Music Theory Lessons
Music Theory Lessons
Audio Music Theory Lessons
- Have you always wanted to know how music works, but don't know how to get started?
- Do you get stuck every time you try to play a song, because parts of it seem confusing?
- Are you tired of looking through music theory books that are either not helpful or too academic?
Music theory lessons to expand your musical knowledge
These are some of the many Music Theory Lessons that Ed has developed over that past 30 years and uses with his piano students to help them discover the joy of making music.
Download, read, listen to and play some of these free music theory lessons from the Ed Mascari Piano Studio.
Then Contact Us to schedule your own lessons from Ed Mascari or one of our excellent
Natick or Hudson MA piano studio instructors.
Beguine Bass
Beguine Bass Etude
The beguine bass is the easiest and most reliable Latin accompaniment pattern that you can use as the left hand part with a variety of songs.
Whether you want to play a song from the traditional beguine repertoire (Latin rhythm ballroom dance that is similar to the rhumba), a Cole Porter standard such as Beguine the Beguine, a Bossa nova or any other type of Latin dance form, the beguine bass will work very well.
Even if you select a ballad such as Over the Rainbow, a pop tune like Can You Feel the Love Tonight? or one of your favorite holiday songs, you can adapt the beguine bass to create an effective arrangement.
Beguine Audio Example 1
Beguine blog postsHandi Variation
Handi Variation Etude
The Handi variation is a terrific way to add variety and musical interest to your left hand accompaniments for many songs.
This lesson explains what the Handi variation is, how to recognize it as well as when to use it.
Each musical example shows you the most effect way to play the Handi variation for the type of accompaniment pattern that you are using for the other chords of a particular song.
Additional Resources:
Identifying Key Signatures of Major KeysWhat do all of those sharps or flats mean?
How do you know what the key if the song is?
You may be surprised to know that many advanced piano students have no idea what key their selected piece is in. This is not you! After spending only a few moments with this lesson, you'll be able to look at any piece of sheet music and instantly know the key of the song.
Analysis of a Major Key and Its Parallel Minor Key
This lesson is for more advanced students.
Knowing how the seven (7) principal chords of a major key relate to the seven (7) principal chords of its parallel minor key will help you uncover the treasures of harmony. Before you know it, your songs will start to sound more rich and colorful as you substitute the simple for the sublime.
How to Arrange a Song in 12 Easy StepsHave you often wondered how to make sense out of the chords you see in sheet music? Now that you know how the chords of the keys relate to each other, you are ready to begin arranging your favorite songs.
The Dominant 7thb9 Chord
Do you want to improvise, but don't know how?
Are you trying to add a few embellishments to your song playing and don't know where to start?
Have you been searching for a system that shows you how to move effortlessly up
and down the keyboard like the pros do?
Here's one solid solution.
The dominant 7th chord is rich in possibilities. Since is often works beautifully with the addition of a flatted 9th, there is a way to solve your dilemma.
On a related "note" to the The Dominant 7thb9 Chord, Listen to and download sheet music for Ed's Jazz Etude No. 1.
Musical Terms & Expressions
When you know how to play the notes on the page, your piano playing will come to life!
In order to do this, you need to know what the terms and expression marks are telling you. This list will help you to know the meaning of the many words and symbols that provide directions for volume, articulation, expression, phrasing and more.
See and hear more of Ed's Audio Music Theory Lessons
Building Blocks,
Hymn Tunes,
Simple Songs and
Walking Bass