Learn Piano Online

Thursday, January 17, 2008

How To Play Piano Despite Years Of Lesson

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Why is it that after years of studying something as a child, we forget later in life what we learned? Such is the common question of how to play piano despite years of lesson. Here i get you back to playing music even if you think you've lost it, and have begun to give up on how to play piano despite years of lesson.

First, realize that you have had lesson in piano, years of it perhaps, and that DOES count for a whole lot. How to play piano despite years of lesson entails mentally realizing that you really are only a step or two away from being able to play piano. The problem is that it seems like that first step is a big hurdle, and obviously a frustrating one having already had lesson, but unable to play.

Second: Start slow, do scales. Get the basic scales out and go through them. It took me actually having to number my keyboard at first, i had forgotten so much. From there i was able to translate the numbers to notes, and the scales began to get familiar. So often in trying to figure how to play piano despite years of lesson we don't want to succumb back to the simple things. This scale practice is also preparation for the next step.

Third. Twinkle twinkle little star. That's correct. I can't think of a better way to get back in the game and figure how to play piano despite years of lesson than to go back to a simple melody or song and start playing it over and over. This connects everything - the notes, fingerings, melody and sound - all together as one, and the simplest route is by practicing a simple children's song. Again the hardest part is going to mentally get over the hurdle of playing little kids songs when you "feel" as if you should be playing grander pieces. But if one wants to get to grander pieces and answer the question of how to play piano despite years of lesson, then one has to bite the bullet and get back to raw basics.

Finally, one should research new ways of learning to play piano! Since most people last took lessons years ago, they may not realize that new methods or techniques have come out that can cut to the chase much more clearly and quickly than before. From teachers to online courses, there are different outlets and methods to now explore while realizing how to play piano despite years of lesson is definitely an achievable goal!

Quick and Easy Piano learning methods do now exist. Check out http://www.squidoo.com/easy-piano-play/ for Chess's blog to further find out how to play piano despite years of lesson. Thanks so much for reading and feel free to check out http://www.squidoo.com/easy-piano-play/ Thanks!

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Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Play it again and play it right - a piano does not just have to stay in tune

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Melbourne Pianos will sound different to Sydney Pianos. It can be the same manufacturer and exactly the same right down to the smallest detail, but because of environment, atmospherics, altitude and humidity, the same Piano will sound totally different.

This is perhaps overkill, many piano players play because they enjoy what a piano brings - entertainment, and it is really only at the high level of concert pianists who are concerned over the difference in sound between venues, however the reason for this article is not how a piano sounds, but rather if a piano is right for you?

The joy of playing is also the joy of playing a piano that fits you and your expectations. For many years I have been placing people with pianos, and yes, I have matched concert pianos to concert pianists and good friendships have flourished. David Helfgott is a good friend who I've known since before he was famous. He and I both in obscurity and look at him now!

If you are looking to buy a piano, you are looking at an investment and something that should bring joy to you and your family. Pianos are affordable and the range, styles and sounds available are varied, like I said, if you're a perfectionist; what sounds good in Sydney may not sound so great in Melbourne (although the Piano can be retuned).

The best way to buy a piano is to sit and try it before you commit your self. By going to see a range of pianos you'll get a good idea as to what will work for you, try and find a large showroom with a great selection - I have customers come from interstate my showroom! and you can see what I mean by a selection, have a look at my website on http://www.pianoworld.com.au/

You'll also find the advice of a professional piano retailer invaluable. I've been selling pianos for years and I have seen many of my customers return as they continue to trade up to the next level piano, this takes years to achieve, so your piano retailer should take the time to get to know you and what will fit your style.

Brought to you by Hans Heshusius.

J.Victor Essling has written this for Hans Heshusius who has owned and run Austral Piano World for the last 20 years and can be found at 245-247 Lower Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe East, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Telephone 03 9497 2616 http://www.pianoworld.com.au/

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Play Piano Like a Pro: Even If You've Never Taken a Lesson in Your Life!

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

The first thing most students think they have to learn when taking piano lessons is note reading. But not only is note reading unnecessary...it's a hindrance when you really want to play piano like a pro. Why? Because pros use chords. And chords are much, much easier to learn than reading sheet music.

While chords will help you play like a pro fast, it all depends on the kind of chords you play. For example, most fledgling piano students think they will begin by playing triads. And for most piano teachers, this is the chord structure taught at the beginning. While there is nothing at all wrong with triads (all western music is built on this) it just won't give you a modern sound.

A chord structure I have my beginning students learn first, the open position piano chord, uses both hands right away to create a modern sound!

The benefit of using both hands right away is that you can vary the tones between hands to create a rich, beautiful sound that can NEVER be accomplished with the simple triad. Why piano teachers have their students learn triads first, I'll never know. But when you learn this chord position first, it allows you to create a open vented sound that is perfect for today's contemporary styles. Jazz, New Age, etc.. These styles can be created easily using the open position piano chord.

