I was one of those composers who hacked my way through for most of my life. Even though I'd been composing for most of my life, I was never properly schooled in it. As you say, I wrote pieces that sounded fine but I never understood why. When I wrote something that sounded terrible, I didn't understand why. Thanks to you over the past three years, I have a much firmer grasp on what I'm doing.
When I was young, I "blindly" read sheet music and had no idea what was going on and why composers used which chords. The knowledge of harmony was life-changing for me. Suddenly, I could understand, compare and appreciate the art of the great composers even more. I can only encourage anyone to learn about harmony and counterpoint as early as possible. And Music Matters is an excellent resource and makes learning an enjoyable journey. I wish I had met people like Garath Greene during my study years!
I'm such a huge fan of this dude, his videos and lucid teaching methods have helped me vastly improve my understanding of Four Part Harmony, counterpoint and transforming a melody into a SATB piece of music. Thank you Sensei.
You reminded me of my school days when the piano players had to take turns accompanying the morning hymn. Fortunately we could choose which hymn .I had a fondness for John Dykes's music . Lots of chromatic shifts and more than 3 chords The composer's voicing was a revelation
Very nice sir. Thank you so much for your videos. That really helped me to understand the theoretical part and logic behind composing using different techniques. I thoroughly enjoy all your videos and enjoy implementing them. Thank you very much sir. 🙏🙏
Hi Gareth! Many thanks for all the useful stuff you make available in your RUclips channel, very professional and pedagogical! I want to learn more about harmonization as you discuss in this video. I am an enthusiastic amateur organist with a Hauptwerk church organ setup, so I play 4 part hymns/chorales as you also discuss but would like to understand the theory behind it, voice leading etc. Which of your courses would you recommend for me? Is it the ‘Keyboard harmony’ ? Kind regards/ Steve
Hi Gareth ! I am just an impoverished self-learner. I have dutifully followed your videos to learn theory for sometime. There is one particular piece that I fail to understand.... and it is F. Burgmuller Op. 109 No. 7 Berceuse. The piece is 3/8 measure and from what I understand, there should be 3 beats per bar and the 1/8th note represents 1 count. Am I correct? I am very puzzled by the Treble Clef where the value of the notes doesn't add up. (ie. the 1/4 note). Please help.
3/8 = 3 quavers to the bar. In the highest part, first bar, one crotchet + one quaver = 3 quavers. In the second part, first bar, two semiquavers + one crotchet = 3 quavers. Are you being confused by the fact that the first note in both these parts (the crotchet and the semiquaver) are at the same pitch (A) and therefore printed together?
I agree with most of the points made in this video. Unfortunately - in isolation - this video doesn't work too well as Gareth is not facing out towards the viewer. It's not quite an interview as there is no sign of an interviewer. If this was a live discussion it would work better, as both the viewers and the presenter[s] could turn around and face each other - even if only occasionally. I agree with the comments about learning music by using keyboards. However I do wonder whether instruments like guitars are also useful - as they can also be used harmonically. I learnt melodic instruments first - and I do agree that is perhaps a disadvantage - though it does get people started. Some people learn by singing - which gives different skills - possibly a better sense of pitch. Listening to a lot of music also helps. I agree about the books - but they are useless without either some basic understanding, or the ability to hear the examples - or for some [relatively few] people audiate them. Tchaikovsky's book on Harmony is really good, but without a way to hear the examples books like that are not so helpful.
Fair comment. The presentation was a conscious decision made on advice about how these things are done more effectively these days but I take the point that it won’t be to everyone’s taste. Obviously our teaching videos are ‘face to face’.
I was one of those composers who hacked my way through for most of my life. Even though I'd been composing for most of my life, I was never properly schooled in it. As you say, I wrote pieces that sounded fine but I never understood why. When I wrote something that sounded terrible, I didn't understand why. Thanks to you over the past three years, I have a much firmer grasp on what I'm doing.
That’s great and thanks for your comment. You would enjoy some of our courses at www.mmcourses.co.uk
Johann Sebastian Bach is the greatest teacher. And good luck.
@artoffugue333 Absolutely
MusicMatters is the best!
Thanks Brian. You’re a gem.
