“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.

Play Piano – Piano Methods And Benefits

Moving your fingers on a piano and churning out harmonious tunes can be exciting and great fun. Through the years, many have devised various methods to learn and play piano. The main concern of these piano methods is to aid musicians or pianists to generate lilting music on the instrument. There is a lot that a pianist goes through under the hood to deliver the scintillating notes that mesmerize.

Reading Music!

Reading music is a vital ingredient that is essential to learn piano music or any kind of music. For the layman, it will be related to reading lyrics, mostly. But what about the one who has to play music? How do you render the notes on the piano, or any other instrument? That’s what reading music is all about. Reading music is an essential component of playing piano. In this method, a pianist is provided with a music sheet that comprises every little nuance on the music that is to be played on the piano. Details on the keys, notes, chords, etc are provided to the musicians. The notes on paper refer to keys on the piano, and how they need to be pressed and for how long, to make the intended music.

Chord Charts

The major part of learning piano involves learning piano chords. The chord chart gives a perfect idea regarding the use of chords. There is a template that allows one to make his/her own different arrangements.

Some piano playing methods involve a lot of improvisations with the chord. These methods stress on chord changes and mastering the piano chords. In a given framework, called phrase, one can implement chord changes. Four-bar phrases, Eight-bar phrases, etc are frameworks, on which the chord changes occur. Playing within this framework allows a person to improvise and eliminate the problems that arise due to contrast and repetition.

In these methods, chord chart is provided and this offers help on when and where to change the chords and play with them, so one can improvise, create harmonious music and change chords as one wishes.

Playing By Ear!

Playing piano by ear is an interesting method of playing the piano. Some pianist can play any kind of music extemporaneously. Many piano players need a music score and notes to play piano, while some hear a song, once and play the song confidently and without errors. This sort of talent is developed by a pianist, after years of learning, practice, reading music scores, listening and imitating.

Some are gifted with an innate talent of playing exactly what they have heard. A classic example of this kind of talent is the renowned musician, Mozart who composed and played complex compositions, even before he saw a music sheet. Extreme concentration and constant practice can make a person play a composition, after listening to it just once or twice. A person has to practice every great musical piece and read music consistently. Reading music helps one to recognize musical notes and unconsciously helps one to learn to play piano by ear. Practicing chords, scales and positions reinforces one’s skill of playing by ear! Try it! It can be an addictive pastime!

Benefits

A person can condition himself socially and physically, by learning a musical instrument. Music heals. Music teaches. Music brings patience and contention. Playing piano helps to develop and strengthen hand-eye coordination in both adults and children. This coordination fine tunes one’s nervous system and develops brain skills. Playing an instrument requires concentration and playing piano is a great way to develop the skills. Concentration entails discipline, which is vital for life and learning. Self-esteem and confidence of a person increases manifold when he/she learns music.

Pianists or any musician enjoys the respect of people, in a social set up. Learning piano offers a person a pleasurable experience that is truly divine. These are not keys to open door locks. These are keys to make music. These are keys to create magic, to mesmerize. Good luck!

Rhythm is an essential ingredient of music and more essential to human life. A musician must know how to create alluring tunes and must possess the sense of rhythm. A pianist can play the right keys but if the timing is not right, then music can become cacophony. Musicians have to feel the pulse, which is present in any composition so that their creative endeavors become more rhythmic.

Listen to learn rhythm!

A pianist has to learn the basic rhythms to play piano, effectively. Learning the basic beat patterns or learning rhythm patterns in all kinds of music helps one to play beautiful music, on a piano. Once a pianist, gets accustomed to different musical rhythm patterns, through intense listening practice, he/she can easily identify the rhythm and emulate it.

Array of rhythms!

A standard four beat rhythm comprises four beats per every measure and a three beat rhythm has three beats. Then there is two-beat rhythm, but apart from these rhythm patterns there are a few tricky patterns. The not so common five beats per measure is a unique feature of non-European music. A pianist has to get used to all kinds of common and uncommon musical rhythms.

Loud counts!

Another way in learning rhythm and keeping track of it is counting out loud. Counting loudly makes our minds comprehend the rhythm pattern and it is imprinted in our minds. If a pianist begins to count the rhythm in a musical composition from one to four and then repeats it again and again, then the rhythm begins to flow into the keys of the piano, as well. A pianist can relate the notes to the beats, in the music scores, easily, when he/she keeps count of the beats.
Clap, Tap, catch rhythm!

