MusicBasics4Keyboard

What could possibly go wrong? Remember to watch the video on my YouTube channel with the same episode title. This is where pictures with the audio bring this episode to life in real or virtual time however you want to look at it. The channel name is Music4Dad. Comments by viewers are allowed in most cases. Thank you for listening.

Here's the recipe from my cookbook for couscous to serve with marinated shish kabobs.  It is easier than making it by hand in a two-tiered steamer. Step 1: bring chicken broth to a boil. Stir in couscous and remove from heat. Let stand, covered for five minutes. Step 2: Place zucchini, red onion, grated carrots and one minced garlic clove into a large skillet with 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil. Cook and stir five minutes or until tender. Step 3: Add beans, seasonings and couscous. Cook and stir until thoroughly heated, about two minutes. Prep time: 15 minutes. Makes six servings. See pictures on my YouTube channel with the same name Music4Dad. Leave your comments there. Thanks for listening.

Thank you for tuning into today's podcast. Please visit my YouTube channel for pictures of actual dishes for tomorrow night's Mediterranean night under the kiwi fruit tree. You may be inspired to create your own dinner menu wherever you are in a backyard, patio, deck or in your kitchen. Thank you for listening.

Today's episode is about having a feel good day. What does this mean? It means writing a to-do list starting with morning coffee. That's what I do everyday that I can remember looking back. Running to catch the subway when I worked in New York City meant stopping by the food truck near the station for coffee and a toasted English muffin. It meant having another cup at my desk from the coffee room in the office where I worked as a legal secretary or administrative assistant. Seems coffee was an essential part to my life everywhere I traveled to and from the office and restaurants, attending college classes, at mealtimes and on vacation. These days, much of my time is spent outdoors doing yard work, caring for two cats, growing things and baking apple pies. Each day begins with coffee to get me started and keep me going so I can have a feel good day. Not much time anymore for coffee breaks anywhere. I miss that. What keeps you going throughout the week and on weekends? Is it coffee? Soda? Energy drinks? Water? Please leave a comment on my YouTube channel Music4Dad. Thank you for listening.

Thank you for listening to today's podcast about growing fruit in my backyard. It's about the sound of silence in SE Ohio without earbuds attached to a smartphone on a quiet Sunday morning. It could change at any moment by the sound of lawn tractors or trumpet practice by the boy next door. Reminds me of the movie City Slickers. Things changed from a quiet breakfast in New Mexico to a cattle stampede when Billy Crystal turned on his coffee bean grinder. Afterwards, Jack Palance, the cattle boss says disparagingly - "city folk". This podcast reminds me of the quiet life lived by my uncle and his family on a small dairy farm.  Except for the sound of machinery and barn noise from milking cows, there was no music to be heard, just weather reports and farm news on the radio. In City Slickers, two friends organized a fantasy vacation for Billy Crystal who was depressed about turning 40. When do dairy farmers take vacations or time off on weekends? Rarely if ever. They are focused on work and tractor repairs, not listening to music. Staying home to watch a movie is more likely to happen than boarding a plane for a fantasy vacation with two friends. It's about being relaxed at home alone in control of the remote with devices turned off and having food delivered .... maybe. Not a bad thing. Just needs to happen.

What do we know about Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). He was born in Eisenach, Germany, composer of the Baroque era, and the most celebrated member of a large family of north German musicians. In 1695, when he was just nine years old, his parents died. He was sent to live with his brother, Johann Christoph, an organist. Johann Sebastian Bach had a prestigious musical lineage and took on various organist positions during the early 18th century, creating famous compositions like "Toccata and Fugue in D minor." Some of his best-known compositions are the "Mass in B Minor," the "Brandenburg Concertos" and "The Well-Tempered Clavier." Bach died in Leipzig, Germany, on July 28, 1750. Today, he is considered one of the greatest Western composers of all time. Source:  Encyclopedia Britannica and Biography.com. Thank you for listening.

Learning to listen goes back to early childhood. Think about it for a moment. When it comes to playing piano, finding the right key and reading sheet music is as much about listening as it is about playing. Tune in to the next episode when I will demonstrate the importance of listening while playing each note on the keyboard. Meanwhile, this episode also covers the heat wave moving across the United States. During today's trip to Sam's Club, there were noticeably fewer shoppers indoors and more vehicles outdoors with drivers lined up to fill up their gas tanks in spite of temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Who does that? People who are motivated to act before gas prices move up even higher. Today, there were fewer people inside Sam's Club. It may have been due to the current heat wave. However, according to today's CDC's recommendations, when mask mandates are resumed hoarding may also return early this fall. Stock up now. Fill your gas tank now. Thank you for listening.

Increase your practice time enjoyment by playing piano along with recorded music. Play songs you know with or without sheet music at every level. Remember to quit while you're ahead. Don't worry about making fingering mistakes and keeping up with the indicated tempo. It's normal to lose your place while sight reading and playing. Believe ear training is important in the learning process and there is magic in your fingers and hands. Start by finding middle C. With regular practice music can become part of your life. Rome wasn't built in a day. Feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for listening.

Some digital keyboards come with more sounds than piano. On my Yamaha Portable Grand DGX-640 they are called voices. In this episode you will hear a brief presentation using drum kits no. 143. If there are children or grandchildren in your family or neighborhood with an interest in music and little fingers, this is a good introduction to the keyboard. Digital pianos, after all, are about having fun while learning to master the instrument. For classical piano students, continue working on scales, Hanon exercises and all the rest but take time to discover everything else this instrument has to offer. With portable keyboards and a few friends, you could form a small band and have fun learning to play together with different voices. One person on piano, another on strings and someone else on brass or winds. Remember to record your sessions in front of a camera and with flash drives. Share them with friends. Stay the course and over time you'll be amazed with your progress. Remember, this episode can be watched on my YouTube channel Music4Dad. Leave comments below. Thank you for listening.

Today we get down to business about ear training and playing piano. Consider reading my coffee table book "From Piano to Puccini" about music education, music programs and my performance singing opera at the Colony Square Shopping Mall. Think of it as a plan for success. In this episode I explain how to record and share a practice session that can be heard by me. Publish them as a podcast or make them private or public on your YouTube channel. It's up to you. Join the music group on my Facebook page. In any case, this podcast teaches you how to produce your practice sessions for me as a music coach. Music by Kevin MacLeod from the YouTube audio library: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - intermediate to advanced level. Leave a comment, dream big, and start today. Remember: practice makes permanent. Thank you for listening.