Piano Lessons – 2 Tips

June 3rd, 2010 Brian

Piano Lessons:

Touch

– It is necessary to acquire an appropriate touch when playing the piano. Many students sometimes dump their fingers into the keys. This gives a harsh tone. This can be corrected by explaining to the students the cause of finger dumping. This cause is playing the keys from a height rather than keeping close to the keys.

Piano Lessons:

Touch

When playing piano pieces the music should sound buoyant
,not plodding and heavy, and thus, sound as though it is going somewhere. Poor buoyancy may often be caused by finger dumping into the keys.

For online piano lessons or keyboard lessons (six week courses) go to Piano-Keyboard Intro online class or Piano-Keyboard Advanced online class.

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Graduation Ceremony – Graduate Certificate of Music Practitioner Studies

May 30th, 2010 Brian

On 10th March 2010 I travelled to Perth and attended a graduation ceremony at Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia. I received the Graduate Certificate of Music Practitioner Studies. I commenced these studies in January 2009 and completed same in June 2009. The subjects included two assignments and a Power Point Display.

a proud moment; shaking hands with Michael Chaney Chancellor of The University of Western Australia

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LVS Online Classes Updates

April 25th, 2010 Brian

LVS Online ~ Where Learning is Fun!
Registration for the May 2010 Session is Open!

Registration for the May 2010 Session is Open! LVS Online offers hundreds of affordable online classes taught by dedicated instructors who love to share their knowledge. Learn something new at LVS Online – Where Learning is Fun!
Over 100 online courses are now open for enrollment!
Returning students receive a 20% discount! Just sign into your LVS account and the discount will automatically be applied to your registration. Course Fees:

* $30.00 New Students
* $24.00 Returning Students
* Courses are 6 weeks long unless otherwise noted
* Certificates of Completion are available.

NEW Courses for May 2010 session:
» Drupal Themes
» Introduction to Computer Graphics: Starting with GIMP
» Painter: PhotoPainting & Portraiture II
» PSE 8 Beyond the Basics: High Seas

LVS Online Classes Gift Certificate
Give the gift of LVS Online Classes to someone special AND….if you refer new students to LVS, receive $5 for EACH referral!

Our Windows classes are FREE to everyone and includes instructor support! Windows Classes

LVS students are eligible for Corel educational version software from the Corel Education Store. This includes CorelDRAW, Corel Painter 11, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo, and Corel PhotoImpact X3! Registered LVS students enter CRL10LVS when checking out to get an additional 10% discount on all Corel products! Check out the LVS News page for more information and details on special offers!

As an additional benefit to our enrolled LVS students, special offers are made available by famous software developers such as Auto FX, Andromeda, AV Bros, Harry Heim – The PlugIn Site, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Only registered students receive the information and discounts! Be sure to click on the “Class Information” link provided in your registration confirmation for IMPORTANT class information and special offers!

Registered LVS students are also eligible to purchase some of their favorite software and hardware at a student discount through our Academic Reseller programs.

Instructor-led classes begin May 15, 2010. Head on over to LVS Online Registration to enroll today!

Registration for the May 2010 session ends May 12, 2010.
New Course Highlights
*Drupal Themes*

Drupal is a free and open source Content Management System written in PHP. With Drupal you can create a simple personal homepage, a company website, a blog, an ecommerce site, etc. Themes play a key role in the Drupal system. The theme is the most significant piece of your Drupal installation. It is responsible for your visitor’s first impression of the site.

This online course is designed to take you through the development of your own Drupal themes. You will be setting up your own design environment on your personal computers. We will examine the Drupal System and the files that make up a Drupal theme. You will learn how to make a subtheme of an original theme, use a starter theme and style it to suit your needs, and build your own theme from scratch.

When you finish this course you will be able to use your design environment for future projects and have a few new themes that you have designed for use on your website. Visit our Web Related Campus to learn more.
*Introduction to Computer Graphics: Starting with GIMP*

This class is all about images that you see, create and use in various ways on your computer. Whether you are retouching photos for the family, creating artwork for the web, or doing fine art professionally, this class will be a good starting point to working with images on the computer. We’ll start out with some very simple exercises and grow from there. By the end of the class, you should be able to create simple images in the GIMP program (and maybe not so simple!) You should also be able to import images into the program. You will also be able to manipulate images to be able to use them in various ways and you’ll know why certain manipulations are needed for various tasks. Along the way, you’ll try out some of the cool things you can do with the GIMP. Visit our Graphic Programs Campus to learn more.
*Corel Painter: PhotoPainting & Portraiture II*

PhotoPainting & Portraiture II covers more landscape painting but introduces painting of animals and birds. You will have the opportunity of painting your very own favorite pooch or kitty, or other favorite animal.

Each week you are given an image as you did in PhotoPainting & Portraiture I and step by step instruction is given on how to transform a photograph into a lovely painterly image. You are then requested to paint your own.

