most recent 30 from http://keyminor.com 2010-09-07T16:35:14Z http://keyminor.com/feeds http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://keyminor.com/questions/123/what-are-the-synths-used-on-pointer-sisters-automatic Synthi 2009-12-30T10:36:23Z 2010-09-05T07:23:02Z

<p>What are the synths used on Pointer Sisters - Automatic?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/210/what-are-some-good-harmonica-songs-to-learn unknown (google) 2010-03-14T08:28:44Z 2010-09-04T21:23:12Z

<p>Hello</p> <p>I have a harmonica that I bought several years ago, but haven't ever used</p> <p>What are some easy to learn harmonica songs? I like country music so anything along those lines.</p> <p>I was thinking that "piano man" by billy joel would be a good one to try</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/227/how-to-add-3-part-harmonies-to-a-folksong qollin 2010-05-29T11:32:01Z 2010-09-04T08:23:14Z

<p>I am trying to add a simple three-part-harmony track to a folksong, to play with the left hand on the piano (the right hand would play the tune).</p> <p>As far as I understand it, I take the first note from each measure (the song has a timing of 2/4) and create a triad for this note using only notes from the scale of the song (in my case G major). Then there are some rules to follow, like when to use which inversion, etc.</p> <p>If I do this, it sounds not bad, but it changes the song dramatically. The song is very light and upbeat and it get's "dragged down" by the minor triads which arise e.g. on an "a" using only the G major scale.</p> <p>What can I do to avoid the minor triads?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/167/where-can-i-find-music-for-drum-parts-online The Bandit 2010-01-14T17:02:09Z 2010-08-30T19:23:10Z

<p>So there are a bunch of guitar tab/chord sites and sheet music sites on the internet. Does anyone know of any place where they have music/tabs for drum parts to popular songs?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/12/where-to-start-looking-for-a-good-and-affordable-vocal-recording-mic The Bandit 2009-10-22T20:38:10Z 2010-08-29T04:23:06Z

<p>I'm in continually in the process of piecing together a home recording studio for working on small recording projects. I'm currently looking for a good vocal microphone and I don't have a fortune to spend. Preferably $200 or less, although I would be interested in what the best options are for the $200-$400 range as well. I do want the vocals to sound great as I think this is one of the more important parts of most recordings.</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/225/how-often-should-i-replace-my-pick marklindell 2010-04-24T21:49:19Z 2010-08-27T07:23:04Z

<p>I play for about 30 minutes everyday. Sometimes I play for 1-2 hours. I play a variety of styles including rock so I am scraping and playing harmonics.</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/214/looping-pedal-capabillities JdotJdot 2010-04-08T03:57:14Z 2010-08-27T02:23:06Z

<pre><code>Can I use effects and or distortions through a mic on on a looping station, or is it strictly for guitar? </code></pre>

http://keyminor.com/questions/155/different-sizes-of-drumsticks-which-should-i-use The Bandit 2010-01-08T14:37:36Z 2010-08-26T07:23:05Z

<p>I have discovered that there are many different sizes/types/tips for drum sticks. I'm guessing that this is a very drummer-by-drummer issue but I'm curious if anyone has any insight into the pros and cons of the various sizes/lengths/stick-tip-types. Is there a recommended place in the spectrum for beginners to start? Are certain types and sizes more conducive to certain styles of music or playing?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/206/what-does-it-mean-when-an-instrument-is-in-a-key-other-than-c Matt 2010-03-04T15:58:39Z 2010-08-18T22:36:12Z

<p>First off, let me say that I'm new to playing music and any sort of music theory. I'm learning to play the B flat clarinet. I know that other instruments, such as the violin or flute, are in the key of C. </p> <p>If I understand correctly, this means that when I play a C, it is actually a full step (C -> B -> Bb) off of the C from a violin. So why call it a C on the clarinet? Why not call it whatever it would be in the key of C, and call it a C instrument? What is the benefit of having it on a different key? Because then all C keyed music must be transposed (is that the right word?) to fit the clarinet. </p> <p>I know that clarinet is not the only instrument that does this. I had always been under the impression that the note C was a sound at a specific frequency, and that all C's are at this same frequency, or a mathematically equivalent shift in the octave scale. This does not appear to be the case.</p> <p>Furthermore, this means if I have a tuner that is in the key of C, that it won't actually show as C when I play C on my clarinet...</p> <p>So, why have instruments in different "keys"? What is the benefit? And is it correct to say that a note of C does not actually imply a certain frequency of sound?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/230/em-vs-em-chord Stefan 2010-07-30T19:01:57Z 2010-07-30T19:01:57Z

