There are many different kinds of scales, the most-used being major scales followed by minor scales. Many contemporary musicians use the modal scales too, such as Dorian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, etc.

Most piano students think of scales as boring drills they had to play over and over, but there is much more to them than just finger exercises. Scales are the “playing field” for songs based on a particular key. For example,
the F major scale is: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, while the D major scale is D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D.

Each scale contains primary chords for each key. For example, the primary chords (the most used chords) in the key of Eb are Eb, Ab, and Bb — the I, IV, and V chords of the Bb scale.

Every song is based on some key, and therefore some scale, which is why you need to know scales to figure out the most used notes and the most used chords in that particular key.

For more information, please go to:
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Music keyboards are electronic marvels of technology. They have the brains of sophisticated computers and the bodies of good old fashioned pianos. Music keyboards range in price and complexity from miniscule to monstrous. Beginners often get overwhelmed by techno speak and musical jargon.

“Music keyboard” is something of an umbrella term. Most people think of electronic/digital pianos. It may also refer to a simple, low-end sampler or a sophisticated synthesizer.

Pianists should first decide what they hopes to accomplish with the purchase of a music keyboard. This will help narrow down the choices considerably. Advanced pianists who plan to perform, for example, have specific needs. They would differ considerably from those of a beginner who just needs something to practice on at home.

Basic music keyboards typically come with a few piano, organ and string sounds. Most have other special effects like reverb and features like built-in metronomes. Additionally, many modern keyboards, even modestly-priced ones, come with MIDI capability. Some may even have USB.

Sometimes it helps to think of buying a music keyboard like buying a new car. You may come in looking for a standard model. Once there you’ll likely be tempted to look at models with fancier features. Some intermediate keyboards offer features like the ability to record, hundreds of sounds, digital synthesizer effects, sequencers or flash memory. This is where the line between musical instrument and computer starts to become blurry.

Basic, entry level keyboards can range from $150 to $500. More sophisticated models can range into the thousands. It’s important to really evaluate your needs, since this is a significant investment.

Go back to the new car analogy. Make a list with two columns. The first column should be a list of features that you can’t live without. The second column should contain those features that would be nice to have, but only if the price is right.

The first column is your starting point. Don’t bother looking at models that don’t meet all of your absolute needs. Start with something that has all those features on that first column. Check out all of the major brands in the same class and compare prices.

Compare brand names too. Some brands historically perform better and produce higher quality sound than others. Those will likely be the more expensive brands. It may be worth paying a little extra for cleaner sound and a product that will last longer.

Next, check out models in the next class up. See which ones have some of those additional features that appeal to you. Lesser quality brands may have many of those “extra” features that you like in a price range that you can still afford. More expensive brand names may be out of your price range once you throw in extra options. Are you willing to sacrifice cleaner sound or a longer lasting product to get some of those extra features?

It’s ideal to shop for your starter music keyboard at a music store rather than a department store. Music stores have salespeople that are more knowledgeable about their products. They’ll be able to provide you with more personal and informed service. It’s usually worth doing this even if you have to pay a little bit more for your product.

Cadences are chord progressions that give a feeling of finality at the end of a phrase or section or song.

It’s certainly a fact that we learn faster when we enjoy what we are studying. That’s true in the many endeavors we engage in throughout our lives. It’s definitely true when it comes to music. Music learning methods that encourage us to enjoy the process, not just the result, make practicing less tedious.

If you want a stress-free, fun way to become proficient at the piano, consider easy-play music. This music makes learning to play the piano an experience you look forward to, not cringe from. You will want to devote the time and energy necessary for practice when you adapt this way of learning.

Easy play music’s goal is to get you up-to-speed quickly, playing your favorite songs. The days of engaging in studies that don’t inspire or excite are over, with this type of music. Music in general and piano in particular should be fun. You no doubt started studying music because you enjoy it and wanted to develop your skills.

When deciding what instrument to study you recognized the versatility of the piano. You probably chose the piano because of its unique sound. You also wanted access to the broad spectrum of musical notes the instrument offers. While all musical instruments offer a chance to play beautiful music, the piano offers more. It offers the ability to play notes from the lowest to the highest registers.

