Music Student 101
Music
About
We are musicians, composers, engineers, teachers and students alike. The path of a musician can be challenging and uncertain but it can also be enriching and great fun! This is the path we chose and we are here as your resource. Explore theory, history, ear training, technique, special topics and overall musicianship.
Episodes
- 155-Orchestration-Woodwinds Pt.2
This episode continues a discussion on orchestration for the woodwinds section. It focuses on suggested ratios for arrangement, instrument ranges, and additional details about the instruments.
- 154-Orchestration-Woodwinds Pt.1
This episode provides an introduction to the woodwind section in orchestration. It explores the characteristics and roles of flutes, clarinets, oboes, and saxophones in composition.
- 153-Tips For A Gigging Musician Pt.1
In this episode, the hosts discuss practical tips for gigging musicians, covering practice strategies, essential gear, load-in and load-out, performance, and etiquette.
- 152-Polytonality Pt.1
In this episode of Music Student 101, the hosts explore the concepts of polytonality and atonality. They address how music can exist in multiple keys simultaneously and examine how these techniques sound.
- 151-Listener Compositions Pt.9
In this episode of Music Student 101, the hosts showcase original compositions by several returning listeners. Featured composers include Chris Lemon, Steve, Joshua Ansley, Jacob Winiecki, Keith Andrews, Edward Bender, and Matt Lemon.
- 150-The Big Recap Pt.5
In this episode, the hosts revisit topics covered in episodes 101-130 of Music Student 101. The recap focuses on ear training, advanced music theory, and various music-related history topics.
- 149-The Baroque Period (Early)
This episode explores the Early Baroque period, discussing composers like Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, and Strozzi. Topics include the emergence of opera, the aria and recitative, and the rise of instrumental forms such as fugues and…
- 148-Renaissance Music Pt.2 (Late)
This episode covers the late Renaissance period, focusing on composition techniques, styles, and influential composers like Thomas Weelkes and Giovanni Palestrina. Topics include motets, madrigals, instrumental music, and global perspectiv…
- 147-Shenkerian Analysis Pt.3
This episode continues the discussion on Schenkerian analysis, covering linear intervallic progressions, compound melodies, voice transitions, neighbor notes, and the three main structural layers.
- 146-The Big Recap Pt.4
This episode serves as the fourth installment of the Music Student 101 recap series, reviewing highlights from episodes 71 through 100. The hosts reflect on reaching a level of music theory equivalent to a fourth-year academic curriculum b…
- 145-Music Apps 2025
This episode of Music Student 101 explores various music applications designed for ear training, rhythm, notation, and practice, while offering personal ear training tips.
- 144-Renaissance Music Pt.1 (Early-Mid)
This episode explores early to mid-Renaissance music, covering the 15th-century works and composition techniques of Guillaume Dufay and Josquin des Prez. It builds on previous discussions regarding Middle Ages music.
- 143-The Big Recap Pt.3
In this episode, the hosts review topics covered in episodes 40 through 70 of Music Student 101. This installment represents the third entry in the show's recap series, highlighting content equivalent to a third-level music theory educatio…
- 142-Melodic Dictation Pt.8-Locrian Mode
This episode of Music Student 101 explores the process of melodic dictation with a focus on the Locrian mode. Listeners practice transcribing melodies by ear in this specific musical mode.
- 141-The Blues Pt.3-Piedmont and Texas Blues
This episode explores the characteristics and influential artists of Piedmont and Texas blues. It builds on previous discussions regarding the roots of blues music.
- 140-Listener Compositions Pt.8
In the eighth listener compositions episode of Music Student 101, the hosts feature original music from Soren Thomsen, Edward Bender, Thomas Czarples, Emily Zhang, and Keith Andrews.
- 139-Harmonic Sequences Pt.1
This episode explores the use of harmonic sequences in music, specifically focusing on the structure and voice leading of the descending circle of fifths pattern.
- 138-Music and Grief
This episode examines the relationship between grief and music, exploring how emotional loss impacts listening and composition. The hosts share personal experiences, discuss historical composers affected by grief, and offer perspectives on…
- 137-Schenkerian Analysis Pt.2
This episode continues the discussion of Schenkerian analysis, focusing on prolongation, horizontalization, and Schenkerian perspectives on dominant and predominant functions.
- 136-Instrument Care Pt.5-Percussion
In this episode of Music Student 101, the host reviews the instruments of the percussion family and shares maintenance tips for cleaning and caring for percussion equipment.
- 135-Harmonic Progression Pt.12-Non Chord Tones
This episode focuses on ear training for identifying non-chord tones, such as passing tones, appoggiaturas, pedal tones, and suspensions. Listeners will practice recognizing these elements within chord progressions through various musical…
- 134-Middle Ages Music Pt.2
This episode continues the exploration of Middle Ages music, focusing on the later part of the era. Topics include polyphony, composition tools like organum, chant, motets, and hockets, as well as the use of chant in various global musical…
- 133-Animals and Music Pt.2
In this episode of Music Student 101, the hosts explore the relationship between music and animals. The discussion focuses on elephants, rodents, bats, crocodiles, and mosquitoes and whether music exists in the animal kingdom.
- 132-Schenkerian Analysis Pt.1
In this episode of Music Student 101, the hosts introduce Schenkerian analysis, a counterpoint-based system for understanding classical music. The discussion serves as an introductory overview of this theoretical approach.
