Learn to Play Piano - 5 Elements of Music to Learn Before Taking Lessons

Learning to play piano or any musical instrument needs knowledge of the code that allows music to be read and to make sense.

1. Music is played at a speed depending on the type of music it is. To achieve this two things are written on the music. The first is to split the ledger lines (also known as the staff or stave) into sections with vertical lines. These are called bars or measures. Local to the clef on the left of the ledger lines, a time signature is placed there to show the timing of the music. This could be 4/4 or 3/4 or other such numbers. In the case of 4/4 this would mean that each section between the bars would have 4 beats or counts in each section. The other 4 would indicate the type of note that each of the beats would be. In this example the beats are quarter notes so are short notes meaning that the music would be of an average speed. If the time signature had been 4/2 there would still be 4 beats in each section but the number 2 represents a 1/2 note which is slower than a 1/4 note resulting in a slower speed.

2. The pitch between notes can have half pitch notes. These are called sharp notes or flat notes. They are represented on the music by the sign # for sharp and b for flat. Sharps and flats can be confusing as the same half note can be called sharp or flat. For example the half note above G is G# the whole note above G is A. The half note below A is exactly the same note as G#. This time we call it Ab.

3. Understanding where the half pitch notes on piano are is very easy. All you do at this stage is either go to the next black key to left or right of a white key this is counting up in half notes, Progressing from left to right the black notes will be called sharp and if progressing from right to left the black notes will be called flat.

4. Music can be played in a number of ways. Bright, sad, soft, loud, aggressively, to name just a few. In addition to the notes and timing the music has comments written on it. These can be whole words but are generally shortened to a single letter. An example would be (f) meaning fortissimo or loudly, or (p) meaning pianissimo or softly. There are many more that will need to be learned as your learning increases.

5. Not all music is suitable to be played by all instruments. The piano cannot bend strings as a guitar can or other such things. A guitar cannot play 5 bass notes and 5 upper pitch notes at the same time such as a piano can. A violin cannot play three or four notes at the same time to form a chord which flat string instruments can. The choice of music needs care to ensure it is suitable for your instrument.

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The Difference Between Taking Guitar Lessons Online Versus a Private Instructor

Learning to play the guitar online is quickly catching on and reducing the number of students who enroll to take private guitar lessons from local teachers and instructors. This is nothing new of course since the Internet has been changing the way we do many things over the past decade. However when it came to visual demonstration of things such as guitar or piano lessons it took a little while for the technology to catch up.

Early attempts to provide online guitar lessons failed due to slow Internet connections, expensive video production equipment and lack of software to well make things look good.

Fast forward ahead to today and there are thousands of people who are taking guitar lessons online and more following suit every day. Whether you pay for a membership to an online guitar course or learn from free guitar lesson videos there are a few main differences that beginners should be aware of before they decide to go the route of teaching themselves via the web.

Lesson Structure

When you take private guitar lessons you don't have to worry or even think about what you're going to learn next. After all that's why you're paying $15-$20 a week for you lesson right?

There is great structure found when you take lessons from a quality teacher. Of course there are some instructors are lacking structure as well. If we compare that to online lessons you'll find that many of the membership websites available provide a ton of lesson content but they lack the structure some beginners need. This sometimes mean that beginners are left with gaps in their knowledge later on because they missed a key concept.

Practice Routines

Like lesson structure being given a practice routine means all you have to concentrate on is what you're told. Your instructor tells you to practice the C major scale until you can fluently play it 10 times without errors. So you go home that week and each day you practice the C major scale trusting that there's a good reason why your instructor has asked you do so.

With guitar lessons online you aren't always given a routine to practice. You're often left up to your own to decide what topics are important enough for you to practice each week, and how much time you should spend watching new videos versus practicing the material you've already watched.

Accountability

While lesson structure and practice routines are more a mechanical part of lessons this last difference is really about mindset.

When you take private guitar lessons you're paying another person to teach you how to play the guitar. There's a built in accountability there for most. No one wants to look like a fool in front of their teacher if they haven't even picked up their guitar all week to practice. Not to mention your weekly lesson fee begins to become a huge waste of money. This accountability helps keep beginners on track and also pushes them through the often boring and tedious beginner topics of learning notes on each string, scales and mastering scale shapes.

