As we all know, music is a universal language. However, music can not be music if it is not accompanied by instruments. The piano is one of the most prominent music instruments of all time. However, not many people know how to play the piano. In fact, many people like playing it but they are locked out because they do not know how to effectively do that. Learning how to play the piano is not hard nowadays. There are numerous excellent piano books on chords that can guide anyone into being a good piano player in future.

There are a variety of guide piano books on how to play the piano well. There are those that are suited for beginners and there are those that are for those that want to know how to play the piano professionally. When choosing the best book to learn how to play the piano, one is supposed to look into a few considerations. First of all, it is important to know the level of expertise that one has. This is supposed to mean that when choosing the book, the level of experience that one has with playing the piano plays a very important role. Someone with a little bit of experience will no doubt choose a book that will enable him/her get to the next level whereas, someone with little or no experience will choose a book that will teach him/her from the start to becoming a good piano player.

Another very important factor to take into consideration when choosing the best piano book online that teaches music theory is the type of instructions given. The instructions have to by all means be very easy to comprehend. The more hard it is for a piano learner, the more hard and difficult it will be for him/her to grasp anything that the book wants to teach. At the end of the day, a book with easy to understand instructions that take the piano learner from the start to the end smoothly is the best choice.

The price of the book is another very important factor to be considered. This means that one should first of compare a few books so as to know which one is the most suitable for his/her allocated budget. This is supposed to mean that one should always go for the book that is most economical and at the same time, most convenient for his/her piano playing learning needs. However, at all times when choosing the prices, it is very important to only go for a book that does not compromise on the quality of what one is supposed to learn so as to be a good piano player at the end of the day.

If one strictly adheres to all the above mentioned factors, then getting the very best in the piano learning instructional book will not be a hard thing at all. At the end of the day, the person will also become a professional piano player just like the ones he/she admires most if what he/she learns is put into practice effectively. This is what looking for the book is all about in the first place.

Things You Can Do On The Piano With Just Two Chords

If you are a relative beginner on the piano, you don’t have to know scads of chords to get started. Eventually you’ll want to learn as many as you can, of course, but you can get started with just two chords. After you feel comfortable with two, graduate to three chords. There are literally hundreds of songs you can play with just three chords. Then move to four chords — you’ll find thousands of songs you can play with just four chords. From there the sky is the limit, and you’ll discover that it gets easier as you go!

For lots more ideas on playing with just a few chords, click here: “Songs You Can Play Using Only 4 Chords!”

How to play the same song at least a dozen different ways. In this short video Duane demonstrates over a dozen different ways a simple song such as Cum Ba Ya can be played. Some of the methods include Alberti Bass, open-voiced arpeggios, swing bass, block chords, flowing river of sound and more.

For a full course in 101 ways to apply various techniques to piano songs click below:

http://www.PianoPlaying.com

Watch this short video:”When The Saints Go Marching In” with just 5 notes in the melody (right hand) and just 3 chords in the harmony (left hand) for absolute beginners.

For a great course in Music Theory, click here: A Six Month Course In Music Theory & Harmony

How To Tell The Key Of A Song With Flat Key Signatures

To tell what key a song is in when it has flats in the key signature, locate the 2nd to the last flat, and that IS the key. For example, if there are four flats in the key signature, they are BEAD. The second to the last flat is Ab, so that is the key - based on the scale of Ab which has four flats - BEAD.

For complete info please go to Flat Key Signatures

How To Tell The Key Of A Song With Sharps In The Key Signature

Sharps always occur in the same order in a key signature: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. You can find the key of a song when it has sharps by locating the last sharp to the right and going up 1/2 step. Watch this short video and you will understand immediately:

For more info please go to http://www.playpiano.com/101-tips/23-sharps-key-signature.htm

Piano Arranging Techniques: How Many Are There? I think the answer is “infinite”, because there are always individual variations on variations. In other words, Garner does a tremelo in his way, Peterson in his way, Brubeck in his way, Previn in his way, and on and on. But it is obvious that you should learn as many styles as possible so YOU can mix and match them in the songs you play and put your own distinctive stamp on your playing.

If you haven’t taken a look at “How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano”, you might want to - it teaches 101 different style variations you can use. Check it out at http://www.pianoplaying.com

Sometimes people ask me why they have to learn all those different types of chords, such as augmented and diminished and 9ths and so forth. The answer is “They don’t. They can get by with just the primary chords UNLESS they want to create sounds that produce the feeling they want.” But for those of us that DO want to create some more complex sounds, it’s a good idea to learn all the possible chords.

To learn lots more about chords please go to All The Chords In The Whole Wide World!

Four Music Resolutions for 2012

Just because we’re now in to January doesn’t mean we can’t continue to make resolutions for 2012. Statistics show that most resolutions won’t make it far beyond January but maybe that’s because they aren’t realistic or we aren’t willing to leave our comfort zone. If you’re trying to improve your health, save more money, or spend more time enjoying life with your family, those are all admirable but maybe you have room for one goal relating to your study of music. Need some ideas? Here are a few.