A person can grasp the intricate musical rhythms by clapping one’s hands, clapping on one’s laps and by tapping one’s feet. This is an effective way in learning rhythm. Sometimes the rhythm in a song, changes in the middle of the song. This can be challenging but a pianist or a musician can get back in rhythm by clapping or tapping. When one plays on complicated music composition, one can take some time to clap and get back one’s rhythm and timing.

Imaginary piano!

To get accustomed to the rhythms, playing on an imaginary piano is of immense help. A piano player can select a song and then play an imaginary piano. The rhythms can be played on an imaginary piano. This exercise allows a pianist to understand musical rhythm patterns better. A pianist who has learnt the art of playing on an imaginary piano can grasp the beats, even if the music slows down or speeds up and he can play on time.

Rhythm Accompaniment/Metronome!

A metronome/rhythm accompaniment allows the musicians to keep the timing intact. The metronome is devised to produce steady beat, for a long period of time. One can learn musical rhythm and work towards staying harmonious with it. The metronome produces even pulse and introduces the pianist to learn different kinds of tempos. This strengthens a musician’s sense of rhythm and this is a way of learning rhythm. This allows a pianist or any musician to play piano flawlessly.

Timing is an integral constituent of music. A musician must learn rhythm and have a better grasp of it, only then can he play the beautiful music, on any instrument. To learn rhythm one can adopt various ways from listening, clapping, tapping and even playing on an imaginary piano. After learning beat patterns and timing the music flowing from a musician’s instrument is enticing music!

Here is a piano course to help you get better with rhythm

Learning any musical instrument is an easy task, if the learner has a lot of determination and commitment. Piano learning is no exception and learning it is easy, if one is passionate about learning. Learning to play piano is an asset and creating your own music with chords and structures is an achievement. Today more and more people prefer to learn easy piano music that allows them to experience the pleasure of playing piano, without any glitches.

Getting started

Easy piano lessons and music make the entire process of learning piano, very simple. Easy piano music lessons offer one the luxury of beginning to learn piano, using three or four chords. For beginners, repetitive songs make them accustomed to the keys, chords and the pleasant melody involved in the tunes. ‘Chop sticks’, an easy piano classic is ideal for beginners and this acts as a template, on which complicated compositions can be built.

Easy piano songs

To learn easy piano music, a person has to select songs that are easy to play on a piano. The easiest song that is preferred by young and old alike, is the song, ‘Mary had a little Lamb’. The song’s tune is a three-note tune and this allows the learners to be familiar with the keys and use their hands dexterously. Songs like these are building blocks, in the process of learning. Songs like ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Row Row, Row your boat’ and ‘Ode to Joy’ are ideal for beginners. Choosing songs like these help one to master easy piano music, without any complication.

Easy piano classics

It is not true that when a person learns easy piano music, he learns songs that are simple and mundane. He/she can also experience playing classics, which are easy to play. The simple and classic compositions of the renowned musicians like Bach, Chopin and Beethoven offer the joy of playing classics on a piano, in a simple and lucid manner!

Easy piano classics are available online and one can download it from a particular site. They are also found in the form of CDs and even as musical scores. One can choose any form, depending upon his/her convenience. Learning the uncomplicated classical composition of the great masters is the first step towards learning more complicated songs.

Contemporary songs

Learning Easy piano music is inclusive of learning to play easy songs, easy piano classics and also contemporary songs, that are easy. Beginners consider learning contemporary songs, a pleasure. A gamut of songs are available that are timeless and simple, in the music galleries, across the globe. Songs like ‘My heart will go on’, ‘somewhere out there’, ‘Unchained melody’, etc are great songs that are also uncomplicated compositions.

Easy piano music can now be learnt online or using tutorials. A wide variety of websites offer classes on piano music and also teaches the learners easy ways to learn piano music. A person learning piano online or preferring self study must put in a lot of effort, unlike somebody, who learns piano, under the tutelage of a reputed teacher. He/she must work hard and concentrate their complete energy towards mastering their piano playing skill.

