Basic Music Theory Resources

I recently completed a master's degree in educational technology. One of our assignments was to create a "digital library" of resources for learning. I chose to create a website that pulls together several videos, images, and other types of digital media to help with some basic music theory concepts:

Note Names | Major Scale Construction | Diatonic Chords | Basic Chord Progressions

You can view the digital library for free here:

Jack of All Staves: Basic Music Theory Resources

Check it out, let me know what you think, and share with someone who might benefit.

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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How to Play a Rock Beat on Drums

If you're just starting out on the drum set, one of the best things to focus on is how to get your hands and feet to function independently in a synchronized way.  In my experience, learning how to play a rock beat is a good first step in that direction.

Rock beats are a good place to start learning beats for a few reasons:

• Only three pieces of the set are needed (bass drum, snare drum, and hi-hat)

• Only three limbs need to be focused on at one time for basic beats (right hand on hi-hat, left hand on snare, and right foot on bass drum)

• The rhythmic patters are relatively simple to grasp, especially if you've listened to most music from the past several decades!

The rhythmic foundation of a basic rock beat is usually set in an 8th note framework over the span of one measure in 4/4 time.  This means that the pattern will repeat itself every four beats, so if you can count to four, you can probably play a rock beat :-)

Each measure will look something like this:

Everything that is struck on the drums will align either with beat one, two, three, or four (downbeats), or the subdivided "and" space between them (upbeats).

For this basic rock beat pattern, the right hand will strike the (closed) hi-hat on every 8th note and the left hand will strike the snare drum on beats two and four.  This will remain constant throughout each bass drum variation, so it's a good idea to get comfortable with the right and left hands before adding the right foot into the mix!

Once you're comfortable with the right and left hands, try striking the bass drum on beat "one" (as shown above) by pressing the pedal with the right foot.  This might not sound too difficult or fancy, but it can be tricky to pull off if you're just getting started!  Take it slow, and work on getting each part (hi-hat, snare drum, and bass drum) to sound at the right time.  It's a good idea to use a metronome (slowly at first!) to make sure your timing is accurate.

After getting comfortable with this beat, you can start adding the bass drum to more subdivisions in the measure, like this:

Notice that in this beat, the bass drum is played on beats 1 AND 3.  This particular beat is one of the most commonly used in a lot or rock and pop music, so it's a good idea to get comfortable with it.  In fact, if you can play this beat consistently, you can play along with the drummer on Michael Jackson's Billie Jean!

After this, it's just a question of changing up the bass drum pattern to make unique rock beats.  You may be surprised just how different it sounds to hit the bass drum on the "&" of beat 3 instead of beat 3 itself!

And of course, there can be variations to hi-hat patters and introduction of the ride cymbal to create different variations, but it's always good to start simply with a good foundation and expand from there.

Below you can find a video explanation of how to play a rock beat on drums, as well as a playlist for practice with several variations.  Check them out, be sure to subscribe for more, and leave comments about other videos you'd like to see!

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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How to Sit at a Piano

Learning how to sit properly at a piano is essential if you want to play for long periods of time.  If you constantly slouch, use poor wrist and finger placement, or place your feet poorly, playing will become less enjoyable than it should be.

I don't like being a stickler many things, but I do think that it's important to get the basics of how to sit at a piano down sooner rather than later.  There's a reason that teachers get up in arms about this sort of thing!

Check out the video below for a brief overview of how to sit at a piano.  I cover seating, hand and finger placement, and foot placement.

Be sure to like the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you find this information helpful!  And leave comments with any questions or requests for topics of future videos :-)

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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How to Hold a Guitar

Guitars are cool.  Of this, there is no doubt.

Unfortunately, it's not always as clear how to get started playing one, let alone how to hold a guitar!

While it may not seem like a big deal at first, learning how to properly hold a guitar is important to make playing (shredding?!) easier and more comfortable, especially if you hope to play for long sessions!

In the video below, I talk about the basics of how to hold a guitar.  I use an acoustic guitar, but the same principles will also apply for electric guitars.  I also discuss the importance of using a well-placed guitar strap!

Check out the video, and be sure to like if you find it helpful, leave a comment or question, and subscribe to my YouTube channel to keep up with more useful tips!

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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How to Hold a Bass Guitar

It's easy to rush into things.  Playing a fun instrument like the bass is no different.  Those reverberating low notes can be exciting to play, hear, and feel, especially when the amps are turned up to eleven!  (reference, anyone?)

However, it's important to start well so you can finish well.  While it's easy to overlook, the way the bass is placed and held against the body makes a big difference in the functionality and enjoyment of playing down the line.

In the video below, I talk about how to get started holding a bass guitar.  There are also a few other tips thrown in along the way, so give it a watch!

(If you like the video, be sure to give it a like, say so in the comments, and to subscribe to my YouTube channel to keep up with all the new things we're doing!

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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How to Hold Drum Sticks

One of the most intimidating things about starting on an instrument is not knowing how to start.  Drums are no different.  I went years being interested in drums, but never starting because I wasn't shown a basic skill like how to hold a drum stick!

The good news is that this isn't a hard skill to learn.  It's simply a matter of becoming familiar with was once unfamiliar, and this is done by imitation and repetition.

In the video below, I give an overview of how to hold drum sticks with a "matched" grip (vs. "traditional" grip).  Give it a watch to get started learning how to hold drum sticks for use on a practice pad, and later on a drum set!

If you like what you see, be sure to like the video and visit my YouTube channel to subscribe for more tutorial videos!

What other music resources would you find helpful?

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Musical Musings 1-1: Journey Start!

(Originally published May 18, 2021)

About two weeks ago I recorded my first long(er) form video for my YouTube channel. It's a concise explanation of where I come from as a musician, what I've been doing recently, and what I hope to accomplish with Jack of All Staves going forward. You can view it below.

(Remember to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and ring the bell for notifications!)

Leave a comment on the video and let me know what you think! I'd also love to know what instrument(s) you play (and/or want to learn) and any other questions you have.

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