With online lessons it does take a special type of person to have the self motivation and discipline to teach themselves and stick to a practice schedule. After all the only person you're responsible to when you teach yourself is you.

It's a good idea to get into a routine where you maybe watch a lesson on Monday and Thursday and then schedule 20-30 minutes every other day to practice. Sticking to a routine will help you maintain structure in your learning and ensure that you make the most from your $15 or $20 bucks a month you pay the online guitar lesson site you join

Not Sure Which Online Guitar Lessons to Try?

If you've done some research but feel stuck on which guitar lessons online are best for you stop by our website where we've compared and reviewed several of the top online and DVD guitar courses available. We're actual guitar players and either own or are members of each course we review. Visit us at http://www.guitarlessonsreviewed.com/.

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Is My Child Ready for Music Lessons?

Music teachers handle music students of all ages, and while it is never too late to improve one's voice or learn how to play an instrument, exposure to musical training is most beneficial during the early years. Children as young as toddlers can be effectively taught the piano, provided that they already show interest and readiness for music lessons.

One advantage to getting an early start on music lessons is that it also serves to enhance other intellectual skills. There are numerous studies showing how exposure to music during the early years has many benefits, such as improved mathematical abilities and spatial reasoning, improved concentration, longer attention spans, and increased self-confidence. Music teachers also emphasise that music lessons develop a child's ear for rhythm, melody, and other musical concepts, leaving them with a sincere appreciation for music that lasts well into adulthood.

While toddlers as young as three years old may already be ready to take music lessons, Most music experts recommend that parents should carefully consider their own child's current developmental stage. Although Music teaching experts teach voice and other instruments, students who begin young are usually started at piano; compared to other musical instruments, the piano requires less strength and coordination.

To determine whether your child is ready to take music lessons, consider the following checklist:

1. Interest

Does your child indicate a desire to sit at the piano for a few minutes at a time, and does he seem intrigued by the various sounds he can make by pounding the keys? Interest is perhaps the most crucial criterion in determining your child's suitability to take music lessons. After all, forcing him into taking lessons is bound to be more harmful than beneficial: he may form a negative perception against music and develop a resistant attitude towards learning.

2. Ability to sit still and take directions

Piano lessons take at least 15 minutes at a time, and your child must be able to focus on what the teacher is saying during this period. Although a good piano teacher knows how to provide timely and fun breaks, your child must have enough maturity to work seriously during lesson proper.

3. Motor Development

Your child must be able to dextrously use both hands, and isolate finger movements quite well. This is self-explanatory really, given that the piano keys need to be pressed in order to produce sounds.

4. Intellectual Development

Your child should be able to tell his left hand from his right, and know how to identify the different fingers in each hand. And while he does not need to know how to write, he should at least be able to recognise the letters A to G when he sees it written.

And on a final note, the best music teachers reminds parents that enrolling your child in music lessons also calls for a certain commitment on your part. Ideally, a music student should practice at least 15 minutes a day, and while parents are discouraged from coercing their kids into complying, it is a good idea to actually sit down with them and offer positive reinforcement.

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Music Lessons - Fulfill Your Thirst for Music!

Music is the very essence of life. Listening to music is the best way to get away from boredom or stressful thoughts. It makes you completely relaxed and eases all your worry. For some people listening to music might simply be a hobby or pastime. You will also come across people who desire to play music and wish to make a career out of it. Regardless of the reason of learning to play musical instruments, music lessons are progressively demanded. Its popularity is increasing day-by-day. Music lessons are mainly considered as formal teaching methods of playing music which is complied with singing.

Playing a musical instrument is not that easy as it sounds to be. You are required to undergo rigorous training in order to improve your skills. For a stipulated period of time, you are given suitable training by the music instructor. Basic instructions on how to grip the instrument and how to have a definite control over your fingers are learnt gradually with practice. They allot you with certain musical pieces and assist you in developing your technical as well as melodic abilities. Music lessons help amateurs to gain appropriate training and enhance their abilities to a great extent.

