31 December 2013 Proper Posture When Playing The Piano

Proper Posture When Playing The Piano

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Think you need a different piano or more practice when it comes to playing the piano better? Think again. In some cases it may be your approach to playing the piano that matters most.

Proper Posture When Playing The PianoPlaying the piano well is only possible when you’re comfortably seated at the piano. Therefore its important to spend the first moments of a lesson or practice session making sure your piano seat is adjusted to the correct height and you are the proper distance from the piano.

The best height is one which allows your elbows and upper arms to fall freely from the shoulder, and allows the forearm to be parallel to the floor.

The best distance is one which allows your elbows to rest slightly in front of your center line when your hands are placed in a neutral position on the keyboard.

Keep in mind that this is your starting position. Because piano playing is fluid, you will always be moving from place to place; good posture is simply the point your begin with.

In order to achieve the desired position, its important to have access to a proper piano seat or bench that allows you to be comfortable. Sit on the front of the bench; your torso needs the ability to move at the hip joint while you play. Sit far enough back that you feel stable; forward enough to allow the hip joint to move freely. If too much of your thigh is on the bench, you struggle with movement, meaning your arms aren’t positioned properly.

Because there may be many different sizes of people playing your piano, you may have a piano bench that isn’t proper size for all players. Instead of getting multiple benches for each player, you can make some simple adjustments that will give you the space you need.

If you need to add height to the floor – a child may not be able to reach the floor with her feet – look for small benches for her to rest her feet on. Or use telephone books to the appropriate height to give her the proper posture.

If you need to add height to the bench, there are a few tricks to add space. Instead of pillows, which can be squishy and cause too much movement, try carpet samples or small interlocking gym mats to build height. They won’t move as much as pillows, and will give you an easy way to add and take away height as your child grows.

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13 December 2013 The History Of Sheet Music

The History Of Sheet Music

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Modern technology has brought us so much when it comes to music. We can search for any song we want on the Internet, we can carry huge quantities of music on a very small device, and we can listen to it on just about any technological device. While these advances are fairly obvious, have you ever considered the benefits we derive from technological advances in sheet music?

Sheet music is simply a techniThe History Of Sheet Musiccal term for the written form of music. Books, scores, individual pieces are all considered sheet music. Written forms of music have historically been difficult for composers and printers alike.

Before the 15th century, all music was written by hand…all of it. Staves, notes, words, everything was created by hand and bound together in manuscripts for preservation. The majority of music preserved from this time is the motet and monophonic chant.

Even after the creation of the printing press, sheet music lagged behind the times. Music provides a unique challenge to any printer because of the complex and variety of the elements. It is crucial for notes and words to line up, and notes not properly placed in relation to the staff would create serious musical issues.

Since sheet music was so complex, much of the earliest music printed required the notes to be added by hand. The first machine created sheet music appeared in 1457, approximately 100 years after Gutenberg created his printing press. Unfortunately, this first music printing required three passes through the press to get the final product. It wasn’t until 50 years later that single impression sheet music was created.

Modern sheet music has followed the trends of the time…online. Much of the sheet music available today can be viewed or purchased online. Improvements in printing have allowed anyone to print music from their home computer. Technological advances throughout history have brought music from the elite to everyone.

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30 November 2013 What To Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want To Practice The Piano

What To Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want To Practice The Piano

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Some things sound like a great idea when you first start them. You son wants to play the piano. You support it because of all the good things you’ve read about piano playing. It improves math skills. It even improves SAT scores, which could be great for your son when its college time.

But that’s a long way out.

What To Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want To Practice The PianoAt first he loves it. However, once the new wears off, you may find yourself facing a child that does not want to practice anymore. He may have grown bored with the instrument, he may have hit a plateau in his studies, which is preventing him from reaching the next skill level, or he may simply not be in the mood to practice.

Here are some tips to help you when your child does not want to practice the piano.

  • The most important thing you can do to encourage a good practice session each and every time is to make it a part of your regular schedule. Make each practice session occur every week on the same days and at the same time. This will help your child get into the habit of practicing because he will know when practice is expected.
  • Children need routines and schedules, so make sure you stick to the schedule each week. Once you have a routine, do not change it. You may run into some stubborn refusal now and then, but you should be able to get through it without too much trouble because you can remind your child of the weekly schedule.
  • If your child fights you when it is time to practice and refuses to practice, it may be time to sit him down and see if there is a deeper reason for his refusal. Is he at a point where he’s not enjoying the music he’s playing? Maybe you can talk with the instructor and find more challenging or more relevant material. Does he want to quit? Maybe its because he’s being challenged and he is having trouble getting past it. Remind him that with every success comes challenge. Help him discover ways to reach beyond this bump in the road, and find a way to accomplish the task.
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22 November 2013 Starting Piano Lessons: What You Should Know

Starting Piano Lessons: What You Should Know

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Already looking ahead to the New Year, and thinking about what you would like your resolutions to be? Instead of sticking with the normal “lose weight” and “exercise more”, why don’t you turn to something you’ve been wanting to do for years?

