Saturday, March 6, 2010

Learning To Play Piano Chords



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.




Friday, October 30, 2009

Piano Game For You


There are lots of fun piano game for the whole family that you can play using piano by number books. Here are just a few:

Name That Tune: One person plays the songs on the piano while everyone tries to guess the title of the song. Kids love playing the songs, so kids can take turns. You can also use the Play Along Audio CD, but kids also love being the center of attention and playing the songs on the piano.

Musical Chairs: Put chairs in center of room and when the music stops everyone has to find a chair, except there's always one chair too few. Use the CDs or have the kids (any age) play the piano.

Christmas Pageant: There's more than enough material on the Play Along Audio CD to present your own show. Kids (any age) will love putting it together, and can take turns playing along with the music or acting in the show.

Make Up Your Own Show: The Family Favorites section has 28 familiar melodies that creative kids can turn into a show about anything.

Have Everyone Try It! You'd be surprised what fun a family gathering can become when everyone is asked to play a song from the book. You'll discover that your family and friends have hidden musical talents! Most people really do want to try playing the piano, so make a game of it!

FOURS "Fours" is the most basic rhythm game that I play with kids. I always use it on the first lesson, and on all subsequent lessons until the child seems too old for it. It's a fun but very childish game that teaches rhythm and piano geography without using printed notes or numbers of any kind.It's important for kids to actually play the piano without the encumbrance of graphic notation (notes or numbers) of any kind. For example, you'll notice that kids in general can go to the piano and play three songs: Chopsticks, Heart and Soul, Knuckles (that funny piece played on the black keys with the knuckles of the right hand!)

"Fours" is a piano game constructed in exactly the same mold. The child plays numbers and I play the chords. If the symbols below don't line up in your browser, remember that there are always four notes (numbers) for every chord (letter.) The child begins on "Middle C," also known as the number one: "1" The teacher plays the letters, or chords.

1111 2222 3333 4444 5555 6666 7777 8888


"Fours" teaches a child that
Sheet music is not always necessary to have fun with music
They have to count while they play
Music is divided into numbered units
Piano is a fun thing they can do right away.

Piano Worship Chords For You


Piano worship chords aren't very much different from the chords found in other types of music - pop, jazz, country, etc. - but they do have a certain sound to them that's a bit difficult to explain. So, instead of talking too much about it, we're going to look at two different chord progressions that should help you to create some improvised background music or figure out some nice chords for your favorite worship music.

Background Worship Music
First of all, let's say you need a quick couple of minutes of music during a service or ceremony, where something is happening quietly, or quiet blessings are taking place, and you either feel the need for some music, or you've been asked beforehand to fill in a little bit at certain times.
You should play the following chord progression in the same key as the next song, if that song will be happening right away. Let's say the next song will be in the key of C, or you just like to play in the key of C, since it's pretty simple (all white keys).

Here's what to do:
- Play octaves on C notes with your left hand - the C below middle C and the C one more octave below that work well - In your right hand, play C major in 2nd inversion (G - C - E), then F major in 1st inversion (A - C - F), then G major in 1st inversion (B - D - G), then back to the F major, then back to the C major - Keep playing the C octaves in your left hand the entire time. - You can also improvise a light background melody on the white keys if you like
The C "pedal point" in this progression helps keep the sound anchored and provides a strong, solid foundation for your listeners (whether they know it or not!). Of course, this can be played in any key as well.

A Generic "Worship-Style" Chord Progression
The next chord progression might be a little too much movement for background music, but that's really up to you do decide. The chords could be used for a new hymn you write, or just to improvise.

It's hard to explain, but they just have the gospel feel to them. We'll just list the chords in order, and you can play them in whatever tempo and time signature you like - 3/4, 4/4, etc. The left hand should play the chord root in octaves, unless otherwise noted. Here they are:
C (G - C - E) C7 (G - Bb - C - E) - with E in the left hand bass F (A - C - F) Fm (Ab - C - F) C Am (A - C - E) D7 (F# - A - C - D) - with F# in the left hand bass G7 (F - G - B - D) C C7/E - C7 with E in left hand bass F Fm C G7 C

Be sure to keep the chord notes as close to each other as possible, when moving from one chord to the next. This makes for nice voice leading and a more pleasing sound overall.
The main characteristics of this second progression are the movement from major to 7th (C to C7), from major to minor (F to Fm), and using 7ths to move back to the original key (D7 - G7 - C).

