UMT Blog

The Night Before Christmas Poem from the UMT Team

T'was the Night Before Christmas when the Ultimate Music Theory Team gathered to wish you Holiday Greetings with this poem of good cheer!

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Schmitt Music Expo

Welcome to Schmitt Music Expo! Over the next 5 Days, you will LEARN 5 Powerful Teaching Techniques PLUS how to get your FREE $100 Pack from Schmitt Music

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Breve Note and Breve Rest

What does Breve mean? How do you write a Breve Note? How do you write a Breve Rest? When do you use a Breve Note or a Breve Rest? Let's find out!

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Got Music? Learn Music Faster with Theory Club Class Online!

Want to Learn Music Faster? Join Music Theory Club Class with Ultimate Music Theory Certifed Teacher & Elite Educator Joanne Barker.

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Music Theory Club Classes

Ultimate Music Theory Club Classes - Want to Learn Music Theory Fast & Have Fun? Ultimate Music Theory Club Classes are just what you need!

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Interval Size Symbol

Learn how to use the Interval Size Symbol. The Ultimate Music Theory Model Mnemonic (visual aid) on how to change the Interval Size one half step at a time.

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Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are. Yes, we talk with our mouth, but we also “talk” or communicate with our body language.

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Quickest Way to Achieve Results in Your Goal Setting

What’s The Quickest Way To Achieve Results When We Set A Goal? Setting Goals And Achieving The Outcome You Desire May Seem Like Two Different Things.

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Stop and Smell The Roses – What Does That Mean?

Feeling overwhelmed and at the end of your rope? Do you take a moment to - "Stop and Smell the Roses" to Develop Your Mind, Body and Space for Well-Being?

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The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started

What’s one important goal you just never seem to get to? What’s the secret to successfully achieving it? The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started.

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Motivation to Achieve Your Goals – Goal Setter

Are you a goalsetter? Think about a goal that you really want. What happens when we set a goal, we make a plan, and for some reason, we don’t achieve it?

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Mind Body Space Well-being

What Does Mind, Body & Space Mean To You? How do you feel about your wellness? Wellness is often defined as a state of being comfortable, happy or healthy.

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Clipped Corner Theory Challenge

Are you ready to motivate your Students to complete even MORE theory? This Clipped Corner Theory Challenge is easy for Private and Theory Group Students.

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Student Composers

Did you know that Ultimate Music Theory has the tools you need to teach your Students how to compose? Discover 3 Tips to encourage your Student Composers!

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Theory Group Drop In

A Theory Group Drop In is an Easy Way to reschedule Students or to have an Extra Group Lesson. Learn how to run your Theory Group Drop In in 3 Easy Steps!

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Mindful Focusing Challenge

4 Steps to create a Mindful Focusing Challenge that will encourage your Theory and Music Students to complete practicing and writing at home every week.

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Productivity Planner – Productivity Technique

Learn WHY a Productivity Planner - Productivity Technique, can help you set daily productivity goals, take action steps & achieve completion successfully!

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Organization – Productivity Technique

A Productivity Technique is the action of organizing something with a single purpose. What are the personal rules you need to stay organized?

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Pomodoro Technique – Productivity Technique

Want to avoid time thieves that prevent productivity in both your personal and professional life? Learn the Pomodoro Technique - Productivity Technique #1

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Which Music Theory Book To Use

Confused about which Music Theory Workbooks to use with your Students (&Transfer Students)? Use the "Which Music Theory Book To Use" Guide for all levels.

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Summer Theory Challenge

Summer is the perfect time to offer a Summer Theory Challenge. Explore 3 ideas on how you too can encourage your students to complete Theory in the summer!

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Summer Theory Group

Ever wanted to offer Theory during the summer but didn't know how? Want to make extra money teaching during the summer? Try UMT Summer Theory Group Classes!

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Level 8 Music Theory Exam

Struggling to Teach (or write) Contrasting Melodies for the Level 8 Music Theory Exam? Here are 4 Tips to write these Baroque Style Melodies correctly.

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Level 7 Music Theory Exam

The new Level 7 Music Theory Exam covers new Theory, History & Harmony Requirements in between the Intermediate (Level 6) & Advanced (Level 8) Theory Exams.

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Level 6 Music Theory Exam

Level 6 Music Theory Exam preparation can feel a bit daunting. There are so many new concepts, terminologies and expectations. UMT will make it easy!