If you are conceited on the fact on becoming a guitarist, then Guitar Lessons will certainly be helpful to you. Learning acoustic guitar demands adequate knowledge of musical tunes. You are required to be trained from the very basics which comprise of reading musical sheets and playing the instrument with utmost perfection. A face-to-face conversation with your instructor is quite essential in order to judge the level of your performance and gain timely feedback. It allows you to rectify all your mistakes for delivering better results. Therefore, attending sessions of private or group music lessons becomes extremely important.

Piano is another pleasing instrument that offers beautiful musical compositions. For mastering the art of playing piano, you are required to undergo piano lessons. Being a beginner, you are supposed to visualize the keyboard keys and memorize musical notes. This involves a lot of patience and perseverance to keep trying until you can perfect it. Appropriate music lessons helps in accomplishing your dream of becoming a pianist. Apart from learning piano, you are also given the facility of enrolling for band instrument lessons as well as voice lessons.

With the assistance of online resources, you can gain information about various music schools that offers you the chance to learn musical instruments. Music school becomes an exclusive platform wherein you can polish your skills and acquire private lesson, attend musical workshops and artist development programs. You can go through reliable websites that provide insightful knowledge on music classes and their teaching module. It assists you in choosing affordable pricing package. Renowned music schools offer a comfortable environment and intrinsic learning ground to potential candidates. It is necessary that you check through their facilities provided before enrolling your child. In order to ensure the progress of your child's musical career, make sure that you don't compromise on the quality of learning centre.

M Schmidt is the author of this article on Music Lessons.

Find more information on Music School here.

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Angles On Playing The Guitar: Beginner Guitar Lessons

Teaching angles for beginner guitar lessons is not just about holding the guitar at the correct "angle". Nevertheless, it's more than just placing the neck in relation to the floor.

Angles to be aware of are:

The wrist in relation to the neck.The knuckles in relation to the fret board.The thumb and finger holding the pickThe angle of the pick between the thumb and finger.The angle of the pick against the stringsThe wrist angles for picking and strummingThe plucking finger anglesThe angles of both elbowsThe general tilt of the guitar bodyThe neck in relation to the floor.

To go over each angle in detail and to mention some others that keep cropping up can take weeks of lessons. Therefore the teacher should be aware of all the different degrees of angling that take place in beginner guitar lessons. Many good or bad habits will be formed because of this.

The best way to deal with angling is to show the student how one angle may vary in one player to the next, or even one position to the next.

No two players have the exact size and shape physical characteristics. Position wise, the same scale passage an octave higher will most definitely require a different angle placement of the elbow, wrist and knuckles. Sometimes the angle of the neck is even re-angled in order to accommodate a more adaptable position.

At his point in the early stages of beginning guitar lessons, it must be stressed that there is not one universal angle workable for everyone.
This is why when the student after being told how to position the hand at a particular angle, will fail to produce a clear sound.

Keep in mind fluidity of motion. Of course, we have basic positions, but let the student know that the positions are like guide posts that are aimed for and then moved away from. Fluid motion needs to be stressed or else one may end up being a very stiff and limited player.

To start the student off it would be wise to give only three major angles:
1. The Back and Spinal column at 90 degrees to the floor
2. Awareness of the angle of the wrist with the knuckles placed away from the frets
3. The angle of the pick against the strings.

It may be debatable since there does not seem to be much study on this subject, however, these are the most crucial angles in beginner guitar lessons. Keep watch over these angles as the student progresses and then correct the others as the student moves on to more advanced guitar lessons. Compliment angle instruction with guitar finger stretching exercises and the fluidity of motion should become apparent soon.

Gene Petty

You can learn guitar finger stretching exercises at Gene's site: http://www.onlineguitarlessonsforfree.com/.
Gene also has a few articles and beginner guitar lessons at http://downloadguitarlessonsfree.com/

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Guitar Lessons for Kids on DVD

For the longest time the best method of teaching younger kids and children to play guitar was using a private instructor. You'd enrol your child in lessons once a week and they'd practice every other day.

While the old method still works today children are far more technology savvy then they used to be. Considering they text their friends, carry cell phones and use social websites like Facebook constantly it's not such a far stretch to consider they might enjoy learning to play guitar using a DVD course rather then taking the same old private lessons.

