Posts Tagged ‘play piano online’

Learning to Play Ode to Joy on the Keyboard

You have never played the keyboard. Your task is to start learning the keyboard and to perform “Ode To Joy” at the mid-year concert.

You will have one term of learning and ten half hour private lessons with a teacher before the concert.

So what is a keyboard?
A keyboard is an electronic piano-like instrument which has many functions to create varying sounds and rhythms. The most popular keyboards have four or five octaves.

and the keys are the same size as the piano. Keyboards vary so it is best to follow the manual to work what does what.

Step By Step Learning Guide
You can follow this guide, a teacher to show , play and guide you and a suitable tutor book which has information, exercises and pieces, including “Ode To Joy”.

Step 1: Introduction To Music

You will learn the following:

1. The musical alphabet: A B C D E F G

2. The white and black keys: The black notes are grouped in Twos and Threes in the same repeating pattern.

3. Your first note(s) C: ‘C’ is found to the left side of the Two Black Notes. Find all ‘C’s and play them.

4. Numbering your fingers: Start with the thumb as number 1, then work through the fingers 2, 3, 4 with the little finger as 5.

5. Basic Notation:

clef signs: treble clef – use right hand
-bass clef – use left hand
-grand staff: the set of five horizontal lines used to read notes in the treble clef joined with a vertical line to another set of five lines underneath, used for the bass clef
-bar lines: the horizontal lines seen regularly on the grand staff
-bar or measure: the music written between two bar lines
-double bar lines: two thin double bar lines indicate a change of theme in the music
-one thin and one thick double bar line indicates the end of a piece

6. Time Signatures: The figure after the clef sign tells us how many counts there are in each bar. To begin with we only need to read the top figure.

eg 4 count 4 in each bar 3 count 3 in each bar

4 4

7. Note lengths: You will learn 4, 3, 2, 1 count or beat notes with their given names of semibreve, dotted minim, minim, crotchet respectively.

8. The keyboard can play and sound like a piano or like a keyboard where there is a split point. This means that notes played to the right of that split point are melodic and played with the right hand. Notes played to the left of the split point are on the Accompaniment Section where chords with the left hand are played along with any rhythm which has been set

9. Your first tune: This will be ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb using any set of three black notes and your second , third and forth fingers.

Step 2: Playing Notes and Tunes With Your Right Hand by:

1. finding and playing all C’s, D’s, E’s, F’s, G’s separately on the keyboard. Each letter name has a specific place related to the black notes; therefore you can find eg all E’s on keyboard by playing the note to the right of the set of two black notes.

2. playing rows of one note using each of the four note lengths learnt in step 1 part 7. eg row of F’s on 3 beat notes

3. playing rows of one note using varying note lengths.

4. making up your own tunes using C D E F G and 4, 3, 2, 1 beat notes.

5. learning to read and play middle C D E F G
Middle C is the C closest to the middle of the keyboard.
Use the fingering 1 for C, 2 for D, 3 for E, 4 for F, 5 for G
Follow the guidance of your teacher and your tutor book to give you exercises and pieces to practise. Count out loud to help keep you in time. Numbers above the notes are the fingering numbers and means you play that particular note with the finger related to that number.

Please note that when learning a new exercise or piece you:
~ name each note
~ clap and count out loud the rhythm
~ play and say the notes

6. Read and play ‘ Mary Had A Little Lamb’ on the white notes using middle C D E F G

Step 3: Left Hand Notes In the Accompaniment Section:
You will start learning
1. six notes starting on G one and a half octaves below middle C; namely G A B C D E and using your left hand fingering 5 4 3 2 1 1 respectively.
You should have pictures of the keyboard and note positions plus relevant music to play and practise in the tutor book.

2. Chords: A chord is a group of notes played at the same time. A letter name eg C is placed above the melody to indicate which chord to play.

You will learn ~ C major chord – G C E

~ G major chord – G B D

~ F major chord – A C F or F A C

3. Tunes with right hand melody and the left hand chords.
There will be tunes just with C and G chords and then with F added.
Learn each hand separately first and when secure put the two hands together

4. Repeat Signs: these are signs to indicate repeating a section of music.

First and Second Time Bars: these are used when there is a section of music repeated but have two different endings.

Step 4: Introducing The Tie
A TIE is a curved line written above or below notes of the same pitch. The second note is not played but held for its full value.

You will practise exercise and pieces related to the TIE and what you have learnt previously.

Step 5. Introducing Quavers
You will learn what 1 quaver looks like, what 2 quavers look like and that each quaver gets half a count.
Follow your book for exercises and pieces.

Step 6: Introducing The Dotted Crotchet and Ode To Joy
1. Dotted Crotchet:
When you place a dot after a note it increases that note by half as much again.
A crotchet equals one beat and the dot after this beat equals half a beat. So a dotted crotchet equals one and a half beats.
A dotted crotchet is therefore followed by a quaver to complete the second beat.

dotted crotchet quaver

1 1/2 + 1/2 = 2 beats

counted 1 2 +

2. Ode To Joy

Learn this piece as you have learnt all the others.

