Can music make you smarter?

Can listening to music make you smarter? Can playing a musical instrument make you smarter? While the jury is still out, there is an accumulating pile of evidence that it indeed may be so, at least to some degree. You’ve probably heard of the Mozart Effect, but even if there is no basis for thinking that it raises intelligence, there is sure lots of evidence that it develops good taste in music – giving the listener a sense over time of what is “good” and what is “not so good” in music in general.

Watch this very short video:

For more info on the Mozart effect click here for an excellent article from the Royal Society of Medicine.

The Ten Most Popular American Folk Songs of All Time

Folk music can be said to be the oldest form of music in the world. Most every genre of music from rap to country to rock has its roots in folk music. American artists like Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez and Bob Dylan are just a few examples of musicians who brought folk music to the mainstream in the U.S.

Some of the most popular American folk songs have been around for decades and even centuries. They’ve been covered time and again by musicians of many different genres. These ten are among the most popular American folk songs of all time:

1) “Michael Row the Boat Ashore.” Even school children know this common ditty. Few people realize its roots are spiritual in nature. It was first published in Slave Songs of the United States in 1867. It’s likely, however, that it had already been sung for years by African slaves in the U.S. before being officially published.

2) “This Land is Your Land.” This American folk song is more of a newcomer in comparison to those with Negro spiritual beginnings. It was written by Woody Guthrie in 1940. He recorded it in 1944. Its patriotic lyrics are popular even after more than half a century. It was chosen as one of fifty recordings to be added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2002.

3) “Go Tell it on the Mountain.” This is another example of a folk song with Negro spiritual roots. It dates back to at least 1865 during the slave era. It was originally sung as a Christmas song, since it refers to the Judeo-Christian tradition of the Nativity. It has been borrowed and re-written with more modern themes, including civil liberties. However, it remains by and large a Christmas tune. It is one of the most covered and re-recorded folk songs in U.S. history.

4) “Mr. Tambourine Man.” This well-known ditty was written by Bob Dylan and released in his 1965 album “Bringing it All Back Home.” Dylan is widely known for his lyrical style and departure from the “norms” of pop music. The inspiration for this song is speculative and prodigious, but it is well-loved for its poetic language. Ironically, the version that is better known is The Byrds cover. Both Dylan’s and The Byrd’s version graces Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

5) “The Wabash Cannonball.” It tells the story of a fictional train, but the song probably didn’t refer to the train by that name until after it first originated. The first known documentation of this folk song is in 1882, credited to J.A. Roff. It was called “The Great Rock Island Route.” Later, those words were replaced with “The Wabash Cannonball” and the song was subsequently recorded under that title.

6) “Feelin’ Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song.)” This Simon and Garfunkel tune was released in 1966. It refers to New York’s famous Queensborough Bridge. The song isn’t particularly rife with deep with poetic meaning. Rather, it’s a lighthearted number, but one that struck a chord with American listeners all the same.

7) “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” This folk song can probably be attributed to a number of sources. However, the main body of the song was written in the 1960′s by Pete Seeger. The original version, about the ravages of war, had three stanzas. Two more verses were added by Joe Hickerson after Seeger first recorded it without much fanfare. It grew in popularity after it was covered by a number of other famous artists.

“Blowin’ In the Wind.” Bob Dylan graces the list once again with this well-known American folk song. His 1963 release doesn’t refer to a specific event. Instead, it asks a series of rhetorical questions about life, liberty and justice. It challenges the listener to look for the answer right in front of him because it’s “blowin’ in the wind.”

9) “If I Had a Hammer.” This simple song is more commonly attributed to the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. They recorded their version in the early 1960′s. However, it was actually penned by Pete Seeger in 1949 in support of the progressive movement in the U.S. Seeger’s version received nary a nod by the public. The political climate seemed more open when the Peter, Paul and Mary version released. It has since been covered by numerous other artists.

10) “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre.” Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody Guthrie authored and “sang” this satirical song about the Viet Nam draft. The lyrics are actually spoken rather than sung (an Arlo Guthrie signature.) The song itself lasts for eighteen minutes, a fact that also has historical significance.

Of course, everyone would have a somewhat different “top 10″ list, but at least a few of these 10 will probably make most everyone’s list. For more information on folk music and folk songs, click on the underlined Wikipedia link.

The circle of 5ths is a drawing used in music theory. It helps one learn and understand chord progression, 24 major and minor scales used in music, keys and accidentals that occur, the order of sharps and flats and how to construct the major and minor chords. It is a basis of western music theory. The circle may be confusing when you look at it for the first time but once you recognize how it works, it is of great help to the music students to comprehend music relationships. It plays a major role in the music industry as it helps to create great chord progressions.

The diagram resembles a circular wall clock with 12 musical notes around it. The notes are a prefect fifth apart from each other. At the top of the circle which is like the 12 o’clock position is the C major note. As you progress clockwise around the circle move five keys and you find the other note G, which is at the 1 o’clock point. The next five intervals after G is D, a perfect fifth after D is A. The movement goes clockwise through all the 12 notes C-G-D-A-E-B-F#-Db-Ab-Eb-Bb-F till you finally return to point C in perfect 5ths. A major key is in capital letter while minor is in small letter.

At the base of the circle, the notes F#, C# and B contain two spellings Gb, Db and Cb simultaneously. This indicates enharmonic notes meaning they are equal. Therefore B and Cb are equal, C# and Db and also F# and Gb. The C major note does not have sharps or flats. G has one sharp followed D which has 2 sharps, A has 3 sharps and so on. In determining the flats in a key, go counter clockwise with F having one flat, Bb 2 flats and so on. Therefore when you go clockwise you add a sharp and when you go counter clockwise you add a flat in the circle.

The circle of 5ths is used to play common progressions on western music like the 1-1V-V used in country music or rock. Here choose any key you would like to play the chord progression say D. To get the 1V chord go clockwise five positions to the G note. The V chord after perfect fifths is note A. Thus the key for 1-1V-V at D is D-G-A. By using this circle you can make the same chord progressions in different keys. This is useful to song writers in composition using several keys.

The circle of 5ths is therefore important as it helps students determine the key of music in which they might be playing. It also enables a person learn about the scales. The student uses the circle to find out the sharps or flats in a key and determines which notes are to be lowered or raised. To determine the sharps in any key move clockwise from C and the flats counter clockwise. One can also learn on the major of a minor key as they are put together in the diagram and have similar key signature. This technique is also useful learning to play a guitar for the first time as one can understand chord progressions.

For a complete course on the subject, click on How To Use The Circle of 5ths To Create Great Chord Progressions

Five Reasons Why Everyone Should Learn to Play Songs on the Piano

Playing the piano isn’t just for the musically inclined or gifted. True, some people naturally have an inborn talent for playing piano. This doesn’t mean, however, that others can’t learn to play songs on the piano.

Anyone can learn to play songs on the piano, just like anyone can learn math. Some people are naturally better at math than others. They are the ones who are able to perform advanced calculus equations. Everyone can learn to add and subtract though. The same is true for playing piano: piano playing is a basic skill that can be learned by everyone.

Not only that, but some very compelling reasons exist for learning piano. You don’t need to worry about trying to master chord theory. You need not even always learn to read music proficiently. Most importantly: you don’t have to become a virtuoso to reap the benefits. Here are five of those benefits:

1) Playing the piano increases mental acuity. Who doesn’t need more of that? Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest senior, can benefit from increased mental acuity. People who learn to play songs on the piano have better concentration and problem-solving skills. Concrete thinking abilities (the kind required for performing math equations) are strengthened by practicing piano.

