Piano techniques – A few techniques that helps
Broken chord
Broken chord piano technique is a technique that can be learnt with ease. In this technique, a chord is broken up into notes. All the tones, involved are heard in the same instant. This is called solid chord.
If a pianist is using his/her finger and playing a C major triad, then he/she can break it up into three notes and can playing them one after the other, this is called broken chord.
Broken chord technique is used commonly, in the New age piano music. It is enthralling to listen to the music, when a piano player plays the notes of a particular chord, in the broken style. The sound of the piano is fuller and the music sounds wonderful.
Ostinato
This technique allows a pianist to generate music that is fuller. The specialty of the technique is that there is repeating pattern, which is present, frequently in every kind of music. The repeating pattern is called ‘ostinato’. Ostinato gives this technique its charm and depth. The Ostinatos can be utilized, in the creation of staccato sound. Two chords are used to produce harmonic background.
These two chords are created by the left hand and the right hand invents melody. Even a repeating bass note can be used to create the ‘ostinato’ pattern. This technique also stresses on melody, which makes the music created through the application of this technique, alluring!
The Ostinatos, quickly provide you the complete background and keeps the mood of the piece, intact. Then the melody can be introduced into this background to create beautiful music!
Open position chord
The open position chord technique is a technique that covers the two octaves of a keyboard and a person has to make use of both the hands, while playing. The open position chord is not an easy technique to master. Once a person familiarizes himself/herself with the chord structure, then it is easy to apply this technique. This technique allows one to create better sounds that the closed position chords.
Crossover
The crossover technique is used in the New age pianos and it spans one octave or more. The pianist, while applying this technique on the piano uses the left hand and produces a cascading pattern of notes. These notes ascend and descend, according to the way it is played. In some musical compositions, which can be played using this technique, a few chords are broken up into arpeggios. This generates a beautiful harmony loop. The chords are broken up with the left hand and the right hand polishes the melody, in the composition. While learning this technique, one has to master the left-hand crossover and then one has to learn to add melody, with the right hand.
All kinds of piano styles have their own share of techniques and risks. A particular technique suits a specific style. Some techniques prove to be very useful than other techniques. While playing on a piano, a pianist has to adopt a particular technique that suits the style of the music and the pianist himself. Learning new techniques makes a person play on a piano efficiently and create music that mesmerizes the listeners!
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Piano Practice – More Ways To Practice
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 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 coordination. Following the instruction of a qualified expert, on the ways to exercise your fingers and hands can produce favorable results.
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, relaxingly.
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!
Learn To Play Piano – 5 Steps To Learn Piano
The piano is one of the most popular of all musical instruments, and for good reason. Piano music has been a part of culture and society for generations, and it is some of the most beautiful sounding music there is. Anyone can learn play the piano if they apply the devotion and effort necessary to learn to play any musical instrument.
Here are 5 steps to piano learning to help you get started playing this wonderful, musical instrument.
1. Obviously one of the first steps to piano learning is getting access to a piano or keyboard. Though you can learn a great deal from listening to piano music, and from books, to actually learn how to play the piano you will need a piano or keyboard.
2. Your next step to learning piano is to begin taking piano lessons. You can either find a piano teacher locally, or look online for piano classes. There are other methods of learning the piano as well. You can purchase lesson books, instructional DVDs and CDs to help you learn, but to really learn to play well you should be taking piano lessons.
3. You should always listen to what your piano teacher advices about playing the piano, as well as the many other experts out there. One of the steps of learning piano is to understand that the experts do know how to play the piano well, and you can learn a lot from them.
4. To learn piano you will also need to practice. Practice is just as important as taking piano classes, and you should be practicing at least 10 minutes or more every day. It’s important to understand that it will not matter what you do to learn piano, if you do not apply yourself to learning, or devote some time each day to practicing, you will never become really good at playing the piano. When you begin your practice session each day, always start with a warm up before you begin practicing. This will help you to apply yourself more efficiently during practice.
5. Your next step to piano learning is to understand that learning to play the piano is a slow process. You will not be playing classical masterpieces within a few weeks of beginning piano lessons. You will learn to play music a section at a time, and only through practice will you begin to play these all the way through. This is the best way to master the piano and play music well.