When you can play this piece with two hands then it is time to use some functions on the keyboard to enhance the piece.

Some of the functions are:

a. Sounds: Experiment with the range of sounds your keyboard has by pushing the sound button followed by a number related to your chosen sound. Pick a suitable sound.

b. Dual Sound: This is where you can set two sounds together to get an effect. When you play a piece you can play a single sound, dual sound or mixture of both.Keyboards may or may not have this feature.

c. Metronome: Press this button and you can practise keeping in time.

d. Drum Beat: Play your piece with a background drum beat on the press of a button

e. Style: There are a wide range of background rhythms you can pick on the press of the style button followed by entry of a number given to the chosen style.
Ode To Joy has 4 beats in a bar so there will be a limitation of choice. Pick a suitable rhythm.
When you change the chord you play in the left hand the sound of the rhythm changes.

f. Introduction and ending: There may be a button you can push to give you an automatic introduction and ending to your piece.

Experiment with the above functions and add them to your piece. You may like to consider repeating the piece to show off the varying keyboard features. Sometimes putting a piece up an octave for a repeat works.

This is your 6 step written guide to learning ‘Ode To Joy’. You will need music to read, as in a tutor book plus a keyboard teacher to guide you.

Good luck and Enjoy The Concert

I am a business person providing a service as a keyboard, piano, flute, recorder teacher and work at home opportunities.

Take the technique of learning Ode To Joy to any piece.

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Hilary

Fast Fingers

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Learn How to Play the Keyboard – Mistakes That People Make

It is actually very easy to learn how to play the keyboard. All you need is starting out with the right components and follow up with consistent practices to become a good keyboard player. Some people make some silly mistakes because they were ill-advised in the beginning and end up wasting a lot of time and money in a bid to learn how to play the keyboard. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid if you want to get your keyboard learning off to a flying start.

1. Learning from the wrong sources

The worst possible thing to happen when you learn how to play the keyboard is to learn from the wrong people who provide you with unsuitable material. When it comes to choosing the right piano teachers, it is always better to stick to the ones who are more experienced in this field. Similarly, when it comes to buying the right course that teaches you how to play, do not always make your decisions based on price. There are good online courses that are much more educational compared to the more expensive ones, but having said that, it certainly does not mean the cheap ones are all good as well. Always look around and do your research first.

2. Unprepared mentally

To learn how to play the keyboard depends heavily on your attitude. Some people claim to want to learn to play the keyboard, but they are not prepared to put in the hours and efforts to practice. There are also others who started out very seriously, but lose steam as time goes on. The simple fact is, the more time you put into practicing, the better you will get at playing the keyboard. The process cannot be any more straightforward because you need to go through the phase of making mistakes, to be able to improve on them and learn what it takes to play a particular song well. The process basically repeats itself as you go on, regardless of what level you are at.

3. Skipping on the basics

There is a group of people that want to learn the keyboard to play their favorite songs. There is nothing wrong with that except that they will be limited to just playing those few songs well. By not paying attention to the important foundation completely, they usually sound very imbalanced and unsteady when they play the keyboard because of wrong hand postures. Skipping the basics such as learning music theory can make progress very inflexible, and at some point of time they will be forced back to the basics.

The common mistakes that people make to learn how to play the keyboard are often ones that can be easily avoided through better judgments right from the start. There is nothing that discourages motivation more than bumping into too many walls when we learn. Thus, it is extremely crucial to embark on the right path to prevent unnecessary problems in the future.

If a cat can do it – you’ll be a master in no time.

charlie schmidt’s “cool cat”

What You Get When You Learn to Play Piano Keyboard

When you are capable of playing the piano keyboard, a lot of people look up to you. This is because it is a skill that is acquired through a sense of discipline that only a few has. A lot of people want to learn how to play the keyboard, however, not all of them are given the privilege to learn it. Only a few are endowed with the gift.

They say that it is only possible to be skilled in playing the piano keyboard if you start learning in your younger years. This is so not true. All people of all ages can learn how to play it as long as they have the willingness, perseverance, passion, discipline, and, of course, the resources to be able to do it.

A lot of piano keyboard lessons are available anywhere, however, not a lot of people can afford it. Learning just the basics can cost hundreds to even thousands of dollars depending on the school or the teacher that you will hire. The good news is, because of the existence and the power of technology, you can now learn to play the piano keyboard through the internet and through learn-to-play-piano-keyboard software that have been designed to suit anyone – young or old, rich or poor, musically inclined or not. The lessons are now made easier because of the step-by-step processes which may be in text or in video or audio. What’s best in learning it online or through piano lessons software is that you can learn it at anytime, at your own convenience, without having anybody at your back trying to push you if you do not want to be pushed. And best of all, they are much cheaper than going about it the traditional way.

