I’ll admit that for many years as a piano teacher I didn’t think so.
But in the last couple years I made a discovery about creating pleasant sounds on the piano that I never would have believed during my earlier piano teaching career.
I recall a physician friend asking me if I had any kind of course he could take that didn’t involve learning to read music or music theory or any of the traditional materials.
He had purchased a beautiful Yamaha grand for his daughter to take lessons on when she was growing up, but now she was married and moved away, so he had this grand piano in his living room with no one to play it. He was much too busy in his career to take traditional piano lessons;he just wanted to “doodle” after work in the evening and relax after a stress-filled day at the hospital.
Unfortunately, I told him “no, I don’t have anything like that available, sorry!” and that was the end of that story.
But a few months later another student had heard a “new age” pianist somewhere, and loved the sounds he produced so much that they wanted to do the same, and asked me how in the world he got those sounds. They weren’t really songs but more like the sounds of nature and running water and nature in bloom.
I have taught piano for 30 years and I’m a firm believer in learning to read music, understand music, and really master the keyboard. I’m no fan of mindless “shortcuts” because I know in the long run they just don’t work because you’ve got to have understanding.
But I also know now that there are many people like my doctor friend that would love to be able to make their own “pleasant sounds” on the piano just for their own satisfaction, relaxation, and amusement. They know full well that they will never be full-blown piano players, but still, they would like to sit down now and then and just make some sounds on the keyboard that sound good, feel good, and give satisfaction to them and/or their family.
I should have understood that earlier, because as I think back to my own youth, I recall my Dad sitting down at our old upright piano for a half-hour on a Saturday night and playing some kind of chording pattern that absolutely delighted my Mom and my big brother and I. I guess you know that if I could call him back from Heaven and have him play that again for me, I wouldn’t trade the entire London Symphony for that half-hour.
There is a style of music that is quite popular these days known as “new age” music. It tries to capture the sounds of nature such as water flowing, birds, wind, and that kind of thing. It is very descriptive music, and very relaxing. It’s fun to play, too, because there are really no “wrong answers”; anything that sounds nice and pleasant is “right”.
After trying for several months to create some of these sounds on the piano, I was delighted to discover that there are some very simple finger patterns that can create some wonderful impressionistic sounds using patterns that can be repeated in various places on the keyboard and in various ways.
And so for those people who just want to make some nice sounds on the piano (or keyboard or synthesizer, it doesn’t matter what kind of keyboard) I discovered some 15 different sound patterns that anyone can duplicate. I named some of them:
Cascading waterfalls
Wind in the forest
Rainbow after storm
Oriental gardens
Stroll in a meadow
Peaceful morning
Playful kittens
Gentle waves
and 7 others.
After I discovered each sound pattern, I then linked those sound patterns together in various ways so that anyone can create their own song, their own creative improvisation that expresses the feelings they want to express.
I guess an old doctor friend who just wanted to make some pleasant sounds on his grand piano can teach and old dog piano teachers like me a few tricks after all!
CLICK FOR HD/STEREO!: www.youtube.com Since I’ve been back home in Saskatoon for the summer, I’ve been really enjoying spending time with Esmeralda (my grand piano). Lately, I’ve been reviewing old pieces that I’ve done for recitals and exams and such, and it’s been fun going over these old pieces after letting them sit for a few years. Today I decided to do a test recording of my piano to see how well I could capture the brilliance of its sound with my equipment. What you’re hearing at the beginning of the video is me goofing around on the jazz standard “Someday My Prince Will Come”. It didn’t take long for me to find a sound I was happy with, so a few hours later, I decided to record the Harold Arlen/ EY Harburg classic “Over the Rainbow”. I learned this song 4 years ago when I did my Grade 9 Royal Conservatory Exam. It’s a beautiful jazz piano arrangement and I enjoy playing it so I thought “Why not?”. I hope you all enjoy listening to it. And please use headphones or good speakers. If you would like an .mp3 of either song just drop me a line (aka send me a message) I might try recording some other simple old favourites, as well as some complicated new tunes, covering many different genres so stay tuned! Ma armastan kasse, nad on lihtsalt nii lahedad! I recorded this as per usual with Logic Pro and a Presonus Firepod audio interface on my Macbook Pro. The 2 mics are a Neumann TLM 103 and an Apex 435 (only $70!!). Slight EQ, reverb, multipressing, compression and pan …
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Born in 1939 in DC to a father from Kentucky and a mother from North Carolina, Marvin Gaye blazed the trail for the continued evolution of popular black music. But by the winter of 1981, Marvin Gaye was in a personal and professional doldrums. Weakened by a debilitating drug problem, an increasing debt to the IRS, two failed marriages and losing his homes, cars and recording studio, Marvin had moved away from the continental United States by 1979 first settling in a bread van in Hawaii. In 1980, he settled in London and fortook on a European tour with British promoter Jeffrey Kruger. Settling in Oostende, Belgium thanks to an offer by boxing promoter Freddy Couseart, the singer began sobering up from years of drug abuse cutting usage of marijuana and cocaine while working out in an ancient gym and jogging daily at the beaches in Ostend. By the summer of 1981, the 42-year-old Gaye decided to launch a tour of Europe again around areas of London – where he was received more favorably than the previous year’s embarrassing no-show for Princess Margaret – and areas of Belgium. Afterwards, Marvin was inspired to get back in the studio to record his final album in Belgium “Come Get to This” is a 1973 hit for American soul singer Marvin Gaye, released on the Tamla (Motown) label. The song, released a few months after his seminal anthem of seduction, “Let’s Get It On”, was built among a fast-paced doo-wop-like recording. This record was one of few recordings Gaye began recording …
Robyn performing “Be Mine!”, the first single off the Swedish edition of her self-titled album, on SVT’s “Gomorron Sverige” (”Good Morning Sweden”) on May 27, 2005. With Robert Elofsson at the piano and Staffan Dopping as host. (And please don’t bitch about the spelling of “konichiwa”. That’s how it’s spelled in the name of her record label. Deal with it.)
