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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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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Piano Lessons – 2 Tips

October 19th, 2009 Brian

September 8th, 2009 Brian Posted in Piano Advanced, Piano Classes, Piano Intro | Edit | No Comments »

Piano Lessons – 1: Music moves in two’s or three’s. For example, in Four Four Time the beats in each bar are Strong Weak Medium Weak. The third beat being of medium accent, gives the effect of each measure consisting of two lots of two beats. In Three Four Time the beats are Strong Weak Weak. The subdivisions of beats can also be divided; sometimes into two’s and other times, into three’s,

Piano Lessons – 2: There are two elements to touch on the piano. They are the speed of the depression of the key, and weight. For example, if you want to play a fast scale softly, each key would have to be taken down rapidly (quick speed of depression) with just finger weight (light weight).

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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LVS Online Piano Classes

October 3rd, 2009 Brian

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

November registration is now open
Classrooms open October 26, 2009
Registration closes October 28. 2009
First lesson posts October 31, 2009

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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Piano Lessons – 3 Tips

September 8th, 2009 Brian

Piano Lessons – 1: Technique starts with being able to activate each finger independently. Place your hand as though holding a ball with all finger tips touching the surface of a table. Move your thumb  up and down five times with an even rhythm while the tips of the other fingers remain still with no hand movement. Repeat this exercise with each finger. Carry out the same exercises with each finger of the other hand.

Piano Lessons – 2: With the right pedal depressed play glissando with the backs of your right hand finger from the lowest part of the keyboard going to the highest. When you reach the middle of the piano, release the pedal to hear the cut off.

Piano Lessons – 3: Using all your fingers of each hand play the whole tone scale descending from the C one octave above Middle C with the right pedal depressed. You will hear a fascinating sound. Just play ten notes black or white and make sure there is one key between each note you play. Play the notes evenly and as fast as you like.

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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Attention LVS Students!

September 30th, 2008 Brian

Tell us who you are and which class(es) you are enrolled in. Let us know how LVS classes has affected your life in your professional field and/or in your personal life. We enjoy hearing of your experiences. Thanks for sharing with LVS staff, fellow LVS students and our blog visitors!

If you’d like to view other students experiences at LVS Online Classes, visit the main LVS Blog and click the Blogroll links.

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