A keyboard instrument which uses felt-tipped hammers to strike at strings.
3
votes
1answer
285 views
How can I adjust the sensitivity of my keyboard sustain pedal?
The pedal comes by itself without instructions.
When I play, the pedal is quite abrupt.
As soon as I'm done holding sustain and want to release, it releases abruptly which doesn't sound great.
I'd ...
0
votes
2answers
370 views
How to play Chopin Etude Op.10 No.4 at the right speed
No matter how much I practised this etude, i just can't play it in the right speed. I play the piano for 12 years approx. and it just didn't work for me with this etude.
Does someone have an idea for ...
2
votes
1answer
210 views
How to distinguish between piano music by Beethoven and Chopin?
What are some musical characteristics that can be analyzed to tell if a piece of music was written by Ludwig van Beethoven or Frédéric Chopin?
Both are unmistakably present in the concert repertoire ...
11
votes
2answers
637 views
Well-known composers or piano pieces generally suitable for someone with small hands?
One of my struggles with playing the piano is that I have small hands. I can reach an octave - mostly. I can reach it, I just can't maneuver between octaves quickly. Often times a piece will have a ...
3
votes
2answers
100 views
Slurs that span two staves
I saw some slurs that span two staves (both the bass and the treble clefs) on a piece of sheet music. Are they any different from the regular slurs? How should I play them?
2
votes
2answers
347 views
Right hand in top stave?
I'm learning the song shown. How are these chords meant to be played? Are the chords shown in the middle stave (treble clef) meant to be played by the left hand? How does one tell this from the ...
3
votes
2answers
280 views
What do the brackets mean?
I'm trying to learn Sea Diver by Mott the Hoople. The first line of notes are:
C#(g#) C#(f) F#
I understand C# means play the C major chord one note higher. What does the (g#) mean? Does it mean the ...
0
votes
1answer
152 views
How to convert recorded Piano music to midi?
I have recorded the output of an in-built track on my keyboard. It has a few instruments playing in the background, but I am interested in just the piano. How should I convert the recorded .mp3 file ...
1
vote
3answers
151 views
How to write a keyboard part for an existing song?
I was asked to make a keyboard part for a song somebody else has written. It's probably going to be organ.
I have no idea how to do this. I've been playing for a few years and I can improvise a bit, ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
Is there a name or common usage of this piano damper pedal effect?
I've noticed an effect that I use when playing acoustic piano. Play a note or chord staccato, and quite quickly after playing it, press the damper pedal. The effect is rather like an echo which ...
7
votes
5answers
290 views
How to go learn through a book
This is not your average "which book to learn from" question. I'll post my research and background in as much detail as possible (since this could potentially help others with similar question).
I've ...
5
votes
2answers
464 views
What is this chord (spelled 2nd, 4th, 5th) and how is it used?
For the piano/composers:
I compose music for the piano in my spare time, and one particular chord that has caught my attention (as one that I like a lot) is the D-F-G chord in C Major.
I have seen ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Why are the white and black keys on the piano placed the way they are?
I am pretty convinced it is not just for historical reasons.
I have found a mathematically-sound explanation of the twelve-tone musical scale, thanks to this question. Does anyone know a similar, ...
2
votes
2answers
273 views
Interpreting ornamentation in Haydn Piano Sonata in G Major Hob. XVI: 8
This is the first movement of sonata in G Major Hob. XVI: 8 by Haydn:
In bars 6, 8 and 12 there are trills (presumably in 8), but each one is represented a little bit differently. In bar 6 there ...
2
votes
3answers
730 views
How useful are learning aids in teaching oneself piano?
EDIT: The keyboard is lighted - as in the keys have lights (LEDs) embedded in them. I know there are weighted keyboards. But those are beyond my budget. Of course the weighted ones feel more authentic ...
3
votes
5answers
4k views
Is there a computer program to transcribe songs to sheet music?
Is there a computer program that I can use where I upload a favourite song and it'll transcribe it to sheet music for me? I'd like to play Running up That Hill by Placebo but I don't want to buy the ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How do you know what hand positions to use in a song you have never played before?