The way to play these chords is relatively easy. It may take a few minutes for your hands to get used to because this chord structure really stretches your hands. Here's how it works. The left hand gets the root note, the fifth, and the seventh. The right hand gets to play the third, seventh, and third again. So, if we were to play a C Major 7 chord, it would be spelled like this: LH - c, g, b RH - e, b, e. This looks a lot more complicated than it actually is and when you see it laid out for you on a keyboard diagram, you'll immediately see how easy it actually is to play!

To play the piano like a pro, don't start with triads; try the open position piano chord. You won't be sorry!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

Learn and Play Piano Now With This Easy to Use Technique!

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

You want to learn piano and play it now, but you don't want to spend years at it. Understandable. You're going to love this. It's something called the ostinato technique and with it you'll be able to improvise and create your own unique piano music right away!

An ostinato simply means repeating pattern. It's used in all types of music and is perfectly suited for the piano. Why? Because it's easy to create with! For example, let's look at one of my free piano lessons, "Winter Scene."

Here we have a repeating pattern (ostinato) going on in the left hand while the right hand improvises a melody. Now, why is this such a great technique for beginners? Because most anyone can play an ostinato pattern right away! There is no note-reading, no theory, and no requirement here other than being able to finger a chord. And 99.9% of people can do this!

The first thing you notice with this lesson is the sound. A full rich sound that's created with the left hand. The ostinato pattern creates a harmonic background over which you can improvise your own melody. And it takes just a few minutes to do! You don't have to read music. You don't have to take years of lessons. No. You just have to learn a little about chords and you can sound like a pro faster than any adult student who decides to go the classical route and spend thousands of dollars on a piano teacher.

To learn and play piano fast, learn the ostinato technique. It can be used in many, many different musical styles and offers you a quick way to create your own music fast!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Learn To Play Your Favorite Christmas Songs By Ear: Gospel Piano Course

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Dear Friend,

The Christmas season, my favorite season of the entire year, is ALMOST here --- and courtesy of Jermaine and HearandPlay.com, I have the PERFECT gift idea that YOU or one of your relatives would LOVE to see under the tree (...or better yet, on top of their piano)!

Jermaine just let me know about his brand new 3 H-O-U-R Christmas course, Christmas Keys Vol.1 - "Conquering Christmas Classics, which has just been released.

After he takes you through his UNIQUE song learning process, you'll not ONLY know how to conquer the songs shown in this course but tons of other Christmas songs since most songs follow familiar patterns.

Christmas Keys Volume 1 is LOADED with tons of powerful tips, easy-to-do tricks, and techniques that will have you playing like an expert by this Christmas season - GUARANTEED! Click here for more details:

Christmas Keys

In this course, you'll...

* Learn how to play every song, step-by-step, with no guessing (whatsoever) or any information left out! By the end of this course, you'll have what it takes to fully play all of these Christmas songs by ear!

* Learn several variations of each song so you can play these Christmas classics a different way every time!

* Beginners: How to play an entire song with only three-fingered major chords (...also known as "major triads").

* Discover the power of "inversions" and how changing one note in your chord can totally alter the way a progression sounds!

* How to add fuel to your bass by understanding how "power" chords work in holiday music.

* How to play "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in a churchy praise style! I'm talking about bass lines, runs, fill-ins, and more (...similar to our other GospelKeys courses)!

* And tons more!

Click below if you're ready to finally learn your favorite Christmas songs by ear:

Christmas Keys

Please note: Due to the high demand and moderate supply, this incredible offer for Christmas Keys will only be around for a short time. So...

...Don't waste time! Order TODAY!

Click here for more details:

Christmas Keys

God bless,

Andre Hayward is jazz trombonist/educator in the Boston area.

He is akson an 8 year member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

led by Wynton Marsalis. He serves as adjunct trombone professor at

both The New England Conservatory and New York University

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Monday, December 17, 2007

How To Play The Piano Using "Shorthand" -- Chord Symbols -- Instead of Reading the Full Score

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Most people who took piano lessons as a kid, including me, grew up learning to read music exactly as it is written on the printed page. Being able to read music is a valuable skill, and I am delighted I learned that skill at an early age.

But there is a downside to only being able to read music without understanding what you are reading. A couple real-life examples illustrate the point:

What happens when you are playing and your sheet music slips off the piano and onto the floor? Unless your name is Victor Borge and you can turn the situation into comedy, you will probably find the situation extremely embarrassing. I have seen it happen several times to pianists who play well but who don't know how to improvise, and it's not a pretty site. It happened to me once years ago as well. I was accompanying a singer and someone opened a side door, letting a gust of wind sweep into the auditorium and right across my piano. The sheet music scattered onto the stage and a couple pieces blew off the stage. If I hadn't understood the music and had a grasp of it's harmonic form, I would have had to stop, pick up the music, get it back in order, and so forth, delaying the soloist and the performance. As it turned out I had several people ask me how I kept playing without the music in front of me. I replied that I knew the chord progressions of the song, so was able to "wrap the chords around the singer" and therefore keep the song going.

