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ed@edmascari.com

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"I have found Ed to be extremely creative and flexible in his approach to my learning. He gives careful thought to my needs, recognizing my past accomplishments while leading me in new directions with expert guidance."

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Adult student.
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Music Theory Lessons

  • Have you always wanted to know how music works, but don't know how to get started?
  • Do you get stuck every time you try to play a song, because parts of it seem confusing?
  • Are you tired of looking through music theory books that are either not helpful or too academic?
If so, you came to the right place.
Music theory lessons to expand your musical knowledge
Identifying Key Signatures of Major Keys
What do all of those sharps or flats mean?
How do you know what the key if the song is?
You may be surprised to know that many advanced piano students have no idea what key their selected piece is in. This is not you! After spending only a few moments with this lesson, you'll be able to look at any piece of sheet music and instantly know the key of the song.
Download Lesson
Analysis of a Major Key and Its Parallel Minor Key
This lesson is for more advanced students.
Knowing how the seven (7) principal chords of a major key relate to the seven (7) principal chords of its parallel minor key will help you uncover the treasures of harmony. Before you know it, your songs will start to sound more rich and colorful as you substitute the simple for the sublime.
Download Lesson
How to Arrange a Song in 12 Easy Steps
Have you often wondered how to make sense out of the chords you see in sheet music? Now that you know how the chords of the keys relate to each other, you are ready to begin arranging your favorite songs.
Download Lesson
The Dominant 7thb9 Chord
Do you want to improvise, but don't know how?
Are you trying to add a few embellishments to your song playing and don't know where to start?
Have you been searching for a system that shows you how to move effortlessly up and down the keyboard like the pros do?
Here's one solid solution.
The dominant 7th chord is rich in possibilities. Since is often works beautifully with the addition of a flatted 9th, there is a way to solve your dilemma.
Download Lesson

On a related "note" to the The Dominant 7thb9 Chord, Listen to and download sheet music for Ed's Jazz Etude No. 1.
Musical Terms & Expressions
When you know how to play the notes on the page, your piano playing will come to life!
In order to do this, you need to know what the terms and expression marks are telling you. This list will help you to know the meaning of the many words and symbols that provide directions for volume, articulation, expression, phrasing and more.
Download Musical Terms & Expressions and keep a copy next to your piano, it's a great resource.

See and hear more of Ed's audio Music Theory lessons,
Building Blocks, Simple Songs and Hymn Tunes.