I recently came across a video of a pianist whowas improvising on the Oprah Winfrey show. I think you should take a look at the video.
What was interesting about this video was Oprah'scomment - she said, "Improvisation is a gift."
I don't know what you think about this comment,but I certainly do not agree with it. I have realized, through my own piano playing and teaching, that improvisation can becultivated and developed over a period of time.
In fact, I receive emails from many of you telling me how much your improvisationaltechniques have improved after taking our piano courses over the years.
Head over to watch this video now.
You will see that she improvised beautifully. Itcertainly took her many years to develop the kinds of styles and techniques that allow her to do so effortlessly, but, it was a skill she developed through practice and not a gift she was born with.
The fact is you too can become a great improviser with practice and the right learning tools.
If it has been a dream of yours to improvise and play beautifully on the piano, our piano courses -Piano Improvisation course
Piano Accompaniment
Sweet Sounds of Jazz
will take your playing to the next level. Remember--you must also practice, applying theknowledge you acquire from the course is the secret to mastering your new found skills.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Halloween Music? Halloween Music For Download
I think many of you can recognize the following theme music for Halloween (I do not celebrate Halloween). The music is a famous classical piece composed by J.S. Bach, Toccata and fugue in D minor, Yet - very few know the original piece. Many people associate the theme with scarry music/horror movie.
This original piece was composed in the key of D minor - Bach composed the piece for organ.
Very often, composer arrange/compose a piece in minor key to create a special "mood", in this case, it is rather thrilling and dramatic. That's why it's used in many scarry movie that are associated with Halloween music.
One of the other piece that is associated with Halloween music was composed by Ed Grieg - The Hall Of The Mountain King. I think even Harry Potter films used it :)
This original piece was composed in the key of D minor - Bach composed the piece for organ.
Very often, composer arrange/compose a piece in minor key to create a special "mood", in this case, it is rather thrilling and dramatic. That's why it's used in many scarry movie that are associated with Halloween music.
One of the other piece that is associated with Halloween music was composed by Ed Grieg - The Hall Of The Mountain King. I think even Harry Potter films used it :)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Tips for playing jazz piano
It is frequently said that music plays a crucial role in creating a human experience. Jazz is famous for the evocative impression it leaves universally. Jazz had its origins in Blues music, though it also carries an influence from other genres. To be a perfect jazz player, you have to follow its elementary rules. If you are an amateur, you need to focus on the basics and the early Swing Era.
As a jazz piano student, you need to explore the best of some of the recordings. The most important step is to analyze jazz piano with close observation given to the early works. Some renowned, jazz piano works - like the Art Tatum, Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and so on - are a great help for beginners. As a serious student, you observe Jazz by closely following the works of the veterans. Regular practice can and will turn you into a master pianist.
Start with a systematic approach. Learning the basic theory of all 12 major scales is mandatory for each step. As a beginner, you should master these scales, read music, and play the basics even if they are not exactly Jazz. This keeps you right in tune. It is suggested that you purchase a songbook to accompany your studies.
Understanding the symbols and tabs of chords and guitars is pivotal. This understanding will help you catch on to the basics very easily. As a learner, you should be aware of the major, minor, dominant, half diminished, and diminished chords of every key. Once these scales are mastered, you are completely ready to move on.
You will notice that after regular practice you are playing a song without actually reading any music. Now is the time for some introspection. You can check your shortcomings, make the distinctions between the original tune and yours, and modify from there.
Understand that learning piano is possible only by actually playing it, not by reading a book. It certainly requires total dedication and zeal.
Sign up for my piano playing tips:
Sweet Sounds Of Jazz Improv:
As a jazz piano student, you need to explore the best of some of the recordings. The most important step is to analyze jazz piano with close observation given to the early works. Some renowned, jazz piano works - like the Art Tatum, Count Basie, Thelonius Monk and so on - are a great help for beginners. As a serious student, you observe Jazz by closely following the works of the veterans. Regular practice can and will turn you into a master pianist.
Start with a systematic approach. Learning the basic theory of all 12 major scales is mandatory for each step. As a beginner, you should master these scales, read music, and play the basics even if they are not exactly Jazz. This keeps you right in tune. It is suggested that you purchase a songbook to accompany your studies.
Understanding the symbols and tabs of chords and guitars is pivotal. This understanding will help you catch on to the basics very easily. As a learner, you should be aware of the major, minor, dominant, half diminished, and diminished chords of every key. Once these scales are mastered, you are completely ready to move on.
You will notice that after regular practice you are playing a song without actually reading any music. Now is the time for some introspection. You can check your shortcomings, make the distinctions between the original tune and yours, and modify from there.
Understand that learning piano is possible only by actually playing it, not by reading a book. It certainly requires total dedication and zeal.
Sign up for my piano playing tips:
Sweet Sounds Of Jazz Improv:
Monday, October 6, 2008
How To Play Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic piano scales are common in the neo-musical world and are used around the globe. These scales are developed with five notes and exist as two common types: major and minor pentatonic scales. The major pentatonic scale is commonly used and is denoted as the primary pentatonic scale.