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Level 5 Music Theory Exam

Preparing students for the Level 5 Music Theory Exam is EASY when you use Ultimate Music Theory. This blog will explore tips for teaching the New Concepts.

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So-La and Ti-Do

Have you ever wondered HOW to inspire, motivate and challenge your Students? It's easy with So-La and Ti-Do - the Ultimate Music Theory Stuffies! Learn how!

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Happy Birthday

December 1st is Ultimate Music Theory's Birthday! Here's my journey with Founder Glory St. Germain, as we celebrate our amazing years together in UMT!

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Upper or Lower Case Letter

Do we use an Upper or Lower Case Letter? It is a Capital "C" or a small "c"? Does it matter? Yes, it does! This blog will explore when and when not to Cap.

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Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 1 Blog

In the Music Theory Beginner A Lesson 1 Blog, I will share ideas from my own teaching with my students as we explore Lesson 1 - Fingers and Directions.

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Placement of Accidentals Blog 2 of 3 – Triad Accidentals

Did you know that there are Placement Rules for Triad Accidentals? When a Triad (or Chord) has 2 or more Accidentals, they must be written correctly.

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Placement of Accidentals Blog 1 of 3 – Harmonic Interval Accidentals

Harmonic Interval Accidentals have specific Placement Rules.In the Placement of Accidentals Blog #1, learn proper placement of 2 accidentals in intervals.

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Counting Slurs

Theory Exercises often ask Students to count the number of slurs in an excerpt. Learn the rules to counting slurs (and the difference between slurs & ties).

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Repeat Sign Dots

Repeat Sign Dots can be confusing. Are there rules for the placement of Repeat Sign Dots? Are there different types of Repeat Signs? Find out now!

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Volta Brackets

Volta Brackets, or "first and second ending brackets", are used to indicated specific directions when repeating the music. So, how do you use them?

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Analysis Square Bracket

The Analysis Square Bracket is an analytical tool used to define a part or phrase. Discover when it is easier to use a Square Bracket instead of a Slur.

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From Learning Disabilities to Success

Share Teacher Kandice Kreutner Ilgner's experience of how the UMT Workbooks help her students with learning disabilities build confidence & achieve success!

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Writing Time Signatures

When writing Time Signatures, it is important to not write Fractions!  Discover the difference between writing Time Signatures and writing fractions.

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Writing Accidentals

Let's Make Writing Accidentals Easy using the KISS Method! Learn the proper way of writing (drawing) accidentals using paper & pencil (and not a computer)!

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Music Note Stem Length

When adding a stem to a notehead, the stem is usually approximately one octave in length. Did you know that there is an exception to the Stem Length Rule?

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Draw C Clef Signs

The C Clef Sign is a symbol to Landmark Middle C in 5 different locations on 5 different staves. Learn how to Draw C Clef Signs easily to properly pitch C.

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6 Tips for Two Part Writing

Two Part Writing is when two voices (parts, instruments) are written on 1 staff. Each voice has it's own melody & rhythm. Learn 6 Tips for Two Part Writing.

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Ledger Line Rules – Confused?

Confused about Ledger Lines? Did you know that there are Ledger Line Rules to help us know how to write correct Ledger Lines every time? Take the Pop Quiz!

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Goal Setting – to be the Youngest UMTC Teacher

Goal Setting is the greatest motivation for achievement! Meet Pauline Miller and her son Voxov. Voxov has a goal... to be the Youngest UMTC Teacher ever!

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Quadruple or Duple – What is the Time Signature?

How can you tell whether the Time Signature is 4/4 or 2/2 Time? Is there a difference between Quadruple or Duple in Simple Time? Here are hints to help!

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Cadence Bass Notes

Cadence Bass Notes - What are the Rules? Do the Bass Notes ascend or descend? What about the Treble Triads? Learn 3 Rules to make writing a Cadence easy.

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Simple Time Rests Blog 3 – Breakdown

Dotted Rests are not used in Simple Time. To understand why, we need to understand the breakdown of the Basic Beat into a mathematical fraction of 4.

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Simple Time Rests Blog 2 – No Dotted Rests

In Blog 2 of the Simple Time Rests Series, discover why there are no dotted rests in Simple Time. Have fun learning about the balance of the pulse.