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*This theme is fanmade* *update 7/20/10 ok, with the official piano collection being released tomorrow, there will be a lot of people coming to my videos asking why did I make a ffxiii piano collection that isnt relevant to the actual tracks in the game? I am an aspiring video game composer and I have always been a fan of final fantasy music. One day I decided to make my own piano collection to test my skills and see if I could make pieces on the same level as nobuo and hamauzu. All these songs are basically what I would make if I was in charge of the FFXIII music production…If you like my work, please share it with others who might like it, and dont forget to subscribe ^_^ Download: www.youtube.com This is the fourth of ten tracks I will be doing for my piano collections album, which will be available for download once all the songs are complete… I had a lot of fun making this one….it was so weird though.. I was sitting at the piano trying to come up with an idea and couldnt think of anything. Then I just let my fingers go everywhere on the keyboard, and somehow this song was created! XD So what do u think of this guys?
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Piano tuner marks 25th year at Newport jazz fest
Between each act at the Newport Jazz Festival, as the audience cheers and crews clear the equipment, Bill Calhoun darts onstage with a fistful of tools and parks at the piano.
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A keyboard is the part with which some musical instruments are played. The keyboards are the key to these instruments. Musical instruments like piano and synthesizer are two of the musical instruments that are played with a keyboard. The keyboards earlier used mechanical devices to produce sound but the modern keyboards are electronic. Starting from the traditional pianos to the modern day synthesizer all are dependent on the keyboard. The keyboards usually have keys some large and some small by pressing which the sound is produced. Some of the earliest keyboard instruments that were in use were pipe organ, clavichord, hurdy gurdy and harpsichord. Among these the organ is the oldest keyboard instrument. After this the piano came to be used and now the synthesizer is the sensation all over. The keyboards are available in various sizes and shapes and even in different colors. The keyboards are also portable these days. You can either buy these keyboards from the shop which sells musical instruments or can even get them online. If you notice and keep a regular check over the internet you will very often find that some great keyboards are on sale. You will also find out that there are many auctions that take place where the used keyboards are put up for sale. These keyboards are in a good condition and if you buy them from the auction you will even save some of your money. Keyboards today are electronic and the traditional forms of keyboards are almost obsolete today. The harpsichord and the clavichord were the two keyboard instruments that were used in the early 14th century. After that in the 18th century the piano came into being and was widespread and the earlier two instruments lost their popularity. Again in the 20th century, electronic keyboard instruments were developed. There was a search for an instrument that would sound like a piano. So, synthesizers were developed and this ended the search for an electronic piano.
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The graceful flourishes of a well-played piano masterpiece are sounds that many people would love to create. From trained professionals to child prodigies, a brilliantly
played piano can steal the show. But great lessons are costly and involve scheduling time away from your busy life. So how do you learn how to play the piano or deepen your
knowledge of the instrument?
Piano workbooks can provide a solid foundation in theory, an effective practice routine, and piano classics in one package. If you don’t have the time or money for lessons,
consider buying a few piano workbooks.
The obvious advantages of piano workbooks are the ability to set your own pace and practice at your convenience. Just sit down at the bench after dinner, crack open the
book, and hear your playing improve.
The only downside is that you must develop self-motivation to flourish when studying from piano workbooks. Like any great discipline, you must develop some kind of regimen
to progress. With a teacher, you’ll always have someone keeping track of how well you’re doing. By studying from a workbook, you’ll have to keep an eye on your own
progress.
Piano workbooks range from those that focus on the basics to those that provide a comprehensive explanation of musical theory. The best offer a good amount of theory,
exercise and musical notation. Whatever type of study you are seeking, there are certainly several piano workbooks available that suit your needs.
Some piano workbooks may be a look and listen experience. They may come with CDs that let you hear the examples listed in the book. This is great for the unsure learner who
may need more than just text to explain a concept. It’s also wonderful for hearing how an exercise is supposed to be played or how a particular piece is intended to sound.
Many books give examples of practice methods. Be sure to follow their instructions so that you don’t overexert your hand muscles, especially if you are a beginner or trying
advanced techniques. Warm-up your hands with simple and light playing for a little while before going into an extended run across the keyboard.
Workbooks also contain essential piano pieces that combine theory and technique into music. The pieces provided range from simple pop songs to classical standards that will
put your skills to the test. Piano workbooks often include biographical information on the composers of each piece so that you can learn the history of the instrument.
Besides simply playing, a deep understanding of the piano and pieces composed for it provides an appreciation for musical history.
Piano workbooks can offer an extensive training course to anyone willing to invest the time. Since they’re often compiled by a company, they contain more information than
any one person can offer. Though a book can’t make you practice, they can be a benefit to dedicated students. So when you decide to fancy yourself a pianist and set out to
master the works of Franz Liszt, consider the tutelage that piano workbooks can offer.
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