Pick-up notes

A. What is a pick up note? Pick up notes are the notes that precede the first full measure of the song. Pick up notes serve to kick-start the music. Pick up notes help establish tempo. When there are an odd number of pick-up notes, we usually start with an Up Bow. When there is an even number of pick-up notes, we usually start with a Down Bow. Here is an example of pick-up notes: B. Let’s learn about “When the Saints Go Marching...

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Hymns

A. What are hymns? A hymn is a song specifically written as a song of praise, adoration or prayer, typically addressed to a god. In Christian religions, hymns are usually directed toward God.  Most Christian worship services have, since the earliest times, incorporated the singing of hymns, either by the congregation or by a selected choir, often accompanied by an organ. Hymns have often been used to teach the tenets of faith. B....

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American Folk Music

A. What is “folk music?”  Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and of the people. Folk music arose, and best survives, in societies not yet affected by mass communication and the commercialization of culture. It normally was shared by the entire community (and its performance not strictly limited to a special class of expert performers), and was transmitted by word of mouth. Folk music seems to...

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Let’s meet Beethoven

A. Who was Beethoven?Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer of classical music, who lived predominantly in Vienna, Austria. Beethoven is widely regarded as one of history's supreme composers.• He was one of the greatest figures in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in music. His reputation has inspired — and in many cases intimidated — composers, musicians,...

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Key Signatures

A. What is a key signature? In musical notation, a key signature is a series of sharp symbols or flat symbols placed on the staff, designating notes that are to be played one semitone higher or lower unless otherwise noted with an accidental. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation, although they can appear in other parts of a score, usually after a double...

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Pulling a straight bow

A. What does it mean to “pull a straight bow?” Pulling a straight bow means that your bow travels parallel to the bridge as it moves from tip to frog Pulling a straight bow means that your arm pulls out with the bow, and not back. You should have very little shoulder motion in your bow stroke. B. Why does this matter? Good question! Pulling a straight bow is a sure way to ensure the production of a beautiful tone. Pulling a...

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Learn to play dynamics

A. What are dynamics? • In music, dynamics refers to the volume or loudness of the sound or note, in particular to the range from soft (quiet) to loud. • The term is also applied to the written or printed musical notation used to indicate dynamics. • The two basic dynamic indications in music are: o p or piano, meaning "softly" or "quietly"o f or forte, meaning "loudly" or "strong". • More subtle degrees of loudness or softness are indicated...

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String Crossings

A. What are string crossings? String crossings occur when you must change from one string to another while playing a piece of music For instance, if you are playing a note on the A string and then must change to the D string to play the next note, you must cross strings. String crossings can complicate our ability to play the music we want to play. You must learn to identify string crossings in the music you play. In...

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