2) Playing the piano is comfort food for the soul. It’s an easy, convenient and pharmaceutical-free way to decrease tension and lower blood pressure. It can reduce stress and relax the heartbeat. Fifteen minutes of piano playing can be as soothing as a warm bath or a massage.

3) Playing the piano increases the potential for social connections. It can open up a whole new world of activity possibilities. Imagine being able to get together with other musicians just to “jam” for fun. Or, use it as a vehicle for spending more time with your children or spouse. Why not take a series of group lessons together? It’s a healthy way to spend time with someone special. It can also help you foster bonds and learn a new skill all at the same time. Plus, it’s a skill that you can take with you anywhere for the rest of your life.

4) Playing the piano helps to develop coordination. This is especially good for young children whose motor skills are just starting to develop. Even adults, however, can benefit from the increased coordination skills that result from regularly playing the piano. Better coordination translates into practical workplace skills like typing. Professionals who work with their hands regularly (i.e. doctors, mechanics, assembly-line workers, etc.) will find hand muscles becoming stronger. It also results in more honed athletic ability for sports like bowling, baseball, tennis, basketball, weight lifting and more.

5) It’s a great way to impress your friends. Let’s face it: there’s a little bit of a showman/woman in all of us. You’ll be able to sit down at the piano and accompany everyone at the party to the “Happy Birthday” song. Karaoke night may take on a whole new meaning after you learn to play songs on the piano. The bottom line is than playing the piano is just plain fun. Everyone can use a little bit more fun in their lives.

To learn to dress up songs on the piano with all kinds of chords and fillers and runs and other exciting techniques, please click on How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano!

There are many excellent piano keyboards these days in all price ranges. It used to be that you could only buy major brands through music stores, but now even Yamaha – my favorite brand – can be purchased online.

There is even a “roll up” piano keyboard so you can take your music on the road with you! And it is so convenient to buy one now days. If you don’t have a local store handy, you can get one shipped quickly from Amazon!

Click on any of the keyboards below:


For a full range of keyboards, please go to Best Piano Keyboards

You’re an adult learning to play the piano, but you don’t know where to start. The hectic nature of life doesn’t always allow for you to seek out piano instructors, but you’d really like some help with your playing. In the information age, online piano instruction is a great place to start.

To watch this 2-minute video on arranging songs on the piano click here.

Adults learning to play the piano can easily find online piano instruction. There are a variety of services available, whether you want to learn from the Internet or just find a reputable teacher. They key is to know what you are looking for when you begin your search.

If you’re either already knowledgeable on the piano or are just self motivated, online piano instruction may be what you need. Online piano instruction covers the entire spectrum of the instrument. Whether you need to reinforce your skills or start from the beginning, there are many sites dedicated to the piano.

Online piano instruction helps you understand the basics of the instrument. From posture and hand positioning, to exercises and simple songs, the Internet is full of sites featuring piano basics. Many services are free, as piano players post advice on different social networking sites. As more pianists use these free services, more information becomes available that used to cost money.

Once you’ve moved past the basics, gradually search for more difficult exercises and pieces. Take your time, and don’t go too far beyond your skill level. You can become frustrated or injured if you try to move too fast.

Maybe you already know quite a bit about music. Do a simple search to find more about scale and chord theory. This will greatly expand your knowledge of musical theory. No musician knows every chord and scale, and there are always new things to learn.

You can connect with other piano players and learn from them online, as well. The more musicians you learn from, the richer your playing will be. There’s no reason to be isolated from other players. Join a piano playing forum, and receive a different kind of online piano instruction by interacting with other pianists. Think about how the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys all influenced each other. Every musician has their own unique view of music, and each has something great to contribute.

Perhaps you really would like to find an instructor in the real world. Most reputable instructors have online listings, and many will have their own websites. Find an instructor that looks good, and contact them. They’ll list a phone number or e-mail address. Find out their rates, how long they’ve been instructing and their location. Many instructors will travel to your home to make it easier for you to learn.

Another great way to learn is by searching for instruction books online. Many sites provide their own instruction books or links to good resources. Look at user reviews before committing to any purchase.

Whichever path you choose, online piano instruction is a great tool in the modern age. When you have a free moment, find a new lesson, print it out and practice. You’ll see your playing improving exponentially, as long as you keep a regular schedule and keep learning.

Click here for a GREAT online class in arranging songs for piano!

With such a rich history supporting it, it’s difficult to pick a list of the best gospel songs. Any attempt to claim being the definitive list will no doubt meet spirited debate. That’s why a “top-ten”, or whatever other size list, is fun to create. They encourage debate and give fans a chance to add their own favorites to the discussion. It proves how popular gospel music is worldwide.

Songwriters compose gospel music to convey a personal or a community way of thinking regarding their Christian beliefs. The styles of gospel music vary as much as the creators of it do. That’s why it has such a diverse audience. Today, there’s gospel music targeted to the younger set. In addition, there are adult contemporary as well as the traditional offerings.

Regardless of the styles that are out there, a canon of standard popular gospel songs does exist. The following are some of the songs that traditionally make it onto a list of the most popular songs in the gospel genre. You will probably recognize many of them.

Amazing Grace

John Newton, an Englishman wrote the lyrics to this song. It first appeared in print in 1779 in Newton’s Olney Hymns. A plethora of artists from decade to decade has performed their versions of this much-loved work. The music of the song is a variant of an earlier written tune called “New Britain.”

Because He Lives

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote this gospel song in 1970. Their inspiration for this song was the birth of healthy son Benjamin that year.

Daddy Sang Bass

Carl Perkins wrote this tune in 1968. Johnny Cash recorded the song that year and it went to number one on the charts. It enjoyed a several month stay there. It still enjoys consideration as a beloved gospel song to this day.

Peace in the Valley

Thomas A. Dorsey, originally wrote Peace in the Valley in 1939. He wrote it for Mahalia Jackson. The song was a hit for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys in 1951.

Just a Little Talk with Jesus

This song is also a cherished gospel favorite. The likes of Brenda Lee, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Loretta Lynn have their versions of this song. In addition, so do The Statler Brothers and Elvis Presley.

Wings of a Dove

Bob Ferguson wrote this gospel song in1958. It became his first multi-million seller song. Ferlin first recorded the song, and a host of artists has since recorded it in many languages. In 1987, Wings of a Dove received BMI’s “One million airplays” Award.

How Great Thou Art

This song is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg. Elvis Presley performed this piece, as did Tennessee Ernie Ford, Roy Rogers, and Connie Smith.

I Saw the Light

In 1948, Hank Williams Sr. wrote and first performed this gospel song. Crystal Gayle, Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Earl Scruggs, and Hank Williams Jr. have also set forth their renditions of this popular tune.

Oh Happy Day

Oh Happy Day is a gospel arrangement of an 18th century hymn, composed in 1967. The Edwin Hawkins Singers recorded it and in 1969, it became an international hit.

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

The first known recording of this gospel song was on October 8, 1941. The performers were the Selah Jubilee Singers. The song is one of the more popular ones to find use in the hymn and dirge section of jazz funerals in New Orleans.

Gospel songs are a way for devotees to manifest their deep spiritual feelings. They’re also the backdrop for celebrations, services, ceremonies and the like in the Christian community. It’s easy for a sheet of gospel music, a piano player, and a piano, to get a group of people singing whole-heartedly. That’s the beauty of this type of music.

The above list is a representation of those deemed in the upper echelon of favorites. The most popular songs of all time in gospel music certainly inspire a legion of fans. You may have your own favorites to add to the list as well. With more gospel music recorded each year, the list will continue to be one of variety and change.