Practice More

This is not a lot different from saying, “more exercise” so before we set a goal that has a long history of being unattainable for many, let’s make it realistic. How about practicing one extra hour each week? Still too much? How about an extra 30 minutes? 30 minutes of extra piano practice would equal 26 extra hours of practice per year and that’s a good step forward. You could even use those 30 minutes to practice something that your teacher never hears. Lean a new song on the radio, maybe. Remember that any time you spend with your voice or instrument will make you better providing you’re practicing with good technique.

Branch Out

Musicians who only learn how to play an instrument become burnt out over time. There is so much more to music than just performance. Music has hundreds of years of fascinating history that has shaped who we are today. The way music is constructed is as much based on math as it is on art and the way movie composers use technology to mix electronic and traditional instruments in to a gourmet meal for the ears is worth exploring.

Read at least one book about music this year. Find one on Amazon.com that interests you and branch out as a musician. You may not see it now but once you read one book, you’ll want to read another. As you learn more about music, you’ll want to become a better musician.

Upgrade

If you’re a vocalist, you can’t upgrade your voice but some instrumentalists can purchase step-up mouthpieces, reeds, method books, and new instruments. Pianists don’t have as many options but if you made a lot of progress last year, a new piano may be worth a look. Of course you should never change equipment without first talking to your teacher but make the resolution to spend some time talking to your teacher about what’s next when it comes to your equipment.

Play with Others

Music is best enjoyed in groups. Being a soloist has its benefits but interacting with other musicians brings on a whole new level of joy that may give you a fresh perspective. Make the resolution to become a part of a community band or orchestra, jazz trio, or form a group of your own. There is no minimum skill level required for playing in groups as long as you play with others that have similar skill levels.

What’s Your Resolution?

Maybe there’s something with your music that you’ve been wanting to do but haven’t had the courage to try. When if you try and fail, you just gained valuable information that will help with your next attempt. Remember, when you’re engaged in music, there’s no wasted time. You’re always getting better when you’re doing something. Have a happy and musical 2012.

One of the best things you can do for yourself this year is to take at least one piano course from our PlayPianoCatalog!

The History of “Auld Lang Syne”The popular New Years Eve anthem “Auld Lang Syne” is known around the world for its lyrics and melodies. Attributed to the famous Scottish poet and songwriter, Robert Burns, its origins date back to 1788.

Robert Burns was born in January of 1759, and is regarded as “The Bard” of Scotland, penning hundreds of poems in the Scots and English language. Even today he remains one of the most prominent and popular figures in Scottish history.

The poem, “Auld Lang Syne” was not entirely an original work by Burns. Like many of the folk stories and songs, they were passed down generation-to-generation. Each retelling may have slight variations and evolve over time. Burns recorded the oral tradition of this old folk song by an old man he met and put the lyrics of “Auld Lang Syne” to paper. By doing so, Burns helped to preserve a piece of Scottish history and sharing it with the world.

This folk song was rather well known, as evidenced by the similarities to other poets in the 17th and 18th centuries such as Robert Ayton, Allan Ramsay, and James Watson. Each of these poets had slightly different interpretations of the phrase “Auld Lang Syne” in their work, but the similarities show a common folk origin.

Burns originally sent “Auld Lang Syne” along with a collection of his works to James Johnson to be included in the Standard Collection of Scottish Songs as part of the “Scots Musical Museum”. The piece was to be included in a volume of published work that was completed in 1796, several months after Burns’ death.

“Auld Lang Syne” is set to the tune of a traditional Scottish folk song. This song was most likely a dance piece and set to a faster tempo, but modified after put to its new lyrics. Unlike many poets, Burns had a hand in choosing the tune that accompanied the song and paid particular attention to how the melody flowed with the lyrics.

Most know for being sung at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve, “Auld Lang Syne” is often sung at funerals, graduations, and farewells. Although the original song has five versus, many times only the first verse and chorus is sung. The title is translated from the Scots language of as “old long since”, or more understandable to English speakers, “long, long ago”.

The Scots would sing “Auld Lang Syne” on Hogmanay, their translation for the last day of the year. The tradition and song quickly spread to the rest of the United Kingdom becoming a favorite custom at New Years Eve celebrations. As the Scots and Brits immigrated to other parts of the world, they brought the song with them spreading its popularity.

Guy Lombardo is credited with making the song popular on New Year’s Eve in the United States by broadcasting it on his widely popular radio and television shows from the late 1920’s through the 1940’s. Lombardo sang one of the first recordings available to the public in 1939.

The lyrics are a lasting reminder to people that the old times should not be forgotten and life-long friendships should be cherished. “Auld Lang Syne” has been translated in languages around the world and remains one of the most known songs of all time.