These two piano worship chords progressions should give you a few ideas of your own about what makes that "worship" sound, and you can start creating your own piano worship chords in practically no time.

Easy Piano Sheet Music








Piano Store Tips


The piano is probably one of the biggest and oldest musical instruments. With its immense versatility and beautiful sound, a piano has the capability to blend extremely well with other musical instruments. It can also prove to be an ideal solo instrument too. However, buying a piano can be quite tricky. There are a wide variety of pianos with various brands that could be chosen from and lots of piano store that offers great variety of pianos. The sound, looks, effectiveness and features often vary to a large extent. Moreover, their price range varies too. It becomes very difficult to buy a piano unless one is sure about what he is looking for.





Kids Piano Lesson


Kids piano lesson include so much more than just a child and a piano. There are aspects involved that need to be taken into consideration when thinking of signing up your child for piano lessons. What are the benefits of piano lessons for kids? What variety of teaching styles is available? How will you know if these lessons are right for your child? The following information should help you in answering these questions.

Children obtain numerous benefits from piano lessons. Usually, this is the first instrument children learn. It is one of the easiest instruments for kids. One of the benefits of learning to play the piano is improving concentration. Focusing on playing a song correctly supplies this concentration. Music appreciation is gained by listening to songs and learning how they are played. Fine motor skills are honed as hands become nimble enough to play songs with ease and grace. Hand-eye coordination comes into play when eyes are trying to watch fingers and notes, intermittently.

Teaching Styles
Kids piano lesson can be given in a variety of teaching styles. It is easiest to start children out on a keyboard, seeing as these have smaller keys than a full-sized piano. Starting off with sheet music usually is frustrating for children. Some people start with the Suzuki method, where songs are listened to and then played. Note reading comes much later in the lessons, with this method. If a child is familiar with colors, there are color coded guides to learn piano by. There is a color strip which stands up behind the piano keys. This strip matches notes in a book. The child matches the note with the key next to the strip of the same color. A similar method with numbers, instead of colors, is also available. Pictures of piano keys with numbers drawn on them are on a page in front of the child. This page is accompanied by sheet music with each note given a number. Children match the note number with the key number.

Is it the Correct Instrument for the Child?
Children will act out when bored. They might be bored with their surroundings, activity, companions, or just looking for some sort of outlet. Piano lessons may be considered boring to some kids. Observe the lessons and possibly try introducing other instruments if your child shows signs of boredom. Maybe the piano is something your child would like to try later on. Every child is different and it's hard to say what age is the most appropriate for beginner piano lessons. Each parent will be able to judge the readiness of his/her own child.
Kids piano lesson is truly harder than piano lessons for mature people. It is because teaching kids require great patience and understanding. Just bear in mind that all of your hardships will pay off big time when you see your children playing the piano so well.

Online Piano Covers


When you’re ready to start learning the piano, you might want to look for online piano covers to see if the piano is really for you. For many people who have always wanted to learn how to play music, the piano is their first choice. If you look online for piano lessons, you will find there are many choices available. The key is to narrow down the websites that offer online piano lessons and focus on the one that can help you achieve your musical goals.

There are certain things you should be looking for before you sign up with any online company. One of the top things on your list of requirements should be that the site has received good reviews and been used by a large number of people to learn how to play the piano. Make sure to read testimonials and customer reviews. You want to be sure that real people have successfully used the program to learn how to play music.

Another thing to look for is the ability to learn at your own pace. You want to be sure you are able to complete each lesson plan within your own time frame before you move on to the next one. You also want to be sure each lesson is easy enough so you can grasp the lesson concept on your own. You don’t want to move forward without being 100% confident that you are ready to learn something new.

Learning online is good option for those people who are busy with other activities outside of the home and aren’t able to fit in another outside appointment. When you learn in your own home, on your own time, there is no pressure to be at your lessons at a scheduled time. This aspect alone can make online piano covers very appealing.

When you learn online, you can also eliminate the need to find a qualified piano teacher in the area where you live. Testimonials from a number of other people should indicate satisfaction with the website you choose to sign up with. You want to be able to rely on lesson plans that are going to take you from an inexperienced piano player to one that is confident enough to play for friends and family when they come over.

You’ll be excited about the progress you make when you take online piano covers. You will learn to listen to music and play songs back on your own piano. Friends will be surprised to learn that you take your lessons online. One introductory online piano lesson is all it takes to convince you that online learning is the only way to go.

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