I started taking piano lessons when I was about 6 or 7 from an old lady (at least she looked old to me) named Mrs. Graham.  She lived in the older section of town, and her house smelled old. I dutifully sat through lesson after lesson and practiced each lesson for a half-hour a day. Not because I wanted to, but because I was fortunate enough to have parents that kept my feet to the fire, telling me that “someday I will be glad I kept practicing”. I didn’t believe them, of course — it’s pretty hard for a seven-year old to visualize why practicing scales and boring songs would pay off down the road.

And so it went, week after week, month after month, year after year until I was about 13. I liked playing the piano well enough, but I sure didn’t like practicing. One time when I was nine or so my big brother wrote up a contract about practicing 1/2 hour ever day which he made me sign. If I didn’t, he wouldn’t help me with my baseball skills, which I desparately wanted to develop. My idols in those days were not pianists or musicians, but the great baseball players of the day — Joltin’ Joe Dimagio, Whitey Ford, Phil Rissuto, and of course Mickey Mantle. I dreamed about hiting – driving in runs in the last of the 9th inning with the bases loaded.

But one day a friend of mine who also took piano lessons invited me to go with his family down to Sacramento (we lived in a little town called Auburn, 30 miles from Sacto) to hear a famous jazz pianist. I didn’t even know what jazz piano sounded like back then, but it’s always fun to go someplace with friends, so I went. I turned out that the pianist was Erroll Garner, and this is what I heard:

Suffice it to say that nothing was the same after that. I had no idea that anyone could play the piano like that, and have so much fun doing it! When I got home that evening I immediately went to the piano and started imitating Erroll. Of course it sounded awful, but it changed my view of practice 180 degrees. Instead of dreading practice, I looked forward to it to see what I could accomplish.

Can I play like Erroll? Of course not. Nowhere close. But it launched me into a lifetime of enjoying piano playing and helping others to enjoy it to.

If you have a teenager like me who hates to practice, try taking him or her to a concert. It might just make a huge difference in his life.

For over 300 free videos in some aspect of piano playing, go to my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/chordsgalore

Children’s songs can bring back all kinds of nostalgia from days gone by. New children’s songs are written by the hundreds every year. Despite this, the classics are still as popular as when we were kids. Ten of the most popular children’s songs of all time are:

1) Happy Birthday: You’d be very hard pressed to find a kid who doesn’t know this one. Happy Birthday is popular the world over even though it’s a special-occasion song. Penned by schoolteacher-sisters Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill, its original title and lyrics were “Good Morning to You.” They wrote it specifically for their young students as a simple greeting song in 1893. Several years later their tune appeared in print wedded with the words “Happy Birthday.”

2) Ring Around the Rosies: Rumor has it that this popular children’s song with accompanying circle dance/game had rather macabre beginnings. However, it really can’t be said with full certainty that this song refers to the bubonic plague, or the Great Plague of London. What is certain is that various versions of this song are sung in some form in numerous countries worldwide. The dance seems to be same no matter where the song is sung. Children hold hands and dance in a circle. They all fall down at the end just as the lyrics state.

3) Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes: This ditty for very young children has ambiguous origins. It was likely written by a teacher or someone of the like who worked with children. It was probably meant to help teach small kids basic body anatomy while at the same time encouraging action and dancing. The words are simple but effective. It’s still used by teachers today to help kids “get the wiggles out.”

4) London Bridge: This is another popular children’s song with origins difficult to pinpoint. It’s been around, at least in poem form, since a printing of an early version in 1744. It refers to the famous bridge over the River Thames in London. The accompanying actions call for two partners to hold both hands and raise them high in an arch. Children sing the song as they duck under the “arches” as they gradually lower, until the end when one child gets “caught.”

5) The Itsy Bitsy Spider (or, The Eensy Weensy Spider): Conflicting stories of its origin abound, and the author’s name may be lost from history forever. It is commonly said to have been written in the 1950′s or 60′s. However, references to versions of this poem and finger-play go back even further. Today it’s a favorite song and finger play in preschools and kindergartens around the world.

6) Old MacDonald Had a Farm: This popular children’s song was probably derived from a World War I era songbook tune called “Old MacDougal Had a Farm.” The MacDougal version may have already been around for several years by the time it appeared in print in 1917. It’s a mystery when “MacDougal” became “MacDonald.” Nevertheless, young children love this song about barnyard animals.

7) Mary Had a Little Lamb: Few people are aware that this popular children’s song was inspired by a true story. Sara Josepha Hale wrote her poem in 1830 about a little girl named Mary who brought her pet lamb to school. (Some historians believe that the concept and first four lines actually came from the pen of John Roulstone. This has been difficult to prove or disprove over the years.) It caused a commotion, as one might expect. Today young children still giggle over the idea of a lamb coming to school.

Rock-a-Bye Baby: This old lullaby has likely been crooned by many a mother over several centuries. Its exact origin is unknown, and several theories abound. One of the most plausible theories is that the song is based on native American tradition. Mothers placed their babies in birch-bark cradles suspended from branches. Babies were lulled to sleep by the force of the wind. Woe to the baby who gets caught in a big wind that breaks the branch though!

9) Five Little Monkeys: This action song, like many other popular children’s songs, has origins difficult to trace. This doesn’t seem to matter to schoolchildren who have sung it for several decades. The silly poem set to music is an ideal way to get children dancing, moving, and even thinking about the consequences of jumping on the bed.

10) The Hokey Pokey: Children have participated in this song and dance for over one hundred years. No one is certain where the term “Hokey Pokey” comes from, though there are a few theories. It’s highly plausible that it was simply a nonsensical term meant to make the listener laugh. It might be compared to a square dance, in that the “leader” or “caller” gets to call the moves to the dance.

Do you have a Whitesnake, Brett Micheals style bandana? How about an Elton John pair of glasses or a white sequined glove from your Michael Jackson, Billy Jean days? Maybe you were more of a metal guy and bashed a few guitars while listening to some Motley Crew? Rock on, Dude!!!

Since the world can call all music played by an orchestra, “classical” music, let’s call all music played on the radio, that is popular, has guitars, drums, and a lead singer, and lots of amps “rock” music. (Highly generalized descriptions that aren’t very accurate but they represent the general consensus.)

What is Rock and Roll Music?

If our largely inaccurate explanation above of what makes rock and roll music will spark controversy among just about everybody, what is a better way to look at rock and roll? First, understand that Rock and Roll, just like Jazz and Baroque music is its own unique style of music and it is no less scholarly than any other style. Musicologists (yes, they exist) study rock and roll just as they do every other style so contrary to what some believe, it is not the black sheep of the musical world. (Rap music is a source of scholarly research as well, by the way)

One interesting fact to realize is that although many regard rock and roll as the poor man’s music, that has never been true. We can go all the way back to the Baroque period (and even further back) when music was written as something to dance to. That “classical” music that you may find boring was, at one time, the rock and roll of its day. Later, violinists like Niccolo Paganini were so good that many thought he was from the Devil. (Because people didn’t believe any human could play a violin as well as he did) Because the bad boy often has a following, Paganini was a hugely famous musician of his day. That fame came with all of the same public response as modern artists like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber get today. (Or fill in the most popular artists of the day as you’re reading this.) Paganini was the rockstar of his day.

Rock and roll has its formal roots in the 1930s and 1940s as a melding of blues, gospel, jazz, and just about anything else that people could put together. Chuck Berry gets credit for making rock and roll wildly popular in the 1960s but when we think of rock and roll, who is the first to come to mind? For most, its Elvis Presley. Who could forget famous songs like “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound dog” (The song is actually called “Hound Dog”. Elvis Remade it in 1956.)