- 131-Melodic Dictation Pt.7-Phrygian Mode
In this episode, the series on melodic dictation continues with a focus on transcribing melodies in the Phrygian mode. Listeners practice identifying and notating melodies using this specific musical mode.
- 130-Listener Compositions Pt.7
In this episode, the podcast showcases original music compositions submitted by listeners. Featured artists include Fred Lancia, Mark Christie, Evan Bjork, Tom Richardson, Nikita Menkov, and Devin Montes.
- 129-Perfect Pitch
This episode discusses the phenomenon of absolute pitch, commonly known as perfect pitch, and compares it to relative pitch. It explores the rarity of the condition and why many musicians desire to develop it.
- 128-Form and Analysis Pt.5-Baroque Forms
This episode of Music Student 101 explores prominent musical forms from the Baroque period, including church and chamber sonatas, the French overture, dance suites, and the fugue. This discussion continues the series on form and analysis i…
- 127-Harmonic Progression Pt.11-Neapolitan Chord
This episode explores the Neapolitan chord, discussing its role in modulation and harmonic intrigue. Listeners are guided through examples to practice identifying the chord by ear.
- 126-Native American Music Pt.1
This episode explores the foundations of Native American music and dance, focusing on traditions from North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
- 125-Altered Chords Pt.4
This episode concludes the series on altered chords, focusing on coloristic chord successions, chromatic sequences, and non-sequential linear processes. It continues the discussion from episode 112, titled "Altered Chords Pt. 3".
- 124-Instrument Care Pt.4-Woodwinds
This episode of Music Student 101 covers the maintenance and care of woodwind instruments, including the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. The discussion outlines the components of these instruments and how to keep them clean…
- 123-Melodic Dictation Pt.6-Lydian Mode
In this episode, the series on melodic dictation continues with a focus on the Lydian mode. Listeners practice the skill of transcribing and notating melodies by ear.
- 122-Sound Engineering (feat. Raymond Calhoun)
Special guest Raymond Calhoun joins Music Student 101 to discuss his career as a sound engineer and its role in live concert experiences. This episode explores the technical aspects of the music industry and the opportunities available wit…
- 121-Harmonic Rhythm
This episode examines harmonic rhythm, defining it as the rate at which chords change in a piece of music. It explores the concept beyond its surface level to discuss its deeper musical implications.
- 120-Listener Compositions Pt.6
In this episode of Music Student 101, the show features original compositions submitted by listeners Visa Oscar, Alex Turnbull, Aubriel, Lemongrass, Neal Malley, and Steve.
- 119-Animals and Music Pt.1
This episode explores the field of zoomusicology through scientific studies involving primates, pets, and underwater animals. The discussion covers whether animals can perceive, create, or benefit from music.
- 118-Harmonic Progression Pt. 10 (Augmented 6th Chords)
In this episode, the podcast explores augmented sixth chords, comparing them to standard augmented triads. The discussion covers the Italian, French, and German types, followed by an ear-training exercise identifying them in chord progress…
- 117-Melodic Organization and Thematic Development
This episode explores various techniques for organizing and developing musical themes. Topics include repetition, transposition, expansion, contraction, and melodic sequences.
- 116-What Makes Scary Music Scary?
This episode examines the elements that make music sound scary by analyzing well-known scores from classical and cinematic genres. Topics include common musical themes like the Dies Irae, as well as specific intervals such as the minor sec…
- 115-Music and Productivity
This episode of Music Student 101 discusses the relationship between listening to music and productivity, including research on how music may affect mood and motivation when performing tasks.
- 114-Form and Analysis Pt. 4-Rondo
This episode explores rondo form as part of a series on music theory and analysis. The discussion includes a real-time breakdown of Ludwig van Beethoven's Für Elise.
- 113-Melodic Dictation Pt.5-Aeolian Mode
In this episode of Music Student 101, listeners explore melodic dictation exercises specifically focusing on the Aeolian mode, also known as the natural minor scale. The session aims to help musicians develop their ear training skills thro…
- 112-Altered Chords Pt.3
This episode continues the series on altered chords, covering non-dominant extended tertian chords, common tone diminished chords, linear chromaticism, appoggiatura chords, and various simultaneities.
- 111-Music and War
This episode explores the history and roles of music in warfare, from early historical accounts to the modern era. Topics include how musical instruments, compositions, and techniques have been used for communication, intimidation, and gat…
- 110-Listener Compositions Pt.5
In this episode of Music Student 101, the hosts feature original musical compositions submitted by listeners including Treybien/Alex, Gerald P. David, Linda Felcone, Rev. Jack Ladybird, Adam Hayes, Kara Ciezki, and Andersonlane.
- 109-Harmonic Progression Pt.9 (vii/IV, vii/iv, vii/VII)
This episode of Music Student 101 concludes ear training for secondary seventh chords by covering the tonicization of the IV chord in major and minor, and the VII chord in minor. The lesson includes practice chord progressions for listener…
- 108-Reading Music Pt.2
This episode continues the discussion on reading music by exploring clefs, the staff, notes, and rests. It also covers time values, dynamics, tempo, and form indicators.
- 107-Reading Music Pt.1
This episode of Music Student 101 discusses the importance of reading music and offers tips and philosophies for approaching sight reading. The hosts also share personal experiences and challenges related to learning to read music.
- 106-Altered Chords Pt.2
In this episode, we continue the exploration of extended tertian harmonies, focusing on 9th, 11th, and 13th chords. We also examine chords with substituted 6ths and altered 5ths, discussing their applications in traditional and non-traditi…