In this article I want to outline why a guitar lesson dvd isn't just as good as but potentially better then private guitar lessons for your kids.

Attention Span

If you have kids then it comes as no surprise to you that most children have a short attention span. Trying to get them to sit down for hours at a time to focus on one thing is futile.

A regular private guitar lesson will usually last about 30-45 minutes per session. That's pushing the outer limits of a your kids attention span. With a guitar lesson dvd you'll generally have 15-20 minute sessions that you child will watch at a time.

This duration is easily digestible and with some fancy on screen graphics and multiple angle demonstrations of chords, scales and other techniques you're kids will stay involved for the entire lesson.

Learn at Home

Some kids are shy, they don't like being left any where without their parents. For this reason learning guitar from a dvd course can also be ideal. They will be able to learn from the comfort of home and not have to attend any private lessons at someones how they don't know or at a conservatory of music where there are a lot of people they don't know.

Learn with them

This is probably the best reason of all to use a guitar lesson dvd for kids rather then enrolling them in a private instructional program. Want to bond with your son or daughter? Why not learn guitar with them?

Buying a guitar dvd course means both you and your child can learn from the same resource at the same time. It will be fun for you and them.

Saves You Money and Time

Now I mentioned all the benefits to your kids, but what I haven't mentioned is the huge benefit that it can offer you. You will save money teaching your kids guitar using a DVD course versus paying for expensive private lesson each and every week.

While a guitar dvd might cost you $150 bucks or so up front you won't have to pay any ongoing fees.

Also the time you take to drive your child to a guitar class once a week in the evenings or after school will be eliminated since they'll be taking their guitar instruction right from the comfort of home.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Does using a guitar lesson dvd for your child sound like an interesting alternative to more traditional private instruction methods, but you're not sure where to start looking for the right course?

We've compared and used many of the webs top dvd and online guitar courses. You can read all about our experiences and use our reviews to help make your purchase decision. Visit us and check out our top rated courses at GutiarLessonsReviewed.com

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Piano Lessons - Modern Methods of Teaching Piano

Crossover artists and their overwhelming rise in popularity brought fresh dimensions to the international music scene. Music education around the world has also grown with this development. Institutions and teachers in many countries, especially those that are among the world's sources of talented artists and musicians, have embraced the arrival of this new genre.

Music schools before were highly concentrated on classical training, especially when trying to learn how to play the black and white keys. These days, institutions, big and small, offer classes that make students proficient in playing classical and the more modern genres like ragtime, jazz, blues and even rock, among others. Some even encourage students who wish to start learning by playing a portable keyboard to go ahead and do so. The teachers would even provide them assistance on particular functions of keyboards and would be happy to discuss comparison of keyboards, acoustic pianos and electric pianos.

Many teachers and schools that offer piano lessons now also entice students into learning by letting them play the music pieces they want, even if it is rock, pop, jazz or anything that is not classical. Gone are the days when you are strictly confined to start playing the instrument using classical pieces. To further promote appreciation of and excitement in learning music, particularly in the young ones, institutions and teachers now also include chord chart reading in their courses, aside from playing according to notes. Perhaps, educators have realized that most of these students would use their talents in music genres other than classical, anyway.

Progressive piano courses are also currently among the famous types of beginner piano lessons in different countries. These courses are aimed at cultivating in students not just music reading ability, but also eye-hand coordination, understanding various music styles and other relevant skills.

Achievement of serious goals is also an encouragement for the more intense students. Some schools provide training to make sure students pass international accreditations, certifications and competitions. Select schools in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia prepare students for grueling examinations for the musically gifted like those of the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), which is the top musical assessment body in the world. Success in these tests and contests would open doors for flourishing careers in music.

Whether it's for leisure or for a real music career, there are varied ways to start taking piano lessons. Before beginning to attend one, you might want to check if the concentration of the school or teacher fits your style and your needs.

Piano lessons Melbourne will teach you how to play the instrument, regardless of the genre you're interested in. From classical to modern, teachers will teach you both music theory and performance.

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Voice Lessons and Singing Tips - How to Project Your Voice

Many singers struggle with voice projection. They all want to know how to sing with a powerful, loud, strong voice. Once you have established good breathing techniques here are some things a singer can do to improve their voice projection.