Starting Piano Lessons: What You Should KnowStarting piano lessons could fulfill a lifelong dream to bring out your creative side.

If you have decided that you would like to learn how to play the piano, the first thing you have to do is decide on a form of instruction. Unless you have a piano teacher in your family or circle of friends, you will need to find an instructor within the Memphis area.

You can always use the internet to find online piano lessons or purchase DVDs to help you learn – but you cannot beat the personal touch of one-on-one interaction with a piano teacher. So, how do you find an instructor?

The first place to start looking is at your local piano store. We’re in the business; we can recommend an instructor that meets your needs and requirements.

You can also speak with church members. They may know of an instructor, or the person that plays the piano for your church may even be willing to give you lessons. You can also contact local schools and speak with the choir and band directors. They may be willing to provide you with lessons, or they may know of some quality instructors. Even speaking with friends and family could put you in touch with a decent piano teacher.

Finally, you can always sign up for an instruction course at your local college. Your choice of instruction depends on the type of learner that you are – whether you flourish in a group setting or in a more private setting. Once you find the right instructor, you will soon be making some beautiful music on your piano.

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19 November 2013 Tips for Adults to Master Playing the Piano

Tips for Adults to Master Playing the Piano

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There is a difference between playing a few quick pieces on the piano, and mastering it. Mastering the piano means understanding all the various aspects of taking up the instrument; tone, musicality, reading music, understanding rhythm, and much more.

Tips for Adults to Master Playing the PianoWhile a child is in the learning cue – they understand the process of learning new things as they do it every day – those same tasks can come much slower once we hit adulthood.

That doesn’t mean you can’t do it; it simply means you have to dedicate yourself to the art form of mastering the piano.

1. Study whichever genre you want.

As an adult, you have an idea of what you want to play and what type of music you enjoy. Therefore, you should ensure you learn whichever genre you want first. Some people believe they need to learn classical music before learning jazz and pop – which is incorrect. In fact, learning popular music is the ideal technique when being taught the art of mastering the piano. Many people do not need to even read sheet music when learning popular music since the chords are straightforward. Classical music is less straightforward and takes more time to learn. Advancing from popular music to classical music works best when studying music theory. Plus it gives you a reason to continue – you enjoy what you’re doing.

2. Children have less mental distractions – not more receptive abilities.

In many cases it is easier for children to learn material, but this does not mean they learn any quicker. Children have less mental-clutter, which makes studying easier for them – making the ability to learn material quicker than adults can learn. However, adults are often more in the mindset to take on a new project. They are after all the ones who are pursuing the piano, unlike a child that may have been signed up by a parent because it’s good for him. Do not think that as an adult, you learn much slower – you just have more things on your plate, which interferes with overall learning capabilities. Make piano a priority, and you’ll learn as quickly as others.

3. Play for as long as you want when practicing.

With anything in life, you cannot force yourself to practice for something you have no ambition to learn. If you do a 10-minute session at the piano and get fatigued or bored, get up and do something else. Micro-sessions of 10 minute plays several times out of the day are better than sitting down for long periods of time in which you are bored and distracted. You should play as long as you feel content to play. Do not force yourself to play for long sessions unless motivated because it can hinder your overall practice sessions.

4. Look at your hands as you play.

When learning the piano, it is okay to look at your hands. Teachers scold their students for looking at their hands and force them to look at the sheet music. This is not helpful at all unless you have excelled with sight-reading, which is looking at the sheet music to see what is coming ahead. However, it is natural to look at your hands when playing, so do not feel like you should not look at your hands. Play the piano however you feel most comfortable.

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12 November 2013 Dealing With Stage Fright Before A Piano Recital

Dealing With Stage Fright Before A Piano Recital

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We’ve all been there: the jitters, the butterflies, the nausea, the shakiness…all tell tale signs of stage fright.  While a minor case of nerves Dealing With Stage Fright Before A Piano Recitalcan enhance a performance, full blown stage fright can completely derail a recital.  So, how can you get control of the nerves before they get control of you?