Create your own hairy brush; learn what brushes are great for feather painting and make a nice brush for snow, although I have provided brushes for this. In PhotoPainting & Portraiture II there are some video demonstrations, so look out for that information in the lesson. Visit our Graphics Program Campus to learn more.
*PSE 8 Beyond the Basics: High Seas*

This is a course that teaches you the core basics of managing your personal finances. It is very important, especially in the recent economy, to have an understanding of how to manage assets and budget properly. This course addresses problems in personal finance including financial planning, personal investing, budgeting, financing ,and credit management. Visit our Graphics Programs Campus to learn more.
Check out our complete selection of online classes!
*FREE TUTORIALS*

* Understanding Directories and Paths
* Basic HTML Page
* Dreamweaver Extension Manager
* *Mac* Basic IRCle Tutorial
* Basics of mIRC
* Saving and opening PDF files
* Screen Captures with Photshop CS
* Screen Captures with IrfanView
* How to Set File Permissions
* Text Editors
* Create Thumbnail Images
* Windows XP Compression
* Winzip Tutorial
* WS-FTP Tutorial
* Visit the Free Tutorial Page for more information!

For online piano classes or keyboard classes (six week courses) go to Piano-Keyboard intro online class or Piano-Keyboard advanced online class

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Music Practitioner Studies

March 31st, 2010 Brian

In June 2010 I will probably resume studies at the University of Western Australia. I will apply to study for the Graduate Diploma of Music Practitioner Studies. This will incorprate four units as hereunder:

MUSC8931 – Teaching, Learning & Practice A
Included in this unit comparisons and contrasts are made between human and animal learning.
MUSC8932 – Teaching, Learning & Practice B – Therapy and Applied Issues
Mention is made of music as a human quality i.e. that we are all musical beings.
MUSC8941 – Music as a Social Science A
Examines how and why music is used by individuals.
MUSIC8942 – Music as a Social Science B – Key Debates in Ethnomusicology
This unit focuses on the discipline of Ethnomusicology and the key debates within that conception of music for society and its role for researchers.

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Music Practitioner Studies

March 31st, 2010 Brian

On 10th March 2010 I travelled to Perth and attended a graduation ceremony at Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia. I received the Graduate Certificate of Music Practitioner Studies. I commenced these studies in January 2009 and completed same in June 2009. There were Study Principles and Practices, and Human Musical Development. Study Principles and Practices included MUSC8911 and MUSC8912. MUSC8911 included two bibliographical tasks, a powerpoint assignment and a critical review. MUSIC 8912 included research scenarios, cd reviews, a reflective journal, a formatting task and participation.

a proud moment; shaking hands with Michael Chaney Chancellor of The University of Western Australia

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Hone In On Motivation and Inspiration

February 27th, 2010 Brian

Motivation can help you achieve what’s possible, but inspiration enables you to achieve the impossible. Hone in on both at LVS Online Classes!

Registration for the March session is open – classrooms open March 8th.

» Business and Management Introduction
» Corel Painter PhotoPainting & Portraiture I
» Flash CS4 Introduction
» Personal Finance
» Photoshop Elements 8 Basics II: Clear Sailing
» Podcasting Intro

For more information on classes, educational discounts, and special offers go to http://lvsonline.com/update

LVS FAQ:  http://www.lvsonline.com/lvsfaq.shtml

School Calendar: http://www.lvsonline.com/calendar

LVS on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/lvsonline

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Piano Lessons – 2 Tips

February 21st, 2010 Brian

Piano Lessons (1) How Chords can be Inverted: – Chords can be inverted by placing the root note (the bottom or lowest note) above the other two notes of the chord. For example the notes of the C major chord in root position are C, E and G. The notes now played are E, G and C, and the chord is said to be in first inversion. If the E is placed above G and C, the chord is in second inversion. Each position of the chord has its own sound. The chord in root position  sounds more settled, whereas the first and second inversions  sound more unsettled.

Piano Lessons (2): – The next two most important chords in a key are the chord built on the fifth note (the dominant note) and the fourth note (the subdominant note) of the scale, in that order.  In the scale of C major the dominant chord is G, B and D; and the subdominant chord is F, A and C.

The next piano lesson (tip) will explain why it is very useful to know all the chords in their inversions as well as the root position; and also how many tunes use just two or three chords (the primary chords) in their construction.

For online piano classes or keyboard classes (six week courses) go to Piano-Keyboard intro online class or Piano-Keyboard advanced online class

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Knowledge is Power – Registration is Open

February 21st, 2010 Brian

NEW Courses for March 2010 session: » Business and Management Introduction » Corel Painter PhotoPainting & Portraiture I » Flash CS4 Introduction » Personal Finance » Photoshop Elements 8 Basics II: Clear Sailing » Podcasting Intro

Give the gift of LVS Online Classes to someone special AND….if you refer new students to LVS, receive $5 for EACH referral!

Instructor-led classes begin March 13, 2010. Head on over to LVS Online Registration to enroll today!

Registration for the March 2010 session ends March 10, 2010.

New Course Highlights

*Business and Management Introduction*

Introduction to Business and Management online class focuses on developing the fundamentals needed for success in the business world. This course examines the foundations for business, ethical behavior and decision making, management, operations, and global business. The student will also learn about human resources, managerial styles, and improving employee motivation. After completion of this course, students will understand key components of business and management. Visit our Business Campus to learn more.

