Showing posts with label Piano. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Piano. Show all posts

Monday, August 1, 2011

Beginner Piano Songs - What Are The Basic Beginner Piano Chords to Hound Dog By Elvis Presley?

A very simple piano song for complete beginners to learn to play is Hound Dog by Elvis Presley.

It is written in a 12 bar blues sequence and perfect for a beginner to Piano. The good thing about learning a 12 bar blues is that it is the basis many different songs, so once you have learned the structure of one song, you will be able to play any other song that is written in a blues progression.

Quite a few of Elvis Presley's songs are based around a 12 bar blues, and even though they are quite simple they sound very effective. People across the world love the style of music, and it is what Elvis is renowned for.

Hound Dog was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, writing this song as just teenagers. The first artist to record this song was Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952, and it actually became a number one hit for her, and was by far her biggest success.

Elvis decided to cover the popular hit after hearing it at a concert in Las Vegas in 1956, and then recorded it at the same time as his single Don't Be Cruel. They were both released at the same time. It quickly rose to top spot all over the US, and was number one for 11 consecutive weeks.

In 1958 it became the only third record to sell more than 3 million copies, which was an amazing success. The song has featured in the Elvis Presley Biopic in 2005, in 1994 it was featured in the popular film Forest Gump, and most recently it was sung by Eddie Clendening, portraying Elvis Presley, in the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet."

So what are the basic beginner chords to Hound Dog?

Hound Dog is written in a very simple key of C Major.

It contains the basic piano chords C Major, F Major and G Major, which are easy beginner piano chords and you can use a simple blues scale riff to start and end the song.

You can also add interest and put life into the song by using a glissando, which means gliding up and down the keyboard.

A nice way to start the song is by starting on C chord, 3 octaves above where you want to play the song, so one octave above middle C, and then do a glissando down to your starting note.

The rhythm uses fast chords in your right hand with a simple three note bass section in the left hand. It uses the chords mentioned above so when playing the C Section you would play C E G in the left hand using a blues rhythm.

To finish the song, you can play some notes around the C Blues scale - C Eb F G & Bb maybe, which will end it very nicely on the piano.

Why not have a go at learning some simple songs on piano that are perfect for beginners. You can also teach yourself a very easy song by watching these Beginner Piano Song Videos.

Don't just play piano - perform piano by learning a repertoire of 12 Easy Piano Sing Songs that are perfect for when they ask the question...'so what can you play?'


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The Benefits of Online Piano Lessons

In the last few years there has been an upsurge of online piano courses available. At first these were unheard of and a lot of people were of the opinion that it would be very difficult to learn piano or keyboards online without a teacher. Things have changed however and now, there are teachers who have made special videos and prepared special books for the beginner to piano playing so that they are now able to teach themselves the basics without the hassle of going to a professional piano teacher for regular lessons. I need to stress here that these online lessons are in general only good for those starting out and who need to discover if piano playing is really for them or not. Once you have attained a certain level then you really need to go for lessons with a real piano teacher as opposed to a virtual one.

Here are a few of the advantages of online piano lessons as opposed to traditional one on one lessons for the beginner;

The first and probably most important advantage to mention is that of cost. Online lessons will typically be somewhere around the $50 mark for a whole course of lessons which will probably take you around a year to get through taking you up to a fairly high intermediate level of playing. For this sort of money you will barely be able to attend two lessons with a regular teacher.

Another plus point is the time. A one hour piano lesson with a teacher, after having travelled to their house or studio, waited around, taken the lesson and then travelled back to your home can easily take two hours or more. It can eat into the best part of an afternoon or evening leaving little time for anything else. With online lessons however you can squeeze in the classes whenever you have a moment free... no waiting or hanging around and no traveling.

There is no commitment with online piano lessons as there is with having a piano teacher except for the commitment that you make to yourself to succeed in your piano learning.

A really important point to make here is that you can advance at your own speed, even skip lessons if you feel you are doing well or take the same lesson over and over again if needs be. You are able yo watch the videos of how something should be played and listen to how it should sound on demand as opposed to with the piano teacher where you might get shown how to play something and then have to remember that until the next lesson. There is no rewind and replay with a real piano teacher.

