MusicBasics4Keyboard

How much time do you have to learn a new song? Two weeks or months? Two years? If you are a beginner and want to reduce learning time consider E-Z Play Today published by Hal Leonard. If you recognize this composition by Peter Tchaikovsky, you're way ahead of the game already.  E-Z Play Today sheet music contains easy arrangements for melodies on the right hand and chords for the left hand. Written in C major, you'll be given a sightreading workout for Dance of the Reed-Flutes. Performed by orchestras all over the world this music is now at your fingertips and accessible for music students who want to play it. Within a day or one week, you'll amaze yourself with a little practice and anyone who hears you anywhere including your backyard. The neighbors are listening, trust me. The ballet debuted in 1892 in St. Petersburg, and Tchaikovsky's Suite of the eight most popular songs (like the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and the “Russian Dance”) quickly became a hit internationally. SOURCE: Britannica.com - December 24, 2014  What is the real story of The Nutcracker? The story of The Nutcracker is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King.

Not enough room in the kitchen? is there space nearby for a portable keyboard on a table against a wall?  Easy access to the keyboard will provide incentive to practice not just "walk on by" to do other things. Both old school students using sheet music and students with digital devices should be encouraged to increase practice time. Old school students should keep sheet music on the "music rest" that comes with the keyboard. Learn how to play standing up. Avoid hiding the sheet music from sight in a bench or a drawer. Increasing the keyboard's visibility should encourage you to "squeeze in some practice time". This portable keyboard should be able to be moved from room to room. Remember, variety is the spice of life. This could not apply more to music students dealing with rigid practice schedules and frequent requests to "play something!". Thanks for watching and listening.

How do you warm up? Do you have easy access to sheet music and a keyboard? A song in your head and heart will make finding them quickly a top priority. Even vocalists do warm-up exercises before launching into arias, popular music, jazz songs and musicals. Where there's a will, there's a way leading to mastery of your instrument. It may be owning more than one keyboard. Why did Beethoven write Ode to Joy? The “Ode to Joy” text that Ludwig Van Beethoven employed, and slightly modified, was written by the German poet, Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, in the summer of 1785. It was a celebratory poem addressing the unity of all mankind.

Which movement is Ode to Joy? "Ode to Joy" is best known for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final (fourth) movement of his Ninth Symphony, completed in 1824. Beethoven's text is not based entirely on Schiller's poem, and it introduces a few new sections.  What is the message of Ode to Joy? Schiller's meanings in "Ode to Joy" are simple: Joy is needed for life and motivation, it is heavenly in origin and is available to mankind through a loving God. The proof of His love is found not only in nature's motivation to create perpetually, but also in nature's good things, such as the fruit of the vine. Source: Liveabout.com. Thank you for watching.

Make a difference when playing popular songs with this method. With the sheet music in front of you, choose three chords. Count the number of times each chord appears on the page(s). For each of the three chords, look at the note(s) that appear in the right-hand melody  Make a mental note. Practice playing these three chords. Then, play the song using both hands. The connection between the notes in the melody and the chords is often overlooked by players. That's today's lesson. Thank you for watching and listening.

Hal Leonard makes it easy for students using the E-Z Play Today songbook for organs, pianos & electronic keyboards. Look for publication 330 - The Nutcracker Suite - 8 Cherished Selections from Tchaikovsky's Ballet. Play the melody and chords separately and then together. This episode features the March on page 3 only. Start here. The first song in the book is the overture on page 2. Each one of these songs is on one page only. You can do this. More advanced students may enjoy more advanced arrangements. Thanks for watching.

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"Ode to Joy" is best known for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final (fourth) movement of his Ninth Symphony, completed in 1824. Beethoven's text is not based entirely on Schiller's poem, and it introduces a few new sections. Beethoven in this imposing work transcends the usual concept of this symphony as an abstract orchestral composition by adding a text (Schiller's “Ode to Joy”) with soloists, quartet, and chorus in the fourth movement. Ode to Joy is a song with a tempo of 144 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 72 BPM or double-time at 288 BPM.   The track runs 2 minutes and 30 seconds long with an A key and a major mode. It has low energy and is somewhat danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar. SOURCE: Songbpm.com. Listen on Amazon and Spotify. Thanks for watching.

Choose one day this month to play one song between one-to-two minutes on your keyboard. It should be recorded and/or uploaded to your YouTube channel or a different site if you are able. Do your best. It's done. Now unwind and enjoy the GLOW that follows accepting the results and believe you did your best. According to behavioral studies most people undervalue their efforts to get things done and what they do best. It's human nature. In the next video, twelve different ways to play ODE TO JOY will be proposed starting with a duet. Following the duet will be solo playing and ten ways to play Ode to Joy dealing with technique and style. Thank you for watching.

It's time to get down to business and get physical! Picture yourself standing at the keyboard. If you own a portable keyboard like the Yamaha PSR-E463 you can make this happen.  Place the keyboard on top of a table against a wall. For added height place a computer monitor stand or a large sturdy box under the keyboard which is now positioned 40-50 inches from the floor. If you really want to push the envelope, put the keyboard in a well-trafficked room like the kitchen. Sheet music should be visible on the keyboard. Your single sit-down sessions will change dramatically to many mini sessions during the day. A new desire to practice emerges before or after you open the refrigerator door. The desire to consume food becomes a NEW DESIRE TO PLAY.  There is also increased physical stamina. Record your progress in a journal for three months Amaze yourself and make plans to play in public in 2022.

Physical is the eleventh studio album by English Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, released on 13 October 1981 by MCA Records.

Oh let's get physical, physical

LET ME HEAR YOUR MUSIC TALK  If some people are crying you'll know you've connected on a very personal level. Vocalists as well as song writers, solo instrumentalists, rock bands, and orchestras have this power. Music has the power to move people emotionally in all kinds of ways. Classical music concerts and recordings continue to connect with people. This broadcast is about musical expression. How long it takes is up to you and me when we practice multiple times during the day. Practice as long as you can stand throughout the day. It may take several weeks or even months to reach a comfort level playing while standing up.

Summertime means lawn parties, picnics and other outdoor events for musicians. If you are able to play a musical instrument in public this is your time to break out with your best songs. This is when you bring it on, step up to the plate and show the world what you can do - as long as you prepared. Rehearse ahead of time with young children and adult friends before volunteering to play solo at local bar restaurants and senior centers. You'll have the time of your life and leave the audience with fun-loving lifelong memories.

For listeners: That was a duet with a toddler on my front lawn. Song: Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Thank you for listening and/or watching.

Play songs from The Nutcracker with E-Z music from Hal Leonard. Purchase song books and sheet music for individual songs from Sheetmusicplus. Watch YouTube videos for advanced levels. Work on chords and keep a music journal of your progress. Make someone happy. Thanks for listening and/or watching.