Only a person with total devotion, extreme passion and the urge to learn every nuance of playing piano becomes a great musician. Mastering the chords is the first step and the rest follows. Learning a few easy songs and classics can make a person restrict his talents. One has to learn, explore and experiment with music. A true musician masters basics practices consistently and finally focuses all his/her efforts in creating charming tunes that entertain and elevate!

Music is considered to be a sublime art form, which enthralls the listener. The gift of playing on a musical instrument is something that only a few people possess. Learning to play on a piano can be a wonderful experience. Piano learning is a step by step process and through different steps, one learns to play piano.

Step 1: Sourcing a Suitable Teacher

A good teacher can bring out the genius in you and so finding a right one, is a challenging task. A talented teacher can make the difficult task of piano learning, a simple task. A teacher can teach a pupil an apt method of learning, which is convenient for them.

Step 2: Ought to Have A Piano

Many people are under the assumption that they can learn piano, by listening to piano music and by reading books on it. While learning piano, one has to get access to a synthesizer or a piano. Playing a real piano can be a different experience compared to learning to play piano, from a book!

Step 3: Learning Naturally

Piano learning has to be done, according to your skill and aptitude. You have to patiently learn every aspect of playing piano. After learning a composition correctly, you can proceed to the next. Take one step at a time and learn at your own pace!

Step 4: Practice, Thy Substitute Is None

Practicing Piano consistently helps one to perfect the craft of piano playing. The nuances of playing piano, that is learnt during the piano learning sessions are reinforced, while practicing. To be an adept piano player, you have to practice daily and find time for it. You have to practice in an uninterrupted manner.

Step 5: Fine Details

The dexterity of fingers and hands are essential to create music on the piano keys. You have to pay extra attention on the exercises that strengthen the fingers and hands. This allows one to play piano in a fast paced manner, while dealing with complicated movements, in compositions.

Step 6: Expert Advice

Getting the advice of the experts on the delicate nuances of playing piano can be good. An expert can teach a beginner the vital areas that he has to concentrate, while piano learning. He/she can also recommend a different approach towards learning and the things to be noted, while playing piano. Piano learning can become easier, if we seek the help of an expert.

Step 7: Unwind!

Playing music in a relaxed manner, without any tension makes you enjoy music. Enjoying the music that you play on a piano makes you love the entire experience of playing piano. Once, you play piano pressure-free, it becomes fun!

Step 8: Play Cool

Patience is very essential for learning to play on any musical instrument. Piano learning can be frustrating, when things do not go right for you. You have to keep your patience intact, at each progressing stage.

Step 9: Sight Reading Skills

Developing and improving sight reading skill is imperative, while playing piano. When you read an unfamiliar piece of material each day, you gradually improve the skill of sight reading. If you do not get it right instantly, you have to put in more effort and dedication to polish the skill.

Step 10: Milestones

Setting goals and targets can always be good, while learning. The goals prompt the pupils to concentrate more and learn a piece in a concentrated manner. A complicated piece can be broken into smaller pieces and you can devote a few hours everyday to practice it, to perfection.

Music is a gift and is an integral part of our lives. There are many kinds of instruments and each instrument has a unique sound. Piano is an instrument that has a distinct and mesmerizing sound. Only a few possess the talent of playing on a piano. If a person possesses the skill of playing the piano, then he/she must be benevolent enough to share it with others.

Many people teach piano to a gamut of people, who belong to all ages. Piano

cannot be taught in a day. It takes years and sometimes decades to learn piano. A particular teaching method may produce good results with children, but cannot be applied, while teaching adults. An approach that is convenient for a specific set of students, has to be devised, to make teaching effective. Piano teachers must encourage the students and change their approach, according to the students they teach.

Teaching piano

Prior to learning piano, a student has to get accustomed to piano keys and the sounds. The early lessons comprise of playing scales, hearing different pitches for every key, etc. The lessons concerned with reading music must be introduced gradually, while teaching piano. The advanced lessons have to be taught patiently by the teacher. A teacher must be thorough with every bit of the lesson, before teaching it. He/she must use a teaching material effectively, for the benefit of the students.