1. Lift your soft palate. It gives much- needed space to the back of your throat to allow more sound out. I've seen singers sing with lots of effort, but that effort is not reflected in their volume because they are simply not giving more space in the backs of their throats.

2. Relax your tongue. For many, this is a positive side effect of lifting your soft palate. A tense tongue will over work your throat which actually tightens and diminishes the sound. Here's an exercise you can do to help you accomplish this. Begin talking as if your tongue is fat and heavy, as if someone has numbed it. You can even practice by reading this paragraph out loud. You can practice singing 'Amazing Grace' or some other familiar tune in this manner while focusing on not allowing your tongue to 'get in the way'. As you practice, you will hear your voice begin to free itself.

3. Keep your vowel forward. Be sure to keep vowels relatively bright by singing I the mask. It will allow your voice to feel as if it is floating. A good way to learn how to 'float' your voice is by doing lip trills on ascending and descending scales. Lip trills allow your voice to have an ideal placement since you are more focused on keeping the trills going rather than focusing on your voice. This makes your throat relax since your focus is your lips instead of your throat. Your voice will project effortlessly with this technique.

4. Sing through your consonants, don't swallow them. There's the old warm up that comes to mind: "the tip of the tongue, the teeth and the lips'. Keep the consonants at the tip of your tongue and keep them light and easy to sing through. For example, If you are singing on a nonsense syllable of 'da' in the exercise 'da- da- da- da- da', the /d/ sound should not involve your entire jaw to close and all teeth touching. This makes it hard for the back of the throat to stay in a good position for singing. Instead, the tip of your tongue should be behind your top teeth. This way, the /a/ is much easier to sing through regardless of pitch.

Singing with a strong voice can happen by practicing the correct vocal techniques. If we learn to sing with less emphasis on our throats and we will emerge as better singers.

I want to hear from you! If this article was useful, please let me know your comments! Sign up for my FREE 7- Day Ezine on the "Secrets to Great Singing" at http://www.dileesahunter.com/.

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You Think You're Too Old to Start Guitar Lessons? Think Again!

No one is too old to start his or her guitar lessons. Music is for all ages, if you want to learn the instrument, nothing is impossible. Everyone has musical talent. Some are just more talented than the rest. Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do it because of the old adage "You cannot teach old dogs new tricks." If you have determination and perseverance, you can play the guitar whatever your age is.

Studies have proved that age is not considered as obstacle for adults to learn guitar, instead poor attitude, self-consciousness and impatience are. Older people may also find it hard to learn a new skill, especially when it is an instrument but when you are willing to put your time and effort, you'll be playing like a pro in no time.

A traditional way of learning is by having a music teacher. It is more advantageous for you to take an instructor and have private lessons. This is helpful for adults who are shy and doesn't want to sit beside a child during a group class. You can take a lesson in a music studio or in your home, whichever you prefer. This type of learning provides you with a rigid course schedule. This may include an hour of instruction for specific days in a week, of course, you need to do your share and practice in between classes as well. If you are with a group, the instructor will be facilitating activities that correspond to the learning phases of the guitar lesson. By the end of the course, the whole class will be doing a musical recital to showcase their newly acquired skills. Another choice is to have the instructor come to your house for a home lesson. This will save you gas and you get to be in a comfortable place to learn.

If you don't have time for the first type of guitar lesson because of work or personal obligations, another option is taking guitar lessons through DVDs. This will allow you to take your time and progress at your own phase. You follow your own schedule - you can choose when the best time to practice is. Some DVDs may include playing tips from famous guitarists. What is great about DVD lessons is that it costs less than a private instructor. When you are with a tight budget or you just don't want to spend a lot of money for a guitar lesson, this will do. Find an instructor whose style suits you and who you enjoy listening or watching for a long time.

The important things are the reasons why you wanted to learn guitar lesson. Do you want to learn to challenge yourself? Do you want music to be a creative outlet? Or maybe you want to learn to impress your friends and family, providing entertainment during gatherings? Or probably you wanted to become a rock star? Whatever your reason is, the important thing is that there will be no regrets at the end of the line, because you have at least learned something that you wanted to do rather than not even trying.

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