These scales are developed smoothly. When you create a major pentatonic scale, you prefer five consecutive pitches alongside the circle of fifths. This is common practice in Western European classical music. Scales are always the key component of an outstanding music performance. They refer to the progression of single notes in twofold steps upwards or downwards. The word “scales” is derived from the Latin word la scala, meaning ladder. That is why most of the scales are denoted with ladders. The musical scales read from their roots to the octave notes, as they gain sustainable output.
Why do amateur musicians kowtow to the basics of music? Is it justifiable that they should be introduced to the primary concepts of scaling in their initial training and only again in the later stages? The reply is affirmative. It takes several years to go deeply into the rhythmic cynosure. That is why every musician is prodded to accomplish the basics because understanding scales needs years of training.
You need to comprehend music scales in order to understand its ascent. Scales move either upwards or downwards until they are fixated at the basic point, which is the same note of octave. Scales are also called tonics in music terminology. Every scale starts with a particular root. The methodology is very simple. Take the example of C scale that should always begin with tonic C. Note that while going upwards, the notes that follow are D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. But when you see downwards, the note progression is settled at C, B, A, G, F, E, D, and C. Another aspect is that the C scale is comprised of eight notes. Scales in the eight notes are denoted as diatonic.
Piano contains 12 notes in one octave. Piano notes consist of semitones on a C scale that are also known as black keys. Chromatic scales include many semitones, but the chromatic C scale goes upwards with C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, A sharp, B and C. You should also be aware of the opposite impact. The downward scaling process consists of C, B, B flat, A, A flat, G, G flat, F, E, E flat, D, D flat and C. Scales are major (M), minor (m), perfect (P), augmented (A) or diminished (d or dim).
The pentatonic scales are the well established combination of five notes. They have attained remarkable stature in the Western music world. These scales are common in the American blues and popular in the rock culture. They have remained household names in most of the Asian cultures, are admired in the Celtic and African music world, and are equally popular in modern, classical, and jazz music.
These scales are developed smoothly. When you create a major pentatonic scale, you prefer five consecutive pitches alongside the circle of fifths. This is common practice in Western European classical music. Scales are always the key component of an outstanding music performance. They refer to the progression of single notes in twofold steps upwards or downwards. The word “scales” is derived from the Latin word la scala, meaning ladder. That is why most of the scales are denoted with ladders. The musical scales read from their roots to the octave notes, as they gain sustainable output.
Why do amateur musicians kowtow to the basics of music? Is it justifiable that they should be introduced to the primary concepts of scaling in their initial training and only again in the later stages? The reply is affirmative. It takes several years to go deeply into the rhythmic cynosure. That is why every musician is prodded to accomplish the basics because understanding scales needs years of training.
You need to comprehend music scales in order to understand its ascent. Scales move either upwards or downwards until they are fixated at the basic point, which is the same note of octave. Scales are also called tonics in music terminology. Every scale starts with a particular root. The methodology is very simple. Take the example of C scale that should always begin with tonic C. Note that while going upwards, the notes that follow are D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. But when you see downwards, the note progression is settled at C, B, A, G, F, E, D, and C. Another aspect is that the C scale is comprised of eight notes. Scales in the eight notes are denoted as diatonic.
Piano contains 12 notes in one octave. Piano notes consist of semitones on a C scale that are also known as black keys. Chromatic scales include many semitones, but the chromatic C scale goes upwards with C, C sharp, D, D sharp, E, F, F sharp, G, G sharp, A, A sharp, B and C. You should also be aware of the opposite impact. The downward scaling process consists of C, B, B flat, A, A flat, G, G flat, F, E, E flat, D, D flat and C. Scales are major (M), minor (m), perfect (P), augmented (A) or diminished (d or dim).
The pentatonic scales are the well established combination of five notes. They have attained remarkable stature in the Western music world. These scales are common in the American blues and popular in the rock culture. They have remained household names in most of the Asian cultures, are admired in the Celtic and African music world, and are equally popular in modern, classical, and jazz music.
If you enjoy this post, you will enjoy my piano newsletters!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Christmas Carols - Piano Christmas Carols - Christmas Piano Sheet Music
We recently launched the season’s specialty, a Christmas Carols arrangement course for piano.
The Piano Christmas Carols Arrangement Course is the favorite piano course of this festive season. Piano players everywhere enjoy learning to play Christmas carols in this unique, interesting way.
With early preparation, you too can experience the thrill of piano improvisation in time for the holidays. This step-by-step DVD home study course will help you play your favorite carols in just a few weeks! The course comes as a set of 2 DVDs with each disc close to 90 minutes in length. Additionally, it also comes complete with a 40-page binder with full sheet music and lead sheets. Complete piano sheet music include "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Carol of the Bells," and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
With early preparation, you too can experience the thrill of piano improvisation in time for the holidays. This step-by-step DVD home study course will help you play your favorite carols in just a few weeks! The course comes as a set of 2 DVDs with each disc close to 90 minutes in length. Additionally, it also comes complete with a 40-page binder with full sheet music and lead sheets. Complete piano sheet music include "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Go Tell it on the Mountain," "Ding Dong Merrily on High," "Carol of the Bells," and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Who doesn’t like to spend time with their loved ones singing Christmas carols during the Christmas season? Imagine how much more joyful it would be to be able to play and arrange Christmas carols on the piano and share the beautiful music with your loved ones.
Check out the Christmas carols at http://www.christmaspianodvd.com/
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