However, the piano can appear as a complicated instrument. Music written for the instrument can look confusing and intimidating. Easy play music seeks to allay fear of the piano and its music. Your personal goal, from the start, should be to play songs that you enjoy. Music written in a clear and unadorned manner, to help you learn the basics, can accomplish this goal for you.

The essence of easy play music is its simplicity. Basic melody, harmony, and timing form the foundation of this kind of piano music. You will learn the building blocks of songs fast, before you learn the extras that make tunes more complex. Once you master the basics, you can progress to more advanced written music.

It’s like any other skill, foundational studies that are uncomplicated set the stage for deeper learning. Easy play music is akin to the frame of a house. The house cannot stand without this basic structure in place. Once it is in place, the addition of the rest of the elements occurs. The result is a work of architectural beauty.

It’s the same with learning to play the piano the easy play music way. Your frame is that clean melodic line with basic chords supporting it. Underpinning this is a basic, uncomplicated time signature. Once you have these simple elements, you put them together and practice them in unison.

When you master them, you can add other things to your song. These are the extras, which add flavor and complexity to music. These extras may be more complicated chord voicings, and tempo and time changes. They may also include adding improvisational sections to a piece, or accent markings. Whatever they are, you’re ready to tackle them because you have the basics down. Easy play music teaches these basics.

You can learn the piano using this method from a variety of sources. Easy play music is available on CDs and DVDs. From the comfort of your home, on your clock, you can learn to play the piano using these. Of course, you can go online and learn this type of music from any number of quality portals. On top of that, there are the numerous books and sheet music offerings written in easier notation.

Easy play music is for those who want a straightforward no fuss approach to learning piano songs. In fact, instructors specifically design this type of music to encourage students to practice. They know that once a student starts to avoid practicing, it’s difficult to get them to return.

A typical easy play song features musical notes in good size print, well spaced on the musical staff. This makes for ease of reading. These songs are usually not overly long pieces. Instructors wish to encourage students to start and finish a piece. In this way, they get the feel for the complete song rather quickly.

Songs of this unadorned sort normally have two and three note chords. Chords progress without major hand hopping from octave to octave. The time signatures in this music are often in Simple Time. The most common simple time signatures are 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4.

If you’re new to the piano, consider initial studies the easy play music way. You’ll find learning the piano very enjoyable with this method. After all, the enjoyment of music is what’s important, and what will keep you playing.

“Slash chords” are chords that use a different low note instead of the usual lowest note of the chord.

In addition to the basic types of chords — major, minor, diminished, augmented — and in addition to 4 and 5 note chords such as 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, etc.

Seventh chords are some of the most useful and interesting chords one can play on the piano. Watch this short video and see the difference between a 7th chord, a maj7th chord, a min7th chord, etc.

Since the sharps always occur in the same order in a key signature, it is easy to tell the key of a song simply by finding the last sharp to the right in the key signature and going up 1/2 step. So if the last sharp in the key signature is G#, the key is A major (or F# minor).

Since the flats always occur in the same order in a key signature (BEADGCF), it’s easy to figure out what key a song is in by finding the 2nd to the last flat.

To play smoothly, a piano player needs to learn to move from chord to chord by using close inversions rather than jumping from root chord…

When a song is in a minor key, but is then ended in a major key, it is termed a “picardy 3rd.” The old tune Greensleeves is an excellent example of the use of a picardy 3rd.

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Work some variety into your piano practice times. You don’t always have to play the same exercises the same way. On this short video I illustrate how you can take a boring exercise and make it fun by adding staccato, syncoptation, chords, and so on.

The ability to hear musical sounds and make sense out of them is of crucial importance to any musician. Your ear can be improved by drilling on various musical sounds until you remember them without thinking. On this short video we will drill briefly on intervals — 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, etc.

Watch the video below to learn some ways of breaking up piano chords with your right hand:

When the subject of piano practice comes up it is usually greeted with a groan, like some disease that needs to be avoided at all cost. That is probably because practice has traditionally been equated with boring drills and scales and endless exercises.

It doesn’t have to be that way.  Instead of viewing practice as a chore that needs to be done, view it as an opportunity to have fun rehearsing songs and pieces you enjoy playing just for the joy of it, or to entertain family or friends. Start by playing your very favorite piece and getting yourself in a positive mood, then gradually work in the rehearsals of chords, scale fragments, theory, and so on. And make sure you UNDERSTAND what you are playing in terms of chord progressions and form. Otherwise you are just playing from rote, and nothing can be more boring than that. If you DON’T understand, take a course in music theory or chords so that you will understand — it makes all the difference in the world!