Breathe – While this may seem simplistic and obvious, when we get nervous we often forget to breathe.  Slow, deep breaths can begin the process of steadying the nerves and clearing your mind.

Think Positive – If you spend the moments before your recital undermining yourself and your abilities, you will suffer for it.  Instead, remind yourself that you can do this.  You have done the prep work, you are ready.  Your fingers know what to do all you have to do is trust them.

Visualize – Imagine yourself playing, and playing well.  Picture a great performance.  If you imagine yourself failing, you probably will fail.  If you imagine yourself succeeding, you are much more likely to actually succeed.

Eat – While a heavy meal before a performance can make you sluggish (and potentially sick), light foods before a performance will give you the energy necessary to play with energy and enthusiasm.

Practice Performing – Before the big day, set up mock performances so you can practice handling your nerves.  Collect a few friends that don’t normally hear you practice and play through your recital.  If you can set up this mock performance in the venue of the real recital, that would be even better.

Remember you are among friends – The people gathered to hear you play are not waiting for you to mess up.  They are there to cheer you on and witness your success.  You are among friends.  Success will be met with joy; any glitches will be met with support and love.  Remind yourself that you don’t need to fear criticism because the people there are there for you.

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2 November 2013 How To Choose The Right Piano Teacher

How To Choose The Right Piano Teacher

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Learning how to play the piano begins with taking lessons from a quality instructor. Choosing the right piano teacher may sound simple enough. All you need to do is look in the Yellow Pages, right? Well, you can do that, but you may not get the results you want. If you want to learn how to properly play the piano, you need to choose a teacher that has skills – not only in playing the piano, but also in teaching. Here are some tips to help you choose the How To Choose The Right Piano Teacherright piano teacher.

  • Think about what you want from a piano teacher. Do you want someone that is only interested in teaching you the basic skills, or would you prefer someone who is willing to go above and beyond in helping you reach your goals?
  • Speaking of goals, make a list of your goals pertaining to the piano. Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Do you only want to learn how to play basic pieces to keep yourself entertained? Do you want to learn how to play complex pieces and entertain the world?
  • Make the choice between private lessons and group lessons. Are you more likely to flourish under the guiding hand of a teacher with one-on-one lessons? Are you more comfortable learning in a group setting?
  • Talk to friends, family, and others about their recommendations for a good teacher. For instance, pay a visit to your local music store and ask the shop owner his/her opinion.
  • When interviewing potential teachers, ask lots of questions. Find out the basics, such as the cost per lesson, the frequency of the lessons, etc. Also inquire about each teacher’s professional background, including their teaching experience. Discuss issues such as instructional materials, evaluations, and curriculum. Ask for references.
  • Make sure that the teacher’s personality and your own mesh. The two of you will be spending lots of time together, so you need to feel comfortable in each other’s presence.
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18 October 2013 Staying Motivated While Learning to Play the Piano

Staying Motivated While Learning to Play the Piano

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Staying Motivated While Learning to Play the Piano

The piano is a timeless instrument that has been played by many throughout the past several centuries. It remains as one of the most difficult instruments to learn, but it appeals to the masses in a way no other instrument has done. Due to this, many people worldwide introduce their children to the piano at an early age to ensure that proper posture and technique is utilized.

Staying Motivated While Learning to Play the PianoTips for Keeping Your Piano Inspiration Going

Although a most desired instrument, piano enthusiasts begin to lose inspiration and motivation once they realize how difficult the instrument is to learn. However, here are several tips to take into advisement while learning the piano to keep the inspiration and motivation alive:

Tip 1 – Hire a piano teacher or expert to teach new techniques.

Nothing helps more than having someone harping over you several times a week to ensure you are practicing, no matter how much you do not want to do so. It will be vital for all learning pianists to hire a teacher at some point so they can get proper advisement and become the best pianist possible.

Tip 2 – Never set a deadline.

Practicing for a while each day is the best method since, as they say, “Practice makes perfect.” However, never practice to a set time. Instead, try establishing goals that are more meaningful – practice scales five times, and play through newest song three times. When you get the motivation to play each day, play for as long as you want. This ensures you never get exhausted of the piano and it will always be an enjoyable experience. The piano should be an outlet to relieve stress, not a cause of stress.

Tip 3 – Play songs that interest you.

Finding songs that you enjoy playing will make the experience more positive. Pianists never excel when they work on masterpieces that they do not pour their heart and soul into it. Beethoven and Mozart, two of the most popular pianists in history, only made masterpieces that they felt were adequate and enjoyable for them. Following in their footsteps implies playing music from the soul, not what you think will “impress” people.

