Bell Choirs: Connected With Ancient Traditions

If you attend a church during Advent (leading up to Christmas), chances are you have heard a bell choir playing a favorite Christmas carol. Many churches use handbells as music in worship throughout the year, not just at Christmas. But did you know that modern handbell choirs are connected to religious traditions (and superstitions) that go back hundreds of years?

It’s true. Back in Medieval times in Europe, Christians would ring bells to announce worship times. Eventually, the bells were made too big to carry around, and were housed permanently near churches. Later still, the structures containing the bells were attached to the church building itself, in the form of belfries and bell towers. Gradually, more and more bells were added to these installations, tuned to different pitches.

Bells were thought to hold special powers over demons and other evil spirits, particularly after they had been “blessed” or even “baptized.” Church bells would be rung during storms or other calamities, in the hope of driving away the evil spirits responsible. Bells were also rung whenever a person died, again to frighten away any evil spirits which might have been attracted to the tragic scene.

Some historians even believe that our modern doorbells derive from this custom. It is said that people would hang a small bell outside the door of their home, because evil spirits lurked outside, hoping to slip in unnoticed whenever anyone went in or out. So a visitor would ring the bell to frighten away the evil spirits, and only after this would he enter the home.

In the 1600’s, church bells in England began to take a different turn from the practices observed on the European continent. Elsewhere in Europe, churchbells, while tuned, were rung at random. In England, however, bell ringers began to play tunes on their bells. By striking only one bell at a time, in sequence, the church bell ringer could play surprisingly complex melodies.

Competitions began to spring up. And bell ringers began to practice indoors, so as not to alarm the neighbors with the constant clangor that practicing on the full-sized church bells would have produced. (Also, indoor practice was a lot more comfortable in January, compared to being up in the cold, drafty bellfry!)

Small practice bells were needed. In 1660, brothers William and Robert Cor of the Wiltshire Foundry (England) produced the first set of practice hand bells. Soon, the small handbells became an interesting musical tradition in their own right – no longer considered just a stand-in for the big bells installed above the church. By the end of the 1700’s, practically every town in England had its own bell choir.

In 1845, showman P.T. Barnum brought handbells to the United States. He had heard a group of bellringers while on a trip to England, and been delighted with this new (to him) art form. While a popular attraction in Barnum’s day, bell choirs didn’t really take off in the U.S. until the early 1900’s.

Today, there is a thriving industry to provide arrangements and original works written for bellchoirs, not to mention the bells themselves and numerous accessories. And to think, it all goes back to scaring away evil spirits in Medieval Europe!

Mother's Day Song

Mother's day is approaching. If you have not thought of what to give your mom, you can try this song - My Carnations.

This song is for intermediate player. Practice this song on the piano and you can play this special song to your mom.

I have composed this song for Mother's Day. You can watch the video below:

Here is your Mother's Day sheet music

Piano Has A Temper

No, your piano is not about to throw a tantrum if you don’t practice! Temper, or temperament, are terms referring to methods of tuning the piano.

In Western music, most pianos nowadays are tuned using Twelve-Tone Equal Temperament, or 12-TET. This means that the twelve notes that make up an octave — the chromatic scale — represent twelve equal frequency intervals. The difference in frequency between a C and a C-sharp, or a D-flat and a D, is the same.

The goal of equal temperament is to make different keys (C, D, F-sharp, and so on) sound equally well in tune. Seems obvious, right?

Not so fast! In fact, this simple-seeming tuning technique took hundreds of years to develop. What’s more, in order to make all keys sound equally well in tune… each individual interval must be made ever so slightly out of tune.

To understand this, let’s take a step back. A musical note, or tone, is simply a sound wave of a certain frequency. Certain combination of notes, or frequencies, sound more or less pleasant to the human ear. When a piano’s strings are adjusted to enable the pleasant frequency combinations to predominate, while unpleasant combination are minimized, the piano sounds “in tune.”