Having pointed out just a few of the advantages of choosing to learn by using an online piano course I will now go over some of the advantages of using a professional piano teacher.

Taking regular piano lessons will keep you in touch with a real piano player who can observe your playing and point out things that you cannot see for yourself. This can be very useful. They will be able to curb any bad playing habits that might be developing before they turn into problems that might prove to be difficult to remedy at a later date.

The experienced piano teacher should have knowledge of and access to a whole range of piano music and will be able to asses you and help you to select pieces that you enjoy and that will be suitable for your particular level of playing.

As I stressed earlier, the online piano course is really only suitable for the lower levels of learning the piano. In the end, you will need to go to a qualified piano teacher for lessons once you get to a certain level.

For more information on how to Teach Yourself Piano online you can download free chord charts and get some free Learn Piano videos at the piano learners web site.


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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Three Benefits To An Online Piano Teaching System

You are about to discover the benefits of online piano lessons and how you can begin learning how to play a piano today.

The question of the day is whether or not this kind of piano teaching system is as good as the more conventional type of lesson and whether or not you should invest the dough to give any of them a try. With most programs offering you a money back guarantee, what have you got to lose?

Below we will answer this question by giving you three benefits you will receive by taking piano lessons online.

Benefit #1 - Reading Music

The ability to study and learn on your laptop or desktop will not only save you time, but you'll quickly discover being able to develop the skill of reading music can happen rather quickly if you practice what you learn with the piano teaching system. Generally the foundation, or fundamentals of music theory, is what turns individuals away from studying an instrument. But online lessons are enjoyable and make this "chore" a lot simpler to tackle.

The numerous solutions accessible on the internet have lessons and tutorials as well as games that assist you to discover the theory of reading music. These programs make practicing more entertaining and you will be learning to read music in no time at all.

Benefit #2 - Playing by Ear

Unless you are born with the ability, learning how to play by ear is something most people won't take advantage of the opportunity to do. But if you do, it will have a huge impact very rapidly on your ability and enjoyment of playing the piano. Do not pass up this opportunity. It will open up a huge window for you.

If you've ever heard a song on the radio and wish you could sit down and play it, then these online programs will teach you some very easy methods to make playing piano by ear a breeze. Even if you've failed before, online piano lessons can teach you how to do it and for cheaper than going to a conventional teacher.

Benefit #3 - Improvisation

Regardless if you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, improvisation isn't something that has normally been taught on a normal basis. But now with these programs, even the more seasoned pro can discover some simple improvisation methods.

When you learn to improvise, you will discover lots of new insights about playing the piano and music in general. Plus, it's simple to take the fundamentals and apply them to all the various styles. Regardless of what style you like to play now, you'll easily have the ability to start improvising in any genre, including the blues, jazz, and even country music if that's your thing.

Online piano lessons can definitely teach you how you can read music, how you can play by ear and they will show you some simple methods to discover how you can start to improvise.

Utilizing downloadable lessons will not only save you time and cash, but most of the online piano teaching systems available are simple to follow and make learning how to play a piano and learn music theory enjoyable.

You Make The Difference

For more information about online piano courses, visit PlayPianoDude.com where you will find this and much more, including how to play a piano with 12 fingers.


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Look Out Pokemon - Here Comes Piano Pedagogy

I have been playing the piano for over 40 years now and I recently came across the term, pedagogy. Watching my kids collect Pokemon cards when they were little, I immediately assumed this must be one of Pikachu's arch enemies. I could imagine Piano Pedagogy as a Fire Pokemon battling to the death with Pikachu. As if they actually battled to the death.

Anyway, thought I would share some information on the subject. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to continue your musical journey.

What Is Piano Pedagogy?

Piano pedagogy is the study of the teaching of playing piano. The focus of piano pedagogy is more geared towards instruction as it relates to individual students as opposed to music education in general which focuses more on a group or educational environment. In other words, piano lessons, which usually involve a one on one coaching or semi-private instruction. Therefore, the nice lady that I used to call my piano teacher, would correctly be referred to as a 'piano pedagogue'.

The range of disparity between available teachers associated with piano is extremely large. Unfortunately, competent education is not always guaranteed simply by the amount of years a person has undertaken lessons. It takes more than tenure.

