Beginning Piano Lessons

August 31, 2009

Many people love nothing more than to listen to a well composed piece on the piano. Usually, these same people would like to be able to play these pieces, as well.

There is nothing worse than having the passion and ambition to learn something, but not knowing where to begin. This happens often when someone wants to learn how to play the piano. There are also those who have gone through several lessons, but gave up because they got bored, or just couldn’t get it. The good news is that with the right guidance, anyone is capable of learning to play piano.

First, you need to know that there are two ways to play the piano; by note reading or by chords. Ideally, you would learn both, but to enjoy playing the piano for fun, you only need to learn the style that you prefer. If you want to play music that has already been written, you will need to know how to play by note. If you want to be able to write your own music, you will need to know piano chords.

Again, learning both is usually the best option, if you have the patience. Plus, you can always learn the chords first to get a feel for the sounds that they produce, and move on to note reading at a later time.

Once you have made your decision, it is time to find instruction. The most traditional method is to hire a private teacher. You will have to ensure that your instructor is reliable and qualified, and you should find out whether their lessons are chord based or note based. Most often, you will take your lessons in a studio or music store. Occasionally, you will find a teacher that will come to your home, but this is usually more costly. If you choose private instruction, you should choose a comfortable option where you won’t feel pressured.

If your motivation for taking beginner piano lessons is simply for fun, or if you are on a tight budget, the large expense of private instruction will not be your best choice. There are several good books, CDs and DVDs that can be used to learn from, as well.

The final option that you have is piano lesson software. This can be either on or offline, and it combines the thorough lessons of an instructor with the reduced cost of other home-based learning systems. With computer piano courses, you can choose to learn at your own pace, and your own convenience. Computer lessons are usually designed to be accelerated courses, meaning that you will save time, as well as money. This is an excellent option, as long as you can stay motivated to work on your own.

The most important thing to remember when learning any instrument is to have fun. The learning process should be exciting. Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes, everyone does. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and you must learn from them. Stay positive. If you keep trying and still can’t get it, you may not be using the right learning method. Feel free to explore new avenues, or even mix them.

(ArticlesBase ID #1179770)

Lauren Paltrow of LearnPiano-Reviews.com, specializes in helping aspiring pianists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Lauren leads her team of piano experts in constantly reviewing new courses and products in the market to make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews of the best piano courses and products at LearnPiano-Reviews.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/beginning-piano-lessons-1179770.html

How old is too old to start learning how to play the piano?

August 31, 2009

I’ve always had a passion for the piano…is 24 years old a little too old to learn how to play?

Also my other question is..do you think it’s easier to learn how to play at a very young age and harder for an older person? Thanks

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Play Fast Guitar – Take Your Guitar Speeds To New Levels

August 31, 2009

When starting out with the instrument, every beginner wants to know how to play fast guitar. You can tell when the scales and songs that you’re learning really don’t challenge your skills.

Also, if you plan on auditioning as a lead guitarist for a band, they’re going to want to see you play fast. Well, here are a few things to think about when learning to increase your guitar speed.

1. Have your string height adjusted.

The bridge on your guitar may need to be lowered if it’s becoming quite a hassle to push the strings down to the frets. If you have your string bridge adjusted by a music store, you’ll develop feather fingers that can move very quickly from one note to the next.

2. Experiment with different pick types.

There are hundreds of different guitar pick types that are unique and can contribute to play fast guitar. Take some time to experiment with picks of different thicknesses, shapes, and sizes.

3. Reconsider the guitar that you own.

Metal guitars are built for faster action on the fret board, and if you have something that’s better suited for jazz songs, you might be fighting an up-hill battle. Go to your music store and see if there are any other guitars that improve your playing speed.

4. Try holding the guitar pick in different ways.

Holding the pick closer to the tip has been said to improve the abilities of professionals to play fast guitar. See if a few varied placements of your fingers change your talent at all.

5. Come up with your own set of scales and riffs to play during down time.

If you want to really get to a new level of speed with the guitar, having your own riffs and scales to practice is essential. Pick some riffs that are fun but challenging so that monotonous practice won’t bore you to death.

6. You have to start slow and then increase your speed with time.

Starting your skills slow seems a little odd if you plan to play fast guitar. However, by starting at a slower tempo you can develop better rhythm and technique for the complicated riffs in the future.

7. Double-pick by strumming up and down on the strings.

Strumming individual strings by only hitting them downwards just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Learn to hit the strings moving your pick down and then back up in order to maximize your speeds.

To play fast guitar you can’t get down on your self after only a few short practices. When things seem to be hopeless, keep your head up and your goals in mind.

(ArticlesBase ID #1178212)

For more information on fast picking guitar and other easy guitar tips, visit How To Guitar Tune.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/play-fast-guitar-take-your-guitar-speeds-to-new-levels-1178212.html

Beginner Piano Lessons: Practicing 7th Chords. How to play piano

August 31, 2009

ShortWayTo.com – Beginner Piano Lessons: Practicing 7th Chords – using all 5 fingers. How to play piano chords.

Standing Out in the Buzzing Online Music Market – How?

August 30, 2009

Independent music has always been an enigma over the years, but in recent times the advent of technology relating to home recording, digital distribution, and the Internet age have converted distant dreams of independent musicians into realities.

Independent music, or indie as its fondly known, is certainly an avenue for taking your music to the masses, and to be devoid of a major label is certainly a blessing in disguise.

Starting up with your music endeavor is the toughest part and to take it to the audience is equally tough as well in this competitive independent music online market. The common notion among musicians is that, they can leave their music speak for itself, but to stand out and carve a niche for themselves in such a medium requires them to do more than that.

