Music Intervals — What Are They?
One note played alone is termed a “unison.” Two notes played simultaneously or adjacently are called “intervals.” Three or more notes in combination are termed “chords.”
Continue reading →Duane
Duane Shinn (that would be me) has good news for you if you want to play the piano. He (me) has little fat hands & stubby little fingers - not at all suited for playing the piano - more suited to making mud pies or some such. I am also fairly uncoordinated with just average musical ability - certainly not a great piano player. But I've learned a ton about music over the years and people tell me I'm pretty decent at explaining how music works & how to progress more rapidly on the piano. Over the years I have developed about 150 techniques for conquering the piano. Most professional pianists can do these techniques, but very few can explain them in a way people can understand. I specialize in making complex techniques simple. I invite you to watch a few of my free videos and see some of these for yourself before making any decision about taking any of my courses.
What is a “lead sheet”?
A lead sheet is a piece of music that contains only the melody (tune of the song) and the chord symbols that go with it (and sometimes the lyrics). Musicians read the melody while taking their clues from the chord symbols.
Continue reading →Music and Medicine: Why Do So Many Medical People Play The Piano?
Playing piano has many applications in daily life, including work/career. Many doctors agree, despite few scientific studies on the matter, that playing piano can even make a better doctor.
Continue reading →Learn to Play the Keyboard
Aside from learning to play the keyboard just for fun, students often choose to play the keyboard because it is said to be easier than learning to play a piano.
Continue reading →Learn to Play Music
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.
Continue reading →Online Piano Instruction for Adults
You’re an adult learning the 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 age information age, online piano instruction is a great place to start. It’s easy, quick and often free of charge.
Continue reading →What every piano player should know about “transposing instruments” (instruments in Bb, Eb, F)
Instruments such as a trumpet and clarinet (tuned to Bb) and alto saxophone (tuned to Eb) require transposing. For example, when the written note C is played on a trumpet, it is the same note as an Bb on a piano. Other instruments requiring transposing include English horn, alto flute, baritone sax, and French horn.
Continue reading →The Power Of Concerts To Motivate Young Musicians
Among the many ways to motivate a young musician one of the finest ways is to take that young musician to a concert. It really doesn’t matter what kind of concert it is – it just has to be a concert of good music.
Continue reading →Vince Guaraldi: The “Charlie Brown Sound”
Vince Guaraldi’s music will forever stand as the sound of Charlie Brown. While other composers wrote quality music for Charlie Brown TV specials after his death, he is the true original. His jazz riffs that are part of the Peanuts musical oeuvre are instantly recognizable. His musical talent was a gift to the American public.
Continue reading →The Triple Threat of Steve Allen: Pianist, Writer and Comedian
One of the most legendary musical satirists of the 20th century, pianist and comedian Steve Allen was born Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen on December 26, 1921 in New York City. His mother and father were Vaudeville comedians with the stage names Belle Montrose and Billy Allen.
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