One of the earliest methods of tuning was Pythagorean Tuning. In this method, particular intervals were based on whole-number ratios (i.e., 3:2 or 4:3). These intervals are particularly pleasing to the ear, and are known as “just intervals.” Unfortunately, when one key (for example, C), is “in tune” using just intervals, other keys are perceived as being out of tune — in some cases, quite badly. Imagine giving a concert where all the pieces had to be in the key of C, because anything in the key of F-sharp would have sounded out of tune!

Why? Because just intervals cannot be fit evenly into an octave if there are only 12 tones in the octave. There’s a little extra frequency left over, called the “Pythagorean comma.”
To solve this problem, the just intervals are “tempered,” or degraded slightly from their purest form. How best to achieve this has preoccupied pianists and tuners for centuries.

A popular tuning system widely used in the Renaissance was “Meantone” Temperament. In meantone temperament, the just tuning of certain intervals was compromised in favor of others. Certain musical fifths might be narrowed (the top note made slightly flat) in order to allow the musical major third to more closely approach its just ratio. These out-of-tune fifths were known as “wolf” fifths and were concentrated in certain keys, which were sacrificed to the better tuning of other keys. Composers of the day simply avoided using the unplayable keys with wolf fifths.

During the time of Johann Sebastian Bach, Well Temperament was developed. Well temperament is an “irregular” temperament, meaning that the intervals between adjacent notes are not equal. This represented a major advance over meantone tuning, since all keys were playable without the instrument having to be retuned. However, the keys still sounded slightly different from each other, a phenomenon known as “key color.” For example, a particular key might be described as “dark” or “melancholic” and therefore be seen as more appropriate for certain pieces and less appropriate for others. Bach wrote two books of preludes and fugues to take advantage of well temperament. The title? “The Well-Tempered Clavier,” of course!

About a hundred years ago, modern Equal Temperament was developed, and it remains in general use today. Believe it or not, it was once controversial! Natural or just intonation was seen as reflecting God’s order; equal temperament, which debased all intervals for the sake of the overall effect, was seen by some as detrimental to the purity of music. Others lamented the loss of key color. Indeed, there are some purists even today who hold that music written for other temperaments betrays the composer’s intentions when played on an equal-tempered piano.

Now you know your piano’s temperament — and why your piano tuner should be given the utmost respect!

Improvised Hymns From Nathan

Listen to Nathan's improvised version:

When We All Get To Heaven
(Click MP3 audio file), takes a few seconds to download.

Heaven Can You Imagine
(Click MP3 audio file) , takes a few seconds to download.
Message From Nathan:
"Hi Mrs. Yoke Wong,
I would foremost like to thank you personally for making a huge difference in my musical life. Thank you for giving me the key to the house of piano playing, "Improvisation".
And now because I know how to improvise, I can have a better interpretation and understanding of pieces.
Your piano courses have helped me become more solid technically than I ever was before.
It took me 2 months of internet searching on how to play hymns - I found you.
You have fulfilled your task and mission in your walk with God, which is bringing people closer to the Lord.
Thank you. Thank you. You are the GREATEST PIANO TEACHER Ever"


Now, I’m both honored and humbled to read Nathan’s message. I am glad my lessons help not only him but many others who took the action and gave our courses a try.
If you have been considering our piano courses, I encourage you to go ahead and give it a try like Nathan did. You be glad you did.
Don't forget to listen to Nathan's pieces. Did you hear the great introduction on the first song? How about the middle of second song where he did a modulation with a quick run to bring out the climax! Then imagine you being able to do the same thing!
Check Out Our Piano Courses Below:
"The Essentials of Great Hymn Arrangement"
"Definitive Piano Improvisation Course"
"Piano Rhyhtm"
"Hand Coordination, Runs And Fillers"
"Mastering Piano Accompaniment"

Official Launch of Practical Guide to Piano Playing

Here is the website to the new piano course

Order your piano course and learn more about it here.

A Practical Guide to Piano Playing

I am excited to announce the incoming launch of our new piano course:

"A Practical Guide To Piano Playing"

This new course is scheduled to be launched on January 22nd, 2009.

It comes with 2 dvds (each of 55 minutes) and a 81-page book.

