7 Ways Every Child Can Benefit From Music Lessons

Guest post by Carol Watson of http://www.nationalnannies.com

 As public school systems slash budgets and eliminate musical education programs around the country, more and more parents are forced to find private musical instruction for their children. For parents who aren’t sure if the benefits of musical lessons justify the added expense and hassle, here are seven of the scientifically-proven benefits of music education.

1. Enhanced Abstract Reasoning Skills – Abstract reasoning skills, which play a crucial role in the development of mathematical and scientific aptitude, are markedly enhanced by musical instruction, according to a 1997 study stating that early childhood music education has a positive physiological impact. Children who actively participate in band or orchestra, or who have pursued private musical instruction, also tend to have higher math and science scores in adolescent and teenage years.
2. Stronger Cognitive Processes – A Henrich Heine University study reported findings that exposure to music enhances the cognitive process, boosting language and reasoning abilities. After studying the undergraduate majors of medical school students, noted physician and biologist Lewis Thomas also discovered that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school went on to be accepted, the highest percentage of any group.
3. Higher Standardized Testing Scores – On average, students with musical instruction and performance experience scored up to 57 points higher on verbal portions of the SAT and 41 points higher on the math portion than their peers with no musical background, according to the College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001.
4. Increased Likelihood of Finishing High School and Attending College – Several studies, including one conducted in Florida in 1990, indicated that music, art and drama programs in public schools helped children to feel more involved with their school, and fostered a sense of community with like-minded fellow students that positively influenced their decision to stay in school. Similarly, a 2007 Harris Interactive poll suggests that 88% of those holding graduate degrees have a background in music education.
5. Reduced Likelihood of Drug and Alcohol Abuse – The 1998 Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report revealed that secondary students who were actively involved with band or orchestra reported the lowest current and lifetime rates of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has also issued a list of factors they believe could reduce the risk of adolescent and teen substance abuse; among them was success in school and involvement with school organizations. Children who are active participants in band, orchestra and other musical activities may face a significantly lower risk of addiction.
6. Greater Self-Discipline – A paper entitled “Music Linked to Reduced Criminality”, which was released by MuSICA Research Notes in 2000, examined a group of Rhode Island natives from infancy to age 30. The study discovered a significantly diminished arrest rate among those who had been involved in music and musical education. The dedication, determination and willingness to sacrifice free time for practice and performance fosters a strong sense of self-discipline in a child, which may lead to a lower likelihood of anti-social behavior.
7. Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem – Developing and mastering new skills dramatically boosts kids’ confidence and self-esteem. Through musical instruction, children are constantly learning new skills, improving them, and sharpening them to excellence.

Whether your child is enrolled in private music instruction, or is fortunate enough to attend a school that still offers a music program, the benefits of a music education are undeniable.

Thanks Carol for the valuable information from your article.

Piano Diana will be taking a break next Monday, Christmas Eve, but wanted to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and many blessings for the New Year! 

Keep playing those beautiful Christmas songs, posts from my other blog, LadyDpiano.com

Do You Hear What I Hear

O Come All Ye Faithful

Joy To The World

Away in the Manger

Angels We Have Heard On High

Warmly,

"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey

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• History of German Music

Kindergarten Music: Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Many of you know that I have been teaching piano for over 15 years and that I've played on various worship teams for over 30 years. Maybe you haven't heard but I'm also a kindergarten music teacher. I love working with the 5 year old's and back in September we talked about "What is music?"

Music is like reading a book,  not with words but with notes. We hear music on the radio, with orchestras, CDs and a band. "Even birds tweet music," a 5 year old boy said.

Music has rhythm. Sometimes we play fast or slow and other times soft or loud. We practice clapping the rhythm to notes. Our class has learned what the name of the notes are and how many beats they receive.

Quarter Note = 1 count
Half Note = 2 counts
Dotted Half - 3 counts
Whole Note = 4 counts
Eighth Note = 1/2 count

So, in our rhythm box we have sticks, bells, rain stick, triangles and a tambourine.

I wrote an article awhile back. Here it is:

Being a kindergarten music teacher for one hour sure goes fast. It is so much fun and truly rewarding. There is lots of work in preparing for the upcoming day each week. The children look forward to our time of being together, learning all about music.