<p>I'm a beginner at music and I'm having trouble reading some chord abbreviations that I run into once in a while. Sometimes I see chords written as e.g. Em# and other times as E#m. Are these two the same? If not, what is the difference? If they are, which one is more common?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/118/help-deciding-on-digital-piano Nathan DeWitt 2009-12-29T19:42:28Z 2010-05-28T16:12:21Z

<p>I've been playing piano for about 25 years, but I've never really delved into the world of digital pianos/keyboards. I play 3 times a week on a Young Chang grand piano that sounds very nice, and now I find myself playing an additional time a week on a digital piano. </p> <p>I don't currently have a piano at home, and I have some specific goals for my music:</p> <ul> <li>compose music at home</li> <li>play whenever I feel like it (without regard to the sleeping babies)</li> <li>record music to my computer (preferably with USB)</li> </ul> <p>Looks like I need to get a digital piano. I have been spoiled playing on a grand for all these years, and I would like to have a good piano sound. I'm also concerned about the action. </p> <p>What digital pianos should I be considering? Any good review sites? I am willing to spend a decent amount of money ($1500 - $2000) if it would be worth it, but with a baby on the way I'd like to keep costs down as much as possible.</p> <p>Edit:<br> I ended up buying the Yamaha CP5 earlier this week. It arrives this afternoon. Thanks for your help, everyone!</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/224/how-often-should-i-replace-my-electric-guitar-strings marklindell 2010-04-24T21:47:52Z 2010-04-24T21:47:52Z

<p>I play for about 30 minutes every day. Some days I play for 1-2 hours. My hands are sometimes sweaty. I try to wipe off the strings when I am done. </p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/223/yamaha-psr-s-700-900-910-do-the-styles-handle-chord-inversions-correctly commons 2010-04-22T05:22:09Z 2010-04-22T05:22:09Z

<p>Looking to buy one of the keyboards mentioned in the title.</p> <p>Was wondering if the styles handle inversions correctly? I have a less expensive KB with some styles, and if I play C-E-G in the lower part of the KB, the accompaniment sounds the same as when I play E-G-C or G-C-E. In other words, the chords C, C/E, and C/G all are treated as C.</p> <p>Does a C/E actually sound like a C/E in the styles on the more expensive Yamaha PSRs?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/102/why-are-distortion-effects-so-terrible Jimmo 2009-12-24T15:58:36Z 2010-04-21T16:14:59Z

<p>I have tried a fair number of effect pedals over time (about 20 years). One thing I notice is that there is a disconnect between the sounds everyone wants from distortion pedals and the sounds they get. I know lots of people that want something that sounds like Metallica or Pantera and even pedals that are branded by the Pantera guitarist still sound more like a muddy overdrive sound like AC/DC.</p> <p>I don't understand signalk processing, but why is this difficult?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/168/bass-playing-finger-technique-should-i-use-my-thumb The Bandit 2010-01-14T17:11:52Z 2010-04-19T05:10:54Z

<p>I'm a beginning bass guitar player. I occasionally catch myself using my thumb in combination with my pointer and middle finger to play the strings. Is this a bad technique to learn, or is it good to be comfortable using your thumb as well as your fingers to pick?</p> <p>What is the proper finger technique for playing bass without a pick?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/219/is-arranging-legal Maxim Z. 2010-04-13T06:23:06Z 2010-04-13T06:23:06Z

<p><em>NOTE: I'm not sure if this is an acceptable question for this site...</em></p> <p>I'm thinking of arranging a Stevie Wonder pop tune in Big Band style for a private group to play. Is it legal for me to create this arrangement and have copyright to the derivative work? If so, can I perform this arrangement or release it online for free?</p> <p>Thanks!</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/217/what-is-the-best-free-hammond-b3-sim fneep 2010-04-11T00:03:44Z 2010-04-11T00:03:44Z

<p>VST or another plugin format.</p> <p>At the moment I am using <a href="http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/MicroOrgan/" rel="nofollow">Microorgan Mk3</a> with the <a href="http://mda.smartelectronix.com/" rel="nofollow">mda leslie sim</a>. Anyone found a better free combo?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/1/quality-custom-drum-head-company The Bandit 2009-10-20T21:19:13Z 2010-04-08T17:07:21Z

<p>I'm looking for information on were I can get a high quality custom bass/kick drum head at a reasonable price. I have previously used a local print/graphics shop to do a custom drum head and the result was not worth the amount I paid for it. I would appreciate any first hand accounts of working with a company who does this professionally as well as a description of the product quality and value for price.</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/204/my-laptop-doesnt-have-a-line-in-jack-how-can-i-record-high-quality-audio-into-s Chris Watts 2010-02-28T17:28:30Z 2010-03-31T17:23:12Z

<p>The question title pretty much captures my question! I only have a mic-input which is very poor quality. I've been searching for an interface, but not even sure if I want I want exists!</p> <p>Please help! :)</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/100/synchronizing-lighting-and-sound Dinah 2009-12-24T15:33:57Z 2010-03-29T12:28:16Z

