Piano Sheet Music
Posted on March 29th, 2008 at 5:00 am by Pianoman

Piano sheet music is a printed musical notation for piano. Before phonograph and radio became popular, sheet music was used by musicians to make their compositions known to the people. Many of these were piano sheet music since piano was the most popular musical instrument back then.

In the late 19th century, piano sheet music became even more popular as parlor music became a massive trend in the US at the time. Parlor music was a kind of popular music that was performed in a parlor, a small room in a house where performers play a musical piece before an audience. Almost all middle-class homes during this period had parlors and a piano.

With the advent of the phonograph, radio and other modern devices that played recorded sound, the popularity of piano sheet music gradually faded.

Piano sheet music, however, is not totally out of the music scene. Song writers nowadays still publish piano sheet music on sheets of paper. With the availability of advanced computer technology, many kinds of piano sheet music are now offered in computer-readable formats. They can be easily purchased and downloaded over the Internet.

Common pieces are sold from $3 to $5, while a piano sheet music collection of most recent hits sells at around $10 to $25. Rare and old piano sheet music, usually of classical songs, are priced at about $50.

Free piano sheet music can also be downloaded from the Internet. They are mostly old musical pieces with an expired copyright, such as the compositions of famous musicians Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven.

If you don’t find the sheet music of your choice online, especially if it is rare, you may look for it in music stores near you. Some websites also offer listings of music stores where you can find both the most popular and hard-to-find sheet music, old and new alike.

Sheet Music provides detailed information on Sheet Music, Free Sheet Music, Piano Sheet Music, Guitar Sheet Music and more. Sheet Music is affiliated with Music Education Theory.

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The ABC’s of Piano - Is My Child Ready for Lessons?
Posted on March 25th, 2008 at 5:00 am by Pianoman

If your young child can identify the letters of the alphabet and numbers, knows how to count, and is beginning to read, they are ready for piano lessons. Below are 20 piano concepts and benefits children can gain in their first year of piano lessons.

1. Locating A, B, C, D, E, F, and G on the piano keyboard (Music Alphabet)

2. Musical Alphabet Up and Down (Circle of Seconds or Steps)

3. Line Notes and Space notes (Circle of Thirds or Skips)

4. Broken and Blocked, in the Key of C, F and G (Triads)

5. The Major Scale (Half Steps and Whole Steps)

6. Five-Finger Scales in C Major, A Minor, D Minor F Major, G Major (Pentatonic Scales)

7. Octaves (Ottava signs and Keyboard Arrangement)

8. Intervals (Distance between two keys on the piano or two notes on the staff)

9. Sharps (Half Steps Up)

10. Flats (Half Steps Down)

11. High Sounds (Treble Clef )

12. Low Sounds (Bass Clef)

13. Forte, Mezzo Forte, Piano, Mezzo Piano, Crescendo (Dynamics)

14. Listening & Playing Back (Imitation)

15. Changing a Theme (Variations)

16. Personal Expression (Improvisation)

17. Playing with more ease (Technique)

18. Playing with style (Articulations: legato, staccato, accents)

19. Playing for others (Performing in Recitals)

20. Sharing their talent (Becoming Part of the Music Community.)

In addition to music theory, first year piano students are trained in piano performance and artistry. Can you imagine your children playing the piano in your living room, or performing in their first piano recital? There is nothing that warms parents’ hearts more than seeing their children engaged in a creative activity that is challenging and beneficial. Why not enroll your child in piano lessons while they are young? You can’t make a better investment in their future.

In addition to the 20 benefits above, other rewards of piano lessons are well documented - increased math and reading scores, increased overall educational progress. So don’t wait to give your child the benefits of music. You’ll be glad you did.

To learn the best way to share the gift of music with children visit Amazon.com for my Piano Adventure Stories for Children These exciting Piano Adventure stores for children ages 5 to 11 feature the loveable characters, Mrs. Treble Beary and her passionate, new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Children love following along with Albeart to Mrs. Treble Beary’s piano studio in Musical Acres Forest. Here they learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand and appreciate! Piano students laugh and giggle while reading “Little Bear’s Musical Garden” and “Little Bear’s Piano Goals.”

For a wealth of f’ree information and piano music online visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources Don’t Wait to Share the Gift of Music!

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Adults Can Learn to Play the Piano Too
Posted on March 21st, 2008 at 5:00 am by Pianoman

Are you well past puberty and have always had a hankering for tickling the ivories? Maybe you didn’t have the money as a child. Or your family was always moving. Or you probably didn’t even know there was such a wonderful thing as the piano. Whatever the reason it is never too late to start. Really!

I began my quest to learn to play the piano at the late great age of 24. I had always wanted to play but was too busy pursuing my other interests one of which was gymnastics. I’m not even sure I knew note names but in all my innocence, after receiving a keyboard from my father for my birthday, I ran out and bought the first method book I happened upon. It was the Alfred Chord Series and I made it all the way through book 3 before finding a piano teacher.

Meanwhile I had been asked by my church to become their pianist. What follows is 10 years of struggles, learning adventures and opportunities that have molded me into what I am today. A PIANIST!

I had no goals of becoming a classical performer. I just wanted to play music. And I do. I have played at weddings, given piano lessons and I am still the church pianist. I have also added guitar to my list of skills. What I’m trying to say is don’t let age stop you or even time. Most people think I studied as a child. And I know more music theory than many college piano majors. Being an adult puts you ina unique situation on knowing what you want to learn and how. Trust me this will all make sense once you start. If you’ve always wanted to learn then go ahead. It’s actually very easy and there is a wealth of information to start you on your way. If you have no idea where to start just type “Free Piano Lesson” into your search area on the internet. Then when you’ve become overwhelmed visit the book store and pick up Alfred’s Adult Piano Method series. Many adults learn to play with this series and while it’s not the only one out there it will get you started.

Happy Playing!

K Quinn is a church pianist and author of the book The Struggling Church Pianist. Visit her website and download some free musician tools at… http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us

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