When I was young, I "blindly" read sheet music and had no idea what was going on and why composers used which chords. The knowledge of harmony was life-changing for me. Suddenly, I could understand, compare and appreciate the art of the great composers even more. I can only encourage anyone to learn about harmony and counterpoint as early as possible. And Music Matters is an excellent resource and makes learning an enjoyable journey. I wish I had met people like Garath Greene during my study years!
Thanks for your support. Most kind.
I'm such a huge fan of this dude, his videos and lucid teaching methods have helped me vastly improve my understanding of Four Part Harmony, counterpoint and transforming a melody into a SATB piece of music. Thank you Sensei.
That’s great and thanks for your comment. You would enjoy some of our courses at www.mmcourses.co.uk
This is great 👍
Look forward to doing some of your courses 😊
We have plenty of courses for you at www.mmcourses.co.uk
You reminded me of my school days when the piano players had to take turns accompanying the morning hymn.
Fortunately we could choose which hymn .I had a fondness for John Dykes's music . Lots of chromatic shifts and more than 3 chords
The composer's voicing was a revelation
Brilliant
Modal counterpoint is rarely discussed or taught yet highly likely was popular in Renaissance era (although prohibited by The Church)
😀
Very nice sir. Thank you so much for your videos. That really helped me to understand the theoretical part and logic behind composing using different techniques. I thoroughly enjoy all your videos and enjoy implementing them. Thank you very much sir. 🙏🙏
That’s most kind. Thanks for your ongoing support.
Hi Gareth!
Many thanks for all the useful stuff you make available in your RUclips channel, very professional and pedagogical!
I want to learn more about harmonization as you discuss in this video. I am an enthusiastic amateur organist with a Hauptwerk church organ setup, so I play 4 part hymns/chorales as you also discuss but would like to understand the theory behind it, voice leading etc.
Which of your courses would you recommend for me? Is it the ‘Keyboard harmony’ ?
Kind regards/
Steve
Hi Steve. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I would go for the keyboard harmony course.
@@MusicMattersGB Thanks for your reply and recommendation Gareth! And again, your work and videos are very clear, inspiring and professional! 🙂👍🏻
A pleasure. All the best
Hi Gareth ! I am just an impoverished self-learner. I have dutifully followed your videos to learn theory for sometime. There is one particular piece that I fail to understand.... and it is F. Burgmuller Op. 109 No. 7 Berceuse. The piece is 3/8 measure and from what I understand, there should be 3 beats per bar and the 1/8th note represents 1 count. Am I correct? I am very puzzled by the Treble Clef where the value of the notes doesn't add up. (ie. the 1/4 note). Please help.
3/8 = 3 quavers to the bar.
In the highest part, first bar, one crotchet + one quaver = 3 quavers.
In the second part, first bar, two semiquavers + one crotchet = 3 quavers.
Are you being confused by the fact that the first note in both these parts (the crotchet and the semiquaver) are at the same pitch (A) and therefore printed together?
😀
@@MusicMattersGB ?
I agree with offshoreorganbuilder
I agree with most of the points made in this video. Unfortunately - in isolation - this video doesn't work too well as Gareth is not facing out towards the viewer. It's not quite an interview as there is no sign of an interviewer. If this was a live discussion it would work better, as both the viewers and the presenter[s] could turn around and face each other - even if only occasionally.
I agree with the comments about learning music by using keyboards. However I do wonder whether instruments like guitars are also useful - as they can also be used harmonically. I learnt melodic instruments first - and I do agree that is perhaps a disadvantage - though it does get people started.
Some people learn by singing - which gives different skills - possibly a better sense of pitch.
Listening to a lot of music also helps.
I agree about the books - but they are useless without either some basic understanding, or the ability to hear the examples - or for some [relatively few] people audiate them. Tchaikovsky's book on Harmony is really good, but without a way to hear the examples books like that are not so helpful.
Fair comment. The presentation was a conscious decision made on advice about how these things are done more effectively these days but I take the point that it won’t be to everyone’s taste. Obviously our teaching videos are ‘face to face’.
I thought that presentation worked very well actually. I suppose different people will have different preferences.
@coriandershlomit 😀