Piano Lesson: Preparation for Recital

Performing in recitals can be stressful. Through the years, as a piano teacher I decided that my recitals would not be mandatory but rather optional. The same applies to memorizing. It's your choice with what you're comfortable with and to the degree of difficulty your advanced song might be.

I would set a date around mid May and let students know about the recital at the first part of September. That way, they would have a whole year to prepare their song, with my approval, of course. I used to have recitals two times a year. Christmas time was special for music and performance but then later on, everyone's calendar started filling up too quickly. So, I kept it yearly, conveniently after Mother's day and before Memorial Day. It seemed to work for everyone.

When it comes to the actual day of the recital, there will be so many musical details to remember. You will want to focus on the notes, dynamics, phrasing and expression of your special piece.

But also remember to have a good recital experience by focusing on the positive parts of performing. For example, think about how much fun your music is, how very much the people in the audience will enjoy hearing it (your teacher, friends and family) and how proud you will feel when you are done.

So, what if you do get nervous?

1. Remember to breathe because breathing relaxes your muscles and can lower your heart rate (pulse). It also brings oxygen to your brain, which is necessary for your brain to function properly. Take a few deep breaths, counting slowly to 4 as you inhale and then exhaling, counting to 4 also.

2. Visualize and imagine you are in a calm place, like a dream vacation spot. I always remind my students to "stay in the bubble." Think about all the calming things about that place and pretend you are transported there for a minute to relax.

3. Relax those muscles and lightly rub the back of your neck and your shoulders to help the muscles relax a bit. These spots seem to be where we carry the most tension. Make big circles with your arms, moving them slowly. Pull your shoulder blades close together, squeezing them gently, and then let them go back to their places just as slowly.

Overall, the piano recital should be and will be a positive experience, building the musician's self-esteem. In fact, I have changed the wording of "Recital" to "Family Gathering." That way, everyone realizes that no one is perfect and that mistakes are simply o.k.

I would like to add that if you have severe stage fright, then perhaps it's o.k. for you to give yourself permission to not perform and play live in front of a group. In time, you might just find yourself being comfortable playing the piano in front of other students in your teacher's studio.

So, for those of you that know your song well in advance, you've played your song at home in front of family and you've avoided drinking caffeine beverages before your recital, then you're ready to go. Don't forget to get some much-needed rest the night before and by all means, wear comfortable shoes. Just be your self.

If you make a mistake, don't worry. Just smile and keep a-going! The same applies to a talent show performance. Be sure and have fun! I hope this checklist has been beneficial to you. Happy practicing and preparing for "that day." It will be such great experience to play "live" for any audience. Just listen to the applause and the folks say, "Well done!"

Diana Rogers has been teaching piano for over fifteen years. She is the author of free monthly newsletters. For more information, visit http://ladydpiano.com/

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The Piano Lesson - Find The Right Course For You

Learning the piano is a challenging but rewarding activity. The piano is one of the most beautiful musical instruments, and many people daydream of becoming a concert pianist, playing to adoring crowds to great acclaim. However, before anyone ever gets to that stage, they have to take piano lessons. The piano lesson can be very challenging - there is often a lot of pressure on people, especially young children, to perform well. That is why it is important to have the right mental attitude when taking a piano lesson. So, what is the best mental attitude to have before sitting down for a piano lesson?

Some people might be frightened that if they make a mistake, then their piano teacher will be angry at them, or might even refuse to teach them any longer. This kind of stress and pressure is not very conductive to good piano playing, so it is important to put these kind of ideas of of your mind before the piano lesson. It is a myth that all piano teachers are harsh and strict - in reality they are very encouraging and just want you to do your best, and they are just there to offer advice and encouragement. So, take the pressure and stress off yourself before you begin your lesson. Remember that you do not need to be perfect - you are just learning the piano, after all.

Another thing to remember before your lesson is that playing the piano is not always fun. You should remember that it can be tedious, boring and repetitive, so be prepared for that, and don't get stressed out over the fact that you might not find it fun every second, or that it isn't coming easily to you all the time. These are the kinds of things that you have to expect before the lesson, so that you don't become frustrated.