I usually begin the rhythm and music class with a type of story-telling gesture. I say. "Good morning class." The response is usually a typical reply, "Good morning Mrs. Rogers." When I tell them I'm going to step outside and come back in with my teacher face on and try it again, that's when I know I have their attention and cooperation. Children are so flexible when you change the variables and come back in with a quiet greeting, or a loud one. They will definitely copy you with their response most enthusiastically!

Then I proceed with the following talking points:

1. What Is Music?
2. What Is Rhythm?

I begin by explaining that music is like reading notes not letters. We talk about music being on the radio and a CD. You hear music in bands and orchestras. One boy wanted to add to the discussion that he hears music when the birds sing, while another little girl added that her Dad plays music on the TV.

After awhile, we introduce that music is like your heart beating and that some notes are played slower than others. It is at this point that I go over to the piano or keyboard and play a few songs that the children are familiar with that are examples of a slow song, like Away In The Manger. We move on to fast songs such as Pop! Goes the Weasel and Yankee Doodle. Then we march in a circle to The Wheels on the Bus. There are tons of children's songs available for your use.

It is at this point that I begin to talk in-depth about teaching young people the music notes. We name the notes, talk about how many beats correspond to that particular note and then we practice clapping.

So, within the first part of the hour, the kids have some introduction to a Quarter Note, being a black note that receives one count. Then, we have the Half Note, being a white note that receives 2 beats. The children learn patience in pausing and holding a note for a longer count. Finally, we move on to the whole note that is held 4 counts.

We review by clapping. Then we go into the rhythm box and pullout the sticks. The class learns to click the beats with the rhythm sticks to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Again, there are so many great songs to choose from. If we have time, we move on to other rhythm instruments.

Towards the end of the hour, I enjoy introducing the children to a music game. We played "I Spy The Whole Note" with pretend magnifying glasses. I like to place flash cards around the room and have the children close their eyes. On the count of three, the flash cards are turned over, with eyes opened the kids begin their search for what a whole note looks like. It's fun to teach at a kindergarten music class.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6583718



 If you're interested in early childhood resources for your children, nieces and nephews, be sure and check the tab above for some free sites that have great information.





Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey

Virtual Keyboard: New Software Tool

Dear Readers,


I always blog about a music dvd I've just discovered or a piano dvd that works for us musicians.


I recently received this bit of news launching a new virtual keyboard. When I watched the video, what caught my eye was the fact that you could learn new jazz songs, plus adding free midis. Here's the note:
What if a robot could teach you songs?

Sounds crazy but with the power of technology,
there's now a way to turn your computer into a
song-teaching machine... that never sleeps,
never charges by the hour... doesn't get
frustrated... and repeats as much as you want!

My friends over at Hear & Play Music are the ones
behind it and just created a video demonstration
at:

Virtual Keyboard

(I only wish I had this little magic tool when
I was young!)

They call it the "Song Robot!" You simply load
song files into it and it shows you, on demand,
how to play them on a big virtual keyboard.

There's a full video demonstration at:
Song Robot

Here's what it does:

* It can slow down songs, "turtle speed."

* It transposes songs to all 12 keys so you're
  not stuck in ONE key.

* You have the choice of learning with huge, red
  colored notes that light up or a real-looking
  3d version of a piano.

* You can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward.

* You can even load your favorite audio files
  and have it remove vocals so you can practice
  (they can even be slowed down and put in all
  12 keys... real albums!)

Visit:
Piano Robot

For a limited time, they're making you an
unbeatable deal on the song files... and
throwing the song robot in at no cost!

Once you get your hands on this, you'll see
why so many are excited about it.

Visit:
Check Out Song Robot

I just might jump on this great deal myself!

All the best,
D.

P.S. Drop me a line regarding chord charts to jazz songs from the 20's, 30's and 40's. Have a favorite?