Don’t do it all in one sitting, either. Break it up in bite-sized segments so you don’t get tired or bored. It is far better to practice 4 sessions of 15 minutes than only one session of an hour. Why? Because the mind can only concentrate for so long at a time without wandering, and the seat gets restless too.

Turn your short practice sessions into fun, and you’ll progress just that much faster.

So you want to learn to play music? You’ve never had a lesson on an instrument and don’t even know where to start? Learning to play music can be as simple or challenging as you want. Whether you want to learn the guitar, the piano or the tuba doesn’t matter. Just challenge yourself and you’ll be making music before you can say embouchure.

First of all, there are many instruments that are very easy to learn. The simplest is the kazoo. The pitch of a kazoo is entirely controlled by your mouth. No fingerings to learn. Just put it to your mouth and buzz.

Moving up the scale are other mouth instruments, such as the harmonica and melodica. The harmonica takes seconds to learn but a lifetime to master. Harmonicas come tuned in a certain key, so that there are no out-of-key notes. As long as you use the proper harmonica for the key, you’ll sound musical. Of course, there are many other techniques to learn, but for the beginner trying to learn to play music, the simplicity of the harmonica is great.

The melodica is a keyboard instrument that is powered by air from your lungs. You blow into the mouthpiece and play the keyboard like a piano. The only difference is that the keyboard is facing away from you, perpendicular to your body. Most melodicas cover only an octave or two, giving you a smaller range.

The piano is another great instrument to start learning to play music. Every note is laid out in front of you, with nothing hidden. Using the white keys, you can play anything in the key of C. The amount of musical expression attainable on the piano is unmatched by other instruments, as it’s both a melodic and percussive instrument.

There are many benefits of learning to play music as an adult. Increased confidence, mental stimulation and sheer joy are just a few of them. Imagine entertaining friends with your new skills! Maybe you always wanted to have your own band and never pursued it in your youth. Learn to play music as an adult and have the musical fun that you missed. It’s never too late to stimulate your mind in new and exciting ways.

You’ll meet new people when you become a musician. It’s surprising when you learn who secretly always wanted to play in a band or hold an audience enraptured through a Debussy piano piece. From CEOs to maintenance workers, there are part-time musicians everywhere you look. Maybe your boss, the secret guitarist, will find out that you’re learning to play music. Suddenly you’re a new blip on the radar and you have a buddy to jam with on Sundays.

Whatever your reasons for learning to play music as an adult, you’ll love it. Pick up a simple instrument like the kazoo or a vast one like the piano and practice. Find a cheap guitar, some online instruction and learn your favorite songs by the Who. Buy a harmonica, start a campfire and play the blues. The possibilities are endless, as long as you keep your enthusiasm and continue to practice.

The thought of learning to play the piano is intimidating for many people. Before they touch a keyboard, they have preconceived notions of how difficult it will be. For many, the thought of reading musical notes and learning the piano keys frightens them. They want to learn music; they just want the process to be easier.

There is no hiding the fact that learning to play an instrument well means committing your time and energy to practicing. However, the learning process can be enjoyable if you begin with easy play music. Easy play music seeks to simplify music so a player can learn songs they enjoy faster. This inspires someone to continue practicing to build his or her skills. The easy play music method makes students look forward to practicing.

What is easy play music? Easy play music is unadorned, uncomplicated music. This kind of music centers on basic melody and harmony. Its purpose is to teach the basics so a student grasps the foundations of a song. They can then build on this foundation by adding more complex elements to a piece as they build their playing skills.

Easy play music is for people who want a straightforward, easy-to-understand method for learning the piano or any instrument. The purpose of learning music the easy play way is to forgo the complex elements of music in the early stages of learning. Easy play music gets music students playing simple tunes quickly so they build confidence. People who are confident in their playing are more likely to tackle increasingly sophisticated compositions. Gradually they build their level of musicianship.

This music is available from online stores and music-book retailers. In addition, easy play music is often available from places that sell pianos or offer piano lessons.

