Master piano quickly with an understanding tutor
Apr 27, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
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Tags: beginner piano lessons, free piano lessons, learn piano, online piano lessons, piano lessons, play piano
So What Exactly Are Piano Scales?
Feb 17, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
A scale consists of eight tones that are spread equally between one key and the key that is exactly one octave above it. Scales can be in many different types. They are all considered to be either major or minor scales. The happier scales are considered to be the major scales. The dark or deep sounding scales are known as the minor scales.
You will develop memory in the muscles of your hands as you spend time playing scales during your practice. You will find it much easier to get your fingers to move to the particular notes in the scale that you are working on after you have spent some time practicing them. As you glance over a sheet of music or hear a melody in the air your fingers will be naturally gravitating to the correct keys.
Any time you talk about scales you will also find yourself discussing keys. The piano has two different types of keys on it. The word “keys” as it pertains to the piano could mean the physical ivory or wood keys on the keyboard or the keys that a song or scale is played in.
You may hear a singer who is about to give their big performance lean over to the piano player and whisper “The key of C please”. The singer is telling the piano player where he or she wants the pianist to being on the keyboard. The keyboardist will know which keys to begin with as well as the chords that will need to be played to accompany the singer. Playing in the correct key is a vital part of any good musical piece.
As you begin to learn the scales, you can learn them without all of the key signatures. (This is the notation of the keys that are written and could be the key of G or the key of C). Playing the C scale is a great place to start. Using only the white keys you can play the major C scale. Simply place your right hand on the keys in the home position. Keep the numbering of your fingers in mind and that your thumbs will always the number one.
Press the keys and listen to the sounds of the one two three keys being played. You have now heard the sounds of you playing the C D E chord. Rather than going on to the next finger, place your thumb under your other fingers and continue with your thumb hitting the fourth key in the row, or the F key. Let your fingers flow from there to complete the scale with the final note being keyed by your pinkie finger. When you are finished you can pat yourself on the back as you have completed the complete scale by pressing the keys in order, 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 (otherwise known as C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. Continue to practice this so you can play it fluently.
After you are comfortable with the C scale on your right hand, move on to mastering it with your left hand. Rest your pinkie finger on the C key that is below middle C. Your fingers should be mentally numbered from one to five beginning with the pinkie finger. Play the keys as 5-4-3-2-1. After you have completed this step, use your middle finger to reach across the other fingers and put it on the next available key. Play 3-2-1 beginning at this location on the keyboard. When you put it all together you are playing 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1, otherwise known as C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.
Combining the functions of both hands at the same time is the next step once you have spent some time practicing with each individual hand. You will be playing the C below middle C using your pinkie on your left hand just as you are using your right hand thumb to play the middle C. Travel up the scale using both hands. The task may seem a little challenging until you have gotten over having to maneuver one hand over and the other under to finish the scale. After you practice you will find that it comes much easier.
After you have mastered this scale you will find that it is much easier to grasp the other major scales. Be sure to concentrate on the order of the half steps and the whole steps that occur in a major scale. If you are following the right order up the major scale you will be playing like this: starting note-step-step-half step-step-step-step-half step. Keep in mind as you follow these steps that there are no black keys found in between the B and C and the E and F so they are considered to be half steps.
A scale can be started from any place on the piano keyboard. You can choose to start with a white key or a black key. If you follow the sequence that was discussed above and pay attention to the half and whole steps when you go up the scale of eight notes then you will be fine. Try beginning at very last key on the left and carrying the scale to the last key found on the right side of the piano. Major scales will seem very simple after you have spent some time practicing them.
Tags: learn piano, piano scales, play piano
Understanding the Basics of a Piano
Feb 17, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
Before you begin to play the piano, you need to become familiar with what the instrument is. Some pianos are upright pianos, which are usually large, heavy, tall vertical boxes. These are anywhere from 36 to 51 inches tall. Spinets are the shortest upright pianos, at 36 to 39 inches. A studio vertical is 44 inches or taller.