From the 1960s, Rock and Roll has always been part of American music in some form. Even now, in 2011, artists like Avril Lavigne, Rhianna, and numerous lesser known although very popular rock and grunge bands keep the style alive. It could easily be argued that every piece of music on the radio (or Pandora, or ITunes, or wherever you’re listening to your music) has its roots in the rock and roll style of 50 years ago.

Can I Rock Out on a Piano?

Sure you can. In early Rock and Roll, the piano was the lead instrument. As it evolved, the guitar became the main instrument but how many ballads have you heard that are piano led? How many rock bands don’t have a keyboard in the setup?

Another interesting fact about rock and roll is that it’s largely a product of the earliest composers. Every rock and roll musician has masters like Bach to thank because he and many others of his time solidified the rules of how chords work together to make music and those same rules are followed by rock musicians now.

For the pianist who wants to play rock and roll, chord reading is a must. One great thing about rock and roll is that although the style varies widely, the mechanics behind it are normally quite simple. Many of the best known songs may only have 3 or 4 different chords and those chords are often basic. The best music is often the simplest and rock and roll is proof of that.

There are many ways to improve your piano playing, but most of them entail lots of study and practice. But there are two ways you can improve right away just by being aware of them — pedaling and dynamics. Watch this short video and you will understand immediately:

For a detailed course on the subject, click here: Piano Pedaling & Music Dynamics

Regardless of what field or industry you’re in, you’re going to have a lot of vocabulary to learn. We thought we would put together some of the less common terms yet terms you are bound to see at some point in your musical studies.

Style- “Play with the right style”! This phrase will be uttered by your private teacher at some point. Style is what gives different genres of music their unique sound. The swing style in jazz requires you to swing eighth notes instead of playing them traditionally. With very slow music, “legato” style means that you should play all notes smooth and connected. Some describe legato as walking through honey. Things are heavy without any breaks in the sound.

Texture- Most of us can visualize texture as it relates to a painting but what about in music? Texture in music is determined by how the composer mixes different instruments together. Every musical instrument has their own timbre or tone color and when these are mixed, they produce different textures. The most skilled of composers know how to use texture to make their piece truly come alive.

Orchestration- Speaking of texture, orchestration is the art of mixing instruments together. Commercial music like film music often employs teams of orchestration experts to create specific textures that fit the movie perfectly.

Cantabile- This is another style of music that literally means “singingly”. Everything is connected with an emphasis on using the most beautiful of tone quality when playing it. It’s not important that the music is loud or rhythmically perfect. Instead, the performer must make sure that the music is remembered as if the best vocalist just sang it.

Counterpoint- Counterpoint is a discipline that composition students must learn. It is often required in most higher educational composition curriculums. Counterpoint is the study of how different musical lines interact with each other. If there are too many lines being played at the same time, the music gets cluttered.

Score- For music that has multiple players playing different parts, a score is used by conductors and performers often for rehearsal purposes. By putting all parts on one page, mistakes are easy to identify. If you ever accompany a vocalist where their part and your part are on the same page, you’re looking at a score.

Accelerando- Sometimes music gradually speeds up and when that happens, we call it an accelerando. Often in music it is abbreviated as “accel”. The opposite of accelerando is ritard or “rit.” Which is a gradual slow down of the music.

Of course there are many more vocabulary terms that we use in music. Want to learn more? Go online and take one of the numerous vocabulary tests and learn about the many more. Also check back and we’ll post even more of these terms. Also remember that if you’re playing a piece of music and you see a term that you don’t know, take time to look it up. If the composer took time to write it in to the music, it must be important.

Have you seen the “Musical Genius Course”?

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.

To get started learning music, go to Learn Music

If you are looking to create a big sound in your piano playing, please consider watching this short video on using both hands to voice 7-note chords. By using 3-notes in the right hand — 2 of the 3 playing the melody in octaves — and a 5th/4th inbetween, combined with 4-notes in the left hand which include at least two “color tones” such as 7ths, 9ths, etc. , you can conjure up a really BIG sound that makes the melody stand out while at the same time giving it a very contemporary “jazz” sound.

But don’t feel bad if you can’t pull it off right away. You wont master this by next Tuesday, as it is one of the more complex ways of voicing chords.

If you play in a trio with bass and drums this is a great style to use. If you play solo, you will need to occasionally establish the root feeling of the chord by playing the root of the chord down low and then jumping up to the chord itself.

Have you browsed our catalog of piano courses at www.playpianocatalog.com ? Lots of helpful stuff there!

There have been many patriotic songs written about our country. Since 1776, when we became an independent country, one patriotic song after another has been written about our great country. From our national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner” to “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” there has been a great many songs written about the beauty and virtues of our country and her people. Even today many songwriters still write patriotic songs. One of the patriotic songs that best speaks to the beauty of America is called “America the Beautiful.” This song is so well loved throughout the country that many people would like to see it become our national anthem. Let us look at the history of this great song.

“America the Beautiful,” which is also called the national hymn of the United States by many people started as a poem. Katherine Lee Bates, an English professor from Wellsely college, was the person who penned the original poem that later became the song. In 1893 she was on a long train ride to Colorado. As she watched the beauty of our country pass by her window she was inspired to right the poem. The story of Katherine and her poem states that she did not write the poem until she made a visit to Pike’s Peak, at which time she was awestruck by the view of the land below her. It is said that she wrote the poem as soon as she returned to her hotel. If you visit Pike’s Peak you will find that there is a plaque on top of the mountain commemorating Ms. Bates and the composition of her poem.

As with most poems and lyrics that were converted into music, her poem changed and evolved over time. For instance, her original poem had four verses; it was later expanded to eight verses. The first time that her poem was seen in print was in 1895, it was printed in a magazine called “The Congregationalist” to commemorate the 4th of July. Around 1904 she again added to and revised the poem then published it in the “Boston Evening Transcript.” At this point “America the Beautiful” was still a beautiful poem about the beauty of America. In 1910 it was adapted to a music score that had been written in 1882. The music was written by a composer that lived in New Jersey named Samuel Ward. Before Ward’s music and the poem were combined in 1910 people attached several different melodies to the poem. It took from 1893 until 1910 for this beautiful song to become the song we know and love today.

As mentioned above there are many people that would like to see “America the Beautiful” become the national anthem of the United States. This movement has been in motion since the middle of the 20th century, so far the movement has not had any success in getting the anthems changed. The people that would like to see this change come about say that although “The Star Spangled Banner” is a great song, it focuses on wartime imagery. They say on the other hand “America the Beautiful” focuses on the beauty of our country. The people that support the change would rather have beauty be the focus of our national anthem instead of war.

For a way to learn all kinds of great patiotic songs please go to: American Patriotic Songs

Any music list that purports to be a “Best of” or “Most Popular” is bound to cause heated discussion. We all have our preferences when it comes to music, often quite different from others. What constitutes a great song to one person is not necessarily another person’s cup of tea. However, a consensus is possible, with room for lively debate, as to what are the most popular piano songs in each genre.

With that in mind, the following are a list of songs considered in the upper echelon of their categories. Of course, you may want to add or take away from this list. It really is a subjective undertaking. The variety of music out there is what makes these lists ever changing.

That’s why talking about and listening to music is so much fun. The plethora of songs and opinions about them is infinite. Here’s to lively discourse on the most popular piano pieces across several categories. The envelope please, here’s the top picks of each category.