It takes a long time to become a great piano player. That should not deter you from taking lessons, however. Some people might find lessons very frustrating because they are not picking up the skills as quickly as they think they ought to be. Just remember to tell yourself that you don't have to learn everything all at once, and that every lesson you are becoming a better player, one step at a time.

Lastly, before the piano lesson, you should get very focused, as this is an important mental space to be in. Focus on what you are there for, and concentrate on doing your best. Make sure that you are not to nervous, and don't stress out about not being perfect, or making mistakes. Also, be prepared for a tough lesson, so to avoid frustration.

You will find more FAQs on how to play the piano from scratch by going to The piano lesson web-site or you can watch the video at The piano lesson

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Online Piano Lessons - What Is The Best Piano Lesson For You?

A vast majority of people love music. While some like to sing, others like to dance, sing in karaoke bars or play a musical instrument. Many turn to the piano to nurture their desire to learn a musical instrument. There are different ways to learn the piano. Each method has its own merits and drawbacks. Taking online piano lessons allows you to sample many of the ways to this wonderful instrument.

Traditional musical lessons include playing the piano by ear and playing the notes you read from a book of sheet music. When you learn to play the piano by ear, you start by selecting a simple melody. You can pick out the musical notes and try to play them on the piano. To understand the melody better, you can listen to the intervals. You can also try to play the chords to get your chord voicing. Typically, playing the piano by ear requires 3 aspects namely chords, melody and chord voicing. While this may sound difficult in the beginning, the process will become much simpler once you get the hang of it. You get very good results when you take private lessons, but they are usually the most expensive. You can take lessons by enrolling in a music school. You can go for these classes after school or work. The disadvantages of this method are that you may have to deal with bad weather, class cancellations or traffic congestion.

The modern ways of taking musical lessons are more popular these days. These include online piano lessons and piano lessons through DVD's. You can easily learn to play this instrument through online courses. Experienced music teachers also offer piano lessons online these days. By signing up for the online courses, you can learn to play the piano at your own pace. The only inconvenience in this method is system interruption owing to bad Internet connection. You can also learn the piano through DVD's. There is a lot of piano learning software available online that can be downloaded. Piano teaching software is available for newcomers as well as advanced students. You do not have to beat the traffic and go personally to a music-coaching center to get your lessons. You can learn to play the online piano lessons from the confines of your own home.

As mentioned above, every method of playing the piano has its own merits and drawbacks. You cannot learn to play the it in a single day because learning is a process that involves constant effort and practice. Online piano lessons cover almost every method to learn to play the piano. Therefore, it is easy to choose the right method. When you choose the best method for you, it will be easy to master the skills and techniques needed to play.

Discover how to play the piano from scratch by going to Online piano lessons web-site or you can watch the video at Online piano lessons

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Piano Lesson Course Online - Discovering the Benefits

Just like any other field of fine art, if you wish to be well versed or accomplished in music, you must start from the basics and perfect the techniques and skills to become a master. This is not only applicable to learning music but also learning the preferred musical instrument of your choice. This goal is easily achievable today with the various resources and tips available that can be used separately or in combination with other resources. For those who wish to master the piano, online resources such as online piano lessons can be of great help.

There are several advantages that come with online learning. Firstly, you can choose from a wide array of software packages that can help you become adept at playing this musical instrument. Taking piano lessons online is also a cost effective way to master the techniques associated with the use of this instrument.

Another advantage of taking piano lessons online is that you will not be restricted geographically. Your computer need not have complex hardware for downloading online piano software packages. Furthermore, the different types of online packages offered from the "piano shop" can be accessed 24 hours a day.

When you sign up for lessons, you get a chance to start with the basics. You will be able to understand and benefit from these lessons even if you do not have any musical background or prior knowledge in playing the piano. That is not all. Those who wish to take piano lessons online for fun can choose from private or group piano lessons either live or prerecorded.

Furthermore, you can learn the piano at your own pace and need not attend classes every week. You can benefit from a "novel approach" to learning the piano when you take up online piano lessons. You can also take advantage of the different types of learning software and resources available such as diagrams, excerpts, descriptions and videos that may be delivered along with the online lessons. If you are seriously considering taking up lessons online, then you should ensure that a competent and experienced pianist delivers the lessons so that you really benefit from the time and effort you put forth.

