Piano Playing 101 Music Genres

Piano Playing 101 Music Genres What music genres can pianists play? ChaptersWhy can you play (almost) everything on the piano?What are the iconic music styles on the piano?What music styles are less piano “worthy”So can you play everything on the piano?Le piano is a universal (and magic) instrument.We say this because the piano is everywhere, and is played and appreciated all over the world. In addition, almost all the songs in the global repertoire of music â€" no matter the genre, origins or sound â€" can be transcribed for the piano!But we have to ask the following question: in today’s digital age of the Internet and music 2.0,  can we still adapt all music styles to the piano? Read on and you’ll see that the question is not as simple as you think …You know the music we’re talking about, the kind you just can’t imagine being played on the piano.But you have to know one thing. Most rappers and RB singers are music lovers, with a wide knowledge of music and music culture. They often share and use the same musical references to create t heir own original sounds as musicians of other genres.Is jazz piano your thing, à la McCoy Tyner? Well rap comes from jazz...Also, one common root of rap and RB is jazz. Jazz piano is almost as established in music conservatories as classical piano is. If you are a fan of improvisation in music, this is the style for you!So, contrary to what you might have thought, the piano is definitely not incompatible to rap and RB. You can play piano and rap if you like!Electro: does it have melody or is it only noise?When it appeared in the 1970s, electronic music was considered by some to be “anti-music,” practiced by “non-musicians” who were more comfortable on a computer than a real instrument. And yet…Today it’s completely possible to adapt a piece of electronic music to the piano. You can play songs in electro music on the piano! You should note that a piece of electro music possesses the same musical structure as that of classical. Piano notes are so versatile… Do you know how to read sheet music? Learn to read it now to understand the different between the middle C and quarter notes!DJs often compose their music on the piano!So it is a “piano worthy” music style! In fact, most DJs do compose their music with real or virtual piano keyboards (like David Guetta for one).Marginal music styles: are they the exception for pianos?There are musical styles that are not adaptable to piano playing. And with reason! These genres are more about noise, and that incessant “boom-boom,” than music. And “boom-boom” on the piano just doesn’t work very well…We’re talking about genres like hard-tech, trans, and minimal techno, among others. These are very difficult for pianists to adapt piano music or a scale to (in contrast to house music).Even with all the determination and desire in the world, solid piano training and advanced knowledge of sight reading, major scales, piano pieces, and whatever else you can do, it is simply impossible.So can you pla y everything on the piano?As with every good experiment, there is an exception that confirms the rule! So to the question, “can one learn to play all musical styles on the piano,” the answer is no. But we really had to look hard to find styles that are almost impossible to play on the keyboard. We can confidently say that musicians can explore 90% or even 95% of the global musical universe on the piano.And as we were researching, we realized that the piano is a hugely rich instrument to learn to play. There are so many benefits for learning how to play the piano. Jazz piano, classical piano, variety, rock, tango… different styles affect the content of one’s piano instruction.And no matter the music genre or level, you’ll need to practice playing your piano in order to become more advanced. It’s better to work intensely for 30 minutes at your keyboard rather than one hour without concentrating. And to achieve optimal concentration, organize work sessions of at least 30 mi nutes. This is the minimum to have you’ll need to soak up what you are working on, whether it’s an octave, arpeggio, chord progression or a concerto!From private lessons to the conservatory, online piano courses to piano training in a music school, the choice for education is vast. This is especially true in today’s digital age, where it’s easy to find tutorials and free online classes to learn to play the piano.We at Superprof think it’s a fantastic idea to enroll in beginner piano lessons to play correctly. The piano teacher is also there to answer students’ questions, about doubts, lack of motivation, or anything! He or she should be teaching all aspects of piano playing, including:Posture work to learn proper postureSolfège training, how to read piano notesPracticing songs on a piano keyboardPiano scales, chord progressions, octaves and arpeggiosReading music and music theorySoon you’ll figure out what to do with your left hand on those piano keys. After your pian o lesson, you’ll be able to achieve your music dreams, whether you want to play like Mozart or Little Richard!

Learn How to Sing with Voice Lessons 6 New-Student FAQs

Learn How to Sing with Voice Lessons 6 New-Student FAQs Suzy S. Thinking about taking voice lessons? Getting that one-on-one guidance is key when you want to learn how to sing. Here, Saint Augustine, FL teacher Heather L.  discusses some of the FAQs she has received, to help you get started: Ive taught piano and voice lessons for the past 11 years. Over that time, many different questions, from parents,  colleagues, and students themselves,  have come my way. If youre thinking about starting voice lessons yourself, or if you have a child whos asking for lessons, then you probably have some yourself. Heres the list of questions that I get asked most as a voice teacher: Q: What ages are appropriate to start voice lessons? A: It varies from instructor to instructor, but some are willing to begin lessons teaching voice health and basic music fundamentals, like solfege syllables and note reading, at age four. And barring a voice injury or recent nerve damage, no one is too old to start! Q: What kind of things should my child bring to their first voice lesson? A: Most instructors find things like crayons (for children), staff paper, and sometimes an iPod or CD with the students favorite songs useful for the beginning lessons. A music stand is helpful, but not necessary, and songbooks and sheet music will be decided upon as the lessons progress. Q: How much practice time does a voice student need to devote to his studies? A: At the professional level, singers typically practice one hour each day, six days per week. Children should sing the songs on which theyre currently working about fifteen minutes per day. Adolescents and non-professional adults should take 30 minutes each day, six days per week, to devote to their technique and repertoire. As the student begins his or her first few months of voice study, however, endurance and stamina must be built slowly, just as an athlete slowly builds his or hers. A good voice instructor will listen at each lesson to any abnormal strain or injury in the students voice and adjust practice schedules accordingly. Q: Can you really teach anybody to learn how to sing? A: Yes! If you have a speaking voice, then you have a singing voice. That does not mean, though, that you have a huge range or a powerful sound. You might, you might not. But you can sing. And voice lessons are the first step to unveiling your true voice, and what you can ultimately achieve. Q: What should I look for in a voice instructor? A: First, listen! If a potential instructor has an unusual amount of roughness in her speaking voice, then she may not know and practice healthy voice habits. Second, a degree from a great institution or a decade of teaching experience are great, but more important is a positive and encouraging attitude. Voice lessons can be challenging enough without an instructor whos not kind and patient. Q:   What if I (or my child) begin to lose interest in the lessons or in practicing? A:   If a student has given his instructor two months of solid attention and work, and he still finds the lessons to be a chore, then try a different teacher. It could simply be a personality clash. If the student still doesnt enjoy himself, then take a break and try again in six months. As you learn how to sing, remember that voice lessons can sometimes take courage to dive into. And sometimes, they can be tough, both emotionally and physically. But with the right instructor, the right preparation, and healthy habits, they can be incredibly fun and fulfilling. Heather L. teaches singing, piano, acting, and more in Saint Augustine, FL, as well as through online lessons. She is  a graduate of the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and has performed with the New York and Royal Philharmonics, the New Jersey and Virginia Symphonies, the American Boy Choir, and the internationally renowned opera star, Andrea Bocelli. Learn more about Heather here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Danske Kirkedage