The first thing to do in independent music is to make your presence felt, meaning, your music should be heard by as many people as possible. It is in this case that platforms like Tupelo Super Store kick in. They have a huge portal for independent music, and they let you showcase your ability to audiences worldwide, thanks to the Internet. They also provide innovative online music marketing solutions which help promote your music or your brand in general and who knows, may be create an independent music label. So create a unique media kit including a logo, a one page bio including a business card with all your contact details on it and most importantly a CD of your music.

In your startup period do as many free gigs as you can, it is all part of networking, which is an important step to garner interest among people.

Digital distribution is definitely the way ahead, so make your independent music downloadable from as many sites as possible. Social networking is a powerful medium that can take you to dizzy heights, so be there on all networking sites.

The independent music online market is a rat race, and to be ahead you need to be on top of your game all the time and do much more than your previous one. When you put all of the above in place, what you do is create a brand for yourself, so if people who like what you do keep coming back for more, that is when you can truly believe that you can sustain your growth and be successful in the independent music online market.

Tupelo Super Store: Discounted electronics, fitness and sports supplies, GPS, marine equipment, computers, stereos, casino and poker accessories, home audio and video, home theater systems, flat-screen TVs, home security, auto accessories.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/standing-out-in-the-buzzing-online-music-market-how-1171757.html

Piyano (Piano) Lessons (3) in Istanbul

August 30, 2009

Bethany & Rufus – “900 Miles”: Harmony In Diverse Musical Styles

August 29, 2009

Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia form a duo unlike any other. Rufus plays a five string electric cello that he invented. He plays with percussive rhythmic funkiness and Bethany sings in a down home bluesy bent. They mix jazz, funk, folk, and world music together and the resulting sound is truly unique.

Listen to “900 Miles”
http://soundcloud.com/musicdish/bethany-rufus-900-miles

One of their releases is a song called “900 Miles.” This tune is a great example of how these two musicians can mix styles. Where the lyrics and Bethany’s tone affect a melancholy and ghostly feeling, Rufus’ bass line is inescapably funky. One finds himself dancing to this ballad of a forlorn traveller. As Bethany sings, “if this train runs me right, I’ll be home tomorrow night, ’cause I’m 900 miles from my home.” A strange mix, to be sure, but Bethany and Rufus make it sound beautiful.

Watch the music video for “900 Miles”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnmEoLjdtJc

Along with this song comes a music video. The piece depicts both musicians slowly trekking down a long desolate railroad track and cuts to scenes of them playing together in a small cabin. The imagery captures the meaning of the song in an eery setting. It evokes a feeling of loneliness and desperation as Bethany sings of the train that will bear her home, a train that never seems to come.

- Review by Jon Peritz

Subscribe to the Bethany & Rufus mailing list
http://bethanyandrufus.fanbridge.com

http://www.myspace.com/bethanyandrufus
http://bethanyandrufus.musicdish.net

About Musicdish:

MusicDish LLC is a veteran internet company that is composed of several divisions designed to help both indie artists and business professionals expand their reach in the digital world.

MusicDish LLC is a veteran internet company that is composed of several divisions designed to help both indie artists and business professionals expand their reach in the digital world.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/bethany-rufus-900-miles-harmony-in-diverse-musical-styles-1174980.html


Related Blogs

my sharona piano lesson

August 29, 2009

here’s something cool a wesite that teaches you songs on the piano. this one is my sharona by the knack. there’s loads of great stuff on there. the website is wwwdotmwmtvdotcom

What is a good guide/book for learning to play the piano on your own?

August 29, 2009

I already play flute/piccolo/oboe so I just have to become familiar with bass cleft. But what I really want is a book that clearly explains hand placement and technique. I can’t afford lessons so I would like to try on my own; however I would still like to learn the correct way.

Teach Yourself Acoustic Guitar

August 28, 2009

Can you teach yourself acoustic guitar? It’s a common scenario – you see a guy strumming an acoustic guitar, maybe doing some fingerstyle playing and you think, “How hard can acoustic guitar be?” Maybe you could just teach yourself enough to play some folk songs. It could be just a dream, but there’s no harm in trying.

If you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar, it would be very handy to be able to call on a friend to help you with stuff like chord changes or finger picking patterns. Then, if you have the time to practice, you will be able to teach yourself. Working on challenges buy yourself can sometimes be more useful than having somebody show you.

First you need an acoustic guitar. Don’t spend too much money on your first one, wait and see how your style and musical preferences develop. If you have money to throw around, start looking at, say, a Takamine for around a thousand dollars. Make the first day of looking at guitars a trip around music stores and secondhand dealers to see what’s available.

Wherever you can, try the guitars out. See how the different brands feel and decide whether you want to teach yourself acoustic guitar on a nylon string or steel string guitar. A nylon string will be kinder to your fingers while you are learning but you might find later that you prefer the volume and sound quality of a steel string acoustic guitar.

Where do you go for material to teach yourself acoustic guitar? Some tablature of Bob Dylan songs would be a good start, but there are easy songs by other artists you could learn. There will be suitable songs in the tutor section of a guitar store but you can download guitar tabs and chord charts from the internet for free.

If you are a complete guitar novice, you might want to learn some chords and practice changing them before you start learning songs. Don’t get too into learning a mountain of chords and no songs, though. Playing songs will help you learn chord changing and it’s encouraging to hear yourself playing a familiar song.

Once you have a song or two that you can play right through, it would help you immensely to start jamming with other people who play acoustic guitar. Apart from the fact that they can give you tips on how to play, the very act of learning to keep up with a singer or another guitarist will flatten the learning curve.

An additional thing to  think about when you teach yourself acoustic guitar is the need for exercises to get your hands working and make your playing more versatile. If you do an internet search for licks, riffs and strumming patterns and use them as part of your regular practice, you will find it will boost your confidence.

Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/teach-yourself-acoustic-guitar-1172276.html

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