Take a look at the preview video:


LEARN MORE AND ORDER NOW

Here are some of the topics covered in the course:

1. How do I find time to practice?
2. How can I get better at playing in different keys?
3. How do I decide/recognize what the left hand chords are in a piece of music?
4. How can I play and read sheet music faster?
5. How do I decide on proper fingering?
6. When you come across a new piano piece, how do you know which fingers
and which position to use?
7. How can I play a new piece with both hands together without pausing?
8. I’m having difficulty in reaching the octave
9. I’m having a hard time reading notes above/below the staff lines. Can you
give me some pointers?
10. I have trouble with getting the notes in the treble and bass cleft mixed up
11. I do not have steady rhythm and cannot seem to follow the rhythm
12. How do I play a thick chord with emphasis on the top note?
I3. I tend to hit piano keys too hard, how do I control my playing volume?
14. What can I do about stiff fingers?
15. I do not know some of the music terminology, can you help me?
16. How can I play piano without making errors?
17. I'm wondering how I can tell what key the singer I’m accompanying is singing in?
18. How can I make my melody sound more interesting?
How do I find balance between improvising and practicing/learning new piece?
Practice log
How can I make my playing more musical and more expressive (build artistry)?
How can I improve my technical speed and accuracy?
How do I practice Bach’s piano pieces?
How do I memorize a piece? I have trouble playing from memory.
How do I combat “stage fright”? My hands freeze and I can't play in front of
anyone.

We will offer many bonuses and free shipping to the first 200 customers.

LEARN MORE AND ORDER　

Piano Lesson Online

I recently posted a video clip online for those who likes to learn how to create runs and fillers on piano music. This piano lesson is an interesting one - you get to see me arrange the music in an effective way.
If it has been a dream of yours to improvise and play beautifully on the piano, our piano lessons -Piano Improvisation course, Piano Accompaniment, Christmas Arrangement course and Sweet Sounds of Jazz will take your playing to the next level. Remember--you must also practice, applying the knowledge you acquire from the course is the secret to mastering your new found skills.

Learn To Improvise Piano, Improvising Exercises

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.

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 :)

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.
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Sweet Sounds Of Jazz Improv:

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.

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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."

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/

Blog's new address

I will be moving my existing piano blog to a new address:
http://playpianotips.com/blog

Clavinova, Yamaha Clavinova

I had a digital piano a few years ago - clavinova. It has many wonderful features.

Digital piano is an innovative product. True to modern day technology, with the iPods all over, these pianos are designed and styled like acoustic pianos with added enhancements that enable the users to load and save songs. Neat, right? There is more - a Clavinova can be connected to computers through USB and even supports wireless. That is some serious combination of two totally different worlds. The CLP and CVP series of Clavinovas from Yamaha Corporation are a perfect blend of modernity and tradition.

CLP Series

Anybody interested in taking home the digital alternative of acoustic pianos can opt for CLP series Clavinovas. The pianos in the CLP series strive to precisely reproduce the sound and the feel of the acoustic pianos. The CLP series keeps the grandeur of the acoustic piano’s sound intact. The GH keyboard technology that is used in most of the pianos from this series allows exceptional expressiveness and excellent playability.

The clavinovas in the CLP series are designed stylishly and they look attractive. The CLP pianos are equipped with polyphony, song recorder, sliding key cover, headphone jacks and hanger, built-in demonstration piano songs along with their respective sheet music, powerful amplifiers, sampling banks, PC interface, USB to Device data storage, metronome, MIDI, digital Reverb, dual split, three foot pedals, Instrumental Active Field Control (iAFC), Advance Wave Memory (AWM), Graded Hammer Effect, etc.

Playing on a Clavinova sounds very much like playing on a grand piano. The velocity sensor in the CLP series pianos allows the pianists to attempt playing a note repeatedly with flawless articulation. Many of the CLP pianos are endowed with Spatial Effect, Dynamic Damper effect, etc, which enhances the acoustic effect of the music produced by the pianos. The latest product from Yamaha Corporation in this series is the CLP 2XX range, with state-of-the-art features. Modern tech coming to good use, eh?