<p>I'm thinking specifically of doing something like a very small-scale version of something like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmgf60CI%5Fks" rel="nofollow">the famous YouTube Christmas lights + Trans-Siberian Orchestra video</a>.</p> <p>More generally, what are some resources to get started with sync'ing music and lights? What are the big hurdles? On the music side, I imagine you need to have a decent sense of performance, rhythm, and song dynamics. On the technical side, you have questions of equally distributing the load, thresholds and delays for LEDs vs. incandescent lights, AC vs. DC.</p> <p>Where does one begin?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/184/can-i-use-an-electronic-guitar-tuner-to-effectively-tune-a-piano unknown (yahoo) 2010-01-28T19:46:08Z 2010-03-20T22:24:40Z

<p>I have an old-time upright piano which was supposedly originally used to accompany old silent movies. The notes have a sort of twangy vibrato. I have an electronic tuner intended for guitars as well as a piano tuning wrench. Will I be able to effectively tune this piano using the electronic tuner? </p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/194/volume-per-watt-on-guitar-amps-how-different-are-valve-compared-to-solid-state glenatron 2010-02-10T15:40:21Z 2010-03-20T19:26:21Z

<p>When I was looking at amps in the guitar shop the other day the guy was talking about how valve amps are a lot louder per watt. Now I've only really owned transistor amps so I don't really know what the deal is with valve ones, is there any good measure of loudness in a guitar amplifier as opposed to the amount of power it uses? If not, how can one best distinguish between the loudness of a solid state and valve amplifier?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/76/is-it-safe-to-use-a-stereo-line-cable-with-a-mono-output-input The Bandit 2009-12-17T22:18:07Z 2010-03-11T00:26:56Z

<p>Experience has shown it to work. I occasionally have used stereo cables for guitar amps, keyboards, etc... I am just wondering is a good idea to do this? Does it make any difference? Do I loose sound quality?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/56/vocal-change-from-low-to-high-register wb_Prov31 2009-10-31T03:31:16Z 2010-03-06T23:05:30Z

<p>I'm a female vocalist and was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks on how to switch from low to high register when singing a "stronger" style song. I don't have problems when it's a slower, calmer style. But there are a few songs that require a stronger delivery and when I go into my higher register, I lose quite a bit of the rich tone of my lower register. It gets too "pretty" when I switch to the higher register and upsets the continuity/delivery. Any suggestions? Thanks</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/23/should-i-learn-to-play-drums-with-traditional-or-matched-grip John F 2009-10-24T21:28:42Z 2010-02-24T23:21:00Z

<p>I'm just starting out playing drums and I've seen people play with both traditinal grip (where one stick is held like a corn-dog and the other like a chop-stick) and matched grip (two corn-dogs) on the drum sticks. Is one method better for a beginner to learn with or are both equal and it's just a taste thing?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/172/what-is-a-known-good-mic-pre-amp-combination-for-recording ecid 2010-01-15T16:30:27Z 2010-02-22T07:28:05Z

<p>I've heard that the key to getting great home recordings is to get one good signal chain which depends on a good microphone and pre-amp match. Does anyone know of known great matches? Options at different price levels would be great.</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/14/what-to-look-for-in-a-beginners-electric-guitar The Bandit 2009-10-22T20:50:34Z 2010-02-20T18:57:06Z

<p>My cousin who is 10 years old and has been learning guitar for 2 years now wants an electric guitar for his Birthday. My Aunt has asked for my help in narrowing down what kind of guitar to purchase for him? I believe that he is fairly committed to learning to play but obviously they don't want to drop a ton of money. What kinds of things should we be looking for in an entry level electric guitar? Are their certain signs that a particular guitar is junk vs. one that will serve him for years to come?</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/4/how-to-tune-a-guitar-without-a-tuner The Bandit 2009-10-20T21:33:12Z 2010-02-20T00:56:04Z

<p>Can someone please write up a clear explanation of how to tune a guitar without an electronic tuner? I'm assuming the standard EADGBE tuning but other tunings would be welcome as well.</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/69/drum-midi-software unknown (google) 2009-12-13T16:15:29Z 2010-02-08T06:50:10Z

<p>Hi there, i'm recording a song and i want to put drums on it, but i don't know anything about that, so i thought about using a drum software, is there any program good and easy to use out there? thanks in advance</p>

http://keyminor.com/questions/37/what-is-mastering-an-album-and-do-i-need-it-done-to-my-bands-album The Bandit 2009-10-29T18:11:42Z 2010-02-08T06:46:09Z

<p>I have heard of "mastering" an album. What exactly is it and do I need to have it done to my band's album recording?</p> <p>Also, how much does it cost and where would I go to get it done?</p>