If you have the opportunity to play on a grand piano, you will usually get a better sound and a more responsive touch. Grand pianos are the more horizontal pianos, ranging from 5 to 9 feet in length. In a grand piano, the strings are horizontal. In a vertical piano, the strings are, well, vertical.
When you sit on your stool, there will be a music rack that allows you to place your sheet music on it. There are various styles that range from ones that fold down or possibly slide into a slot. When it’s time to play just place your sheet music there. Obviously you will be sitting on some sort of bench that allows you to reach the keys at any part of the piano. Be careful though, if you sit too far or too close, you might not be able to reach them all.
If you look below the keys around your feet area will be a set of pedals. No, this isn’t the brake or gas, but they are considered to be used by those more experienced at playing the piano. Beginners need not apply, but the use is for sustaining sound or cutting them short.
Above all else you have to understand the keyboard. After all, this is where your music will come from those white and black keys running left to right. However, they don’t alternate every key, which is something most people mistakenly believe.
Seriously take a look at them. There is a consistent pattern where there are 7 white keys and 5 black keys. An interval can be performed at the beginning of one set and ending on the beginning of the next set. This is the musical distance between 2 sounds that are better known as an octave.
The keys are lined up on the keyboard in order from the lowest on the left to the highest on the right. Starting at the left and moving to the right, each black or white key is a half step higher in pitch than the key before it. For a full step, it is necessary to go up (or down) two half steps. Try some half steps and some full steps. With a little practice, you should be able to learn the sound of those intervals easily.
We also recommend trying a few other intervals so you can hear different sounds. Just glance at the amount of half or full steps you are taking. Choosing a key and playing the next key up in the same position is basically how it works. Over time you will gain plenty of abilities to play octaves without an issue. No pun intended, but this is one of the keys to playing the piano.
Now that you have familiarized yourself with the instrument called the piano, you can begin to learn how to use it to make music. There is much to learn, but you can begin playing simple songs very quickly. All it takes is a little time and some effort, and soon you will be happily playing songs you enjoy. What starts with a few notes can end in a lifelong pursuit of musical accomplishment.
Tags: learn piano, pianos, play piano
Experience The Joy Of Playing Piano
Feb 9, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
Well, since you’re here we imagine you already know the excitement that revolves around being able to play the piano. Maybe over the years you’ve listened to some of the greats like Count Basie or Duke Ellington. Then again, you might enjoy modern players of today who have won the hearts of many.
Take Jim Brickman for instance; the guy is the most versatile we’ve ever seen. He can play various genres, and do so while performing his own compositions. You can hear his music just about anywhere from jazz and inspirational stations, to pop and new age arenas.
Granted, maybe you’re more into the “rocker” type keyboard players which we know you know a few names here. How about Rick Wakeman from Yes or Tony Banks from Genesis? Then of course you have Dennis De Young who played for Styx and David Sancious who was able to enjoy the company of Bruce Springteen, Santana and Sting. Yes, there are also the rock piano players that we all know like Elton John, Billy Joel, Carole King, Paul McCartney, and even Carly Simon.
Once upon a time, these individuals probably played a little classical music at some point. Sure, it’s not the most exciting style of music to listen to for some, but when you actually play a piece it is simply unbelievable. Can you imagine being able to throw back a rendition from Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert or Brahms?
Most people want to play the piano find that emulating these individuals is one of their passions. Maybe you’ll be good enough to play in a band or look forward to a solo career. Whatever the case may be, you will definitely be able to play well enough to entertain yourself, some friends, and maybe even your family.
There are other benefits to playing the piano as well. One is relaxation. When you feel upset, it is very therapeutic to play the piano for awhile. If you are angry, playing the piano can release your frustrations. Your playing will soothe your nerves if you are anxious. If you are feeling down, you can start with slow songs and build up to more up-tempo, happier-sounding songs. This will often lift your sad mood.
Those who enjoy playing can build this into a secondary or even full time income. Granted, some piano players earn very little, but there are others who enjoy unlimited financial gains if they are both talented and lucky enough to be seen.