The factors which affect the ability of any piano educator consist of one's education and learning level, understanding of musical performance, knowledge of musical genres, history, and piano repertoire, and most importantly, the ability to customize one's teaching method to sync with different personalities as well as learning styles.

Learning how to play a piano includes the teaching of artistic, problem-solving, motor and intellectual skills. There are several areas of study involved including ear training, rhythm, notation, technique, improvisation, sight reading, and memorization.

Education

Piano pedagogy may be studied through academic programs which often culminate to the achievement of a bachelors, master, or even doctoral degree at music universities or conservatories. The undergraduate degree may call for several years of previous piano studies and prior instructing knowledge as prerequisites for application. At the graduate level, numerous universities require applicants to have some training experience and a minimum of a bachelor of music or comparable experience in piano performance and pedagogy.

Even though most piano pedagogy programs include a wide range of past performance experience, the curriculum for the pedagogy degree varies from school to school. And although most do not, students associated with the latter group have the choice to be able to get training exclusively within the 'teaching of piano' category itself.

Check out our featured online courses or make use of the major search engines to find the piano pedagogy courses that may be of interest to you today by visiting PlayPianoDude.com where you will find this and much more, including how to play a piano with 12 fingers!


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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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Discover 10 Popular Songs to Learn On the Piano As a Beginner

Here are 10 popular songs to learn on piano, especially for beginners

1. Pachelbel's Canon - This is a famous song, originally written on strings, but also very famous and popular to play on the piano. It comes in a variety of arrangements for beginners up to advanced players, so it is a great one to learn as a beginner then a lovely piece to come back to at a later stage when you are more advanced.

2. Imagine by John Lennon - This is one of those songs that most people know, and would go down well at a party, or a sing-song! It has a great chord accompaniment, and is a good one to improve your playing technique and to incorporate the use of chords in your playing.

3. Drunken Sailor - This classic folk song is a great piano song to put a smile on people's faces, and it only requires a simple bass line as the right hand is the leading section with two simple chord patterns.

4. Let it Be by The Beatles - This is another classic song, written and made famous by The Beatles. It is in a simple key signature, has a nice piano arrangement which will suit a beginner perfectly.

5. Annie's Song by John Denver - This is a popular song with a lovely melody in which its lyrics fit perfectly. It is in a simple key signature, has a beautiful melody to be able to play as a beginner and one song that you will continue to play through your piano years. As you become more advanced it allows you the freedom to bring more into it with a variety of arrangements produced for piano.

6. Fur Elise by Beethoven - This ever popular classical piece written by Beethoven, has a great sound and feeling to it. For a beginner listening to it, you could misjudge it and think it is difficult to play, but in fact it is the opposite. It is in a simple key signature, is repetitive with only a couple of different sections to master and is available in a variety of levels. It also sounds great too, so is a way to impress your audience.

7. Amazing Grace originally written by John Newton is a classic popular Gospel song. It has a lot of feeling and emotion to it which is portrayed well when played on the piano. It suits all levels of pianists but is particularly a good one to start with as a beginner, as it is in a simple key & time signature. You can even download this for free of some music websites on the internet.

8. Clocks by rock band Coldplay. This is a modern song made famous by international rock band Coldplay. It features lovely simple chords. These are played in the right hand to take a lead, with a simple but effective bass line, which complements this song well. This will put playing chords into practice, and show you how it is all linked into music.

9. Piano Man by Billy Joel - The title says it all with this song. It is a very popular song and written originally for the Piano. This is a great song to add to your repertoire as a beginner. It is in a simple key, and is in a waltz time signature, so it will develop your timing skills by introducing a waltz rhythm into your playing. It is also a song that most people will know, and sounds terrific when played on the piano.

10. Candle in the Wind by Elton John - This is one of Elton John's most famous hits, and arranged for Piano. It was originally written in the key of E Major, but there are some easy piano arrangements produced which are in a simpler key. This makes it a perfect song choice to learn as a beginner. It is a simple melody to pick up, but sounds fantastic.

There are some great free courses to teach anyone from complete beginners to advanced pianists to Learn How to Play Piano. A great way for beginners to learn is to start off with some really Easy Piano Songs which will get you started and help build that all important confidence.