I am busy teaching myself piano using several sources.
I have come across the concept of "hand positions", e.g. G position or C position.
My question is: How do you know, in a song you have never ...
17
votes
4answers
4k views
Will a 61-key keyboard severely restrict my piano repertoire?
I'm planning on trading my 88-key digital piano for a 61-key portable music workstation as I'm more inclined into rock keyboards as of late than classical music. However, I do enjoy playing classical ...
3
votes
3answers
237 views
Changing compound intervals into simple intervals to simplify a piano arrangement
I am learning to play "raindrop keep falling on my head".
In the sheet I have there are in the base line there are tenth interval that I simplified into thirds:
My questions are:
Is it very ...
7
votes
3answers
124 views
Is there a special way to notate a repeat for the right (treble) hand but not the left (bass) hand?
I'm working with a section of music where the right hand (treble clef) plays the same thing twice, but the left hand (bass clef) differs the second time round.
Usually I would just rewrite out the ...
8
votes
2answers
415 views
What are the pros and cons of the Suzuki method of the piano teaching vs. traditional piano teaching methods?
What is a best and most efficient way to start playing piano? Suzuki method or Traditional? I'm 21 years old.
4
votes
2answers
359 views
How do I play these broken chords on a piano?
I have attached the starting of a waltz (A Flat Major Op. 39 No. 15) by Brahms. As you can see, the left hand plays broken chords while the right hand plays the chords normally. There are two ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Jazz piano versus classical piano
What are the main differences between a jazz Pianist and a classical Pianist, If there are any. If I play mainly songs of pop artists (e.g: The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, etc.) does this count ...
14
votes
6answers
7k views
How to know what notes/chords go together while improvising?
This is 3 questions in one, so it might take a slightly involved answer, or some good links.
I'm a very good classical pianist, but I skipped theory entirely in my early days and learned to play well ...
5
votes
2answers
129 views
Grace notes in Minuet by Boccherini
This is an excerpt from Minuet by Boccherini from John Thompson's Grade 3:
Is the grace note in the 3rd measure played concurrently with the E on the bass line, or just before it?
23
votes
8answers
6k views
How can a classical pianist learn jazz piano?
I'm a classically trained pianist. Took lessons all through my childhood. I've continued to play and read classical literature all my life. But I never learned anything about jazz piano. I also know a ...
5
votes
4answers
4k views
How can I make my keyboard sound like a Hammond organ?
I have a keyboard. It can play the basic MIDI sounds. I would like it to have a Hammond organ sound. Since I'm not sure if I can upload new sounds to its MIDI bank, I'm looking for a way to 'effect' ...
0
votes
1answer
140 views
Digital Piano Keyboard [closed]
I am interested about buying a digital piano with weighted keys. Would you suggest any in particular? Does that feel like real piano?
0
votes
0answers
83 views
Stage Piano with custom samples [closed]
Is there any model from Yamaha/Roland/... which enables user to load custom sample anyway and use it on keyboard (pref. stage piano)?
My goal is to have ability to copy on pendrive/keyboard memory ...
0
votes
0answers
85 views
BPM limit on piano [closed]
I am practicing rhythm from a book called "the rhythm bible". The book is designed for all types of musicians, and the author suggests the following practice routine for pianists.
If the ...
5
votes
1answer
271 views
Which Bach toccata is more difficult- BWV910 or BWV911?
Which Bach toccata is more technically challenging? The Toccata in c minor (BWV 911) or the Toccata in f# minor (BWV 910)? I've heard that the c minor toccata is a monster but I can't find anything on ...
3
votes
1answer
89 views
How do I finger the interleaved 3rds in Goldberg 23?
The bottom line is what I'm talking about. They're interleaved and I'm playing it on one piano (though it's written for two). I've been doing 2/3 in each hand, with the left hand over the right, ...
6
votes
2answers
456 views
Need help with a measure within Mozart's 'Rondo alla Turca'
In the 21st measure of Mozart's Rondo alla Turca/Turkish March (3rd movement of K. 331), there's a trill in the treble clef that I can't quite get right. Would you be so kind to expand the measure as ...