CVP Series

The pianos in the CVP series of Yamaha offers a wide variety of voices, built-in rhythms, accompaniments, etc. This enables the performances to be recorded and played, with the help of sequencing software that is built in. The CVP series clavinovas possess a grand and dignified look that is attributed generally to the grand pianos. The delicate nuances that are present in the sound of an acoustic piano are captured and reproduced authentically by the CVP clavinovas.

The natural wood keyboard of the CVP pianos and the sophisticated technology incorporated in them recreates the feel of playing on a grand piano. The sound response of the pianos differs according to the key position and velocity. The weight gradation of the piano keys in the CVP clavinovas gives a feeling of touching a real grand piano.

Most of the Clavinovas from the CVP series are equipped with dynamic stereo sampling, advanced wave memory, instrumental active field control, and mega voice technology. One can create one’s own arrangements and write one’s music with the CVP Clavinovas.

The Inbuilt optical out terminal allows the pianists to send the digital audio, for recording to another device. A USB can be used to load the music to a computer and then they can be written into CD’s with CD writing software, installed in the computer. The latest series in the CVP series is the CVP 30 X range.

A clavinova is an exquisitely designed digital piano, which uses digital technology to enhance the sound of an acoustic piano. They give the look and feel of a grand piano. With the realistic voices, backing styles, expressiveness, acoustic effect like a grand piano, Clavinovas can create magic. For the true feel of a grand piano enhanced by new technology, play on a Clavinova!

Clavinova…is it the modern day piano supernova?

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Beethoven Sonatas

Beethoven is not a new name to the world of music. For the music buffs he is an inspiring icon. Beethoven’s musical genius has inspired generations and is continuing to do so. He immortalized himself in the world of music with his sonatas. He composed music for operas, sonatas, quartets, pianos, violin concerts and orchestras. The talented musician’s famous compositions are the Moonlight sonata, Fur Elise and Fifth and the Ninth symphonies.

Genius In The Making

Beethoven was born in the year 1770, on the 16th day of December in Bonn, Germany. Coming from a family of musicians, he showed his inclination towards music, even when he was young. He was gifted in music even as a child, and began performing in public at the tender age of six. He became a professional at the age of 13. He had to fight hearing impairment but emerged brave by countering the problem and composing beautiful tunes. The illustrious musician died at 56 but he still lives on, through his wonderful music. Such is the genius of Beethoven.

Beethoven’s Sonatas

Beethoven composed over thirty two piano sonatas and each of them is considered to be a precious treasure in the world of music. He played a pivotal role in the evolution and transformation of the sonata form. Many traits followed by his predecessors like Mozart and Haydn were sustained in his sonatas but he projected his personality and emotions through them and made sonatas, an impressive art form.

The tonality is the fundamental principle on which Beethoven’s piano sonatas are organized. Beethoven considered tonality vital for understanding any kind of musical form. In the thirty two sonatas composed by him, twelve of the sonatas have four parts, thirteen comprise three parts and remaining seven sonatas consist of two parts. A significant aspect of the Beethoven’s Sonata is the distinguished diversity of the movement types and the succession order. The distinct feature of his sonatas is the diligence with which he creates a connection between the constituent parts of the Sonata.

Beethoven’s Sonata No. 14

The piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor by Beethoven is known popularly as the Moonlight Sonata. He completed the sonata in the year 1810. During the composition of this piano Sonata, Beethoven began to lose his hearing faculty. He used a custom made rod that was attached to the soundboard of the piano. This helped him to sense the vibrations. The name of the sonata is ‘Moonlight Sonata’ since it is compared to moonlight which shines on lake Lucerne by a music critic, Ludwig Rellstab.




Beethoven’s Sonata No.8 in C Minor

Beethoven’s Sonata No.8 in C minor is called Pathetique. In 1799, this piano sonata was published. The work was dedicated to Prince Karl Von Lichnowsky, his friend. The beauty of the sonata is its tragic sonorities. The sonata has been performed in concerts and recordings frequently, owing to its popularity.

The musical theme of Beethoven’s Sonata allures the listeners. The musical theme in his compositions becomes a concept that pervades throughout the composition. Beethoven’s piano sonatas are played by both amateurs and professionals alike. His compositions are performed by pianists worldwide and are even recorded extensively.

