Music Theory

Learn How To Read Lead Sheets: The Theory Behind Music’s Most Versatile Pages

Want to know how to read lead sheets? You’re not alone. In this blog, Musicnotes’ breaks down a lead sheet and how to read & interpret it.

Musical Theater

Award-Winning Songwriters – Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

A few years ago, we sat down across from our friends Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to record a video for a brand new video series called Musicnotes Song Spotlight.

Editor Picks

The Art of Lyric Writing: How to Match Lyrics to Melody

You enjoy writing. Maybe you are a poet and rightfully know it! And maybe once or twice you’ve thought about turning your poetry or creative writing into a song, because why not? But a musician’s approach to songwriting is a different technique from writing poetry, fiction, or any

tips

10 Tips and Tricks for Sight Reading

We’ve consulted with music educators who specialize in the important skill of sight reading music to make it less scary and (maybe even) a little enjoyable!

memes

10 Hilarious Harry Potter Memes Only Musicians Will Get

Check out these 10 hilarious Harry Potter memes, guaranteed to make any musician laugh.

Editor Picks

5 Tips for Relearning an Instrument

There are many of us out there who took music lessons as a child but stopped when we reached adulthood. If you are experiencing the urge to get back into playing music as an adult, you’re certainly not alone. Guitar instructor and special guest blogger Timon Kaple from Reverb

Artist Q&A

Q&A with Johnny Thirkell: Trumpet Extraordinaire

Our friends at Mouthpiece online were lucky enough to spend time with one of the world’s most recorded trumpet players, Johnny Thirkell!

Editor Picks

Beat Your Songwriting Block with These 5 Exercises

Every songwriter experiences writer’s block from time to time. Whether you’re stuck on a second verse, debating over a funky chord, or just out of fresh ideas, here are 5 exercises to you get you back on track! 1. The Minute Game Free writing can play a huge

memes

The Best Music Memes of 2018

The memes have been coming in hot in 2018 and we’re not mad about it. Here are our favorite musical memes so far! 1. Choir as Described by Michael Scott 2. Learn the Difference 3. Rhythm Guide 4. Deceptive Cadences 5. A Doorbell for Drummers 6. Clapping on Beats

Editor Picks

10 Best Musical Sitcom Episodes

Say what you want, but everyone loves a good musical episode of their favorite TV show. Though many different shows have attempted to master song and dance, here are 10 that truly succeeded! Scrubs – “My Musical” Season 6, Episode 6 Synopsis: A patient suffering from an aneurysm hears singing from e

tips

Solfège: What Is It, And How Is It Used?

Solfège is an exercise used for sight-reading vocal music in which each scale degree is assigned a coordinating syllable. Check out this article to learn more!

Featured

How To Determine Your Vocal Range

Find your vocal range using a variety of tools including a vocal range chart for Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Mezzo-Soprano, and Soprano in this guide.

Product Updates

Fall in Love with 30 Disney Love Songs

Fall in love all over again with your favorite Disney love songs! We’ve pulled 30 titles from our sheet music vault to share, including modern-day favorites like ‘Up’ and ‘Tangled’ and the classics like ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, which was Disney’s first fully animated feature

Musical Theater

7 Ways NOT to Choose Your Vocal Audition Piece

So how do you choose a song that will represent you accurately as a performer in just a few short minutes? Find out now!

Artist Q&A

Q&A with Jennifer Stirling: Transcriber and Assistant to Sister Lindsey Stirling

Jennifer’s musical accomplishments and talents lend her unique perspective in helping to manage her sister’s artistic pursuits. Get to know her in this article!

Artist Q&A

Q&A with Signature Artist Taylor Davis: Behind The Strings

Taylor Davis talks with us about her new Christmas album just released on November 3rd, the inspiration behind her growing success, and the advice she’d give to beginner musicians.

Signature Artist

Q&A with Signature Artist Simply Three: Classical Crossover

Having achieved tremendous success with their classical pop crossover covers, Simply Three (Glen McDaniel, Zack Clark, and Nick Villalobos) were kind enough to answer our questions on all things musical!

Artist Q&A

Award-Winning Songwriters – Pasek & Paul

A few years ago, we sat down across from our friends Benj Pasek and Justin Paul to record a video for a brand new video series called Musicnotes Song Spotlight. The series features a behind-the-scenes look at the popular songs we all know and love from the people who wrote them. From the moment we…

tips

Gifts for the Musician in Your Life

Whether you’re planning the next birthday bash, starting your Christmas shopping, or just looking to show a friend a little appreciation, it can be hard to find gifts for the musician in your life. But don’t worry, we’ve done the work for you! Check out these great

Artist Q&A

Q&A With Signature Artist Taylor Davis: Behind The Strings

Taylor Davis doesn’t play the violin for her 2 million YouTube subscribers. She performs for them. She serenades, inspires and elevates them with a skill that is gentle in melody and giant in composition imagination. A self-admitted “proud nerd,” she’s best known for her original compositions and

Signature Artist

Classical Crossover Q&A with Simply Three

Having achieved tremendous success with their classical pop crossover covers, the guys, Glen McDaniel, Zack Clark, and Nick Villalobos, were kind enough to answer our questions on all things musical while prepping for their fall tour.

Artist Q&A

Q & A with Musicnotes Signature Artist Patrick Laird from Brooklyn Duo

Fresh from his “MTV Unplugged” performance with Shawn Mendes, Patrick from Brooklyn Duo gives us a fascinating insight into the life of a professional musician, from arranging to performing, and everything in between. Musicnotes: Congratulations on your MTV unplugged performance! How did Shawn’s Tea

Auditions

7 Ways NOT to Choose Your Vocal Audition Piece

Picking a song for a vocal audition can be harder than the actual audition itself. After all, most auditions last about five minutes or less. Sometimes you get to sing a whole song, and sometimes you are asked to prepare a measly 16-bar cut. So how do you choose

tips

7 Things to Avoid at Your Vocal Audition

There are a few obvious no-no’s you should be aware of before you step into an audition room. To help you out, we put a list together of “7 Things to Avoid in a Vocal Audition.”

Signature Artist

Are You Ready for Another FREE Jonny May Piano Tutorial?

For those who joined us in the last FREE piano tutorial from Musicnotes Signature Artist Jonny May, how’s that Beginner Blues Shuffle coming along? Get ready for more Piano with Jonny goodness with another totally FREE lesson, complete with free sheet music from Musicnotes.com.