11
votes
4answers
323 views
Dissonance across different octaves
When I play to keys that form a dissonant interval (for example a major second using C and D) in the lower octave, I perceive the dissonance to be very strong. But, when I move up to higher C's and ...
6
votes
4answers
7k views
How high from the ground should the keyboard from a piano be?
When installing a digital piano, I have the freedom of vertically placing the entire piano at any height I want.
But, I want to know what the ideal (preferred) height is. Is there a standard height?
...
21
votes
10answers
4k views
How can I improve my piano sight reading?
I am 25 years old, and I started learning piano about 6 months ago. I really want to play the piano well, but it takes me so long to be able to play any piece of music. In the meantime, I'm using a ...
1
vote
3answers
97 views
Are there digital pianos that don't have too many features? [closed]
My wife and I want to buy a piano for our 9 years old.
We are not sure if we should get her a classic piano or a digital one.
Basically we like the idea of earphones / volume control / mobility and ...
4
votes
2answers
213 views
Learning the piano strictly by learning chords…and saving scales and complex fingerings for later…
I studied piano for a couple years as a young adult. I enjoyed it, but got busy with school/activities/other instruments and it fell by the wayside.
I've been interested in picking it up again and ...
2
votes
5answers
321 views
Trying to program a piano staff/stave. Is this what it's supposed to look like?
I'm currently writing a software application which creates notes on a staff, when a piano key is pressed. Unfortunately I have no background in music, and thus am finding it quite hard to get started.
...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Left Right Hand Co-ordination on Piano [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I significantly improve my hand independence on piano?
I'm a intermediate piano student (I can play almost without a break if you give me notes but am still poor ...
2
votes
2answers
238 views
Hannon or Czerny
What are the best exercises for someone who had played the piano for 3 years but has had a 4 year break and wants to get back into playing, Hannon or Czerny?
9
votes
4answers
428 views
Understanding the elements of harmony in “honky-tonk” or ragtime style piano
I enjoy improvising piano in what I call (perhaps incorrectly) a "honky-tonk" or "ragtime" style, usually involving a steady stride or two-step in the left hand, and playing over that with lots of ...
6
votes
3answers
145 views
Is playing with two hand really necessary in this passage?
This is an except from Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 by Liszt from John Thompson's Grade 3
(The key signature of this section is F Major):
Is playing this passage with two hand really necessary? or is ...
6
votes
2answers
932 views
Pinky is raised uncontrollably when doing finger exercise
When I do finger exercises (e.g. Hanon's), my pinky finger is being raised after I play (press and release) a key with my fourth finger, and then is raised even more and is striated after the third ...
2
votes
1answer
460 views
Fingering for black keys scale
I have noticed that everything I play on the black keys only sounds oriental.
I wanted to know what is the standard fingering to go through this pentatonic scale?
2
votes
2answers
148 views
Is it possible to play a piano piece written for four hands with just two hands?
I was wondering if it is possible to play a four hands piano piece with just two hands. Were any classical musicians capable of doing that?
3
votes
1answer
336 views
Where can I find one-handed piano pieces?
I have sustained an injury in my right hand from playing the piano (my doctor diagnosed it as "tennis elbow"). Where can I find pieces that are suitable for left hand only? Hopefully they are sorted ...
6
votes
2answers
444 views
Is Beethoven's title “Sonata quasi una Fantasia” an oxymoron, and does the title instruct how to perform it?
Beethoven's so-called "Moonlight" Sonata is fully titled "Sonata quasi una Fantasia".
Google translates this literally to "Sonata almost a Fantasy", but I'll assume it means more like "Sonata in the ...
1
vote
1answer
150 views
How should I finger A# and F# Major on piano?
How should I finger A# and F# Major with the left hand, 5-2-1 or 5-3-1?
5
votes
4answers
733 views
Piano tuning just under the absolute pitch
The other day, the piano tuner came to the semi-annual tuning of my piano (a Blüthner baby grand). I was not at the house when he did the tuning. When I got home, the piano was tuned in respect to ...
