“When it comes down to it, scales are one of the most important musical skills you can build. They will make it easier to play by ear or with sheet music, as written or ad lib. Start with the major scales and then move on to the minor scales when you’re ready. If you’re using an instrument, start at the bottom of the scale and go up note by note, and then back down to familiarize yourself with the pattern.”

“So how do you use music scales? If you play an instrument, they are great exercises to learn where the notes are on your instrument and practice the patterns that are so common in music. By memorizing each scale on your instrument, it will be easier to play passages like those in the examples below. It also gives you a better understanding of the keys of those scales, making you more comfortable playing and improvising in those keys.”

“Rather than simply appreciating and enjoying the music you hear, ear training means to learn how to identify foundational components in the music. In other words, it’s the act of connecting music theory with the music you hear. Namely, these include recognizing pitches (or notes) and chords and identifying intervals. Even if you don’t yet realize those are what you’re hearing, you are noticing them already on some level, whether you’re a casual listener or a professional musician.”

“Music is often considered separately from the “core” subjects offered in schools: math, science, language arts, and history. “The arts” are frequently discussed in terms of their importance in a child’s education, and are therefore often at risk of budget cuts or being removed from a curriculum altogether. The more traditional subjects are treated as more valuable and more important than music because it is an “art” rather than a subject that seems more directly applicable to careers upon graduation, like math.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“Music theory is a broad term that covers all of the rules and concepts that explain how and why music works and sounds the way it does. Some of this comes down to the science and math in music (like the exact frequency in hertz of each sound), but it’s also the artistic choices that give a piece feeling”

Yes! Wyzant has over 1,500 music tutors for you to choose from, spanning dozens of subjects. Just like the hundreds of other topics available on Wyzant, there are tutors for every age, knowledge level, budget, and schedule.
You have the freedom to choose who you want to learn from, so all that’s left to do is decide what you want to learn!

The first time you meet your tutor, keep in mind that introducing yourself and learning about each other is just as important as building a lesson plan. You’re going to be working with this person a lot, so you should make sure that you get along and understand each other! Some tutors may even be open to meeting with you for a few minutes beforehand without charging their hourly rate just to meet you.

While it is possible to learn music on your own, live music tutoring is the fastest way to achieve your music learning goals.
By having a tutor walk you through how to learn music, you have less to worry about. Personalized lesson plans and one-on-one conversations about your goals will make this journey easier and more enjoyable for you. The first step is figuring out what you’re looking for.