The gifted musician has reflected his sorrows, joys and all kinds of emotions through his compositions. How else do you describe music? Is it not a channel to describe yourself, your emotions? His brave fight against the odds like his hearing disability did not stop him from composing and playing beautiful music. Playing his sonatas on a piano is like reading the life of this gifted and illustrious musician, full of all the colors and hues of human life – full of music – full of…Beethoven.

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Baby Grand Pianos

Pianos are one of the most popular musical instruments throughout the world, and arguably the most famous, as also versatile. Do you know piano is actually pianoforte, formally? Grand pianos are, simply put, full size pianos. These pianos are ideally meant for large spacious rooms and concerts, etc., and the sound from these pianos is more real than on other pianos. Baby grand pianos are smaller versions of grand pianos, primarily built for ‘everyday use’ in homes.

The sole problem a piano lover had to deal with was size of the piano. Not any more – with a cute and attractive baby grand piano, its lovely curves and strings, he can have his piano and play it, too! The design has a much smaller footprint, while maintaining the sound quality as true as possible. If you still want to go for the truest sound, you would consider the original grand piano. Baby grand piano is an owner’s and a pianist’s delight. Baby grand pianos are elegant and affordable, and unlike their bigger counterparts, can be used as an ornament in the living room.

Baby Grand Pianos: Feature Set

Baby Grand pianos are usually shorter in dimensions, and the strings are thick and short when compared to full size grand. Although purists say the sound produced by these pianos is inharmonious, for a normal user, this piano does fit the bill, and the sound is definitely not as bad as many may have you believe. Grand pianos are first of all huge, then hugely expensive. Baby pianos on the other hand are small, can fit in your rooms, are elegant and affordable, too. They are mostly made of wood like oak, mahogany, etc. There are many antique baby pianos which are breathtakingly beautiful for their artistry.

Baby Grand Pianos: Sound

Baby grand pianos are smaller in size, but the sound they generate is not small in any way. While it is true that if we were to achieve the same level of true sound as a grand piano, then the cost would escalate manifold, but that doesn’t mean that baby grand pianos sound bad. They sound remarkably close to grand pianos, and first time users will not be able to make out the difference. Somehow, these pianos seem to add sheen and beauty to any living room. A baby grand piano makes the room look majestic, artistic and adds to the glamour. And of course, it can fill the room with sound that is not easily described.

Baby Grand Pianos: Space Constraints

There are none! This aesthetic instrument is around 5 ft. in height, even lesser in some cases. This makes it easy to fit in any room with ease. They must be placed away from the radiator, ceiling vent or heat, wall, door, window, etc. The pianos must be ideally placed in a room, where the temperature is constant and moderate. This will make them durable, since they are made of wood, predominantly.

Baby Grand Pianos: Room Acoustics and Furnishing

The tone of the piano is invariably affected by the room acoustics, where the piano is placed. The sound generated from any instrument reverberates and reflects from the floors, walls, windows, etc. The reverberation time is shorter in small living rooms. Hardwood floors are good sound reflectors. So, the tone of the piano is enhanced and the sound becomes lovelier and livelier. The furnishings in a room like the hangings, tapestries, etc have the capacity of absorbing, reflecting and scattering sound. Rooms with adequate furnishing can sometimes affect of the sound of the baby piano, since the sound is reflected. Place your baby grand piano in the room where it sounds best.

Baby Grand Pianos: One Click Away?

The internet has just totally spoilt us. Baby Grand pianos too, like many other instruments, can be bought online. A few popular brands of the pianos are Stuyvesant, Baldwin, Bergmann and Breitenbach. Online shopping offers a gamut of brands to choose from. There are sites which offer a worthy bargain, through bids. However, if you wish to test the sound of the piano before buying, you will have to visit the shop – presently the internet doesn’t have a substitute to this!

