I took piano lessons from the time I was 6 until about 13, but didn’t really get into music until I had a chance to play piano in the school combo my freshman year in high school. The piano player … Continue reading →
Figured bass is a type of notation that uses numbers to denote certain intervals or chords. It can be viewed as a sort of musical shorthand; only the bass note is shown on the staff, and the numbers written underneath … Continue reading →
I’m sure that you have had the experience sometime in your piano-playing life when someone asks you to play a song — but in a different key than in which it is written. It might be a singer wanting you … Continue reading →
Several people have asked me if guitar chords are the same as piano chords. The answer is yes and no. No — because they are fingered entirely different, and of course the tone color of the sound is different. Yes … Continue reading →
I have had many people call or write me and ask me something like this: “I play by ear, or by chords, but lots of music doesn’t have chord symbols written in — how do I know what chord to … Continue reading →
Can You Become The Piano Player Of Your Dreams in 2008?7 Piano Playing Goals To Accomplish in 2008 As you begin this new year, here are seven goals for you to accomplish within one year — 2008. Of course you … Continue reading →
Can Beginners Really Play Christmas Carols This Christmas? If you are just starting out on your piano playing journey — learning to play the piano — you probably don’t think it is possible to abe able to play Christmas Carols … Continue reading →
Not a single professional musician plays the music exactly as it appears on a piece of sheet music. Instead, they use the written music as a map, or an outline, and then proceed to do their own thing with it. … Continue reading →
As a piano teacher for many years now, I have had countless students ask me some variation of this question: “What fingers should I use on such and such a note, or such and such a chord?” And my answer … Continue reading →
A solid knowledge of music theory is absolutely crucial to a musician who wants to become proficient in sight reading. Besides acting as the basis for understanding the notes, a music theory education provides the ability to see patterns within … Continue reading →