"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey

How To Play The Piano Without Music

Image via Wikipedia If you're looking for tips on how to memorize music, then take a look at my latest article:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Play-Piano-Without-Sheet-Music&id=5861178

There was a time when the great pianists would appear on stage without music in front of them. Clara Schumann seems to have been the first to perform from memory, and for this she was considered "insufferable," pretentious, and disrespectful toward the composers who wrote the works she played. Today though, many consider memorization one of the most important aspects of piano playing.

Most books will discuss the how-to of memorizing stress the importance of understanding the intricacies of musical form. When you approach a piece you want to learn, the suggested practice is to break it down into various components, so you can see the exposition of the theme, the introduction of other themes, a development section, key relationships, modulatory passages, and so on. Of course, we can get even more complex about it. With the advent of home computers, it won't be long before every piano student is required to analyze all pitch series permutations and rhythmic stratifications on every page of an assigned piece!

I'm kidding of course. But it is easy to get carried away with theoretical detail, and the dryness of an approach such as this cna betray the initial thrill which brought us to the keyboard in the first place.

In order to memorize a piece, it helps to analyze the music in a tactile, practical sort of way. Here's what I mean. Take a work you wish to memorize. Start with the opening phrase, and learn to play it without the music. Then, pause for a moment, to consider this: If you were a composer, how would you continue? You might, for example, repeat the original idea starting on a different pitch; or turn it upside down; or embellish it. There are, of course, countless possibilities.

Now take a look at what the composer of the piece actually did. Is what comes next very ordinary, or is it surprising? Note these first two phrases. Does the second answer the first? Are they short or long? Are they of equal size? Are there rhythmic ideas which repeat? Is there a natural rise and fall in the shape of the phrases, or do they leap and zigzag?

Let's also consider the physical demands this music is making. Is there a tricky fingering that comes up at a certain point? If so, play it over a few times, to remember the feeling. Are the hands playing together, or alternately? Are they moving in opposite directions? On which notes does the thumb go?

Each time you ask one of these questions, play those first phrases over before answering. Then, close the book.

You are ready to try playing without the book. When you hit your first blank moment (which might pop up right away), open the book and find the spot in the music you couldn't remember. Play through it a few times. At the beginning, you might have to play for a while just to memorize the notes. Later, there will be just a spot here and there that will cause problems. In those cases, you might want to imagine a picture which you can associate with each section of the music. It can be anything at all, like ocean waves for arpeggios, or raindrops for staccato passage. Then, close the book again.

You can repeat this process over and over until you are sure of the music. Then, you'll want to move on to the next part of the work, thinking again about how the composer decided to continue, what the shape is, and what configurations you will find your fingers in.

Each time you hit a blind spot, you should refer to the printed page. If you hit the same blind spot over and over, it's important to "analyze it in the context of the phrases which come before and after (including, for example, how your "ocean" becomes a "storm," and so on). By repeatedly closing the book, you are forced to confront any part of the music which is not completely clear to you. each time you forget, you are actually getting an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the piece!

When the entire work is memorized, it will be necessary to test your ability to play it every so often, because some memorization is only short term- and it is only through constant questioning and evaluating that a deeper kind of learning takes place.

-- From Keyboard Tricks Of The Trade

The advantages to following this routine are many. What have you discovered that works for you?
I've used Jermaine Griggs and Yoke Wong's music resources and lots of practice!

• Take Your Piano Playing To The Next Level
• Learn How To Improvise Using Chords Techniques
• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

    www.PlayPianoTips.com






"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey

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Tips to Finding Free Piano Tabs

Image via WikipediaMany piano players, especially those who are good at  improvising, as well as pianists who prefer to develop their own style of playing prefer to use piano tabs (chord charts) instead of sheet music.

Piano tabs offer great flexibility and versatility while reading sheet music, although able to improve your technical proficiency, limits you to a technical style of just reading the notes. The Internet has a huge selection of free piano tabs available and they’re quite easy to find when you consider the tips below.
 
Places to Find Free Piano Tabs

Piano tab databases allow you to copy, save, or download their piano tabs. Sometimes, their entire database is free to access. Other times, you need to pay a membership fee or per tab. With tab search engines, you need to specify the piece you require piano tabs for and they’ll produce a list of websites that have them.

Piano Tutorial Websites and Forums

Websites and forums that teach or help you to play the piano for free usually have free piano tabs as well.

