How to Read Music Fast All You Need to Learn How to Read Music Fast and Easy

1. 

   Beat Caustic
   July 28th, 2009 - 19:52

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   Do you want it to be piano-heavy or guitar-heavy? And what type of music – genre, mood, subject matter, etc…
2. 

   Phill O
   July 31st, 2009 - 06:18

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   I can’t say that there are any set in stone methods. With the last band I was in, the guitarist and I were the main creative force in song writing. Whenever I wrote a song, he’d write his own guitar part, and I’d write my own piano part to his songs. As long as both parties involved know the basic chord structure, you just play around with what you’ve got until something comes along that sounds and feels right. Neither of us knew how to read music, but we came up with some good music when we put our minds to it.
3. 

   ovationlj
   July 31st, 2009 - 14:50

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   You guys need to pick up a basic Music Theory book. You don’t need to know how to read music. You just need to understand the basic concept behind composing music.

   One of the most common ways to compose a song is to construct a melody first. You either just hum this out loud with no words, or you can sing the melody with words. Whatever is easiest to you. Once you’ve established the melody, figure out what notes you are singing, with the piano. If you are not singing and just want piano and guitar, then just ignore this.

   So if you got a melody cool, you should be able to find the notes on the piano, then establsih what Key it is in. If you are not doing vocals, then play your riff on the guitar or piano and figure out what key it is in. If you don’t know how to do this, this is where the book comes in handy. Every song is in a Key. So let’s take the Key of G Major. The notes in the Key of G Major are G, A, B, C, D, E and F#. These are the only notes you can play in the song (there are exceptions, but that is more advanced).

   So now decipher what the piano or guitar part is. Let’s say the guitar is a simple vi, IV, I, V progression. That is the guitar is playing A minor, C Major, G Major, and D Major.

   Now the piano player can decipher these chords and find things that will fit. I’m assuming your piano player doesn’t know his modes, which would be a big help. Modes are a part of scales. So if you are playing an A Minor in the G Major Key, your piano player should know that he can play the Dorian Mode of the G Major Scale.

   But for simple reasons, if you are playing an A Minor on the guitar, then your piano play can an A Minor too. Since his piano has more octaves than your guitar, you can utlizie the higher or lower ocatves. He can also try hitting single notes within the Key of G Major (all the white keys plus the F#).

   But basically if you guys play in the same Key, you should be able to stumble upon something that sounds good.

   As for your writing songs down. Pick a Key, Pick A Progression, Map out a Guitar or Piano Part, then try playing the same chord, utilizing the 5th or 7th note, playing the harmonic 3rds, 5ths, or 7ths or octaves usually sound good.

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