Music Alphabet and Staff

THE MUSIC ALPHABET IS MADE OF SEVEN LETTERS.

These are letters used over and over on the keyboard to name the white keys. When you play the music alphabet forward, you go up the keyboard to the right:
A B C D E F G. So when you play the music alphabet backward, you go down the keyboard to the left:
G F E D C B A.

Practice Directions:

1. Play the music alphabet both forward and backward in different places on the keyboard, using the second finger of either hand. Say the letters aloud as you play.
2. Memorize the music alphabet forward and backward.

It’s easy to find the white keys and know their names when you look for the sets of 2 and 3 black keys.

A IS BETWEEN THE 2ND AND 3RD KEYS IN THE 3 BLACK SET.

B IS TO THE RIGHT OF THE 3 BLACK KEY SET.

C IS TO THE LEFT OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.

D IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.

E IS TO THE RIGHT OF THE 2 BLACK KEY SET.

F IS TO THE LEFT OF THE 3 BLACK KEY SET.

G IS BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND KEYS IN THE 3 BLACK KEY SET.

Practice Directions:

1. Shut your eyes
2. Touch sets of 2 and 3 black-keys with one hand. With the other hand find and name nearby white keys.
3. Memorize a picture of the keyboard.

C POSITION:

L.H. PLAYS:
C D E F G - FINGERING IS 5-4-3-2-1

R.H. PLAYS:
C D E F G - FINGERING IS 1-2-3-4-5

Playing Legato

Legato means to play smoothly, connecting the tones. To play legato, one finger lifts when another finger plays the next note. A slur is a curved line over or under two or more different notes that are to be played legato (smooth, connected). The slur is used to show a musical thought called a phrase. Lift your hand gently at the end of a phrase.

Playing Staccato

Staccato means to play short, separating the tones. A dot over or under a note means staccato. To play staccato, let the key go immediately after playing. Another name that I like to call staccato is “hot potato!” Quickly let go of the note!

Tied Notes

A tie is a curved line that connects notes of the same pitch (notes on the same line or space.) Play the first note only and hold it for the value of both notes.

For example:
Half Note + Whole Note = 6 beats
2 beats + 4 beats = 6 Beats

Whole Note + Whole Note
4 Beats + 4 beats = 8 Beats

The Staff

The staff has lines and spaces. Notes are written on lines or in spaces. The staff has 5 lines and 4 spaces. So then notes are placed either on lines or spaces. Number the lines from the bottom to the top. And number the spaces from the bottom to the top.

Clef Signs
A clef sign is used at the beginning of each staff. There is a treble clef or G clef. It’s tail wraps around the 2nd line. High tones are written on a treble staff.

Bass clef or F clef on the 4th line with dots on either side of the 4th line. Low tones are written on a bass clef.

The Grand Staff

The bass and treble staffs are joined together by a brace to form the grand staff. I explain to my students that it is like the left hand shaking hands with the right hand. A short line is added between the staffs for middle C.

So when you are in a music store looking for a book to purchase, always look for the Grand Staff if you want to play the piano with both hands. Intermediate and advanced players look for Fake Books where they are given the right hand melody notes and chords for the left hand.

Whether you play smoothly or chunky, learning the music alphabet and applying where they are on the keyboard is fun. Once you learn to read notes you will have that gift for a lifetime and will be able to play any style of music with a bit of practice. Have fun reading and playing the notes. Eventually you’ll be jamming, not reading all the music notes and leaning more on listening for the progression... and that's another story.
All the best to you!

Comments are welcomed and encouraged! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your stay at Piano Diana.

Learn 20 Advanced Guitar Licks

I just wanted to let you know about 'Advanced Guitar 301'
Digital Version is finally available! It's a new guitar course available to musicians. My friends at Hear and Play always have great dvds available for playing piano by ear, drums and now a guitar course.

For The First Time Ever, Superstar Professional Guitarist, Jairus Mozee Takes You By The Hand And Drags You To "His World" Where He Personally Hand-Picks 20 Insanely Advanced Licks, Runs, Riffs, Patterns, and Fill-Ins You Can Outright STEAL And Apply To Your Own Playing Virtually Minutes After Watching!

Guitar 301

Learn 20 Super Advanced Guitar Licks, Tricks, And Riffs Across 4 Different Styles...
Funk, R&B, Gospel, Jazz

Advanced Guitar 301 Trailer / preview

The structure of "Advanced Guitar 301 - Licks, Tricks, and Solos" is pretty straightforward.

It covers 4 genres of music: Funk, Gospel, R&B, and Jazz.

In each of those genres, we start by teaching you the underlying chords that make up the patterns you're hearing. So if you're in the "funk" section, you'll start by learning the funk chords he's using as a bare minimal (even beginners can benefit from this part).

Then they proceed to break down 5 unique riffs, runs, licks, or tricks you can play over these same chords. In fact, the underlying chords and patterns hardly change. But you learn dozens of ways to approach improvising over them. They do this for funk, r&b (soul), gospel (shouting music), and jazz.

By the end, you'll have 20 professional, advanced soloing licks you can pull out the cupboard at any time.

