“A scale is a set of pitches (notes) that follows an established pattern. They can begin on any pitch, but where they go from there is determined by the type of scale it is. In Western music, three scales are the most prevalent: major, minor, and chromatic. However, you’ll also find more complex scales, like pentatonic and modal scales.”

“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.”

“Ear training involves going beyond playing the notes on the page, and actively paying attention to how those notes sound. Are there chords? Are the chords major or minor, and what effect does the difference have? Just as chords are layers of notes built on top of the other, ear training has a variety of levels and applications.”

“Music has a positive impact on everything from your performance in school to your health. Listening to music is an enjoyable pastime and does have several benefits, but those benefits are multiplied by learning music yourself. If you’re looking for something fun to do that will also improve your life, picking up an instrument or training your singing voice may be the answer.”

“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.