Classical

Most classical lists include Beethoven’s Fur Elise and Moonlight Sonata. There’s also Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie, and Hungarian Dance by Brahms. In addition, there is Debussy’s Clair de Lune and the Turkish March by Mozart.

Jazz

What’s a jazz list without The Entertainer by Scott Joplin or Take Five by Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. There’s also Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk, The Girl From Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and My Funny Valentine by Rodgers and Hart now considered a jazz standard.

Popular

The popular list is endless when it comes to best loved by audiences. The Rose by Amanda McBroom and Your Song by Elton John are very popular. So are The Charlie Brown Theme by Vince Guaraldi, Days of Wine and Roses by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini and Color My World by Chicago. On top of that are Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler, and Michelle by the Beatles.

Country and Western

The country list would have to include He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones. That list would also include Crazy by Patsy Cline, along with her I Fall To Pieces. Your Cheatin’ Heart by Hank Williams Sr., Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page and The Dance by Garth Brooks are fine additions to the list. So is San Antonio Rose by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.

Folk

In the folk category, no list is complete without This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie. This list would also include The Times They Are A ‘Changing as well as Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan. Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Pete Seeger, and Stay by Alison Krause are good choices. So are Woodstock by Joni Mitchell, and Tom Dooley by The Kingston Trio.

Gospel

The gospel category is replete with popular songs. This list includes Amazing Grace, Because He Lives, and Daddy Sang Bass, which inspire their listeners. In addition, there’s Peace in the Valley, Just a Little Talk With Jesus, and Wings of a Dove, among a host of others.

Rock

The rock genre has too many to name but we’ll give you a handful here. There’s Hey Jude by the Beatles, Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin and Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry. On top of that, we have Rock Around the Clock BY Bill Haley, Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley, and Hotel California by The Eagles.

Patriotic

For our vast expanse called America, there’s the Battle Hymn of the Republic and My Country ‘Tis of Thee in the patriotic songs category. Another wildly popular one is Proud to be an American by Lee Greenwood. We also have God Bless America, and of course The Star Spangled Banner.

Children

For the younger set there’s Mary Had a Little Lamb, I’ve Been Working on the Railroad and ABC’s (aka Now I Know My ABC’S). This list also has Itsy Bitsy Spider, Baa Baa Black Sheep and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Campfire

In front of a warm fire, we have Leaving on a Jet Plane by Frank Sinatra, Day-O by Harry Belafonte and Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver. We also have House of the Rising Sun by the Animals, and Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison.

Dance

In the Dance category, there’s Billy Jean by Michael Jackson and Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez. This list also has Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, YMCA By The Village People and the Macarena by Los del Rio.

There you go. Playing any of the above songs on the piano is sure to provide you much enjoyment. Piano books, online and offline abound with these songs, written for different skill levels. Try to come up with your own list of the top piano songs of all time. You’ll be amazed at how hard it is to choose from the thousands of songs available. There’s enough music out there to always be learning something new.

To learn some wonderful American Patriotic songs, click here: American Patriotic Songs

Often the most simple things in life turn out to be the best. There are thousands of chords that can be used in a song, and of course thousands of musical forms and melodies and rhythms which can be combined to create music – that’s why we can enjoy literally millions of peices of music in all styles from Baroque to Brubeck to Brahms to the Beattles to the latest rock or jazz or country-western or gospel song.

Here is a song made out of just 4 chords: Am, G, F, and E7. You’ll notice that they form a descending pattern from A to E. By breaking up the notes of the chords in some arpeggiated form, we can create a beautiful song out of just those four simple chords:

For a wonderful course in creating your own “new age” sounds on the piano click here: Cool Sounds You Can Make On The Piano!

Why does music have those curved lines all over it? Some of the curved lines seem to connect two notes while others seem to swoop over the music. What are these and how to we use them.

Some things in music are just plain confusing and this is one of those subjects. These two types of lines are actually very different things. One is a tie and one is a phrase marking.

Let’s start with the easy one. Do you remember what a phrase is? A phrase is a musical sentence. In spoken language, we consider a sentence a complete thought. If we stopped speaking in the middle of a sentence, people would look at us funny and in music it works the same way. If we don’t make phrases, music sounds mechanical and boring. Those big swooping lines that you sometimes see that connect multiple measures of music are phrase markings. The composer is showing you what he or she considers to be a phrase or a complete musical thought.

In newer music, music copyists have figured out that these phrase marks are easily confused with slur marks so phrase marks are slowly going away. More and more, musicians are being left to figure out the phrases on their own.

There are other lines that connect notes together. These are called ties. A tie connects two notes of the same pitch. What makes ties slightly more confusing is the fact that you don’t replay the second note of the tie. The note simply sustains through it. Let’s pretend that you have a quarter tied to another quarter note. You would play the first quarter note and let the note sustain through the second quarter note. (Remember to count through it, though)

You might be wondering, “why write two quarter notes tied together if you could just write a half note instead”? That’s a great question and sometimes, it’s simply the preference of the composer but other times it has a real reason. What if the composer had a note starting on beat 4 of a 4/4 measure but they wanted it to sustain for 2 beats. They can’t write a half note because that would be too many beats in the measure. Instead, the composer would write a quarter note and write a tie over the bar line to another quarter note in the next measure. See why ties are important?

It’s also important to note that if you’re a wind or string player, you will also see slurs which are ties that connect notes of different pitches. In this case, you use a special technique called a slur. Different instruments have different techniques for this.

Make sense? Take a look at your music and identify the ties and phrase marks. Not all music will have them but most do. Now you know exactly what they mean and how they affect the music.

 For a GREAT course in Harmony & Theory click here: Harmony & Theory Course

Music would be a real yawner if we could only use one speed. What if all music were written for some boring medium speed that never changed? Are you glad that hundreds of years ago music theorists developed tempo and ways to notate it?

To get a very exact idea of tempo, musicians use a device call a metronome. Today, metronomes are digital devices that keep precise time based on the musician inputs. In 1696, the first metronome was developed. It was based on Galileo’s pendulum and as refined as modern day metronomes but up until then, composers had no objective way to notate tempos. Still today, some musicians prefer to use subjective tempo markings that allow the individual to interpret the music in a way that makes them unique as an artist. Subjective markings, or one that relies on something less than scientific, look like this:

• Larghissimo — very, very slow
• Lento — very slow
• Largo — very slow
• Larghetto — rather broadly
• Grave — slow and solemn
• Adagio — slow and stately (literally, “at ease”)
• Adagietto — rather slow
• Andante — at a walking pace
• Andante Moderato — a bit faster than andante
• Andantino – slightly faster than andante
• Moderato — moderately
• Allegretto — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)
• Allegro moderato — moderately quick
• Allegro — fast, quickly and bright or “march tempo”
• Vivace — lively and fast
• Vivacissimo — very fast and lively
• Allegrissimo — very fast
• Presto — very fast
• Prestissimo — extremely fast

As you can see, these tempo marking don’t include any objective way to interpret the tempo. What exactly does “Andante” mean and how does it translate in to a certain speed? Much like other musical terms, musicians learn how to play in these certain tempos and through experience learn what they sound like and the approximate speed in which music proceeds.