Give yourself the gift of improved piano playing at www.PlayPianoCatalog.com

Auld Lang Syne - A Few Arranging Ideas for this traditional new year’s eve song.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

For more videos, come on over to my YouTube Channel

Did you know I have well over 300 short piano lesson videos on my YouTube Channel you can watch — free?
Come on over to my YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/chordsgalore
When you do, be sure to subscribe to my channel so you will always be notified by YouTube when I create a new video, and do me a HUGE favor and click on “like” after you watch a video that has helped you, and add your comments too.

Thanks!

Duane
http://www.youtube.com/user/chordsgalore

Silver Bells: A Simple Arrangement Adding 3rds & Echos to create a
simple arrangement. Use any kind of left hand
accompaniment in 3/4 such as a swing bass.

Did you know you can watch over 300 of my short videos on piano playing at my YouTube channel? Click on
http://www.youtube.com/user/chordsgalore

“Christmas Time Is Here” is the theme song of the Charlie Brown Christmas special on TV that plays every year. It was written and performed by Vince Guaraldi from San Francisco. In this video I walk you through the chord progressions which are pretty unusual due to the polytonality.

For over 300 YouTube videos on piano playing please go to my channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/chordsgalore

A few arranging ideas for piano on the Christmas Carol “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”

Angels From The Realms Of Glory - Arranging Ideas For Piano. By simply using inversions of the few chords that are used in the song, plus a very simple bass part made out of octaves, and by altering the rhythm somewhat, we can create a joyful version of this great old song.

Over 300 free piano lesson videos on Duane’s YouTube Channel!

Christmas and New Year’s is a fabulous time of year to foster music appreciation. Whether it’s a full-blown production of Handel’s Messiah, children’s school choirs, or piano and organ recitals, the joy of the season will be communicated through music. This is the time to look ahead to concerts being offered throughout the next year, and make some tentative reservations before tickets sell out.

But if your family is anything like mine, a little prep work will go a long way toward the parents, at least, enjoying the concert. Give the kids some pre-concert tips and you’ll be good to go. This is what I’ve told mine, and because they’re not yet adults, we can only hope that they have not been scarred for life….

1. Observe the pianist’s fingers, arms, and posture. Try to duplicate the same when doing your own practice sessions. Please refrain from practicing any imaginary piano during the concert itself. (That includes air guitars, as well.)

2. Watch how all of the performers keep to the beat of the music. The conductor’s baton may signal 4/4 time, for instance. The conductor is a skilled musician and truly does not need your help keeping time, particularly in tapping your foot next to the person’s ear sitting in the tiered, theater seat in front of us.

3. During a concert, distractions are frowned upon. Slinking down in the pew, getting up to go to the bathroom, asking questions or talking during a selection, noisily umwrapping a candy, or feeling the need to yawn loudly should be squelched. If you cannot squelch yourself, I am here to help.

4. Other patrons have either paid, or simply arrived and scheduled their time to watch and hear the performance promised them. No matter how entertaining or cute you may perceive yourself to be, you will not turn around in your seat, make silly faces, nor go into any other type of dramatic displays. Should this occur, there will be great drama when we return home….

5. We will respectfully dress for the occasion: no pajama look-alikes, flip-flops, or uncombed hair. If the orchestra is dressed in formal-wear, or the chorus’ black-and-white outfits match one another, we can make some effort, as well. And no matter how hard you try, you will not convince me that you should go to the concert dressed as a runaway ballet dancer from The Nutcracker Suite. No tutus, and no heavy stage makeup, even if every person you see on stage is sporting such.

6. Our family will plan to arrive early, in order to be on time. Parking the car, using the restrooms, and finding our seats can all take time. I may bring notebooks and pens for you to use pre-concert and you can sketch anything new and unique around you, except the people seated nearby. Write your impressions of the instruments tuning to the first violinist, or the almost-palpable feelings of excitement in the concert hall. During the concert, the notebooks go away, along with the clicky pens or sharp pencils that might drop and roll down, down, down the aisle.

It’s been our experience that well-rested, and well-fed children (not to mention adults) do best at concerts. Schedule one sometime this season… and enjoy!

—————-Copyright 2011 – Alexandra Bartologimignano

(Alexandra jets here and there with her two boys, two girls, one husband, and two dogs, while chronicling their larger-than-life adventures at www.destinationsdreamsanddogs.com.)

—————-

O Come All Ye Faithful is one of the most-used Christmas Carols of all time. Here are a few ideas for arranging it on the piano. Please watch this 10-minute video:

Arranging Christmas Carols Course

By using the Alberti bass high on the keyboard to make a light, airy-like sound in the first part of the song, then using octave bass runs in the left hand in the 2nd part of the song, we can create some good contrast that makes for an interesting arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard On High”. Watch this short video on this classic Christmas Carol:

The Alberti bass is just one style out of scores you can use in your piano playing. For a full course in applying various styles please see How To Dress Up “Naked Music” On The Piano

Knowing musical form can give a huge boost to learning songs, playing an instrument, and just understanding music. Form is the skeleton of music on which the flesh and the nerves and ligaments hang. Watch this short video on how knowing musical form can speed up learning a song such as “Rudy The Red-Nose”:

Click here: What You Need To Know About Musical Form