Online resources are definitely a great starting resource for those who are keen to play a musical instrument such as a piano. These can be especially helpful for those who wish to learn the fundamentals. Online piano lessons have improved a great deal since their inception. Online music lessons are also in great demand by that section of people who prefer a flexible approach to learning music or the instrument of their choice. However, online lessons do have their limitations and you will only get the best out of learning online with determination and willpower.

Check out the testimonials from our online piano course by going to piano lesson web-site or you can watch the video at piano lesson

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Piano Lesson Download - Top 3 Reasons To Try Online Piano Lessons

Many people are curious about trying a piano lesson download but are wondering if these types of lessons are worth their time and/or money. The article below will discuss 3 of the top reasons these lessons are worth it and why you should try them if you have ever wanted to learn. The piano can be a difficult instrument to learn, however there are many different levels of skill and just because you might not ever become a concert pianist does not mean that you can't learn to the play the piano beautifully and have a lot of fun.

1. Instant: Patience may be a virtue, but if you really want to learn something, than being patient until you have the money or the time to do it sometimes will hurt you in the end. Money and time should never keep you from your dreams of learning the piano and as I've told many people who have heard me play and want to learn, don't ever give up on that dream. This is one reason that a piano lesson download is a great way to start your journey, it is instant so you don't have to be patient; it isn't necessary to go the traditional piano lesson route in order to learn this instrument.

2. Affordable: Unlike traditional lessons that can cost a fortune over time, a downloadable piano lesson, depending upon where you go, can cost anything from nothing to less than $40 for an entire course. You won't find a better way to learn the piano that can fit that kind of budget and a lot of the material available online is of high quality, comparable to what you would get from weekly lessons. Not to mention that you get to have your own timeline and choose what and when you want to learn; the flexibility is priceless.

3. Effective: Everyone learns differently, and not everyone has the motivation to push themselves so I cannot say that a piano lesson download will work for everyone. You have to have the drive, desire and focus in order for online lessons to work, but that being said, the lessons available can be very effective when implemented the right way. If you keep your focus and practice on a regular basis, the material that is given to you will teach you how to play the piano and teach you how to play it well. Technology has taken us to a whole new level in our ability to learn things, learning an instrument is no different and you should grab the opportunities given to you because of the internet.

Above you learned more about whether or not a piano lesson download is worth trying. Not only is this type of instruction instant, but it is also very affordable and effective. It offers many people the opportunity to learn a new skill that they may not have been able to learn otherwise. Cost and time commitment is a huge reason why people shy away, but it doesn't have to be so intimidating. Once you sit down at the piano for the first time and start to learn some simple chords you'll soon discover the sheer joy that comes from creating music.

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Piano Lesson: Practice Tips

How do you practice the piano? Even if you are taking a break from piano lessons over the summer, you should still continue to practice. This way you will keep moving forward with your progress. Here are some tips to help you get started with piano practice early in the day, before any other activities.

1. Practice Right After Your Lesson

When my students work on something new during their lesson, I encourage them to play through it again at home the very same day. Keep in mind that you don't have to practice for a long time. If you wait for more than a day or two, sometimes your mind forgets what you have learned.

2. Don't Watch The Clock

Practicing every day for at least 10 minutes makes you a better pianist but for many students it's just not fun. I remember staring at the clock waiting for my class in school to be over. Doing this during your practice time will just make your practice time seem longer and you'll be losing your focus on the music.

3. Make Practice Time A Game or Challenge

It's always a good thing to set goals and try to achieve them. Start by making a practice chart or purchase a practice record book. Make a list of your songs, warm ups and scales. Then check off as you complete the task. Seeing for yourself, as well as your parents and music teacher, will encourage you to keep investing in your recorded practice time.

4. Practice Your Mistakes

Have you heard the expression, "Practice makes perfect?" Perhaps it's better to rephrase this with "Practice makes permanent." Whatever information you input into your brain, is what you are learning. So, if you practice something well, you will learn it well.

If you practice your mistakes, and repeat that particular passage several times, let's say several notes or a few measures overall, you will learn it well. Practicing your mistakes with much repetition, then that is what you will remember. You'll be fixing your mistakes by repeating the notes slowly and accurately.

5. Practice One Line At a Time

Take each staff at a time. What I mean by this, is to start with the right hand melody notes, then go back and work on the left hand separately in the first line of music. Now, combine both hands, playing together. Patience and consistent piano practice is the key.