Tip 4 – Never Worry About Making Mistakes

Piano is not an easy instrument to learn and mistakes are bound to happen. When you begin training, expect to make a fair number of mistakes. Practicing enhances your overall playing style and lessens the number of mistakes made. Live by the quote, “Practice makes perfect.” The longer you train and practice on the piano, the less mistakes you will eventually make.

Patience is Key

The more patience you instill within yourself while training on the piano, the more motivated you will be to play every day. Ensure to never play longer than you can manage and just keep in mind that you are human. You will lose interest for a few days, you will make mistakes and you will master the piano on your own terms.

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9 October 2013 When Your Child Is Scared About Her Piano Recital

When Your Child Is Scared About Her Piano Recital

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Does your child have a piano recital coming up?

If she has been playing for a while, now she has a chance to display her progress. She may be excited to show you her new-found talents in a formal setting. But she may also be experiencing something else. Fear.

When Your Child Is Scared About Her Piano RecitalThe recital is less than a month away, and your child is understandably nervous and scared. You are also rather anxious yourself! You want the experience to be an exciting one, not an agonizing one. So how can you prepare your child for a piano recital so that it’s not a nerve-wracking experience?

Here are some tips to prepare your child for their piano recital:

Don’t decide for them. Talk to your child and ask them if they truly want to participate in the recital. If they don’t want to participate, don’t force them. Your child has a mind of her own, and if she began piano lessons so that she can play at home instead of compete, then it’s perfectly fine for her to skip the recital. Respect your child’s decision if they don’t want to compete. Talk to her teacher. Is she really ready for the formality of a recital? Her teacher is also her support system. She may help her overcome her fears as well and choose to move forward once she realizes everyone has fear about the first time.

Give them plenty of encouragement. If they decide to participate in a piano recital, support their decision to do so and offer them encouragement. Tell them how brave they are and help them overcome their anxiety by boosting their self-confidence.

Remind them that practice makes perfect. Your child should ideally practice for at least a half hour every day until the day of the recital. This will help her to perfect the piece. Listen and give helpful suggestions when appropriate. Don’t make her nervous. Leave the true critiquing to her teacher

Assist them in choosing a piano piece. If the teacher doesn’t make this decision with your child, you can go over the pieces and help her choose one that she feels comfortable playing. Her teacher should be open to this suggestion.

Help them relax on recital day. Your child should feel comfortable, so help them to be less nervous. Assure them that they will do fine, and arrive early so as not to rush before the recital.

A piano recital is a very exciting experience that can also be extremely rewarding for your child. After the first recital, the second one should be a piece of cake!

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18 September 2013 3 Myths about Learning to Play the Piano

3 Myths about Learning to Play the Piano

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You have the perfect room in mind in your home for a piano. You’ve always dreamed of owning one.

Yet even though you can’t wait for the piano to make its entrance into your home, even more importantly is the thought of actually playing it. Sure, you took a few lessons as a kid. But those quit once you jumped into other extracurricular activities and the homework pile started to grow.

3 Myths about Learning to Play the PianoNow that your dream piano is making its entrance into your home, maybe now is also the perfect time to start up the lessons again so you can learn to play the piano. Yet can you do it as an adult?

Learning how to play the piano can be a challenge for some people. Whether you are a beginner or someone who hasn’t played piano in years, learning can be frustrating.

Sure you hear a lot of reasons why people can’t pick up the piano – the myths are hard to ignore. But do they hold any validity? Are they true?

Here are some of the top myths about learning to play the piano:

Myth #1: You have to learn how to read music first.

Truth: Some people think that they have to learn how to read sheet music before they can even begin playing the piano. The truth is that the best musicians learn without learning the actual keys or notes first. They learn by improvisation and listening. Learn the basic chords. When you know just a few chords and grab on to the rhythm by ear, you can learn to play simple music without ever having to read it.

Myth #2: You play piano with your fingers.

Truth: You actually use the weight of your arms to play the piano. Believe it or not, you can relax and let gravity do all of the work for you. When you use the weight of your arms, you are able to control the loudness and softness of the keys with ease and precision. While your fingers do a lot of the work, they can only strike one note at a time. The key is to play with your upper body, and you will be able to play groups of notes.

Myth #3: Practicing means learning a piece from beginning to end.

Truth: While this is certainly practicing, you are not really doing it in an efficient way. While practicing is all about repetition, playing is about flow. You can express yourself through the music, but this comes after practicing. So you don’t have to learn a song from beginning to end and play it perfectly. By practicing slowly and a little bit at a time, you can graduate to playing in no time.

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