So what are chord symbols, and how do they work?

Chord symbols are a shorthand way of writing what is going on harmonically in a song. For example, if I were to write the chord symbols of the first line of What Child Is This? (also known as Greensleeves and several other titles) in the key of Am, I would write:

Am G F E7 -- which corresponds to the first line of the song and would appear directly above the melody line in the treble clef, so all the pianist would need to do would be to read the melody (tune) of the song -- not all the supporting notes.

I think you can see that once you know a few chords this would be infinitely easier to remember than the entire score of the song. Not only that, but that chord progression -- A, G, F, E7 -- repeats several times during the song, so once you know the form of the song, you have a huge advantage over someone who is chained to the written music and has no idea about the logic of the song.

So how does a person learn this "musical shorthand"? It's no secret -- there are books galore on learning chords, plus web sites that teach chords, or you could even pick up a chart of chords in your local music store.

Then buy a "fake book" -- a songbook with hundreds or even thousands of songs, each song showing just the melody of the song with the chord symbols listed above it. Each song alone would be known as a "lead sheet", but cumulatively the collection of songs is known as a "fake book". Then every day play a dozen or so songs just with the melody in your right hand and the chord in your left hand. It will sound barren at first, but you're learning how it works.

After a couple weeks of that, instead of playing the melody in your right hand, sing the melody (doesn't matter at all how it sounds) and use your right hand to break up the notes of the chord you are playing in your left hand. Once you get the hang of it, you can start breaking up the chord in both hands and experimenting with various rhythm patterns.

I am not saying it's easy; I am saying it's fun and exciting and that it is worth it many times over!

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions- Intelligent Piano Lessons For Adults Only! " with over 84,400 current subscribers.

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Piano Playing Your Way: How To Have More Fun Playing The Piano Than You Ever Have Before

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Piano playing doesn't have to be boring. There's no law that says you have to play a song the same way everyone else plays it. By learning some basic music theory and chord formations, you can have the time of your life playing music like you have always wanted to.

Every musician has a different method of arranging. Some start with the bass, some start with the melody, some just arrange everything all at once. You'll eventually discover the process that works best for you, but here's a basic guideline list to get you started.

-- Play the song as written. Pay careful attention to the melody and harmonies so you understand how the song is supposed to sound before altering it. Make sure you can play the song very well before moving on to an arrangement.

-- Analyze the song's chord structure and form. Know all the chord changes and any key changes. Separate the piece into parts using the letter system discussed in this course; often, you'll be able to add some spice to an arrangement by simply knowing where a verse switches into a chorus.

-- Look at the song's context to determine the appropriate sort of arrangement. For instance, if you're working on a classical lullaby or wedding song, you probably won't want to add western bass or a march beat. Of course, there's no rule saying you can't do that if you're going for a comical effect. Just be aware of the effect every sort of arrangement technique will have on a song.

-- Change the bass chording pattern based on the just-analyzed song's context. Working with "Git Alone Little Dogies"? Try a western bass. A classical romantic song? Give upward inversions or arpeggios a go. Just keep switching the bass pattern until you find something you like. After awhile, you'll acquire the ability to naturally know what to do. Until then, try it all.

-- Add fillers to the melody. Again, be aware of what's appropriate. If you're playing a western bass, try grace notes and twangs. If the song is in Alberti bass, add some glissandos or delicate octave harmonies. Remember that certain fillers, like runs or straddle-downs, work best when you're holding a half note or higher in the melody.

-- Add dynamic variation. This is where the form analysis comes in handy. If you know a key or part change is coming up, consider the ways in which you can take the dynamic up or down to create a textured, interesting effect. Try not to make the whole song extremely loud or extremely soft. Remember, variety is the spice of life!

The piano arrangement you create is bound only by the limits of your imagination. Try everything and don't get discouraged -- you'll get the hang of it eventually.

Now pick a song and get to it!

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions- Intelligent Piano Lessons For Adults Only! " with over 84,400 current subscribers.

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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Learning Through Sheet Music For Guitar

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

Encouraging your child to learn to play a musical instrument is a lovely gesture. Granted not all children are interested in learning how to play the guitar, the violin or the piano, but if they are, it's nice if a parent can present opportunities for them to pursue that. If your child is interested in learning the guitar, it's a good idea to find some sheet music for guitar that is at the playing level they're at.

Traditionally people who wanted to learn and play the guitar were restricted to purchasing books filled with music. Many sheet music for guitar books may have included dozens of songs by a particular artist or they centered on a specific theme such as summer songs or holiday tunes. Now it's a bit different, as you can find all kinds of sheet music for guitars on the Internet.