As technology evolved, the metronome changed how we interpret tempos. By using a metronome, a composer can write at exact tempos knowing that a conductor, also with a metronome, could play the music at the exact speed listed if the composer notated that it should be exact. This gives the composer the ability to write certain effects and sounds that can only be achieved at certain tempos. Let’s look at this same list and how it would look with metronome marking included:

• Larghissimo — very, very slow (20 bpm and below)
• Lento — very slow (40–60 bpm)
• Largo — very slow (40–60 bpm), like lento
• Larghetto — rather broadly (60–66 bpm)
• Grave — slow and solemn
• Adagio — slow and stately (literally, “at ease”) (66–76 bpm)
• Adagietto — rather slow (70–80 bpm)
• Andante — at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
• Andante Moderato — a bit faster than andante
• Andantino – slightly faster than andante
• Moderato — moderately (101-110 bpm)
• Allegretto — moderately fast (but less so than allegro)
• Allegro moderato — moderately quick (112–124 bpm)
• Allegro — fast, quickly and bright or “march tempo” (120–139 bpm)
• Vivace — lively and fast (˜140 bpm) (quicker than allegro)
• Vivacissimo — very fast and lively
• Allegrissimo — very fast
• Presto — very fast (168–200 bpm)
• Prestissimo — extremely fast (more than 200bpm)

By putting these numbers in to a modern, digital metronome or even moving the weight on the pendulum on an older style metronome, a musician can be exact as they practice.

Finally, some genres of music demand exact metronome marking but most leave it to the individual musician to define the speed of the piece. Don’t forget to be an individual and don’t follow a chart to make a piece of music sound great. Charts like these are a guide to give you a basic idea of what these tempo terms translate to.

Keep this chart handy as you look at a piece of music for the first time.

Roman Numerals

Did music theory begin in Rome? History doesn’t say if it does or not but one thing is for sure: Without Roman Numerals, music theorists would have to totally redesign their system of analyzing music. Let’s take a look at how Roman Numerals are used by music theorists.

First, the good news. If you find the whole system of roman numerals confusing, in music theory you will only use a few of these. As long as you can figure out the numbers 1 through 7, that’s all you will need for music.

First, let’s think about our triads. In a traditional scale, there are 7 different diatonic chords, each one of these based on one of the scale degrees. Let’s assume that we’re in the key of C Major. The C-E-G chord which is built on the first scale degree is called the “I” (Roman numeral) chord. (The “one” chord)

The next chord, D-F-A, is the “ii” chord because it’s based on the 2^nd scale degree. The next chord, E-G-B is built on the third scale degree and it is referred to as the “iii” chord. Are you getting the pattern? This part of traditional analysis is the easiest part.

Now, you might be wondering why the “I” is an upper case roman numeral while the “ii” and “iii” roman numerals were written in lower case. The reason for this is because the “I” chord is a major chord while the “ii” and “iii” chords are minor chords. Always use uppercase for major chords and lowercase for minor chords. There are other types of chords, like augmented and diminished which we’ll save for a more advanced lesson.

Now that we know how to identify chords, is it that simple? Of course not! Remember those chord inversions? If a chord is root position, we leave the Roman numeral as is. If the chord is in first position, we put a “6” in superscript next to the Roman numeral. (Just like in math when you notate something is squared)

If a chord is in second inversion, we notate it by placing a 6/4 (fraction without the line in superscript) next to it. There are other indications of inversion for more extended chords but we won’t worry about that just yet.

Remember that Roman numerals are based on the key that you declare. Because it’s sometimes difficult to tell which key the composer is writing in, the music theorist must state which key he or she is basing their analysis. This is done by playing an indication in the music such as “C:”. This indicates that all of the roman numerals are based on the key of C.

Of course there are many more symbols that are used in analysis of this type but as far as roman numerals go, Roman numerals are actually pretty easy.

The power of music to influence people for good and for evil has been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt down through history. Like fire, it cuts both ways, depending on the situation. In the fireplace it warms and benefits and heals. Out of the fireplace it can ruin and destroy. Think of the military marches that of themselves are good and harmless, but in the hands of a Hitler can be used to deaden the conscience and encourage the baser side of our natures to do great evil.

Watch this video on how music is being used in a rest home to bring joy and life back to those who are otherwise almost catatonic:

Read this article about Music and Emotions: http://ezinearticles.com/?id=40634&Music-and-Emotions%3A-Can-Music-Really-Make-You-a-Happier-Person%3F=

Are you looking to learn piano playing without engaging in years of piano lessons? Do you want this method of playing your favorite tunes without learning volumes of music theory? If you answered yes to these questions, then learning to play piano online is for you.

Online piano education sites can teach you to play the piano in a variety of ways. One way is to learn to play by ear. Websites and teaching methods exist whereby the reading of music notes is not a requirement. Learning by ear involves recognizing sound patterns, the sound of chords and the sound of individual notes. This in no way diminishes the value of learning to read music. Learning by ear is an alternative to music reading and can complement music reading.

When you learn piano online by ear, you will also watch music played on a keyboard. With repeated exposure to a tune, you will learn to recognize melody and the accompanying harmony that supports the melody. By watching an online instructor play, you will develop recognition of hand positions on the keyboard. Watching and hearing a cluster of notes hit simultaneously will deepen your knowledge of chord building.

You will also learn to recognize which keys hit in succession form the melody of a song. Then you can sit at a piano and try to emulate the same hand and fingering positions. A picture is worth a thousand words. Online visuals of piano players playing can help you recognize the most popular keyboard patterns. Once learned, you can proceed to formulate variations of these patterns to lend uniqueness to your songs. In addition, you can pause and repeat sequences until you have them down pat.

You can learn to play piano online without years of piano lessons by learning easy to play written music. This type of music has simpler melodies and simpler chord constructions and progressions. This is music stripped down to its basics. After mastering this, a player can then add more elements to the music as their skill level increases. Many online sites employ easy play music systems.

Often, traditional piano teaching methods focus on more complex music theory and sophisticated arrangements of songs. For those who want to learn to play their favorite tunes quickly, this is not always the best method. Those who prefer the traditional classical music route via conservatory methods find this teaching suitable. Those who want to learn simple versions of their favorites for their own enjoyment often prefer the easy play method. It’s faster and less formal and demanding.

Online teaching methods offer much for piano students of all ages. A person can learn according to a schedule that suits their lifestyle. Are you a nighthawk? Then you can choose to study online at 3 a.m. if that works for you. Do you prefer a leisurely self-taught lesson spread out over a couple of hours or more? You can do this online easily. With personal in-home or studio instruction, the time limit is typically a half hour to an hour.

Learning to play the piano online allows you the convenience of all that technology offers. You can listen to notes as you click them on an online keyboard. While you play these notes, you can watch as they script onto an online musical staff. In this way, you immediately learn music notation as you play. You learn to see, for example, where a middle C note on the keyboard sits on the music staff. For those who want to learn music notation, this is very helpful.

Learning piano online can also give you access to a broad piano community. Many online sites enable students to engage in forum discussions with others learning the piano. With traditional music studio teaching, a person may encounter a handful of students. Online a music aficionado can have discourse with potentially thousands of people who share their interest. This allows for a great free flow of ideas and experiences.

If you wish to learn piano from home, at your own pace, check online piano teaching websites. They offer fun and quick methods for learning piano without the burden of travel and studio instructor costs. Learning to play piano online can save you time and money.

Please click here to learn piano from Duane online: http://www.playpiano.com/musicalmap.htm

Taking a Look at the Most Popular Songs of all Time in Classical Music

Like so many other music genres, classical music has a history replete with innovative compositions. The works of the great composers echo across the centuries to this day. We experience classical gems often as the backdrop to wonderful visuals on film. Around the world, there are numerous radio stations devoted strictly to classical music. Of course, CD stores abound with the latest in this genre.

Ask any piano student, young, or old, what their first exposure to music was. More often than not, they will cite classical pieces presented to them in simpler versions. Many a student has developed a love for the various classical styles from such piano lessons.