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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Online Piano Courses - Chopsticks Bonus Included

Nowadays, most everyone knows that online piano courses exist and are plentiful. It's because most everyone, if given the opportunity, would want to learn to play piano, even if it's only the simplest version of chopsticks. There are those that want to discover how to play songs they hear on the radio for fun, while a smaller more select group of dreamers are looking to become the next Liberace. Regardless of your reasons, learning to play piano is easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home. It doesn't matter where you live or if you're rich or poor. Anyone has the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals to more advanced methods of piano playing using the internet.

To Pay Or Not To Pay

As the internet has exploded, so has the quantity of online piano courses being offered. Some lessons are totally free and some are not. When searching on the internet for piano lessons, it would make sense to start with the free ones. This gives you a good foundation to determine the real value in the online piano courses that you can pay for. You may be able to find descent lessons on the free internet sites that work for you. Always remember... you get what you pay for. When you ultimately discover that free lessons are inadequate, it is time to compare and select from the paid online piano courses.

Rest assured, paying for lessons online is still a lot less expensive as compared to hiring an experienced piano teacher. Not that I have anything against piano teachers. That is how I started out 35 years ago. But with busy schedules these days and the simplicity and obvious convenience of staying at home finding piano lessons on the net can be a big advantage. And most of the courses you will find have been put together by experienced piano teachers and music educators anyway.

If you want to learn to play piano online, you will require a laptop or desktop computer and obviously a quick internet connection. The nicest thing about online piano lessons is that you simply can have them at any time of the day or night. And being at home you have your friends or loved ones join in on the fun.

Learn to Play Piano Today

Don't give up on your dream of learning to play the piano. You will soon discover that not all individuals have the ability and capacity to play this magnificent instrument. However, if you're determined to learn, and have a burning desire, then pursue your passion. Do not give up on the challenging lessons. Strive to be tough and above all, practice, practice, practice.

Learning to play the piano is rewarding for everyone. And as the old saying goes, "it is never too late to learn". Start now, and sooner than you can say, "why can't I play like that cute little girl on AGT", you will be playing beautifully. Check out our featured online courses or make use of the major search engines to find the online piano courses that are right for you today.

You Can Make A Difference

For more information about online piano courses, visit PlayPianoDude.com where you will find this and much more, including why the top reasons why I play piano are the same reasons that you do.


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Developing Your Piano Skills

In choosing what instrument you should learn to play, the piano is should certainly be foremost among those you are considering, as it is one of the most flexible of the musical instruments that we have today.

Playing the piano is widely acknowledged as one of the most popular and absorbing hobbies that you can really enjoy. Whatever your favorite genre of music is, once you learn and get serious about piano, you can surely apply your skills and enjoy playing music in that particular genre.

First Steps For Beginners

When you first take up piano, it can often be difficult to know where to start. The first thing that you must do is to actually choose the piano instrument that you'll use. Of course, buying a piano can often be a big commitment, especially if you're planning to buy it from new, so most people will usually begin with a second hand piano, or a keyboard.

The keyboard will usually be the best option if you're not sure about whether you will be entirely committed to the piano, since it is also significantly cheaper that other bigger and grander pianos.

The next step to start piano is to choose how you plan to learn. Majority of people will arrange a series of lessons with a tutor or an experienced piano player. But you will also find comprehensive online piano lessons which are recommended in such cases where scheduling lessons with tutors is likely to be difficult due to lifestyle or time constraints.

Lessons Online Or In Person?

There are benefits to both types of lessons, and ultimately both will end up with you playing piano. But how fast you learn, your lifestyle, and the amount of time you can dedicate to your lessons in piano are the factors that will determine how well you will learn playing piano, and which between those types of lessons will work better for you.

If you've decided to take lessons in person, you'll usually need to find a good tutor that will be able to guide you through the exercises and the playing styles which you will use to develop to an intermediate level of playing piano.

The other option of course, is to buy a course of piano lessons online. There are also a number of benefits when choosing this method to begin playing piano. Firstly, online lessons tend to be significantly cheaper than having a real-life teacher. Secondly, this method will really suit you if you cannot commit to regular appointments for your lessons, or you want to learn in your own time and pace.

Conclusion

Playing piano is indeed one of the best hobbies that you can start if you are looking for an interesting and satisfying hobby.