The first thing to do when looking for music is to determine what level the person playing the instrument is at. Obviously you don't want to give complicated sheet music for guitar that includes many notes and a fast tempo to a beginning player. They would struggle with this and more than likely it would frustrate them. Instead choose music that complements their current ability.

One way to get a child, in particular, to practice more is to give them songs that they enjoy. If you give a child sheet music for guitar that is for a song they've never heard of, they are less likely to want to practice it. However, if you find songs that they listen to on the radio or have sung in school, they are going to want to master those. They'll want to learn them quickly so they can impress not only their friends, but themselves.

Asking the child what songs they dream of playing is a good start. If they tell you a song that you know is beyond their current playing ability, encourage them to keep practicing and suggest other songs that you know they enjoy.

Also, explain to the child that they don't need to learn the entire song in one sitting. If they are working on a specific chord with their guitar teacher and they take a few days or weeks to learn that, reward them by telling them how proud you are. This will be the impetus they need to continue learning until they can play the entire song all at once.

Once the child feels very comfortable, they can begin to play songs that are a bit more difficult. Purchasing new sheet music for guitar for them as they progress from one playing level to another is the perfect way to constantly show them you believe strongly in their ability.

IntoTheArts gives our readers the latest updates on music & other entertainment related news.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

How To Learn Piano

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

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Monday, December 3, 2007

Play Piano - Preparing to Practice

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

When the practicing "blahs" strike, you just need an attitude adjustment. You don't have to sweat blood to practice well. You don't even have to think of it as work, or duty, or even something that you ought to do.

Stop a minute and think about it. You like music, and you want to play some special piece that really means something to you. You want it to sound through you - right through your fingertips.

Okay? Well, you practice it to fulfill that desire, not to frustrate it.

Pause here and ask yourself some questions:

What if you could look at a piece of music for the first time, and play it correctly straight off, just as fine as you please?

How would you feel about practicing then?

Or, what if you were practicing for the Olympic swim meet next year, and felt deep down that you had a chance? How would you feel then about the training? Would you plunge into it each morning?

What if you were interrupted at a good point in yesterday's practicing? What if you had just about broken through a tough spot when you had to stop? Would you want to get back to it today as soon as possible?

You answer those questions, honestly, for yourself. There are ways to say "YES!" every day.

But, first, you've got to stop blaming yourself. You don't have to be perfect every time. You don't have to be the best player, today. And you don't have to listen to what other people say about your playing - people who are only half listening, and don't care the way you do.

Put all that out of your mind. What matters is your desire to play as well as possible.

Just start with playing - one note after another, and keep going. As the Chinese say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first, step." And, if the very first step leads to the first slip, be glad for it. You can't, repeat, cannot learn without mistakes!

Now, start to think more personally about your instrument.

The piano, like the guitar, is a "touchy" instrument. Touch it, and you both produce and color its tones, like a potter molding clay. Think of the keys, all gleaming white, as the "skin" of the piano; you can either please them or hurt them. Stroke them, and the sound will come out mellow and purring. Poke them, and the sound will either "bark" sharply or woodenly "thud."

Stop thinking of yourself as playing "on" or "at" the piano. Rather, think of the instrument as an extension of your own body. When an artificial leg is fitted to an amputee, he is then taught to walk with it. Gradually, it feels more natural - more like his own leg walking. The French call the keys "les touches," or "touch-points" - as if the keys, not you, were doing the feeling.

Every musician wants to personalize this instrument. Take a look at the vocalist who hugs his guitar, or without a guitar, woos his microphone, or, without a microphone, simply woos the audience?

Every musician seeks to make his instrument an extension of his own body, the tool he or she needs to put across the strong feelings he as for the music.

Nadia Boulanger, one of the greatest teachers, put it best: "Don't speak to me of talent; speak to me of desire."

Go to the piano or keyboard not to reproduce a piece, but to experiment with your best way to bring out what is there. There is no one right way to play a piece - no matter how loudly some people protest that there is.

Artists in fact, vary greatly, and audiences return again and again to hear the same piece, as played by pianist X or pianist Y. You simply cannot play a piece twice the same way. Try it!

Here's how to practice an exercise or a song:

Six quietly, upright and relaxed Hear the music in your head: hear it better than life. Sense its movement and pulse rolling through you, turning and adjusting your own pulse, you are the prime "instrument" of this music - sitting there alert, tuned by silence, vibrating to is rhythm, lending it your own life entirely.

As you feel the music filling you, heart and soul, you will know that it is getting ready to be born.

When it has stirred you, lift your hands to the keyboard. This is the reason you wanted to play in the first place: to bring alive what has already moved you. And, suddenly, by centering your focus, you've turned practicing from a duty into an attraction.

