUHWKg-Fw

S-Cubed Middle School Sight Singing – Singing Dotted Rhythms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODdTIxNsRDk

Sight Singing – Follow the Hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CfMANstLNs

Music Prodigy app: https://www.musicprodigy.com/

If you enjoy the show please rate and review it! http://musicalitypodcast.com/review

Join Musical U with the Special offer for podcast listeners http://musicalitypodcast.com/join

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Making Sight Singing Child’s Play, with Dale Duncan

Guitar: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Our traditional western music education system has the concept of improvisation backward.

Many of us have been led to believe that improv is something that happens only after we’ve learned a heap of scales and chords inside out and become Jedi masters of our instruments. But while we give all respect to our monster improv heroes, we at Musical U have come to believe that improvisation can be a faithful companion from the very first step of your musical journey.

In fact, you can begin your improvisation with just one, two, or three notes.

The most magical thing about learning three-note improv is that this exercise isn’t just for beginners – in fact, many competent shredders have found new meaning in their improv by breaking it down to just a few notes, and focusing intently on the rhythm, dynamics, articulation, and other musical dimensions that can be lost when trying to squeeze too many notes into too little space.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/improv-1-2-3-and-harmonization-part-1-resource-pack-preview/

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Dylan Welsh: https://www.dwelshmusic.com/

Twitter:

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Guitar: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview

Singing: Harmonizing Part 1 Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Singers are often used to some extent of playing improvisationally with their voices. However, a musical topic that mystifies many singers is harmonies. Why do some singers seem to naturally sink right into those sweet sounds, while others are totally baffled?

Singing Pro Clare Wheeler shows how a little dose of music theory takes the mystery out of creating beautiful harmonies.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/improv-1-2-3-and-harmonization-part-1-resource-pack-preview/

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Clare Wheeler: https://www.facebook.com/clarewheelermusic/

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Singing: Harmonizing Part 1 Resource Pack Preview

Piano: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Our traditional western music education system has the concept of improvisation backward.

Many of us have been led to believe that improv is something that happens only after we’ve learned a heap of scales and chords inside out and become Jedi masters of our instruments. But while we give all respect to our monster improv heroes, we at Musical U have come to believe that improvisation can be a faithful companion from the very first step of your musical journey.

In fact, you can begin your improvisation with just one, two, or three notes.

The most magical thing about learning three-note improv is that this exercise isn’t just for beginners – in fact, many competent shredders have found new meaning in their improv by breaking it down to just a few notes, and focusing intently on the rhythm, dynamics, articulation, and other musical dimensions that can be lost when trying to squeeze too many notes into too little space.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/improv-1-2-3-and-harmonization-part-1-resource-pack-preview/

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Ruth Power: https://www.pianopicnic.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pianopicnic

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pianopicnicofficial/

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Piano: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview

About Why the Pentatonic Scale is So Great

New musicality video:

What is the pentatonic scale, and why is it so popular? Learn about the inner mechanics of this scale, discover why its notes sound so consonant and natural together, and explore how you can use it to create beautiful melodies. http://musl.ink/pod123

Links and Resources

Bobby McFerrin demonstrates the power of the pentatonic scale- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk

Join Musical U with the Special offer for podcast listeners http://musicalitypodcast.com/join

Let us know what you think! Email: hello@musicalitypodcast.com

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website:
https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast:
http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test:
http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist:
https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter:

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

About Why the Pentatonic Scale is So Great

Bass: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview

New musicality video:

Our traditional western music education system has the concept of improvisation backward.

Many of us have been led to believe that improv is something that happens only after we’ve learned a heap of scales and chords inside out and become Jedi masters of our instruments. But while we give all respect to our monster improv heroes, we at Musical U have come to believe that improvisation can be a faithful companion from the very first step of your musical journey.

In fact, you can begin your improvisation with just one, two, or three notes.

The most magical thing about learning three-note improv is that this exercise isn’t just for beginners – in fact, many competent shredders have found new meaning in their improv by breaking it down to just a few notes, and focusing intently on the rhythm, dynamics, articulation, and other musical dimensions that can be lost when trying to squeeze too many notes into too little space.

https://www.musical-u.com/learn/improv-1-2-3-and-harmonization-part-1-resource-pack-preview/

Learn more about Musical U Resident Pro Steve Lawson: http://stevelawson.net/

Twitter:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/solobasssteve/

→ Learn more about Instrument Packs with Resident Pros including Steve:
https://www.musical-u.com/learn/introducing-musical-u-instrument-packs/

===============================================

Learn more about Musical U!

Website: https://www.musical-u.com/

Podcast: http://musicalitypodcast.com

Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/

Musicality Checklist: https://www.musical-u.com/mcl-musicality-checklist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicalU

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicalU

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MusicalU

Subscribe for more videos from Musical U!

Bass: Improvisation 1, 2, 3 Resource Pack Preview