The attractive sound of the baby grand pianos has won many hearts and is one of the primary reasons for its popularity. The musicians who have limited financial resources can get a baby grand piano and enjoy the experience of mastering their music on it. No more do you require a mansion to get a piano, and no more do you require a fortune to make one yours. Baby grand pianos are the ideal choice for normal households with normal budgets. These pianos can be an asset for a pianist or a piano enthusiast. It can also decorate the room in which it is placed. A baby grand piano kept in a room can be the cynosure of all eyes for its sheer brilliance, compactness, beauty and allure!

I want a baby! (Piano)

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And Can It Be Lyrics And Piano Music

And Can It Be Piano Chords And Lyrics

Words by Charles Wesley. Music by Thomas Campbell. Public Domain.
G Am D G
And can it be, that I should gain
C D G D A7 D
An int'rest in the Saviour's blood?
D G/D D7 G D
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
C G G/D D7 G
For me, who Him to death pursued?
G C A D
Amazing love! How can it be,
G C D G
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
G D D7 G
Amazing love! How can it be,
C G/B Am G/D D7 G

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?'Tis mystery all! Th' immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries, To sound the depth of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,Let angel minds inquire no more.



He left His Father's throne above,So free, so infinite His grace.Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam's helpless race.'Tis mercy all, immense and free;For, O my God, it found out me! 'Tis mercy all, immense and free;For, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprison'd spirit lay,Fast bound in sin and nature's night;Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.


No condemnation now I dread;Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!Alive in Him, my living Head,And clothed with righteousness divine.Bold I approach th'eternal throne,And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.Bold I approach th'eternal throne,And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.


And Can It Be That I Should Gain Piano Music (Click To Listen Midi File)

And Can It Be Sheet Music

Piano Sale - Time To Go To Piano Store

"Sales of the piano - once a status symbol and gathering spot for middle-class American families - have plummetted".

When I read this headline yesterday from our local newspaper, I was rather uneasy. Many piano stores in Southern California are closing due to poor economy and other factors such as consumers turning to big screen tv and electric guitars. A few of the store owners said the piano is a thing of the past - consumers have no appreciation for it.

NAMM - an international music products group in Carlsbad provided a disappointing figure: In the past decade, acoustic piano sales, which include uprights and grands, dropped by half in the United States.

Some piano store owners mentioned they used to sell 20 pianos a month when the economy was looking good a couple years ago. Now, they would be lucky to sell 2 a month.
It is this kind of news that bothers me - a piano lover. I prefer to see consumers spend more on music education and instruments than sport events or other items. It is time to educate the general public. It is time to spread the passion of piano to the new generation. Much of the new generation do not know how to appreciate the beauty of piano music.

There is a positive side to this news - Piano lovers can head onto piano store and choose their piano selection with much negotiating powers more than ever.

Piano Teacher - How To Find A Good Piano Teacher

Learning piano can be exciting and fun, with the right teacher. Most of the people, who are inclined to learn piano are in a constant search for a good teacher, who can motivate them and lead them through the most complicated musical notes, with ease. An innovative teacher makes the daunting task of learning piano, an easy affair.

Check out the music stores!

Music stores are the best places to find a music teacher. Many piano teachers give their business cards to the local music store. Shoppers can find the list of music instructors, from the store. Contacting a music store, in your locality can provide you with a lot of information on a number of piano teachers, their qualifications and certifications. This helps a piano enthusiast to find a right teacher.

Internet- search for your piano teacher!

Piano is a difficult instrument to master, so finding a reputed piano teacher can be a challenging job. Sometimes you can find a good piano teacher, in your own area, if you are willing to explore a bit. Now with the arrival of the internet, you can find all the information necessary on piano lessons, resources and even teacher.

If parents are interested in teaching their children, from home, then they can opt for the piano lessons and resources that are ideal for their children. A search on the music instructors in the area can prove worthwhile, if a person wants to learn piano under a renowned music instructor. Websites are available in galore and details about a musician and their contact address are readily displayed, within a few clicks!

Send e-mails, find teacher!

Internet is a great way to stay in touch with your friends. You can send an e-mail asking your friends for referrals on good piano teachers. Parents and adults, inclined to learn piano can locate piano teachers, with the help of friends. Friends can come up with suggestions and comments that can help you to choose the right teacher.

Interviews to choose the right one!