Ron Worthy is a Music Educator, Pianist and Songwriter. He offers online instruction that focuses on Rock, Pop, Blues, Cocktail, R&B and "Smooth Jazz" piano styles. To Download Your FREE Piano Lesson Video, go to: http://www.playpianotonight.com/VC.html.

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Friday, November 30, 2007

Play Piano - Preparing to Practice

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 


When the practicing "blahs" strike, you just need an attitude adjustment. You don't have to sweat blood to practice well. You don't even have to think of it as work, or duty, or even something that you ought to do.

Stop a minute and think about it. You like music, and you want to play some special piece that really means something to you. You want it to sound through you - right through your fingertips.

Okay? Well, you practice it to fulfill that desire, not to frustrate it.

Pause here and ask yourself some questions:

What if you could look at a piece of music for the first time, and play it correctly straight off, just as fine as you please?

How would you feel about practicing then?

Or, what if you were practicing for the Olympic swim meet next year, and felt deep down that you had a chance? How would you feel then about the training? Would you plunge into it each morning?

What if you were interrupted at a good point in yesterday's practicing? What if you had just about broken through a tough spot when you had to stop? Would you want to get back to it today as soon as possible?

You answer those questions, honestly, for yourself. There are ways to say "YES!" every day.

But, first, you've got to stop blaming yourself. You don't have to be perfect every time. You don't have to be the best player, today. And you don't have to listen to what other people say about your playing - people who are only half listening, and don't care the way you do.

Put all that out of your mind. What matters is your desire to play as well as possible.

Just start with playing - one note after another, and keep going. As the Chinese say, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first, step." And, if the very first step leads to the first slip, be glad for it. You can't, repeat, cannot learn without mistakes!

Now, start to think more personally about your instrument.

The piano, like the guitar, is a "touchy" instrument. Touch it, and you both produce and color its tones, like a potter molding clay. Think of the keys, all gleaming white, as the "skin" of the piano; you can either please them or hurt them. Stroke them, and the sound will come out mellow and purring. Poke them, and the sound will either "bark" sharply or woodenly "thud."

Stop thinking of yourself as playing "on" or "at" the piano. Rather, think of the instrument as an extension of your own body. When an artificial leg is fitted to an amputee, he is then taught to walk with it. Gradually, it feels more natural - more like his own leg walking. The French call the keys "les touches," or "touch-points" - as if the keys, not you, were doing the feeling.

Every musician wants to personalize this instrument. Take a look at the vocalist who hugs his guitar, or without a guitar, woos his microphone, or, without a microphone, simply woos the audience?

Every musician seeks to make his instrument an extension of his own body, the tool he or she needs to put across the strong feelings he as for the music.

Nadia Boulanger, one of the greatest teachers, put it best: "Don't speak to me of talent; speak to me of desire."

Go to the piano or keyboard not to reproduce a piece, but to experiment with your best way to bring out what is there. There is no one right way to play a piece - no matter how loudly some people protest that there is.

Artists in fact, vary greatly, and audiences return again and again to hear the same piece, as played by pianist X or pianist Y. You simply cannot play a piece twice the same way. Try it!

Here's how to practice an exercise or a song:

Six quietly, upright and relaxed Hear the music in your head: hear it better than life. Sense its movement and pulse rolling through you, turning and adjusting your own pulse, you are the prime "instrument" of this music - sitting there alert, tuned by silence, vibrating to is rhythm, lending it your own life entirely.

As you feel the music filling you, heart and soul, you will know that it is getting ready to be born.

When it has stirred you, lift your hands to the keyboard. This is the reason you wanted to play in the first place: to bring alive what has already moved you. And, suddenly, by centering your focus, you've turned practicing from a duty into an attraction.

Ron Worthy is a Music Educator, Pianist and Songwriter. He offers online instruction that focuses on Rock, Pop, Blues, Cocktail, R&B and "Smooth Jazz" piano styles. To Download Your FREE Piano Lesson Video, go to: http://www.playpianotonight.com/VC.html

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Sunday, November 4, 2007

Piano Lessons: Make Sure They Include Chords & Music Theory!

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

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Proper piano instruction is an element extremely vital to learning the instrument well. Though it's very possible to be a self-taught piano player, piano lessons can really increase the speed and efficiency with which one learns the instrument.

That's not to say that great piano instruction makes great piano players overnight; even the most naturally talented pianists still play for years before they consider themselves advanced. But proper piano lesson instructions will maximize those years to the fullest and ensure that the student is learning the correct techniques.

Though teaching styles always vary from instructor to instructor, piano instruction generally covers the same basic areas: fingering, music reading, scales, technique, and sight reading. The early lessons will cover fingering and posture, making sure the student knows how to hold his or her hands and where to put them on the keys; series of scales practiced repeatedly will be the basis of this area. Piano instruction will then move on to notation essentials, starting with the basics of notes and key signatures and time signatures and then moving forward to more advanced concepts in rhythm, tempo and dynamics.