While at first, the playing piano can be quite frustrating, if you dedicate some time to complete the right exercises and practices, you will really have great fun and more importantly, a skill which will impress your friends and family.

Whether you choose to learn by yourself using a series of online lessons or hire a tutor to guide you through the early steps in playing piano, all your efforts will be repaid by the advances in your skills. Moreover, you can also start playing the music that you have wanted to play all along.

Frank is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, GA

Finding Piano Lessons

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Thursday, July 14, 2011

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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Piano Online - It Is Never Too Late To Learn How To Play Piano

If you have always wanted to learn how to play piano but thought that you were too old, you should know that age is not really a factor that will keep you from learning this instrument. There are benefits from learning to play at an early age, but in fact he piano can be learned by anyone who is willing to keep trying, especially using piano online courses.

One big obstacle for many people who wish to learn learn how to play piano is that this is a very large, heavy, bulky and expensive instrument. However, in many cases a lot of learning can be accomplished by using a smaller and less costly piano keyboard. The smaller keyboard has sixty-six keys whereas the full sized piano has eighty-eight keys. In addition, the keys on a full sized piano are large and heavy which makes them difficult for most beginners to play.

The piano has been in existence for several centuries and there have been several schools of thought developed regarding the best ways to teach a person how to play piano. Many people do not get formal music lessons and instead they learn to play the piano by ear. This means they simply keep experimenting with playing the piano keys and listening to the results, and gradually they are able to recreate some of the musical pieces they wish to learn to play. This is often adopted by people who can not afford to get regular lessons but it is not a technique that can be relied upon. Not all people will be gifted at hearing the mistakes in their piano playing that need to be changed. It is more likely that a person who learns to play the piano by ear will learn a lot of bad habits that will later be very difficult to overcome and will block further progress. To learn to play the piano the correct way it is important to have a tutor who can explain the proper technique. This does not have to be an actual teacher because playing piano online uses tutorials on CDs or DVDs.

If a person is a good learner and is very motivated, they will quickly be able to learn a lot of piano chords and perhaps might even master some music theory.

Mastering the art of reading sheet music can be a difficult and frustrating task for some people. It requires a lot of studying and practicing. It is very helpful to have some instruction during this process. Once a person has mastered the art of reading sheet music than it becomes possible to play complex musical pieces quite quickly rather than trying to sound them out by trial and error. Ear training is very important in being able to recognize various intervals of music and tonal changes when they are encountered. The most important part of learning how to play piano is practicing a lot. Regardless of age, a dedicated person can learn to play piano online by choosing the right method of learning and practicing faithfully.

Discover how to play the piano from scratch by going with a unique 60 day 100% Money back Guarantee Piano online web-site or you watch the commercial at piano online course


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How To Play The Piano - The Benefits Of Online Courses

Some of us have a secret desire to learn to play a musical instrument sometime or the other. However, it may not be possible to pay high fees or find the time to pursue our passion. Today, learning a musical instrument such as a piano is very easy with the availability of online courses. With online piano lessons, you can learn how to play the piano and learn the skills and techniques required for the same. Using the resources or piano lessons available online, you can teach yourself and learn a song on the piano in one day by using CD's, books or other resources available online.

If you are a busy professional who wants to learn how to play the piano, you can use software programs or packages for learning piano online to reduce the effort and time that may be spent on searching for piano tutors or coaching classes. Those who are eager to learn piano quickly can make use of the piano learning software that may be equipped with evaluation tests and built in exercises to make your learning easy and enjoyable.

The success rate related to playing piano online mostly depends on the individual pursuing such a course. With the comprehensive curriculum offered by the online piano learning centers today, you can pursue your passion without spending a fortune.

Those who are looking into how to play the piano easily can benefit a lot from modern piano online coaching. The modern piano lessons are very different compared to the traditional boring exercises and they help you master the techniques and styles quickly. Modern piano tuition offers a refreshing and fun approach to learning music. By making use of easy-to-use tools, you can play your preferred musical instrument without hassle.

Even through online piano lessons, you can learn the different piano playing styles and get to the point where you can play each style with finesse. The best advantage of online piano lessons is that they can help you play the piano in a short span of time with minimal effort. Even those who lack a musical background or any kind of prior knowledge in music can take up piano lessons online. If you are a newcomer, you just have to follow the practice song sheets initially when you sign up for piano lessons online.