Teaching children

Teaching piano to children can be an exciting thing to do. A piano teacher must be very tolerant, while teaching kids. Children tend to make mistakes, in the process of learning and a teacher must correct them patiently. They need to be motivated and the teacher must evoke interest in them, to learn piano. Lesson plans that are apt for kids are available in various websites and even in many books. A teacher must use his/her creativity to innovate on the existing lesson plan and customize it, to suit the children.

Teach adults

Teaching adults can be tough, since adults get frustrated, when they do not get things right. Piano learning is no exception, so a piano teacher must be ready to counsel them and correct them, every time. Adult learners have to be convinced and motivated, constantly. A piano teacher must be ready to answer all their queries and change the teaching method, if necessary, in a class filled with adult students.

Teaching from home

To earn some extra cash, a person can teach piano, from his/her home. One needs to find a comfortable place and time to teach piano. A piano teacher, who teaches from home, must allow the students to use his/her piano, if necessary. If a teacher teaches a heterogeneous mix of students, who are of different ages and aptitude, then he/she has to devise new teaching strategies and lesson plans. A teacher has to modify the lesson plan, according a student’s aptitude and skill.

Piano Resources online

An impressive array of materials is available online and in books, for teaching piano. After referring to these materials in the websites, a piano teacher can devise a comprehensive program to teach piano. Piano lessons must be streamlined and must have a specific structure, which allows the students to learn piano, step by step. A piano teacher can also seek the help of experienced musicians, while devising lesson plans and teaching strategies.

Any art form perseveres and stands the test of time, only when it is passed from generation to generation. Teaching many to play the piano is a great contribution that any piano teacher can make to music. Sharing knowledge only multiplies it!

Reading Music is the most difficult phase, in the process of learning piano or any kind of instrument. A perseverant learner can grasp the nuances of reading music, through constant effort. If a person has a perfect understanding of the basic components in written music, he/she can easily read music and devise customized techniques of Music reading. One has to devise a convenient technique of music reading, since the ultimate aim of reading music, is playing the piano well.

The two staves

The graphic representation of music has its own architecture. The notes, in written form are posted on a staff. The staff comprises four spaces and five lines. Clef is a musical symbol and it is placed, in the staff, at the very beginning. Piano music has two staves, which are called the ‘Treble Clef’ and the ‘Bass Clef’. Treble clef comprises notes which have higher pitches than bass clef.

Seven notes

Only seven notes are the foundation, on which the entire world of music is built. Combination of a few notes, together and separate, generates music that is a pleasure to our ears. The notes of music are represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G of the English alphabet. A musician works out various combinations of the notes, to create different kinds of music.

Treble and Bass Clef

In the staffs, irrespective of the clefs, the lines and spaces that are successive often represent the ascending notes. While denoting Treble chef, the lowest line stands for E and the space above it stands for F, so on and so forth. The graphic representation of the Treble clef looks like a curled backwards ‘S’. The lines in the staff represent EGBD and F and the spaces represent FA and C. The Additional lines are extensions of the staff. The Middle C is represented by an invisible line that is located one space just below the Treble clef staff. Bass clef is represented by ‘C’ backwards and the five lines represent GBDF and A. The spaces signify ACE and G. While learning piano music, one has to memorize these things to read music, from a music sheet, efficiently. A beginner should understand that the notes played by left hand are in bass clef and the right hand plays the notes in treble clef.

Sharps and Flats

After memorizing the notes and the lines and spaces for different clefs, one must learn to read various other symbols. Symbols for sharp and flat have to be identified, by the beginner. If a note is accompanied by the symbol #, then it is the symbol for sharp and one must play the note one half step higher. The flat symbol is represented by a symbol like ‘b’ (lower case). The note, which comes with this symbol, has to be played one half step lower.

Rests

The written music also has an integral part called the ‘rest’. The rests are represented by different shapes and they stand for silence, during the piano performance. A pianist must know the techniques of music reading, in written form, which comprises pauses. Time signatures, tempo, rhythm, articulation and phrasing markings must be learnt by a piano enthusiast.

A musician can adopt any kind of technique in reading the music, but must learn the basics of the written music, mandatorily. Learning the notes, the staff, the clefs, etc is the first step towards learning to read music. Once an individual memorizes all the symbols and the signs that are present in the musical scores, playing the piano is a beautiful, exhilarating and wonderful experience.