You will be able to savor the following benefits when you play piano keyboard:

1. It can relieve fatigue, stress, anxiety, and the like since piano keyboard music creates a soothing effect on the artist. Not only that, it also creates a ripple effect to whoever is listening to it.

2. It inculcates a sense of discipline that is needed to be able to acquire the skills. This sense of discipline can be carried on to anything that you set your heart to do.

3. It gives way for self-esteem to grow.

4. Once you learn to play it, you will be able to feel a sense of accomplishment that no other feeling can beat.

Learn how to play piano keyboard now so that you will experience all of these.

Learn to play piano keyboard and you will improve motor skills, increase you musical ability and impress your friends and family. Start today living a dream, play piano keyboard and gain a whole new sense of self.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bart_Icles

Learn How to Play the Keyboard – Your Checklist to Get Started

So you want to be learn how to play the keyboard? Congratulations, by accessing this article, you have already taken the correct first step. Below I have compiled a list of checklist to ensure that you are well-prepared to get started.

Here is the checklist:

• A keyboard to practice on
• A metronome to aid you in the keyboard practices
• A good keyboard teacher or a good keyboard course suitable for beginner
• Willingness to sacrifice at least 2 hours a day to keyboard practice
• Motivation to seek constant improvement
• Determination to learn keyboard playing well
• 100% Focus

Besides the obvious options, such as the keyboard and metronome, note how important it is for you to be mentally prepared to learn how to play the keyboard. The best education and materials can be accessed, but if you are half hearted and not yet 100% sure that you are serious about learning how to play the keyboard, then you may want to take a step back before diving straight into it.

Another emphasis that I have for beginners is still about choosing the right course. There are people who prefer to pay more and hire a personal piano teacher, but my personal recommendation is in buying a good online course. There are great courses, such as Rocket Piano, that are extremely affordable and useful for beginners.

The main benefit of buying a course to learn how to play the keyboard from the internet is in the accessibility. When you sign up for a keyboard class at music school or hire a personal teacher, you do not stand to learn as much in a pace that suit you personally, simply because you are restricted by the amount of time you have with each lesson. Buying an online course, however, allow you to access all the downloadable materials any time when you want to, providing great convenience for beginners who seriously want to learn how to play the keyboard.

There is not much cost consideration for someone who is interested to learn how to play the keyboard. Unlike the past where the hardware can be costly, learning how to play the keyboard is no longer an expensive skill to acquire. As long as you have a genuine interest to learn, a keyboard to practice on and a right course that can be bought off the internet, you are well-equipped to develop into a proficient keyboard player.

My name is Bryan and I have been playing the piano for over ten years. I personally know what it takes to become a good piano player. If you want to learn how to play the piano, visithttp://www.lifesmusic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Smitty

Learn to play the keyboard or piano

Learn How to Play the Keyboard – Why You Need an Online Keyboard Course

An online keyboard lesson is actually a good way to learn how to play the keyboard at your convenience. You can save a lot of unnecessary time such as traveling between classes, as well as sacrifices to make sure that you do not miss your keyboard classes. An online keyboard course allows you to learn to play the keyboard at a comfortable progress rate, and most importantly, you have the ultimate control to learn how to play the keyboard. This article will discuss two of the benefits that come with buying an online keyboard course.

No need to pay for what you do not like

Online keyboard courses usually come with money back guarantee, which is a great perk for you if you are unfamiliar with how to choose the right online keyboard course. These money back guarantees usually come with the “no questions asked” term, so it gives you the liberty to check out the course before committing to a decision. If you are unsure of using online courses as a way to learn how to play the keyboard, the refund policy acts as an insurance for you to explore this option thoroughly.

Learn the fun way

When you learn how to play the keyboard, do not force yourself to go through the process of repetitive syllabus which does not interest you. Some online courses emphasize on learning the basics through playing games, and while having fun you acquire a strong foundation to prepare you for advance techniques later. Some popular syllabus also uses pop songs and jazz favorites as the materials to practice on, so you can actually have some fun with your favorite tunes instead of being stuck with classical music that do not excite you.

A big factor to learn how to play the keyboard first starts with a sense of satisfaction on your end. It is pointless to go ahead with any form of learning if your interest level is not high, therefore people enjoy learning from the online keyboard courses more than monotonous private keyboard lessons. Also, the materials provided to you are new and fun, so you do not need to worry about being restricted to do what your teacher wants you to do instead of what you want to do. Being able to carry forward a passion and excitement for learning is actually one of the keys for you to sustain your efforts to reach your eventual goals.

There is no time like the present to start playing the piano or keyboard. If you procrastinate you will never do anything. If you want to learn the secret to effectively playing the keyboard or piano for that matter then click here.

My name is Bryan and have been playing the piano for over ten years. I know what it takes to become a good keyboardist. Start learning how to play the keyboard today. Go tohttp://www.lifesmusic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Smitty

20 Basic Rhythms

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Edward