The Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel is a composition well known throughout the world. It’s a piece of music that is played in commercials, feature films, and shopping mall music systems. Its melody and harmony are such that, when heard, spur an “I know this song” reaction in listeners.
Continue reading →For anyone studying popular classical music, it can be a daunting task to know where to begin. There are so many great pieces that a beginner can get overwhelmed. Here are 10 of the most popular classical pieces with a brief background of each.
Continue reading →When learning how to play piano, free opportunities present themselves all over the Internet. Most notably, many websites offer quick step-by-step lessons, as well as free online sheet music, which beginning pianists can use to learn how to play piano at no cost. Obviously, like any free service, these should be approached with caution, and many should be taken with a grain of salt.
Continue reading →The piano is the most perfectly designed instrument for playing chords. It’s visually straightforward, easy-to-understand layout makes it simple for the beginning piano student to learn how to play chords. Unlike other instruments, such as the guitar, the player doesn’t need to learn how to contort her fingers in strange, unnatural ways just to play the most simple combinations of notes.
Continue reading →Even though Bach did not consider Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring his favorite or best work, it is probably the most widely recognized of all of his compositions. Because of its mainstream popularity, this song will undoubtedly continue to surface at weddings and other public performances for hundreds more years.
Continue reading →Here are a couple articles I have written recently that do NOT appear in my blog, so you may have missed them. If any of them interest you, take a look: Play music! The absolute joy of playing music! Middle … Continue reading →
Great spiritual songs that inspire are a part of America’s folklore. Long a part of our nation’s canon of song, we hardly give thought to how they came into existence. Each one does have a story though, which sheds light on the place and time they were born.
Continue reading →Even non-musicians are familiar with keyboard instruments. Few people reach adulthood without having had at least one opportunity to bang on a keyboard of some type. However, many people (including musicians) aren’t aware of the history behind keyboard instruments. Their evolution is both fascinating and surprising.
Continue reading →Though many associate the birth of jazz music with the city of
New Orleans, its origin may be a bit more ambiguous. Like many
other musical forms, jazz evolved over a period of years. Many
believe its evolution took place over decades. It’s widely
agreed, however, that jazz music as we know it today was born in
the southern United States.
Continue reading →If music in general and piano in particular interests you, then now is the time to begin. When it comes to learning the piano, age is no barrier. If you truly desire to learn the instrument, you will apply yourself accordingly no matter what your age.
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