Another reason to learn to play piano is to develop discipline. If you are someone who starts and stops activities without giving them a fair shot, you might have better luck with the piano. It gives rewards at every level, keeping you motivated to stay at it and work harder.
Learning to play the piano is easier in some ways than learning other types of music. With vocal music, you have to learn more carefully about pitch. You have to worry about being just a touch above or below the note. With a piano, the only way that would happen is if your piano is out of tune, in which case you just have a technician fix it.
In the end though, the whole reason you should want to play the piano is for your own fulfillment. If you strive to reach your full potential in this area, you can rest assured you will be happy with the work you’ve accomplished. Plus, if you’re good at it you can experience the joy of playing a good composition for your patrons or peers. There just isn’t anything like letting music into your life.
Tags: learn piano, play piano, why piano
Correct Fingering For Playing The Piano
Feb 9, 2010 Blue Grass Music, Cajun Music, Clasical Music, Country Music, Easy Listining, Jazz Music, Modern Music, Music, New Age Music, Oldies, Pop Music, R&B Music, Rap Music, Rock Music
You wouldn’t believe how often I see students playing piano while using extremely awkward fingering, and I’m sure that this is something which interests beginners and intermediate players alike.
Even though you may not think so, this is in fact a controversial topic.
While many people believe that proper fingering is essential when playing the piano, others feel that free-style is better.
So, let me go ahead and discuss how I feel about this issue.
Even though the length of a person’s fingers differs from one person to the next, everyone’s thumbs are shorter than their other fingers.
Also, the thumb is usually the most powerful finger we have, followed by the index finger and middle finger, and it’s these three figures which are the most used when it comes to playing piano.
Here are some tips concerning fingering which you should certainly consider:
1. Never use the thumb to play a black key. The exceptions are a) when you are playing a piece that has all black notes. b) when you are playing a group of keys where there are black and white keys. For example if your right hand is to play Bb, D, and F together in Bb major chord root position,your thumb will play Bb (black note) in this case.
Because the thumbs are relatively short, they are simply not meant to be used for playing the black keys. As a general rule, it’s the second and third fingers which are used for playing black notes. If for example you are playing a piece that starts with a black key, you will use your second and third fingers to play the first note rather than the thumb.
2) If you’re playing a melody with your right hand and there are certain keys which are out of reach, then by all means, you can go ahead and move your hand to play the note. In fact, if the key is only a few steps down from the thumb, then you can use the thumb as an anchor well you cross the second finger over in order to reach the note on the left hand side of your thumb. Rather than moving your hand, you simply move the second finger over.
Once the second finger plays the key, the thumb will soon follow to cross over to play other note left of the key. Suggestion: practice the scale well to know what finger to follow.
3. This same rule applies to the left hand.
4. Watch other experienced pianists whenever possible, look at their fingering and imitate their movements. I suggest you watch those players who are well trained classically as they have spent many years going through the structured repertoire and virtuoso training that help built a firm foundation.
One very important factor regarding good fingering is that it helps to ensure smoothness while playing musical pieces.
If for example you want to play the work of Bach and other classical composers, then good fingering is crucial. In fact, even the slightest change in fingering can result in a complete disruption. On the other hand, strict fingering is less important for improvisational and accompaniment pieces.
You’ll also notice that musical pieces which have been edited by different editors tend to have changes in terms of fingering. For example, you’ll notice different fingering suggestions for the “Sonatina” piece composed by Clementi, depending on the different editors. While some prefer to use the second finger more often, others favor the third finger instead.
In conclusion: if you are improvising, pay less attention to which finger you are using. As long as you abide by the above rules and ensure a smooth flow of musical passage, you are fine.
If you get too critical about fingering, it distracts your musical thoughts and flow. After all, it is music that you are conveying. Piano playing gets rather complicated when you are trying to balance both hands, keep a steady tempo (rhythm), make sure the pedals are going in at the right time, listening to the music.
Tags: learn piano, piano fingering, play piano