*Corel Painter PhotoPainting & Portraiture I*

I have heard people say “I can’t paint, not even a straight line”. The great news is Corel has provided the Painter Software that will enable the most amateur artist to paint beautiful, painterly masterpieces. I’m delighted to help you learn this. However, like all painting and drawing, it does require lots of patience and practise. Once you’ve been bitten by the PhotoPainting bug you won’t want to stop!

This course is the first of three in PhotoPainting & Portraiture. You start with the basics; a simple clone then on to painting Still Life, Landscapes and Portraits by making application of Painter’s brushes, textures and other applications and much more.

Each week you are given an image and step by step instruction to transform a photograph into a lovely, painterly image. You are then requested to paint your own. Do not feel daunted by this. Once you have painted a few photographs, it will be more or less … easier! Visit our Graphic Programs Campus to learn more.

*Flash CS4 Introduction*

Since its introduction in 1996, Flash has become a popular method for adding animation and interactivity to web pages. Flash is commonly used to create animation, advertisements, and various web page Flash components, to integrate video into web pages, and more recently, to develop rich Internet applications.

This 6 week Intro course focuses on learning the interface, tools, and basic features of Flash. You will create animated logos, buttons, and simple movies to brighten up your web site.

Flash gives web developers the ability to create interactive, animated web sites. Before Flash appeared on the scene, creating animated web sites (especially with sound) involved using large, multiple files. This requires high bandwidth that the general public does not have. Flash files, in contrast, can be very small, so bandwidth is less of a concern. Flash also brings a level of advanced animation and interactivity previously unavailable using traditional Internet technology. Visit our Web Related Campus to learn more.

*Personal Finance*

This is a course that teaches you the core basics of managing your personal finances. It is very important, especially in the recent economy, to have an understanding of how to manage assets and budget properly. This course addresses problems in personal finance including financial planning, personal investing, budgeting, financing ,and credit management. Visit our Business Campus to learn more.

*Photoshop Elements 8 Basics II: Clear Sailing*

This class is the second part of the Photoshop Elements 8 Basics class, and contains lessons 7-12. This class picks up where the first class, Photoshop Elements 8 Basics (Lessons 1-6) left off. You will learn to understand and use layers effectively, use layer blend modes, use the Preset Manager, create and save custom brushes, use type and vector shapes and much more. Visit our Graphic Programs Campus to learn more.

*Podcasting Intro*

Podcasting is an exciting technology that has become very popular on the web and in the media. New services for listening to and creating podcasts are constantly popping up. This industry is seeing very exciting growth. Since podcasting became popular in the fall of 2004, thousands of shows have been created. So why is podcasting so great? You can listen to what you want, when you want, and how you want. Anyone can create a podcast. All you need is a computer, a microphone, speakers, and the Internet. Podcasting takes very little time and very little cost.

People will pay money for valuable information. You can listen to audio podcasts on anything that plays MP3s. This online course will take you through the basics of finding podcasts on the web, software and hardware for podcasting, listening to podcasts, writing podcasts, recording podcasts, and publishing your own podcasts on the web. Visit our Web Related Programs Campus to learn more.

Check out our complete selection of online classes!

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Piano Lessons – 2 Tips

January 1st, 2010 Brian

Piano lessons (1) Knowing the Key of a Piece of Music: – Key means the scale of the notes contained in the piece of music. If there are no sharps or flats in the key signature, the piece will be in the key of C major or A minor. These are related keys and both have the same key signature i.e. no sharps or flats. The scale of C major consists of the notes C D E F G A B C. Play them going up (ascending) and going down (descending) using one finger if you don’t know the scale with the correct fingering. The scale of A minor consists of the notes A B C D E F Gsharp A.

In the first and last measures you will usually see the notes C E and G, and this piece would be in the key of C major. If the first and last measures had the notes A C and E, the piece would be in the key of A minor.

Piano lessons (2) It is beneficial to know why chords are named C chord, A minor chord etc. In the scale of C major the most important chord is C chord. The notes of the chord are C E G, and are built up in 3rds from the tonic or the first note (C) of the scale. In music it is denoted by the letter C and this is called a chord symbol, the chord being called C chord. The notes are C E G and the chord is named by the bottom or lowest note C. This chord is said to be in root position and the root note is C.

Minor chords are designated by the root note of the chord followed by a lower-case m standing for minor. Therefore A minor chord is denoted by the letters Am, the notes being A C E.

The next piano lesson (tip) will explain how these chords can be inverted, and also the next two most important chords in a key (scale).

For online piano classes or keyboard classes (six week courses) go to Piano-Keyboard intro online class or Piano-Keyboard advanced online class

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LVS Online Piano Classes

December 9th, 2009 Brian

Registration is Open for the January 2010 Session!

Take online piano classes with Brian who will help you all the way. Learn to read music.

Classrooms open Jan 4, 2010
Registration closes Jan 6. 2010
First lesson posts Jan 9, 2010

For online piano classes or keyboard classes (six week courses) go to Piano-Keyboard intro online class or Piano-Keyboard advanced online class

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