Even those who wish to play the piano for fun can take lessons on how to play the piano online. The amount of scales you have to master in online coaching is nothing compared to the ancient methods of piano coaching. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy the flexibility of different types of vocal ranges. Above all, the best advantage that comes with online piano lessons is that you can play the songs that you like and this gives you all the motivation you need to practice longer and more frequently.

Discover exactly how to play a piano by going to How to play the piano web page or watch the YouTube @ How to play the piano


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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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Learn Piano Online - Skip the Trip and Save Some Dough

Did you know you could learn piano online now and save yourself a trip in the car and the money on weekly lessons? Just like the Kindle's have changed how we read, the internet has changed the way we learn and it isn't necessary anymore to drive to a weekly lesson, spend a ton of money on gas as well as for the 50 minute session. Online piano lessons are the wave of the future, and not just piano lessons, learning just about anything has gotten easier and less expensive than it used to be.

Some people wonder if these kinds of lessons are just as good, take it from a piano teacher that they are. The only thing they may be lacking in is the push you might need to keep up the practicing, but also coming from experience that push from a teacher you see once a week isn't always going to be enough. So just like with traditional lessons, the drive to want to learn needs to be there in order to see improvement, a teacher can only do so much even if they are in the room with you.

Online piano lessons teach the same material, offer fun ways to learn theory and let you play a broad range of styles. You can also learn at your own pace and play more of the kinds of songs you want to play. Plus, downloadable lessons only cost you once, typically less than $50, that is a lot less than you are going to spend on weekly lessons. To get anywhere long term you'll need to play and practice for quite awhile so these lessons will add up quickly over time.

When you learn piano online you instantly get access to lessons, video files and more. You pay the one time payment and have the program right away on your computer. If you are a fast learner you could be playing a new song that same day, it truly is remarkable to think about. For anyone who is passionate about learning, this new technology of being able to spread knowledge to just about anyone in this allows for the opportunity to learn something many people wouldn't have had otherwise. Learning something can often cost a fortune and let's face it, money is tight these days. But why should the lack of funds stop you from doing something you really want to do? With downloadable lessons it doesn't have to.

Download the lessons and start learning right away, you won't have to worry about hopping in your car every week and wasting precious learning time driving. And you won't have to deal with a teacher nagging you to practice, sometimes without the threat of nagging you'll be more likely to sit down at the keyboard anyway. There is something incredibly satisfying knowing that it is your own motivation and drive that is helping you to learn something new and exciting.

You can learn piano online and skip the drive and the weekly cost of lessons, there are many programs available for you to check out, find one that fits your learning style and don't look back. Have fun with the piano, it is an inspiring and beautiful instrument to play.

To learn more about one of the top programs out there, visit Learn Piano Online

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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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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Piano Exercises - Tips and Advice for Beginner Pianists

What are piano exercises and how can they help you develop strength and flexibility at the piano?

When you begin playing piano, simply the act of pressing down the keys and synchronizing your fingers is more than enough!

You will also be busy with:

Learning music theoryLearning how to read notesSitting with correct postureKeeping you hand position right.

But after a while it is a good idea to start working with separate piano technique exercises to help you to build up flexibility, strength, awareness and security in your playing.

One more plus (of many) when working with special technical exercises is that you become more aware of the many different movement patterns used when playing the piano. To recognize a pattern of notes as a movement instead of a "bunch of notes" helps you to both read and perform music better, as well as to play more beautifully without unnecessary tension.

I know there are pianists and teachers who consider technical exercises unnecessary and that by studying lots of repertoire and making your own exercises from the "real" piano pieces, you will learn all you need. Even though I personally do not agree with this, I believe it is a great way of learning a piece to actually work on passages - called "passage work"- in the music itself and to make up your own exercises from it.

However, this rarely applies to beginner pianists, as you need to be a really good player to begin with, to be able to make such choices and know what you need to work on!

