September 19th, 2008 by Lisa | 2 Comments »
Can you learn piano on a keyboard? Absolutely!
Oops, I might get some teachers and students who will disagree with me, but I am going to take a stand and I’ll tell you why.
First, you should know that the piano and the keyboard have the same exact pattern of keys and reading music for both instruments are exactly the same!
Second, you should also know that even though you can learn on a keyboard, there is a recommended minimum requirement that will work the best. You should have a keyboard (any brand or model) that has at least 61 keys, and have the touch sensitivity feature. The touch sensitivity feature is what allows you to play a key and produce a loud or quiet sound, according to how hard or softly you play it. The 61 keys provides enough keys to learn how to play the piano with both hands, and to progress through more advanced music.
Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of learning on a keyboard:
1. I have three favorite benefits. The first one is the ability to use headphones. What this means for me, is that I can practice anytime I choose. Whether it be while everyone is watching TV, sleeping, or studying! No one can hear me! While I am learning a new song, I don’t want anyone to hear my mistakes and so I feel “safe” inside my headphones!
2. My second favorite benefit is the ability to use the different sounds and rhythms that a keyboard has to offer. I can make my music sound entirely different by just changing the keyboard from sounding like a piano, to sounding like a flute, or trumpet, or even a full string section of an orchestra! This benefit gives me a reason to practice even more because as I try different instruments, I am repeating my songs, over and over! Great for teaching kids! When I turn on a rhythm, such as a waltz, it forces me to play the song with correct timing – it’s like having a built in teacher!
3. The third benefit of keyboards is they are portable! You can take them anywhere! Well, maybe not to the bathroom, but almost anywhere else! ~smile~ I take my keyboard with me to events such as birthday parties, and holiday gatherings for sing-a-longs. I have even taken it to the beach and used it around a bonfire. (The beauty of using batteries!) Get the picture?
Well, there it is. My personal thoughts about keyboards, as a user, and as a teacher. ~smile~
With all that said, I must admit, I do love my piano. When no one is around, I love to sit for hours and just play!
Most of the time, however, you will find me hiding in my headphones.. ~smile~
Lisa
For more information about learning to play the piano or keyboard, visit:
http://www.learnpianoonline.com/welcome.html
September 19th, 2008 by Lisa | No Comments »
Whether you have a small keyboard with 61 keys, or a full size piano with 88 keys, it’s still seems endless, with no beginning or end. The only way to tell the keys apart are whether they are black or white! Argh,… how are you going to learn the names and locations of so many keys! I have very good news for you.. the piano is a repeat of 7 keys, over and over!
How the Piano is Organized
Learning how the piano keys are organized will give you a strong feeling of confidence and a head start before you start reading music. I am going to teach you in just a few easy steps, how to look at your piano and not feel overwhelmed.
Let’s start by looking at the black keys. You may or may not have noticed, but the black keys are grouped in two’s and three’s. If you are at a piano, locate all the groups of two and all the groups of three. Notice that the groups alternate with each other. These alternating groups of two and three black keys is how the piano is organized, and how you will be able to locate specific white keys very quickly.
Locating Specific Keys in Turbo Mode!
With your right hand, point to the white key in between any group of two black keys. That key is D. Every group of two black keys has a D positioned between them. Now you can locate all the D’s on the piano very quickly by locating the groups of two black keys!
From here it is very easy to learn the 7 keys of the music alphabet. The music alphabet is A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
They are all white keys and are located in that same order on the piano. If you know where D is, then it will be easy to find the others! A-B-C are the three keys before D, and E-F-G are the three keys after D.
Wait! Why did I ask you to use your right hand?
If you used your right hand to point to the D with your pointer finger, then your thumb will naturally be placed on C. Placing your thumb on C is a common starting point for learning the piano.
If you can find C on the piano very quickly, by first finding D, then you have already had your first piano lesson! ~smile~
Happy Practicing!
http://www.learnpianoonline.com
September 16th, 2008 by Lisa | 1 Comment »
I have to thank my friend Kidino, once again for a beautiful job designing my new blog page! Wow…
I am hoping to see all of you here, visiting and making comments on my blog posts! This will be a fun place to visit full of information and answers to all your questions about learning piano! ~smile~
Your Online Piano Teacher,
Lisa
http://www.LearnPianoOnline.com
September 16th, 2008 by Lisa | 1 Comment »
I have to thank my friend Kidino, once again for a beautiful job designing my new blog page! Wow…
I am hoping to see all of you here, visiting and making comments on my blog posts! This will be a fun place to visit full of information and answers to all your questions about learning piano! ~smile~
Your Online Piano Teacher,
Lisa
http://www.LearnPianoOnline.com