Many of these concepts are introduced into the piano instruction while the student is learning to read music, a practice that runs through the entire course of the piano instruction. Teachers will assign short, easy pieces to kick start the student's music reading knowledge and eventually move forward to more advanced pieces. Sight reading, the ability to play a piece of music without ever having seen it, is sometimes placed sporadically throughout the piano instruction, after a student is fairly well-versed in reading music.

One crucial element of piano playing that is often left out of traditional piano lessons is the study and practice of chords and music theory. To learn to read music without understanding the theory behind the music and the chords and chord progressions that form the music is almost like teaching a surgeon to cut without understanding the human anatomy and it's interrelated parts. The student will be able to play the piano from a piece of sheet music, but take that music away or have it blow off the piano and he or she is immediately in big trouble.

There is a famous anecdote about a lady who was a concert pianist and could impress people with her playing, yet when asked to play "Happy Birthday" at a party had to decline with great embarrassment because she didn't have sheet music for the song handy. To be tied to the written music is a shame, when learning chords and music theory adds so much to the value of piano instruction.

Given a healthy dose of music theory and chord instruction mixed in, all of the other elements of piano instruction eventually begin to work hand in hand. Piano instruction then becomes an intricate web of gaining bits of detailed knowledge little by little and understanding the music that's being played without fully realizing that it's being gained.

Playing the piano then becomes more fun and a joyful event that can be shared with full understanding of the music theory and form and chord structure that lies behind each song.

A series or free lessons from Duane on the various aspects of chords & music theory is available: "Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions!"

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Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Online Piano Lessons Will Help You To Play Piano By Ear

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

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There is no time like the present to start learning how to play piano by ear and online piano lessons are the fastest way for you to learn this amazing skill. And since you are learning you should learn the best way possible, you should learn to play piano by ear. It is only by learning to play piano by ear that you will be able to sit down to your piano and play something that you just heard on TV or on the radio and this is such a fun thing to be able to do. Not only will it feel good for you to be able to play piano by ear, it will impress the heck out of all your friends.

Online piano lessons are cheap and they are easy to follow. You can actually find some free online piano lessons, you should look into this first. Even if you decide to take more paid for online piano lessons at least this way you will have a foundation down first. This will make your further education in learning to play piano by ear much easier for you. Learning to play piano by ear is a big step and you need all of the help you can get, the less it costs the better right?

There are some techniques that you can use to learn to play piano by ear. These can be added to your online piano lessons. Learning them in conjunction is a smart way to learn to play piano by ear. For example you can start with the chords. Listen to them as you play them and then tape them. Listen to them over and over again until you can hear the subtle and not so subtle differences. This is key if you want to play piano by ear.

Before you choose the online piano lessons that are right for you, make sure that they really are the right ones. Try to focus on online piano lessons that will help you to play piano by ear. Some online piano lessons will state that this is their goal, to help you to play piano by ear. This is what you want to look for in your lessons.

Josh Nelson is an avid piano player and learned to play the piano by ear. He offers a free report on the tips and tricks to playing by ear at his site: http://www.get-online-piano-lessons.com

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Learn Piano Online In A Fast And Easy Manner

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

If you want to learn piano online like me, then you know that this can be a not so easy task to accomplish. As a beginner, I knew absolutely nothing about pianos before trying to learn it. I simply bought a keyboard and decided that I wanted to learn to play it, instead of it collecting dust like my old guitar is. The best part to learn piano online is that you don?t have to sit on a little bench with your legs dangling off while your eighty year old neighbor sits their and corrects your posture.

Black Keys: If you want to learn piano online, the first things you must learn are the keys. Black keys come in groups of two and groups of three. This means something that will be described next. White Keys: The white key right before the first black key in the two group is the C note. From then on, a total of 7 notes are played, in a repeating pattern.

Hands: Your hands are your tools. Treat them well, because if you lose them, you no longer play. A good rule of thumb is that for the right side of the keyboard; only use your right hand. Left side uses only the left hand to play.

Now, you want to have fun. Try to just play a few random notes. Don?t worry how it sounds or the fact that you aren?t playing a song; just get yourself accustomed to the keyboard. Remember to also use the black keys in your practice session, as many people forget those keys completely. Also remember to keep the left hand on the left side and right on right.

Hand eye coordination is another huge factor in learning piano online. Your eyes might see the keys you want to hit, but your hands must hit them correctly. This may not happen all the time, so practice a simple song with just one hand until you have perfected it. Then, try a slightly harder song, and see if you can keep up your hand-eye coordination, using the same or different hands.

Pretty soon you will be learning how to play using both hands and maybe someday you will learn to read sheet music, but if that doesn?t happen don?t get discouraged. Some of the best pianists could not read sheet music, but were still considered some of the best of their time.