With that in mind, we’re going to look at a representation of the best-loved classical pieces. While by no means definitive, this list consists of songs considered by many to be popular. Just as in jazz, country and western and popular music, there are a myriad of impressive compositions to choose from in the classical field. Here are ten that make it onto many top-ten lists.

Fur Elise

Beethoven wrote his Bagatelle in A minor or “Fur Elise” (for Elise) in 1810. Beethoven, an influential composer and pianist, did his work between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music. Even as his hearing deteriorated, he continued to compose, conduct and perform. Beethoven scholars are not certain who the “Elise” of the piece was.

Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven gets double duty on this list. Moonlight Sonata is a beautiful composition often performed in recitals by piano students. He completed it in 1801. The official name of the whole piece is The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor “Quasi una fantasia”, Op. 27, No. 2, by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Canon in D Major

This is one of Johann Pachelbel’s most famous pieces of music. The song is often part of wedding ceremonies. It also makes its way onto many “best of” classical CDs. He wrote it during the Baroque period, around the year 1680.

The Nutcracker

This is a majestic symphonic work by Tchaikovsky. He composed this fairytale-ballet from 1891 to 1892. It is a Christmas favorite around the world. The beauty of this classical composition is the varied tempos, orchestrations, timbres and moods.

The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi composed this set of four violin concertos in 1723. It is his most popular and a popular part of the overall Baroque canon of music. The feel and mood of each concerto is varied. Vivaldi composed each to represent one of the four seasons.

William Tell Overture

Gioachino Rossini composed the overture to the opera William Tell. The finale is very familiar. People know this song as the theme music for the Lone Ranger radio and television shows. Rossini was an Italian composer who created operas, sacred music and chamber music.

Turkish Rondo

The formal name for this popular classical song is Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K 331. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote this song somewhere between 1778 and 1783 according to scholars. The last movement, Alla Turca, is the Turkish Rondo. It is one of Mozart’s best-known piano pieces.

Clair de Lune

This is a staple among beginning piano students in one form or another. It is the third movement of Claude Debussy’s piano suite, Suite bergamasque. Achille-Claude Debussy was a French composer considered a major figure working within the field of Impressionist music.

Hungarian Dances

Johannes Brahms composed the Hungarian Dances. They are a set of 21 dance tunes based mostly on Hungarian themes. They are among Brahms’ most popular works, with numbers 11, 14 and 16 being entirely original compositions.

Preludes (Chopin)

Preludes Opus 28 is Frederic Chopin’s most famous prelude work. These received original publication in 1839. Chopin wrote the Opus 28 preludes between 1835 and 1839. These are a set of twenty-four short pieces for the piano, one in each key.

The above is a minute sampling of the most popular songs of all time in classical music. With centuries of composition as its foundation, there is so much to choose from when considering the best in the classical field. It will be interesting to see what contemporary composers and compositions make it to this list in the years and decades to come.

Inversion seems like a strange word to use for music, doesn’t it? Actually it’s a very common term and is related to how chords are written. Composers use inversion in a variety of ways but primarily to make music sound smooth and subtle. Without inversion, chord changes would often sound jolting to the listener. Let’s look at how inversion works.

It’s important to understand that inversion deals with the lowest sounding pitch in a chord. Although we can invert a chord in a variety of ways, while we’re talking about inversion it’s only the bottom note that we’re moving. When we move other notes in a chord, we’re talking about voicing changes. Music theorists don’t have as many hard and fast rules for voice as they do for inversion.

If we look at a basic triad (remember the triad? C-E-G) When the first scale degree, also called the root, is the lowest sounding note, there is an absence of inversion. This is called root position. Root position is the most commonly used inversion (or lack of inversion) in popular music and used in traditional or classical music to end a phrase, movement, or entire piece of music. When you play a chord in root position, you are telling your listener that the piece is done. Other times, composers use it throughout a piece of music because it is a very pure an open sounding chord.

Next, if we take the “C” and put it at the top of the chord, we now have a chord that is spelled E-G-C. When the third of the chord (third scale degree) is the lowest sounding note, we have a first inversion chord. The most common use for this inversion is to make a chord a “passing” chord or bridge between two chords. It gives the bass voice a smooth walk up a scale as chords change.

While you may not notice first inversion chords as easily as you notice a root position chord, rest assured that they reside in your music quite frequently.

Now, let’s take our first inversion chord and flip it again. That “E” which is currently residing in the lowest spot will now be at the top. We’ve now inverted our chord again and we have a G-C-E chord. This second inversion chord is most commonly used in a “cadential” way. This is a big music theory term that means that this chord sets up a cadence.

For example, a I-V-I should look familiar to you if you read our article about cadences. The “V-I” is an authentic cadence. If the “I” chord before it is written in second inversion, it makes the “V” of the cadence even more of a cliff hanger than the “V” chord could do all by itself.

These are the three ways to write or invert a triad. As we get in to larger, more extended chords, they are even more inversions that serve specific purposes as well but for now, practice these inversions just with the basic triads. There’s plenty of time to learn the other types of inversions available to the composer.

Do you have memories that are linked to music?

Maybe it’s the piece that was played at your wedding. In our case, I didn’t walk down the aisle to “Here Comes the Bride”, but instead, to Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition”, specifically, “The Great Gate of Kiev”. This piano piece from 1874 seemed appropriate for a grand entrance, speaking of the wooden city gates about to be replaced with stone ones, but alas, which never happened. They were to commemorate the Tsar having escaped an assassination attempt and referred to hope for the future, an auspicious way to begin a marriage, we thought.

Maybe we should have stuck with Pachelbel’s “Canon” or “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and called it a day. But over the top spoke the language of our life, the composer adding his score to our special day.

It was not till many years later that we got around to adding children to our family, and found ourselves in a historic flat in Moscow, preparing to adopt our second son. Found near the luxury Smolensky Passage shopping center, this building was constructed especially for the ballet dancers and singers from the Bolshoi Theatre back in the early days. The thick parquet wood flooring would allow for any-hours private rehearsals and practice sessions without disturbing the surrounding neighbors.

You can imagine our surprise when, every night beginning between 11:00 and 12:00 midnight, a pianist on the floor above us would begin to play. A Tchaikovsky piano concerto with its octave chords boomed forth powerfully, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev following in close succession. We were in the presence of a master musician and his (or her) dreamily-evocative music transported us to the real Russia behind all of the modern trappings.

Musical memories lend strong feelings to many of life’s events. Perhaps it’s the music you heard while expecting your first child, or when working at your first job, or when dating that special someone. Music is the ornamentation of life, much like the lapel on a suit jacket, the ribbon in a girl’s hair, or the frame around a picture. Music fills in the white spaces and causes our hearts to sing.

Now imagine making music of your own. Maybe it escapes through your windows on a warm spring day, or cheers the hearts of family and friends. Perhaps it lifts the congregation around you in worship, or renders a patriotic moment on a holiday.

Start making music of your own and adding to the memories all around you. Music often expresses what we cannot, and takes us where we never imagined we would be.

———–Copyright 2012 – 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.)

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could sit down at a piano and play a song you like without having to read the music to do it? Maybe you’ve seen or even know people who are able to play music without the sheet music in front of them. If your goal is to play your favorite songs on the piano and don’t have a lot of interest in the Bach etude that you’re playing, understand this: In order to do one really well, you have to be able to do both. Let’s look at both ways of playing your favorite song.