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Simple Time Rests Blog 1 – Basic Beat

Simple Time Rests Blog 1 - Basic Beat. When we understand the Basic Beat and Pulse in Simple Time, we discover the Rest Rules to make adding rests easy.

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Articulation Activity – Story Telling Through Music

Use this Articulation Activity to show students how to see, hear, feel & play Articulation Marks. Imagine, Compose & Explore story telling through music!

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Kathy Crenshaw UMTC in 7 weeks!

Learn how Kathy Crenshaw went from a Texas music teacher's workshop to massive success in the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Course in just 7 weeks!

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Can I Use Ultimate Music Theory?

Theory is Theory, no matter where you live! You CAN use Ultimate Music Theory to learn and teach theory, no matter what method or exam system you use!

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Pentascale or Pentatonic Scale?

Pentascale or Pentatonic Scale - both contain the word Penta (5) and Scale (degrees), but are they the same scale? Learn how to easily tell the difference. 

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No Diminished First

Ever wonder why there is no Diminished First? Learn why the smallest interval is a Perfect 1 & why a Perfect 1 always changes a semitone to an Augmented 1.

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Summer Theory Lessons

Don't have the time or energy to run a Summer Theory Camp? Why not try Summer Theory Drop-In Lessons! This easy and flexible option makes theory FUN!

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Common Advanced Exam Mistakes

Learn how to avoid Five Common Advanced Exam Mistakes when writing Nationally Recognized Theory Exams including the Royal Conservatory of Music Exams.

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Why Show Your Work

Explore 3 reasons why it is important to teach our students to Show Your Work when completing their theory - in their workbooks and on their exams.

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Motivation Ideas to Complete Homework!

Do you find that motivating Boys to complete theory homework is different from motivating Girls? Here are 3 Motivation Ideas to motivate all your students!

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Rhythm Sticks – Improve Counting

Use Rhythm Sticks to bring life to counting! Pick up some Chinese Food, a Tub of Ice Cream and you too can teach your students how to have fun with rhythm.

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Descending Musical Alphabet

Learning the Musical Alphabet is important for reading music and naming intervals. But how fast can you say the descending musical alphabet pattern?

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Music Theory Course Success

Looking for the best Music Theory Course Success that will get you First Class Honors with Distinction? This easy step-by-step course - Guarantees Success!

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Music Theory Choral Class

Music Theory Choral Class - Private, Classroom & Choral Teachers alike are "Singing the Praises" of the Ultimate Music Theory Workbook Series for students!

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Complete Theory Homework – 3 Tips

Discover 3 Tips for teaching your Students How to Complete Theory Homework on time. This Pedagogical Topic important to all teachers, especially new ones.

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Feet Placement for Concentration

Studies show that your brain focuses and processes information better, stronger & faster when you have the correct Feet Placement for concentration. Really!

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Faber and Faber Piano – Master Class

The Future of Teaching Music - Faber and Faber Piano Master Class with Glory and Sherry St. Germain. Learn exciting new innovative teaching techniques!

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Music Theory Camp

Guest blogger Kandice Kreutner Ilgner shares how she turned the Summer Lesson draught into Summer Theory Camp using the Ultimate Music Theory Lesson Plans.

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UMT Testimonial

Hannah Brackenbury shares her UMT Testimonial on how she discovered Ultimate Music Theory, the Online Certification Course and her first Theory Student.

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Music Italian Terms

In the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Course, teachers have fun with the Music Italian Terms. Enjoy reading Kamara Hennessey's "Italian Adventure"!

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Flashcards and Flyswatters

Nothing perks up a lesson faster than bringing out the Flyswatters and the Flashcards! Learn the fun new game from Ultimate Music Theory - "Flashcard Slap".

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Circle How You Feel

How do you know how others feel? Use "Circle How You Feel" to help students identify how they (and you) are feeling at the beginning and end of a lesson.

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Improvising with Triads

Inspiring students to Improvise is as easy as opening your UMT Basic Rudiments Theory Book to Page 86! Teach Improvising with Triads in 3 simple, fun steps.

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Goals of a Theory Teacher

As Teachers, setting goals for our students is an important part of lesson preparation. What about the goals of the Theory Teacher? Here are my top 4 goals.

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Sharp or Flat Ear Training Game

Using the Basic Theory Game Pack to teach students to identify direction and pitch is easy and fun! Learn how to play the Sharp or Flat Ear Training Game.