You can order this new dvd music resource at:

Guitar 301

Comments are welcomed and encouraged! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your stay at Piano Diana.

Sitting at the Piano

Ready for your first piano lesson? Sitting at the piano should be a comfortable feeling right from the beginning.

Sit up straight facing the center of the piano. Place your feet flat on the floor. If your feet do not reach the floor, it is helpful to have a footstool or books under them when you practice but not absolutely necessary.

Sit high enough to reach the keys easily. Do you have a piano stool or chair at home that moves up and down? If not, pillows or books may be used to help you sit at the correct height when you practice.

Piano posture is important for all beginner and advanced players. Most importantly, you want to be comfortable at the piano. Sitting with your nose directly in the middle of the range of piano keys is the best place to sit. Where is Middle C you ask? You will find that the white key to the left of the 2 black keys is the “C” key. In fact, all of the “C’s” are to the left of the 2 black keys.

After sitting at the piano and practicing for a time, let’s say 30 minutes, I suggest you take a little break. I have found that sewing at the machine, being on your computer and playing the piano for a much longer period of time will cause your shoulders to droop (round shoulders) and gravity will just pull you forwards, plus the backache will begin with a tense neck. For youngsters, 10-15 minutes of practicing every day will show great improvement overall.

Hand Position

Hold your fingers in a nice curved shape. Imagine you are holding a ball in each hand. That is the way the fingers should be curved when playing the piano. Your wrist should be level with your arms. Keep them level as if you’ve placed a rectangular pencil eraser upon your wrists while moving your piano fingers.

Finger Numbers

Left Hand:

5=Pinky, 4, 3, 2, 1=Thumb

Right Hand:

1=Thumb, 2, 3, 4, 5=Pinky

Have someone trace your piano hands and then number your fingers accordingly. Date it when you first begin piano lessons. It will make a wonderful keepsake.

The Piano Keyboard

The keyboard has white and black keys. The black keys are in sets of 2’s and 3’s. When you play down to the left on the keyboard the sounds are lower, bass tones. When you play up to the right on the keyboard the sounds are higher, treble tones.

On the keyboard, the high keys are usually played with the Right Hand. The low keys are usually played with the Left Hand.

Make up some pieces using sets of black keys. Perhaps you could make up a song using the sets of 2 black keys. Then add the set of 3 black keys. If you play all 5 black keys in the high end of the piano, you will hear tones that sound like a lovely Asian piece or flowing, running water. I hope these first steps have been fun and easy for you.

Happy Practicing!

Comments are welcomed and encouraged! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your stay at Piano Diana.

Learn To Play Too Close To The Mirror

Too Close To The Mirror by Eddie Ruth Bradford. you can hear a short clip of the song at this

Track Listing

One of the most unique and anointed voices to come along in quite sometime, Eddie Ruth Bradford, born and raised in Cascilla, Mississippi, debuts with a fresh traditional sound. Having roots that are deep in delta tradition, Eddie Ruth's deep alto voice resonates with emotion, conviction and style that are sure to make her a welcome addition to the traditional gospel scene.

Here's a good video to hear the song Too Close To The Mirror and jam with:

Chord Chart to Too Close To The Mirror

Too Close To The Mirror
By: Eddie Ruth Bradford
Arr. By: Val215

Key Bb
L H / R H

Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D I guess I’m
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D too close to the
Eb, Eb / G-Bb-Eb mirror to
Bb / F-Bb-D see what you see, why You
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D shower down Your
Bb / F-Bb-D blessings
Bb, B /
C, C / E-G-C Your blessings on
F / A-C-F me
Eb / not
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D anything I’ve
D, D / F-Ab-Bb-D done Lord
Eb / G-Bb-Eb as far as I
D / F-Bb-D can
C / G-C-Eb see
C / G-C-Eb
D / F-Bb-D
Eb / G-C-Eb I guess I’m
F, F / Bb-D-F too close to the
F, F / Bb-D-F mirror to see
F, F / G-Bb-Eb what You see in
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D me

Verse 1 (use these same chords):
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D Sometimes I think
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D about the things
Eb, Eb / G-Bb-Eb You have done for me
Bb, Bb / F-Bb-D me

Additional lyrics:
How you washed all my sins, set my spirit free, then I look back on my life, I haven't always done right, but still your goodness and mercy follows me everyday of my life.

(Chorus):

Verse 2:
When I thought about given up you set trust in me, if you hold on, don't faint now keep your faith in me. Lord you don't see me like I am, you see me like I'm gonna be, so I believe I'll run on and see what the ends gonna be. hallelujah,

(Chorus):

Discover some great music video courses:

Become A Better Church Pianist Now!

Learn How To Play Hymns Using Color Chords

& Exciting Runs & Fillers

www.PianoArrangement.com

Explore Praise Songs

Comments are welcomed and encouraged! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your stay at Piano Diana.

Maintain a Groove

Image via Wikipedia

Another great piano man that I admire on YouTube is Mr.Ron
You can go directly to his video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBV7gnH1bho&feature=digest or watch below. You'll learn simple chord progressions and the inversions. But mostly you'll hear Ron say over and over... just keep the groove going. it really does get easier with practice, like anything else.