Piano technique is studied in different parts:

1. Finger exercises:

Exercises as opposed to Etudes, are technical exercises that introduce you to movement patterns for your hands, arms and whole body; not only finger drills, introducing one difficulty at a time. (Not really very pretty to listen to!). One of the most known examples of piano exercises is Charles-Louis Hanon, who wrote the famous "The Virtuoso Pianist. "

2. Scales, chords and arpeggios:

Scales, chords and arpeggios serve several purposes:

Firstly, they get you acquainted with the basic tools or elements that music is built from, which helps you understand music theory and also to read music better.

Secondly, they exercise common movement patterns you will meet as you play pieces, and it makes a huge difference when you learn a new piece to quickly know what fingering to use, since you by then will know what works with what scale or chord, etc.

3. Etudes:

Piano etudes are actually exercises, but more like real pieces. They involve a few different aspects of technical work, for example broken chords and scale work at the same time.

Some of these etudes are so lovely that they are used as performance repertoire, Chopin's Etudes for example, and some are more.... boring. But the point with the etude is to practice technique in a more musical context, involving phrasing and musical thought, not just drills.

It is a good habit to try to work- if not every day- at least a few times a week with some form of technical exercises.

Happy playing!

Maria Lewander

Mrs. Lewander is a full time piano pedagogue and has taught children and adults piano for over 25 years. Mrs. Lewander lives in Greece and enjoys the food, the climate, the music, playing and teaching.

Visit http://play-the-piano.org/ for more tips and ideas for beginner pianists.

For more ideas and help on how to practice piano exercises, go to http://play-the-piano.org/piano-exercises.html


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Piano Lessons for Beginners - Online Piano Lessons Make It Convenient To Learn The Piano

Music is loved by almost everyone. While some like to play musical instruments, others like to sing, dance or go to karaoke bars. When it comes to learning a musical instrument, many people choose the piano. There are various ways by which one can find out more details on piano lessons for beginners. Each method presents its own benefits and drawbacks. An effective and convenient way to learn the piano is to choose the option of online piano lessons.

In the traditional variety of piano lessons one has to play this instrument by ear. It also means playing after reading notes from a book on piano lessons for beginners. The musical notes can be selected and played on the piano. Listening to the intervals is an important aspect to understand the melody better. The chords can also be played to get the player's chord voicing. Generally, there are three aspects to playing the piano by ear. These are melody, chords and chord voicing. During the initial phase of learning this may seem a little bit difficult, but after becoming familiar with the process one can do it easily. With private lessons good results can be obtained, even though this option may prove costly. There are music schools where one can learn the piano lessons. These classes can be attended after the day's work or school. The drawback in this method is that the person has to deal with traffic congestion, class cancellations and bad weather.

The popularity of latest methods of learning the piano has been on the rise. These options include learning the piano lessons using DVDs or CDs. A person can learn to play the piano easily after going through online courses. There are various websites that offer this type of learning. These days some music teachers also offer their own lessons. The learner can choose the pace of learning which allows lots of flexibility. This method may pose a problem only when the Internet connection is interrupted. To overcome this type of problem one can choose the DVD option. Piano learning software can also be downloaded and used offline to learn the lessons. This type of software is available for new as well as advanced students. There is no need to face the traffic congestion and personally attend a music coaching center. From the comfort of home one can learn to play the piano.

As one can see, each and every method of learning to play piano lessons for beginners poses its own advantages and disadvantages. It is not possible to learn the piano playing in a single day. It is a continuous process that requires constant practice and effort on the part of the learner. Almost every method involved in learning to play the piano is covered in online piano lessons. This makes it easy to select the right method. Once the appropriate method has been selected, it becomes easier to master the techniques and skills required to play the piano.

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How To Play Piano - Taking the First Steps in Learning the Piano

Learning how to play piano is not an extremely difficult task that has stringent age requirements, contrary to what some people think. Although there are advantages to learning at a young age, the piano is an instrument that can be mastered by anyone with the guts to persevere. The first requirement to learning this instrument is owning or having access to a piano.

Because the piano is a large and expensive piece of equipment, having a smaller and less expensive keyboard is a decent substitute for beginners. The main difference between these two instruments is that the keyboard has 66 keys, while the piano has 88 keys. Another important difference is that the piano keys are larger and heavier, making it more difficult to play for beginners.