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Gratitude List – 5 Reasons Why

Glory St. Germain shares her gratitude list and the 5 reasons why. A gratitude list helps us focus on the good things in our life and be grateful.

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Completing Homework – 4 Secrets

Completing Homework can be a struggle for students and can leave a teacher feeling frustrated. Learn 4 Secrets to get students to complete their homework.

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Why Pay More? You Get More!

Why pay more for Ultimate Music Theory? Simple - You Get More! This Blog is for parents - 6 Reasons that prove why your child deserves the very best.

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UMT-ALS Theory Challenge

Want to inspire students to do theory and raise money for a special cause? Learn how to hold a Theory Challenge. Students complete theory & support charity.

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Basic Theory Game Pack

The Basic Theory Game Pack features 6 games that can be played 6 ways = 36 games in one Game Pack. Laminated, convenient and a must for all Music Teachers.

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Slap That Rhythm

Slap That Rhythm Game - Use the Free Flashcards in each workbook to provide students with a solid foundation in Theory AND in Ear Training.

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How Do You Improve Concentration?

How do you improve Concentration? Learn how to take two minutes to improve your student's concentration by bringing their body back into balance.

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Theory Classes – Over Already?

Theory Classes are so awesome with Joanne Barker's Ultimate Music Theory Games. UMT Games and whiteboards make theory classes fun!

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Theory Class – Fun to Success

Ultimate Music Theory Class - Dianne Potts shares her Theory Class success of completing 2 books in 20 weeks plus getting over 90% on the final RCM exam.

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Brain Injury Student – Plays Piano and iPad

Watch Brain Injury student Connor Derraugh playing piano and playing an iPad Game at the same time. An Award winning musical sensation.

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Broken Triads – Ascending or Descending?

Broken Triads - Ascending or Descending? Enhance your pitch comprehension between ascending or descending broken triad chords. Whiteboards and Workbooks.

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Music App – 5 Ideas to Use in a Lesson

The UMT Music App is the only Music App with a matching Basic Rudiments Music Theory Workbook! Learn Music Theory with the Music App - great for musicians.

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Piano Music App iPad – Panic to Playing

Piano Music App iPad Lesson. Learn how the Ultimate Music Theory Basic Rudiments App goes from panic to playing in 30 minutes. Ear Training, Sight Reading.

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Brainscape – Learn Faster Using Brain Science

Brainscape is happy to be working with Ultimate Music Theory to make the music theory studying process as efficient as possible. Learn more - Brain Science.

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Prevent Piano Teacher Injury – 3 Healthy Tips

Prevent Piano Teacher Injury before it's too late! Who knew teaching music could be dangerous to your health? Prevent piano teacher injury, 3 healthy tips.

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Cleaning Whiteboards – 4 Easy Tips

Cleaning Whiteboards is easy with these 4 tips. Ultimate Music Theory Whiteboards are a unique and exciting addition to any Music Studio and Theory Lesson.

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Preparatory Rudiments Exam – Kid’s Perspective

The only series with Preparatory Rudiments Exam & Answer Books. Prepare for Royal Conservatory of Music, Royal Conservatory Music Development Program Exams.

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Music Olympics – Let the Games Begin

Music Olympics - Let the Games Begin Winning the Gold in the Music Olympics requires DESIRE and DISCIPLINE. Are you ready to let the Games ...

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Olympics Challenge – Have You Qualified Yet?

How do you compete in the Olympics Challenge? In order to get started - download this easy to use Music Theory App. Win - Gold, Silver or Bronze.

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Olympic Music or Olympics without Music

Olympic Music - What does it take for a musician to create Olympic Music and become an “Olympic Musician"? Three powerful words.

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Dominant 7th Chord Inversions

Is writing V7 Chord Inversions confusing? Watch this Free Video - 3 Tips to Guarantee Success in Placement of Notes in Dominant 7th Chord Inversions.

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Best Music Theory App – 5 Reasons to Use It!

Best Music Theory App – The ONLY App with Matching Ultimate Music Theory Workbooks - Learn faster with advanced Ear Training and Sight Reading skills.

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Music Flashcards – Need a Flyswatter?

Music Flashcards are fun, especially using a Flyswatter! Learn how. And check out the Ultimate Music Theory Flashcard APP for MAC, PC, iPhone and iPad.

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