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Pentatonic Scale in Oriental Video

Image via WikipediaPentatonoic is a scale that consists of 5 notes,
namely, I-II-III-V-VI. C pentatonic scale
comes with C, D, E, G, and A.
You can create all kinds of beautiful music using
pentatonic scale.

oriental moods

Frédéric Chopin wrote the right hand piano part of
his Etude Op. 10 no. 5 in the major G-flat
pentatonic scale, and therefore, the melody is
played using only the black keys. Antonín Dvoøák,
inspired by the native American music and
African-American spirituals he heard in America,
made extensive use of pentatonic themes in his
"New World" Symphony and his "American" Quartet.
Are you finding the pentatonic scale interesting
now?

In fact, you can take a look at the
video that highlights the usage of pentatonic
scale. This video is put together by one of Yoke Wong's
customers, Miriam.

She started composing using pentatonic scale after
learning this technique from Yoke Wong's definitive piano
improvisation course. With her permission, Yoke Wong is
sharing her first music video that makes use of
pentatonic notes blended with open chord voicing.





I am enjoying the video a lot as she puts real
effort in combining her music with beautiful
pictures of the nature. Furthermore, she is making
use of music synthesizer to highlight certain
instrumental effect. Kudos to Miriam. 





Improve Your Piano Playing
Access Free Piano Tutorials Here

Jazz Piano Tutorial-Easy Does It

Teaching music with a steady beat:

Standardized testing shows that children with steady beat independence are better readers and more successful in mathematics. STEADY BEAT seems to help in areas of concentration, to understand space and distance and to have better control of physical movements. Here is a website for using a free metronome to help with your child's practicing a STEADY BEAT.
www.freemetronome.com

'Easy Does It' - jazz piano tutorial 

Wonderful playing by Doug McKenzie... enjoy!

Play Piano By Ear

Image by Mikey G Ottawa via Flickr

I found this very cool article online this morning written by Isaac Whitfield.
It's  called Play Piano By Ear  - Practice Is The Key. I couldn't agree more. I hope you find some interesting tips to help you bring your piano playing to the next level.


Practice is a big part of learning to play piano by ear, but another is natural ability and some musical background. If you have a family member who is a musician and seems to be able to play anything they want, that is natural ability. If not, then there are ways of learning, but it will take a lot of practice to achieve your goal.

Pitch
Those who are lucky to have been born with perfect pitch have no problem at all learning to play piano by ear. If not, more practice! Begin by sitting at your piano. Now close your eyes and strike a note. Without looking at what note you played, identify it. Were you close? Get it right on the money? Keep at it. This is a big part of playing by ear. Note: Make sure your piano is tuned!

Listen And Listen Some More
Play a favorite song on your CD player, and just as the first drill, try to identify what notes are being played. Listen to just the melody. Play it again and listen to the bass line. Play it again and try to identify any other instruments being played. Learn everything about the song. Choose a song that has some easy piano parts in it.

Play The Melody
Now that you have studied this song with your ears, try to play the melody, one note at a time from memory. Play the first few bars over and over. Turn your CD back on and play the first few bars or whatever you can remember. Keep at it until you have learned the basic melody.
 
Association
A big part to learning to play piano by ear is to associate what you hear with the notes on your keyboard. By mastering the first drill of playing a note and identifying it with your eyes closed, this association will hit you like a ton of bricks someday and you will yell-I got it!
 
Take It Slow
Learn the melody first, then begin putting some bass lines into it. If you know basic chords and scales this process will be easier. Hop online and check out some video tutorials. There are audio lessons available as well, created specifically for ear training.
By following these tips learning to play piano by ear can be achieved, but the big word here is practice!

 I love the sound of slow, soulful blues. Listen to Willie's amazing piano playing... love the style.

Slow, Soulful Blues Piano - Gospel Blues Piano

 

My friend dazza from the zone community at hear and play sure can play the blues! You will learn so much from dazza's piano tutorial on playing slow blues. I have posted a chord chart for his chord progressions. Those quick grace notes add such a cool sound!