This is an instrument that has been around for several hundred years and has been the subject of much study over the years, out of which many different methods for learning and teaching this instrument have emerged. Several people adopt the "learn by ear" method, which is where they simply fiddle and learn by trial and error. This method is rather ineffective and several bad habits can be acquired by attempting such a task without a proper tutor or instructor. In order to learn how to play the piano properly, a tutor of some sort is required. This can take the form of online video tutorials, DVDs, books or an actual teacher.

Those who are quick learners and have a lot of motivation will find that videos and books are very effective instructors and will be able to learn many different chords and even a little musical theory. A private teacher is generally considered more effective, as the teacher can modify the syllabus to suit the pupil's strengths and interest. Attending a music school also affords one the opportunity to learn musical theory (sheet music) properly.

The act of reading sheet music is a complex task, which takes some study, a little instruction and a lot of practice. Learning how to read sheet music enables one to be able to play complex compositions almost instantly, rather than trying to figure them out by ear. That being said, "Ear training", or learning to recognize musical intervals and tonal changes is a very important skill which is also taught by professional teachers. Once a method for learning has been appropriated, the next and most important element is practice. Skill and proficiency at this instrument is not absorbed and can only be achieved by steady and faithful practice. Learning how to play piano is something that can be achieved by a person of any age. The important thing is to choose an appropriate learning method on how to play piano and dedicates enough time to practice regularly.

Discover the simplest way on playing the piano by looking at How to play piano on-line store. Alternatively, watch the YouTube video by clicking How to play piano


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Friday, July 8, 2011

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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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Discover How to Master Co-Ordination on the Piano

Co-ordination on the Piano is one of the hardest tasks you will come across as a beginner, but once you have learnt this skill, it will be with you forever. It's like when you first learn to ride a bike, it's a bit tricky to start with, but with a little bit of practice you finally click and then there is no stopping you.

See below ten tips to help and improve your co-ordination skills on the Piano: -

Make sure you are 100% confident of what each hand needs to play. Practise hands separately until you can play it with your eyes closed or not looking down at the keys. This will engage your senses and help you use other senses to detect where the notes are, i.e...Touch and Feel senses.Break your song down into small sections, so after learning each part hands separately, start playing it hands together in sections, so try the Intro, then once happy with this, move onto the Main Verse, and so on. Once you are happy with two sections, bring those together and then move forward.Keep the song slow, lots of people try to run before they can walk, but what happens with playing too quickly is you lose the technique and you are likely to make easy mistakes, so take your time. You can increase the speed once you've learnt the song correctly.If you are struggling with one particular section when trying to put it hands together, break it down even smaller, so maybe just one bar, and repeat this about 20 times. The old saying practice makes perfect is true.Try the following exercises to warm up: -

Play three chords in your right hand, so C Major F Major and G Major are a good easy example, and play each chord twice holding them for one beat at a time,

A pattern like this will work well: -

C MAJOR X2/F MAJOR X2/G MAJOR X2/F MAJOR and repeat this.

For your left hand, play C F and G, so when you change chords in the right change your bass notes also.

For a bit of variety you can change the rhythm of the bass, so from holding it for 2 beats, like the above exercise, play each bass note for 1 beat each, and then you could change it and speed it up to half beats.

6. With co-ordination it is also very important to make sure you are using the correct fingering, so beware of this if you are teaching yourself and avoid getting into bad habits by using just a couple of fingers.

7. Listen to an original version of the song you are learning. This will help you pick up how the rhythms fit in hearing it by ear.

8. Try playing along to a copy of the song. See if your teacher can record a copy of the Piano version for you with it broken down into Left Hand & Right Hand sections and then together. This will really help you with your co-ordination if you can actually hear what it should sound like

9. Get yourself a scale book, The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music - Scales arpeggios and Broken chords are a good place to start, along with Hanon Exercises. These are great for improving your technique and your co-ordination.

10. The most important tip is to do lots of practice. But do it little and often, so practice every day for at least 20 minutes at a time, have a break then do another 20 minutes. Set yourself out a realistic practice plan to follow.

There are some great free courses to teach anyone from complete beginners to advanced pianists to Learn How to Play Piano. A great way for beginners to learn is to start off with some really Easy Piano Songs which will get you started and help build that all important confidence.


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