Easy play music comes in many formats. One can learn from online tutorials, CDs, DVDs or sheet music. They offer people alternatives to traditional classical music lessons. Instructors design easy play music to accommodate the learning needs of those new to music study. The following are ways you can use easy play music to build your music skills.

Online or DVD Methods

Online videos, or DVDs, employ the show and tell aspects of music instruction. One can watch a piano teacher play certain song patterns on the keyboard while listening to the music. Students of any age can visualize piano patterns, which help them become familiar with the keyboard.

They can pause and replay melodies until they build aural recognition of song patterns. Of course, through online videos and DVDs, a student can also see and study sheet music presented onscreen. They can follow the simpler sheet music as they listen to a song playing.

CD Methods

With CDs, a music enthusiast can play simple melodies along with the CD accompaniment. Today, there are many easy piano arrangements of classical and contemporary songs. The songbooks that are part of the package usually have matching custom arrangements for easy piano and voice. You can buy a CD and with it receive the written easy play melody and lyrics. You will also receive simple chord voicings that provide the harmonic backdrop to a song. You can play along with an orchestra backing you.

Sheet Music

If you want to play solo, there are a myriad easy play music books. You receive stripped down compositions that highlight the basic melody and chord progression of a tune. These simplified compositions are the true essence of the original, more complex work. These versions of songs from any genre can aid you in teaching yourself to play your favorite tunes in no time.

Once you learn the basic melody and harmony of a song, you can build your improvisational skills. You can add extra notes as you see fit. You can learn to build different chords from the basic chords provided in an easy play music version of a song. You can also experiment in different keys or try different dynamics (louder or softer playing). You may want to try different tempos as well.

You can try all of this once you are confident you are playing the melody and harmony properly. That’s what easy play music does for you. It teaches the basics and then propels you into new uncharted and exciting musical territory.

It’s an undisputable fact of life: kids learn by example. Both positive and negative behaviors are often learned and reinforced by a parent’s example. What better way to teach your child a skill, like piano playing, than by demonstrating it?

Dads have an extra important role to play when motivating kids to learn music. Children who are regularly exposed to music in the home are more likely to grow up musical. Kids with parents who actually play an instrument (like piano) have an even further edge.

Dad’s role is especially important when it comes to raising a budding pianist. Young children in particular look to their fathers as role models. They see Dad as omniscient, Herculean and heroic. Kids are natural imitators and will readily and willingly engage in an activity that Dad portrays as cool or fun.

Mothers, of course, can play a significant role in helping kids get excited about piano playing. The downside of having a mother who is musical when Dad isn’t is that it can send mixed messages. Children may view piano playing as a “girl” activity, at least at home.

Motivating a child to practice regularly is a chore at the best of times. Children are often even less excited about practicing when they know that their parents don’t play. It’s tough for kids to see the value in a musical education under these circumstances.

Dads can make a difference in the musical education of their children even if they’ve never played piano before. It’s never too late to learn something new. You might not become a virtuoso, but that’s not the point. The point is to show your child that piano playing is a valuable life skill.

Dads who haven’t previously taken piano lessons can get started by doing one or more of the following:

* Taking a parent/child piano class. Some music schools offer parent/child piano lessons. Many are actually founded on the philosophy that children learn best through active parent participation. Parent/child classes teach basic musical skills but also foster healthy interaction between parent and child. Plus, dads who never took piano lessons get to learn right along with their children.

* Take a self-tutorial. Piano tutorials are available in workbook and DVD form as well as online. Tutorials are self-directed and cover the basics like note reading and chords. Online tutorials sometimes have the added advantage of access to an online mentor. Self tutorials range in price. Many are free. Most courses cost between $25 and $100 for basic foundational skills. A dad can at least learn enough this way to understand what his child is learning. He may even be able to learn from his child.

* Take formal piano lessons. Remember, it’s not too late to learn. You don’t have to take classical piano either if that’s not your forte. Find an instructor who understands what your goal is: to lead your child by example. Your instructor can design a lesson plan that helps meet those needs without scaring you with long-winded classical pieces. He or she can teach you the basics and give you a great foundation for piano playing for and with your child.

Dads who master the basics of piano playing have another advantage that non-musical dads don’t. Pianist fathers have one more way to encourage kids to turn off the television and engage in something productive and beneficial. Impromptu family concerts, father/child duets or simply making up goofy songs together fosters relaxation, bonding and emotional health.