Learn this at:

http://www.learnasongseries.com, plus loads of free videos on how to play piano

* Chord Chart

Pick Up - (r.h. notes) Bb, B, D, E

G D/B G

B B/A B D G

C C/Bb, (Eb), E G, (Bb, B, D, E) (C9)

D D/F# C D (D7)

/ D Bb, C A

G D/(Bb) B G

E E/Gb D G (E7 add9)

A A/G C# (A7)

D D/F# C (D7)
 

All the best,

 -- LadyD I Write for Fortitude. Fortitude is for people who write with passion. http://fo.rtitu.de/1014

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Performance and Practice

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

There is a perception that performing and practicing music are two different activities.
Certainly learning the principals of music is an important exercise. That way true performing can be done.

The relationship between performing and practicing is deeply joined together.

Performing itself becomes the greater learning experience because there is tremendous energy that is experienced during a live performance especially in front of a receptive audience.

When the performer picks up on the audience’s energy it seems to push him to new heights of artistic achievement.

Once you experience the adrenaline high of performing before a live audience that thrill becomes enclosed in each practice time.

The true purpose of developing musical ability is evident and the focus of practicing the piano changes.

Now the performing becomes a true learning experience and practicing becomes a preparation to concentrate and magnify that experience.

And so the musician has become an artist bringing artistic discipline to his practice time.

You’re gaining greater control of your instrument and maximizing your overall performance.

You are experiencing true transformation from being a musician to becoming an artist.

Aware of your greater improvement in concentrating, you now have ease in performing. It’s what we call “soul.”

Perhaps this sounds complicated but as music is something that we artists enjoy, practice should be enjoyed, too.

Now you are soaring and taking important steps towards new heights of artistic achievement.


My piano recitals over the years are more than a performance for the musician but rather a family gathering to be enjoyed by all, especially the young artist playing his or her well practiced piece with heart and soul.

One year I gave each one of my piano students a sports bottle with music symbols on it for a gift from teacher to student. The recital was a huge success and the music sports bottles were well received!

http://www.qondio.com/performance-and-practice 

 Just a different perspective on performance and practice.

-- LadyD I Write for Fortitude. Fortitude is for people who write with passion. http://fo.rtitu.de/1014

Image by The Pop-up Kingdom via Flickr

 Sometimes you just have to play the songs that you love and are good at playing. You just might find yourself on a roll like this person in the video. It is good to combine a medley of fun pop songs that have been famous and played by many. So many songs here are my favorites as well. Do you have a special song that you are fond of? Why not play it over and over and get real good at it and polish it up for others to hear as well. They say repetition is a good thing and I agree!

Funny Piano Songs (Mario Theme, Titanic, Jurrasic Park, Peanuts etc.)

Jurrasic Park 

1,000 Miles

Peanuts Theme

Mario Theme

Theme form Charlie Brown


Titanic 

Pirates of the Carribean

The person in the video is playing the piano by ear. With practice it becomes easier to transition into the next song. Get comfortable playing in a certain key and learn a medley of popular songs in that key. Themes from famous movies, pop stars and game videos is a great beginning to learning the piano. Music should be enjoyable wouldn't you agree?

All the best,


-- LadyD I Write For Fortitude! http://fo.rtitu.de/1014

I Write for Fortitude

I have a need to express myself, to write about what is in my heart and mind. When I have a good idea on what I want to write about, the words just flow through my fingers at times, like playing the piano. I am passionate about music education. I am most happy to teach piano to all ages. I  also like to organize my thoughts on paper in such a way that you will want to read about music.

I want to introduce you to a new and exciting online magazine called Fortitude. This is where you will find me. I have joined a community of writers and I submit my articles for review. Here is the good news. Once published, I receive money for my article, poem, essay, rant, opinion, etc. on the Front Page and Second Page. On launch day, Fortitude Magazine published my Front Page Music Article! http://fo.rtitu.de/the-three-r-s-of-singing-12

Join us and help take Fortitude to the next level!

-- Piano Diana
http://fo.rtitu.de/1014

Music Alphabet and Staff

Image via Wikipedia

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.

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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.




