KnowMusicShirts
This is Dave's brand of Music Education clothing... or as Dave's students refer to it "The Merch".
All designs represent concepts in music that students find challenging or have to look-up regularly.
The designs are all original and primarily have an educational purpose.
Currently our partner is www.spreadshirt.co.uk - a print-on-demand clothing producer.
Each design is available in a range of styles, colours and sizes.
As they are designed by Dave, the terminology is accurate and helpful for students
studying for music qualifications in the UK.
Knowledge (for musicians)
The Original KnowMusicShirt Design
If you understand these words in the context of music you can describe any music, from any time, in any genre, written anywhere in the world. Understanding music gives you the freedom to perform it and write it yourself.
Shapes (for musicians)
Understanding Chords as Shapes
When studying music at a more advanced level, the letters 'a', 'b' and 'c' represent the order of notes as played in a chord. For example the chord of C Major contains the notes C-E-G from lowest to highest. This strong shape with the notes equally spread apart is called 'root position' (a). If we take the C note and put it on the top of the chord, it's still a C Major chord, but when played, it has a different sound. The new shape E-G-C is called a '1st inversion' (b). Moving the E to the top, gives G-C-E, the '2nd inversion' (c). The shapes describe each hand position when playing these three types of chord in any key. Professional composers use a variety of these shapes when writing harmony.
Transposing Instruments
(for musicians)
Understanding Instruments
Some instruments are known as transposing instruments as they play a note as written, but because of the construction of the instrument it sounds like a different note. For example a trumpeter (Bb instrument) reading a C on the music, actually makes the sound of a Bb. If we want the trumpet to sound like a C, the trumpeter must read a D. This is a very complex issue to understand, but this design makes it easier. If you're working with an Alto Saxophone, that's an Eb instrument - using the table it's therefore easy to see that if you want them to play a note sounding as an E, you have to write a C#. The design is especially useful in band rehearsals when many different transposing instruments are used at once.
Knowledge (for musicians)
The Original KnowMusicShirt Design
If you understand these words in the context of music you can describe any music, from any time, in any genre, written anywhere in the world. Understanding music gives you the freedom to perform it and write it yourself.
Shapes (for musicians)
Understanding Chords as Shapes
When studying music at a more advanced level, the letters 'a', 'b' and 'c' represent the order of notes as played in a chord. For example the chord of C Major contains the notes C-E-G from lowest to highest. This strong shape with the notes equally spread apart is called 'root position' (a). If we take the C note and put it on the top of the chord, it's still a C Major chord, but when played, it has a different sound. The new shape E-G-C is called a '1st inversion' (b). Moving the E to the top, gives G-C-E, the '2nd inversion' (c). The shapes describe each hand position when playing these three types of chord in any key. Professional composers use a variety of these shapes when writing harmony.
Transposing Instruments
(for musicians)
Understanding Instruments
Some instruments are known as transposing instruments as they play a note as written, but because of the construction of the instrument it sounds like a different note. For example a trumpeter (Bb instrument) reading a C on the music, actually makes the sound of a Bb. If we want the trumpet to sound like a C, the trumpeter must read a D. This is a very complex issue to understand, but this design makes it easier. If you're working with an Alto Saxophone, that's an Eb instrument - using the table it's therefore easy to see that if you want them to play a note sounding as an E, you have to write a C#. The design is especially useful in band rehearsals when many different transposing instruments are used at once.