The Sheet Music

The sheet music is what you are most likely working on in your piano lessons. Maybe pieces by the famed composers of old like Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, or more modern composers like Copeland or Debussy. This style of music, often mislabeled as “classical” music has to be played with exactly the same notes and exactly the same rhythms each time. Although you as the musician are encouraged to play it a little faster or slower, make some minor dynamic changes, and wait as long as you see fit on the fermatas, you can’t change the notes.

Musicians who learn an instrument largely based on practicing this type of music, as well as technical exercises, are considered to be classically trained. There are positives and negatives to this type of training. The biggest positive is the fact that a classically trained musician has an in depth understanding of her instrument and they know how to evaluate the smallest detail to make a performance better. They also learn to read music at the highest level and this skill is a must for any working musician.
One negative that is sometimes seen in classically trained musicians is that they don’t often receive a lot of instruction in improvisation and don’t have the ability to play music without it printed out in front of them. For styles like jazz and pop music, the ability to improvise is a must.

Chord Reading

The other way to learn music is by reading a chord chart or lead sheet. A lead sheet often has three pieces of information: The song lyrics, the melody written out using traditional music notation, and the chord symbols. For a pianist who is trained and has practiced reading chord symbols as well as musical notation, they could combine all three parts to play the song.

Chord symbols work like this: if a certain piece of music has a “C” written above the melody, that means that the entire measure (or until the next chord change) is based on the C major chord, C,E,G. That doesn’t mean that the pianist can’t play other notes but the bottom note in the left hand is most likely going to be a “C”. Within that chord, the pianist can improvise based on the song.

The advantage to this is that a pianist who is trained in this method can play virtually any song once they learn some basic improvisation and also learn their chords. The disadvantage is that other than ready a melody (one note at a time) the pianist probably won’t learn the technical skills to be a great pianist. Where traditional music reading often does a great job of teaching technique, chord reading comes in as the best way to learn music theory, the study of how music is constructed.

Why Not Mix Them?

That’s a great idea but before you get too proud of yourself for being an innovator, Bach and other pianists (actually Harpsichord players) of the Baroque Period thought of that. Using a system of symbols call figured bass, anybody claiming to be a keyboard player had to be able to read these figured bass symbols and improvise within the music based on the information from those symbols. Still today, every college music theory student learns how to use figured bass symbols which work the same way as chord symbols do now.

Ideally, a piano student will have a mix of both types of reading as both are important skills and will be used frequently. If you have only concentrated on one style of reading music, ask your piano teacher to work with you on both. The great thing is that one skill will help the other.

Want to learn to improvise? Click here: Improvise on the piano!

If you’re currently taking piano lessons and on our particularly frustrating days, you wonder how you’re ever going to use the piano in your music, many before you have asked the same question. The answer is easily found by looking at other artists. Below are seven artists who use or used the piano extensively in their work. If they can do it, so can you!

Billy Joel

Billy Joel may be the poster child for all of the people in the world who want to be musicians but don’t want to take piano lessons. Billy Joel was forced by his mother to take lesson because of that, he took a liking and went on to become a giant in the music world. Songs like “The Piano Man” may be his best known song but many don’t know that he also recorded and composed classical music as well.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder may be best known for his songs “Superstition” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You”. He can often be seen playing the piano but what is most spectacular is that he has been blind since shortly after birth. With his 22 Grammy awards and 30 top 10 hits, he’s living proof that music is accessible to everybody regardless of disability.

Sir Elton John

Known by some as the father of piano rock, Sir Elton John showed musical talent at an early age. As early as four years old he would listen to music and figure out how to play it on the piano. He entered the Royal Academy of Music on a full scholarship but like most musicians, he got his start playing in bars and pubs. He was eventually noticed and wrote songs like “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” as well as his tribute to Marylyn Monroe, “Candle in the Wind”

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis may not be widely known to the Generation X and Y generation but he is regarded as one of the pioneers of rock and roll. Elvis Presley once said that if he could play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis, he would quit singing. Lewis started playing piano as a child and mixed some of his favorite musical styles together to form what would later be called Rock and Roll. Although his parents thought his music was terrible, others didn’t. Today, he holds a spot in the rock and roll hall of fame.

Sarah Bareilles

Sarah Bareilles is best known for her hit single “Love Song” and is one of this generation’s top recording artists. She has been compared to such greats as Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Christina Agulara, and Sarah Mclaughlin for the way she integrates piano in to her music. She will appear as a celebrity judge on the third season of NBC’s The Sing Off.

Little Richard

Little Richard is often credited as the person that took the rock and roll style and put funk and soul style music in to it. He is best known for songs like “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Tutti Frutti”. Little Richard is almost always seen behind a piano pounding and using glissandos to add flare and personality to his music. Also a member of the rock and roll hall of fame, Little Richard was a mainstay in the fifties but still well known in the 21st century.

Randy Newman

Randy Newman, now primarily a film music writer is best known for songs like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and his body of work in six Disney movies including the Toy Story trilogy, Cars, Monsters Inc., and A Bug’s Life. He’s also written many other film scores as well as songs outside of the film genre. It is a rarity to see Newman performing his music without a piano as much of his music is piano centered. He wrote and sang “Short People” and the theme to the TV show “Monk”.

There could be many more musicians included on this list, but these are a few.

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Enjoy!

Today is the day we expand your musical vocabulary. Don’t be scared, though. Asking somebody to expand their musical palette is like asking them to try one of those gross gourmet foods like foie gras. (Beauty and succulent taste is in the eye of the beholder, right?)
You may have never heard of minimalism and if you have and later heard the music, you may have listened for a few minutes, fell asleep, and woke up after the piece was over.
Baroque music has its own style and sound just like Romantic or Impressionist music. These were each a style along the historic timeline and like most musical styles throughout history, minimalist music took its cue from the visual art world. Right about the time of World War II, this style of art emerged. History is full of instances where art of a certain period is a response to a style before it. Minimalism came about because the music of the early 20th century become complicated, noisy, and not very pleasing to the ear. (If you ask some of these minimalist composers. You may disagree with their opinion.)
Its roots are less than grand. This style is said to have come about in San Francisco by small groups of composers playing in lofts in the 1960s. It was considered experimental music and at the time, those composers probably didn’t have any idea that this new style would become an artistic mainstay. They felt that music needed to be easy to listen to and comprehend. The old adage that less is more rings true with minimalist music but much of it, especially the recent compositions, are quite grand.
Now that you know some of the history, before you run out and find some minimalist music, keep in mind that early minimalist and later minimalist are different. In fact, the more modern minimalist composers reject the label, “minimalist.”
Possibly one of the most famous composers adopting this style is Phillip Glass. His music may be simple but it is also very clear. The way he intertwines different motives and accompaniments makes for a beautiful kaleidoscope of sounds and colors. One of his more contemporary works, a film score to the movie, “The Hours” is well worth a listener’s time.
Another minimalist, John Adams has numerous well known orchestral pieces which sound very minimalist but to say they are simple would not be accurate. One of his famous pieces, “A Short Ride in a Fast Machine” is an exploration in musical math where a single wood block keeps a consistent pulse throughout the piece while motives weave around it. Even the most accomplished musicians have a tough time figuring out how these motives mathematically fit with this never-changing woodblock. It’s an incredible work that is a must for anybody exploring minimalist music.
If you haven’t listened to Minimalist music or you listened at one time and didn’t care for it, give it another chance. You probably didn’t find the right composer if you didn’t like it the first time around. Although some of it can come across as a bit boring to some, other pieces in this genre are loud, big, and exciting.

For more on music styles click here: http://www.playpiano.com/wordpress/piano-arranging/10-piano-styles-you-can-learn-to-play