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

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Musicians and Their Food

Image via Wikipedia

 
Many of the stories told concerning famous musicians relate to their tastes for food. The coffee houses of Vienna as well as a large number of European restaurants have been the scenes where some of the leading composers have congregated and have seen the creation of a number of compositions.

Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Johann Strauss, composer of the Blue Danube waltz, patronized the cafes and the ideas for many of their works, if not the compositions themselves, were jotted down in these surroundings. Rossini could write best when he was under the influence of Italian wine and sparkling champagne. No one can question that a large amount of German music has been composed with a stein of beer nearby, while mention of Grunzing (Grinzing) wine may be noted in various biographies of the masters.

Papa Haydn no doubt had food in mind when he wrote the Farewell Symphony as it would give his men an opportunity to return to their homes for a vacation and domestic dishes. In a letter Haydn mentions that he lost twenty pounds in weight because excellent Viennese food was far away.

Beethoven’s favorite dish was fish, especially trout and his favorite drink was fresh spring water. Moscheles was fond of oysters and figs; and in one instance he won an oyster-eating contest from a friend by making such funny faces at him.

Mendelssohn was a hearty eater and he was especially fond of the bread and butter puddings of England and of German sausages. Chopin, on the other hand, thought little of food. On his first long journey he wrote home that soups had helped to give him strength, to put him in excellent spirits. He started the day with a cup of coffee and began work the moment it was brought to him. He was so absorbed in his music that his coffee was often cold before he drank it.

Schumann was a plain eater and he was especially fond of pickles. Liszt found little that pleased him as much as bacon and eggs. Milk was the chief item of food for Wagner, who was a heavy meat eater in middle life but later became a vegetarian. While in England he spoke glowingly of the culinary art of the French people.

Brahms had a great likeness for coffee, which he brewed himself. His recipe for a cup was for as many beans as ordinarily would make ten cups! In those days composers were unable to find a sufficient supply of fresh drinking water and men were so fortunate that their wives provided them with hot water plates for the pleasure of the table.

I read that Balakirev, a Russian composer, once remarked to Tschaikovsky that Haydn was the genius of burgher music (middle class) because his compositions inspired a thirst for beer. It would be interesting to know what kinds of a thirst the works of other composers inspired in others.


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Learn To Play Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt

Image via Wikipedia

One of my favorite songs is Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt. How about you?


Here are the chords.

Verse I
 -------
 Dm7      | Em7                   |
 A friend of mine she cries at night, and she
 Fmaj           | F/G |
 Calls me on the phone
 Dm7  | Em7                  |
 Sees babies everywhere she goes and she 
 Fmaj  | F/G |
 Wants one of her own.
 Dm7    | Em7          |
 She's waited long enough she says 
 Fmaj     |  F/G  |
 And still she can't decide
 Dm7    | Em7                 |  G#dim      | Am   |
 Pretty soon she'll have to choose and it tears her up inside...
 Fmaj        |  F/G               G     | C |
 She's scared...scared she'll run out of time.

 Verse II
 --------
 I see my folks, they're getting old, I watch their bodies change...
 I know they see the same in me,  And it makes us both feel strange...
 No matter how you tell yourself, It's what we all go through...
 Those eyes are pretty hard to take when they're staring' back at you.
 Scared you'll run out of time.

 Chorus
 ------
 Bb      |  F        |
 When did the choices get so hard?
 C                         |  C  |
 With so much more at stake.
 Dm7  |  Em7               | G#dim        | Am  |
 Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste.
 Fmaj    |  F/G     G |  C  |  C  |
 Hummmm...Scared she'll run out of time.

 Verse III
 ---------
 Just when I thought I'd had enough
 All my tears were shed...
 No promise left unbroken,
 There were no painful words unsaid.
 You came along and showed me
 How to leave it all behind....
 You opened up my heart again and then much to my surprise.

     ||: I found love, Love in the Nick of Time. :|| 3x

 ||: Dm7 Em7 | G Am7 | Fmaj | F/G G :|| C

 http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/raitt-bonnie/nick-of-time-2656.html



 You might also want to check some of my notes on diminished chords.
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2010/04/diminished-seventh-chord-we-will.html


One of Bonnie Raitt's Cds is on sale!
The Best of Bonnie Raitt

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