By setting a realistic goal and applying these daily piano tips, you will be prepared for a great start with your songs in September.

Diana Rogers is a kindergarten music teacher and also offers piano lessons in her studio. She is the author of free newsletters available at her website. http://ladydpiano.com/

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Voice Lesson and Singing Tips: How to Find Your Singing Voice

Many singers struggle to find their own singing voice. They may be able to sing along with the radio but find that they are unable to support their voice alone without an additional recorded voice track playing along. Many tend to feel that their live performance are lack luster due to a lack of vocal and performance skills. All is not lost, however. They can find their singing voice with vocal training, listening skills and performance techniques. This article will explore the listening skills needed to find one's own singing voice.

1. Listening to the skeleton of a song. Listen to a song for its sequences. and try to imagine a song without the original artists' vocals on it. Explore ways to play with the melody and phrasing. Does the song sing itself, does the melody leave room for interpretation or are there things that may be more natural for you that the artist doesn't do?

2. Learn to play with different keys when singing. Song keys are not set in stone. In fact, many artists lower the keys of their own songs when performing live. If there is a song you like and you feel it would fit your voice perfectly except for it feeling a bit high or low, don't be afraid to change it. Adjusting a song up or down by a half or whole step is not a negative reflection on your vocal skills.

3. Examine vocal affectations that are authentic to your voice. Vocal affectations, such as a unique way to attack a note (think Christina Aguilera) or a vibrato or run (think Luther Vandross) or a 'lick' (think Michael Jackson's 'hee hee') sound good on some people's voices but sound out of place in others. With the help of listening to diverse musicians, learn and develop the ones that are authentic to you and your voice.

While you do these exercises, don't be surprised if you begin to see flaws in your favorite artist's singing. Remember that they are limited to only do what is in their skill set as well. If you find yourself thinking 'geez, that was ugly', or 'why did he/ she do that? Then you are learning to find your voice. If you follow these steps to find your voice you will find that it will become more than you had imagined. You will develop a gift for interpretation which will make you unique amongst the crowds of singers out there.

I want to hear from you! If this article was useful, please let me know your comments! Sign up for my FREE 7- Day Ezine on "The Secrets of Great Singing" by visiting http://www.dileesahunter.com/

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Piano Lesson Software Is Beneficial to Your Kids

Learning how to play the piano might be boring for many kids because of the fact that they need to go out and attend regular classes, such as their classes at school with a teacher. With the use of piano teaching software, learning to play the instrument is modified. Today you can teach your kids to learn to play the piano with the use of piano lesson software.

Let me discuss to you in detail the benefits your kids can get in learning to play a musical instrument such as the piano and the advantages piano teaching software can give.

First, as I have said earlier, with the software to use, your kids do not need to go to a music school to study music and play an instrument. With the software, he or she can learn to play the instrument in the comfort of your home. This is highly beneficial for kids who feel afraid of going to the house of the piano lesson teacher.

Second, since the learning is done at home, your kid can learn at his or her own pace and time. Learning at your own pace and time or schedule is extremely beneficial to your kid as he or she can go back to the areas he or she feels weak. Your kid can master the weak areas.

Third, your kid's progress can still be monitored by the software even without a physical instructor or teacher teaching piano lessons. The monitoring system can take note of the components of learning that your kid needs to work on more until he or she masters them.

Fourth, piano lessons in general help children to be functional members of the family and the society. The long-term effect of piano lessons has been noted by researchers. Since your kid get to know the classical music or songs included in the software package, he or she can have deep appreciation of great composers such as Bach and Mozart. The knowledge imparted by the software can be beneficial in selecting another instrument to play later.

Fifth, learning to play the piano with the use of software is beneficial to kids as it raises their self-esteem in general. As it takes hard work and dedication especially when you are learning to play the instrument at home on your own, piano lessons can give your kids that confidence boost they need in competition and in life later.

Now that you know these benefits of piano lesson software and learning to play the piano to your kids, why don't you let them learn today?

Rico Jones is a local pianist in Ontario who loves to share his ideas in playing the piano and learning music. If you want to know more about the best piano lesson software, you can visit Piano-lesson-software.com. His website offers reviews of the top piano learning software for consumers.

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