If you desire to learn piano online, then it is a must that you get the needed information and resources that you need to be just as good as Beethoven :) http://www.squidoo.com/learnpianoonline/

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Monday, September 24, 2007

Learn to Play Piano Fast!

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

         >>  Dont Even Think Of Trying Other Prodicts untill You Read This <<

 

If you?ve ever wanted to learn to play piano, you are in good company. Many people list ?Learn to play the piano? on their New Year?s Resolution lists, or have it as a goal for their future. However, not many people take the steps necessary to learn how to play.

The sad part is that taking the time to learn to play piano has many advantages. In all actuality, with the right method, learning to play doesn?t take as much time as most people expect.

I believe that everyone can benefit from having some musical ability. The piano is one of the most versatile instruments. With a few simple lessons, you can learn to play:

Classical
Swing
Jazz
New Age
Rock/Pop

I can guarantee that you will never get bored playing the piano. There is always a new style to try, or a new song to master. Plus, sheet music is most likely available for your favorite songs, which makes the process even more fun.

Playing the piano is seen as a very intelligent skill, and with good reason. The skills you master when you learn to play piano will help increase your hand eye coordination and improve your left and right brain thinking. There is always something new to learn when you learn to play piano.

Just by learning a few songs on the piano, you?ll exercise your brain and gain a reputation as a semi-genius!

One of the fastest and most satisfying ways to learn to play piano is taking a chord-based approach. Most piano teachers will teach from a classical method. This includes those infamous scales, learning to read music, playing Fur Elise again and again?..all the (boring) things we typically think of when we picture piano lessons.

The classical method does work, but it takes forever?.which is why most teachers focus on this approach. Think about it. If you were a teacher, charging $40 an hour, would you go with a method that will take your students years to master? Or would you choose a method that has them improvising their own music and understanding musicianship within a few months?

I?d personally go with the option that will guarantee me long-term clients who will pay me $40 a week for years on end.

Learning to play by chords, however, is better for the students and not the teachers. If your goal is to learn to play piano, a chord-based approach to learning will give you more satisfaction, more quickly than the classical method. Your time-spent learning will be greatly reduced and, better yet, you?ll actually understand how music is created.

So find a teacher, or website, that focuses on chord-based teaching, and you?ll be able to finally reach your perpetual ?learn to play piano? goal.

Learn To Play Piano Online- Free Piano Lessons, Lesson Reviews and much more...Claim your Free Piano Lessons eBook at http://www.learntoplaypianoonline.com/

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Learning to Memorize Piano Music

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

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We all have our psychological, emotional, mental and physical barriers when it comes to practicing and/or performing. One such particularly difficult challenge is that many pianists simply cannot remember a piece. However, it is the emotional reaction to not remembering a piece which is the most painful. In fact, what it creates is stress. And, that is a huge problem and very difficult barrier that pianists need to overcome.

Knowing what stress is however can completely change your perspective. Here?s the real definition of stress;

Stress is the amount of energy you put into resisting your situation.

This will help to change your behavior and therefore, if you change your behavior, you change the results. The first step is to become aware of your internal dialogue when you approach the piano. What is your little voice telling you? Is it saying, ?I feel guilty for not doing what is expected of me?? Is it saying, ?I?m not good enough, talented enough, smart enough, disciplined enough??

What you focus on expands. If you focus on what you cannot do or are not able to do, that will expand. If you focus on what you can do, that will expand as well.

When you are sitting at the piano, your thoughts become reality. Your thoughts instantly take form as you are creating. Your barrier may be that you are focused on what once was, instead of focusing on the now! If all you do is focus on the fact that it was once easy for you to memorize, you are not focusing on the now. Present moment awareness is the key to learning to play the piano or any other instrument. It is also the key to learning anything in life that?s worthwhile learning.

The next time you practice just sit at the piano and meditate on what you are feeling. Don?t play, just feel. Does it feel stressful, joyful or painful? Are you anticipating stress or anticipating pain? Are you looking forward to playing or are you hearing little scripts in your head saying ?you used to be great, now your not, you are not this, that, etc?? What are you feeling?

The next day, sit at the piano again and turn your attention to the now. Feel the joy of playing. Feel the joy of what it is to make beautiful sounds. Just let your hands explore over the keys, and listen to every note like it was the most beautiful sound you ever made! You are in the now! No one can steal this moment and pure joy from you. Feel the joy and the freedom in the now.

Once you have gone through this little exercise, and you are in the now, and every note becomes beautiful?even wrong notes. Now, in the present moment, without any negative thoughts to the contrary, you are ready to learn one thing at a time.

I teach the 10-24-7 Paul Tobey method! This means that you learn one thing at a time with 100% of your energy, learn it again in 24 hours and again in 7 days. Your retention rate for this one thing will go up 85%.