After collecting the details on the music instructors, you can call for interviews. Prepare a set of questions to ask the piano teacher and find the right teacher, who suits your requirements. Begin the interview with questions on their location, qualification, certification and finally the cost. If the music instructor you interviewed satisfies your requirements, then request him/her to attend a personal interview with you and your family.

What to look for!
After finding a piano teacher, we have to decide on the qualities that we desire in the teacher. Each piano teacher has a unique style. A person interested in learning piano from a piano teacher can pose questions on the style of music, he/she imparts. If the style suits one, then the person can opt for the teacher.

Musical experience of a teacher, speaks volumes on his/her repertoire. The educational background, teaching experience, musical achievements, etc will help a person; decide if a piano instructor is a qualified teacher.

The Piano classes can cost 100 to 140 dollars, depending on the nature of the classes. For a 45 minutes class, four days in a week, piano teachers charge around hundred dollars. The cost may increase, if the teacher teaches full time, during the week ends.

A reputed, motivating, committed and talented piano teacher, with an attractive personality is very hard to find. You must always look for a few essential qualities that are vital in a piano teacher, like creativity, education, experience and personal achievements. A piano teacher can make or mar the great musician in you, so choose them diligently!

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Piano Practice

Piano Practice – Effective Ways to Practice Piano

Practice makes any art perfect and there are many effective ways to practice piano and become adept in the art of playing piano. Piano practices do not have an element of fun associated with them, since they become monotonous after a particular period of time. Long hours of practice are required to play piano, confidently. Commitment and concentration can make the practice session great fun!

Make your own space!

It is difficult to practice piano anywhere. Some musicians play better, when they are in a quiet place like their private room, bedroom or even a silent garage. Finding your own space, where you can concentrate is the first and foremost thing, before beginning practice. The room should not be crowded with things and should not be noisy. The piano must be placed away from direct sunlight, since it can destroy the piano’s sensory parts. When a person practices in his/her own private space, he/she is not distracted and can easily detect and rectify mistakes.

Schedule practice time

Finding time to practice is vital for practicing any instrument. It is important to set aside a few hours everyday to practice. You should practice everyday, during this time and keep yourself free from other engagements. The practicing time should be uninterrupted by family and friends.

Practice everyday!

Practicing everyday has many other benefits too. If we practice daily, our fingers become dexterous and we find it easy to play any complicated piece on a piano, with ease. Practicing allows our body to be accustomed to the routine and helps in conditioning the body. Playing continuously on the piano also helps one to develop the skill of playing by ear. Every note, every chord and every key is in a harmonious manner, since we practice almost all the known compositions, daily.

Exercise fingers and hand

Fingers create the magic called music with a touch, on the keys of the piano. To play complicated musical compositions, hands must be agile enough to play rapid paced and complex tunes. It is imperative to exercise fingers and hands to improve their adroitness. Following the instruction of a qualified expert, on the ways to exercise your fingers and hands can produce favorable results.

Use metronome

Metronomes aid the pianists to strengthen their piano rhythm skills and as beginners, playing without them can produce chaotic sounds, not music. To stay on beat during practices, metronome helps immensely. After becoming an expert in grasping rhythms and beats, you can avoid using metronomes.

Practice in front of an audience

Practicing in front of friends and audience allows one to remove inhibitions and nervousness. We can get accustomed to entertaining crowds big or small, by playing in front of an audience, constantly. It also helps us to identify our mistakes and correct them effectively.

Relax!

Playing nervously or with a lot of tension can mar piano practice sessions. Practicing in a relaxed manner helps one to concentrate more and enjoy the music that is generated from the piano keys. Learn to relax hands, fingers, arms, shoulders and play in a comfortable position, relaxedly.

Record

Recording the practice sessions allows you to identify your pitfalls and mistakes. Recording helps one to recognize the weak aspects, in one’s playing technique. It helps a beginner to polish his/her skills and make it better, with every practice session.

Playing on any musical instrument is a great gift but one cannot become a great musician just by learning all the aspects of playing piano. After learning every nuance and details, on piano music, one has to practice it consistently to polish the skill and become an expert!

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