There?s a term we use for this type of learning and it?s called ?accelerated learning techniques? or ?advanced learning techniques.? It?s what I teach in my seminars because it?s what works best for me and for the hundreds of people I?ve taught it to.

Your barriers are not in the brain. It?s not a malfunction of your intellectual or physical ability. Your barriers (self-perceived limitations) are our little voices that constantly speak to us from deep within in our brains. You can eliminate it but, first you must understand it. You must stop feeling like a victim. You must stop focusing on the past (who you were), and start focusing on who you are (in the now). Your passion for the piano is evident. Your passion is living in the now.

The question is, how long is your past going to control your present? If want to experience freedom at the piano, all you have to do is sit on the bench, let your hands feel the notes, and listen to every note like it was the best note you ever played. Then, without judging yourself, or any note you play, just learn one thing in the now. Do it again in 24 hours, and again in 7 days.

Remember, don?t judge what you can or cannot do. Just feel, and be aware of the little voice inside your mind. And when it says to you ?I can?t memorize this piece,? just say to your mind ?thanks for sharing,? and go right back to the joy of playing.

Paul Tobey has recorded several CDs and performed piano concerts all over the world. He is considered unique among pianists because of his individual style and composing abilities.

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Saturday, September 15, 2007

The Key To Unlock Learning To Play The Piano

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

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Why put off learning to play the piano? Unfortunately, a false belief holds many adults back who think that since they did not study piano as a child that they will not be able to catch on as an adult. It is true that it will be a little more difficult because learning new things comes faster when we are younger, but that does not make it impossible for adults to learn to play the piano. With regular practice, you will be able to play for friends and in a few months time even compose songs of your own.

Musicians usually find learning to play the piano helpful in their area of music since they can easily arrange music on a piano. Because it is the most versatile of instruments, the piano an be helpful in arranging music for any other instrument out there.

With the simple layout of the keyboard, a piano makes tones and chords available at once. Most people who have never played an instrument want to play the guitar or the piano. I found this music site helpful http://www.mywebrelease.com. The guitar may be easier to learn, but it will not provide the usefulness that a piano can give. In addition, learning the piano will teach you theories beyond just the music rather than simple repetition of notes.

It is best to learn to play the piano from a live instructor. With at home piano programs, you may develop bad habits and not even realize that you have done so. A real live teacher is more productive unless you have some miracle musical talent that has of yet remained hidden. With a qualified piano teacher, you will learn to play the piano right the first time.

He/she can catch your mistakes and show you how to correct them. They will also be able to listen objectively to you to measure the progress you think you are making. In this way, you will know that you have learned to play the piano correctly without guess work.

Dylan Mccabe visits the following sites: My Art Portal Photography For Fun

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Monday, September 10, 2007

Learning To Play Piano Chords

Simple Step By Step Piano Lesson. If You Cant Learn Piano From These Lessons Then You Cant Learn Piano Anymore

           

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If you are playing several notes at the same time, then you are playing piano chords. Simply put, when multiple notes are played together, piano chords are achieved. The chords then come together to form a melody. Every song that you hear has a melody and it is through each melody that music is achieved. Sound complicated? Well, that?s ok because it really isn?t as difficult as it sounds.

As a musician, whether it be professional or hobbyist, you will need to learn the various types of piano chords. The more that you understand about piano chords, the more variety you will have when playing. If you want to write your own music, you not only need an ear for tunes, but also the understanding of how to make them come together. A good instructor will introduce you to piano chords during lessons.

If you already have some experience, but simply want a better understanding of advanced piano chords, discuss these options with a private tutor or music teacher. By gaining an understanding of what sounds good and what doesn?t, you will have the undeniable edge over other budding musicians.

Every piano has 88 keys and while it may seem intimidating to learn piano chords, it actually comes down to memory. When typing on the computer, you know which keys to press in order to make a lowercase letters change to uppercase, right? By studying piano chords, you will begin to understand which keys to press at the same time in order to play a chord. During your introduction to learning piano, an instructor will cover some of the basic chords and you will come to know their sound when you hear them. After enough practice, you will be able to immediately identify piano chords by ear.

There are several other ways to help in your learning of piano chords, including instructional books, tutorials and videos. In the beginning, it may even help to label the keys until you have a better understanding of each of their unique sounds. As you progress in your learning, you can remove the identification labels and play using any arrangement of sheet music. Learning to identify notes will play a large part in your understanding of piano chords. As you move through your studies, you will learn all of the terminology associated with piano playing and the definition of each.

Learning piano chords is a very important part of the process, but it does require a certain degree of patience. Always remember that time will lessen the difficulty and, before you know it, you will be playing and identifying piano chords by ear. While it may seem intimidating at first, you will soon begin to notice the ease of playing piano chords will come naturally. Happy tunes!

Ian Williamson is the owner of The top learn to play piano site.

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