A keyboard instrument which uses felt-tipped hammers to strike at strings.
2
votes
2answers
346 views
Learning blues piano from music score
I have been playing classical piano reading sheet music, and I want to begin blues by similarly learning some pieces from score. What would be some good books/sites I can use for this?
3
votes
2answers
438 views
Different types of grace notes
This is a definition of a grace note from a Thompson piano course book:
But if they don't have any time value, why do I see grace note of different time values?
In this picture there is an eighth ...
5
votes
3answers
233 views
Adding accidentals that are already expressed by the key signature
I have been learning piano for almost two years now, making good progress. I have good knowledge of the different scales and their corresponding key signatures. When I learn a new piece, I usually ...
3
votes
2answers
272 views
How do you determine the best fingering for arpeggios on the piano?
I'm learning Reverie by Debussy. I always hesitate when fingering arpeggios. I can figure it out, but I always feel like there's a better way which I'm not thinking of. Does anyone have any tips for ...
2
votes
3answers
284 views
Penciling in piano fingering
This question is related to a previously asked question of mine about adding accidentals.
I often pencil in fingering in difficult places, but sometimes I even mark fingering on an entire piece (in ...
4
votes
6answers
3k views
Digital Pianos vs Old Upright Pianos for classical music
What should I take in consideration to make my final decision on selecting a $500-600 price range digital piano or old upright piano for classical music (practicing at home).
Some part of me tells me ...
12
votes
2answers
248 views
Glissando that ends on a flat
I have a piece that is in two flats and has a glissando that starts on G and ends on a B quarter note two octaves higher. Am I supposed to glissando on the white keys through A and then hit and hold ...
7
votes
3answers
393 views
Why is the left hand stave missing from the piano sheet music?
Normally, I have both the right and the left hand as here
The left hand stave was always missing in that book of piano sheet music I saw yesterday, however it had letters above the stave for right ...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
What does a small x-like symbol before a note mean?
I've been playing piano by ear for a long time and now I am trying to learn the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata. I am a little confused about the meaning of a little cross placed right before a ...
2
votes
2answers
992 views
What exactly does a 3 mean over a quarter note and an 8th note?
There is an eighth note followed by a quarter note, and above them is a little overarching bracket with a little 3 in it. I know this has something to do with the timing, but I have no idea what.
...
9
votes
12answers
915 views
Why is the piano such a commonly used instrument?
Instruments are commonly compared to the piano. What is the reason for this? Does a piano allow a broader set of music to be played than is possible with other instruments? Are there types of music ...
6
votes
3answers
607 views
What is the best way to become super-accurate on the piano?
For an example of what I mean, look at Volodos or Marc-Andre Hamelin -- both well-known for their incredibly crisp and accurate technique.
The answer is NOT to play more. There are some pieces I'm ...
4
votes
4answers
124 views
Turning music on piano so it doesn't fold
My piano teacher lent me some books that are very old and expensive. My piano has a little dip down that holds the music, but when I turn the page, the bottom of the page drags along the top of the ...
4
votes
1answer
206 views
Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Piano Solo) - Measure 306
In the picture below, there is a significant stretch where the melody in the upper staff is at a lower pitch than the accompaniment in the lower staff.
Does Liszt intend for me to cross my ...
0
votes
1answer
387 views
Tracking down sheet music for “God Is” by James Cleveland
I am not sure where to ask this question, but the Stack Exchange sites have been a good resource for me for other interests that I have, so I am hoping that I drilled down to the right level here to ...
7
votes
2answers
878 views
How does the piano middle pedal work? Is there a standard symbol for it?
What are the mechanics behind the middle piano pedal? I have been using the middle pedal for a variety of music, it is wonderful, but I can't figure out how it works (I mean the mechanical process). ...
2
votes
0answers
158 views
Breakdown of Ray Charles' “swinganova” style?
In the liner notes to Ray Charles' collected country and western recordings, there is a section on how the popularity of bossa nova beats led him to come up with the more soul-accented version in his ...
0
votes
1answer
113 views
What are some ways I can secure my piano stand so it isn't moving as much?
I just got the L85 stand for Yamaha P95 (with 3-pedal LP5), assembled the whole thing, and when I started playing, I noticed that it is moving quite a bit when I play something faster, or just hit the ...
1
vote
1answer
274 views
How should I put my fingers on a piano / electronic keyboard?
Should the fingers be curved/bent or straight?
Should I press the key actively or let my finger fall by "using gravity"?
0
votes
2answers
399 views
play piano accompaniment for a new song - music by ear [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What do I need to know and how do I need to practice to start playing by ear/improvising?
I have learned the basics of piano. Basic includes reading notes, major and few ...
4
votes
2answers
151 views
Early-intermediate Ralph Vaughan Williams Piano?
I'm (perhaps) an 'early intermediate' pianist. Are there any Vaughan Williams pieces I could look at that I have a reasonable chance of being able to play? Wikipedia suggests that I may be out of luck ...
7
votes
2answers
287 views
Why does this note sound like it is not played?
I've been learning the second movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata 16 for a while. While I get most of the stuff memorized, some part of it just doesn't sound right comparing to recordings on YouTube ...
7
votes
5answers
860 views
Fingering for octaves on the piano
Another question about playing octaves (as in Schubert's Erlkonig, Chopin's A-flat Polonaise, etc.):
I practice Hanon exercises, and Hanon recommends using the first and fifth finger on white keys ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the most common ways to “decorate” a melody?
Yes, I know, there are way too many possibilities and it depends on the style of the music... I would be happy with an incomplete list for beginners (like me). Here is what I have so far:
...
3
votes
2answers
768 views
Why is it so hard to count beats and play at the same time?
I am just beginning to learn to play the piano on my own. I seem to have much difficulties keeping the beats and play the notes at the same time. For example, I have been practicing on this same ...
9
votes
3answers
363 views
I'm a musical novice. Can I start my child off on piano?
I'd like to help my six-year-old son try out starting on a piano. At this point, I'm not prepared to invest the money or scheduled time necessary for formal lessons. So, I'm interested in trying to ...
1
vote
2answers
247 views
What kind of piano is useful for beginning players and beyond?
Looking to buy my brother a piano and he's pretty much a beginner but learns fast. What kind of piano can he learn on and continue using even after he's learn a lot?
4
votes
5answers
645 views
What are some good, intermediate-level pieces for piano left hand?
One of my piano students broke two fingers of his right hand, so we will be working with his left hand only for a few weeks while he recovers. He is an intermediate player, and I am looking for some ...
2
votes
3answers
560 views
Pain in left wrist after playing Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1
I've been playing piano for a year now (I used to play in a conservatory when I was a child, maybe 2 years total). I've already learned Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement), Chopin's Nocturne ...
1
vote
6answers
781 views
Should I lift my finger before I hit a key when playing a piano?
I've noticed, that many people are hitting keys, instead of just pressing them. It kinda looks like that before they press the note, they lift the finger a little bit, same as if you tried to hit a ...
5
votes
3answers
175 views
Have a note outstand in a pianissimo chord (piano)
This is the last chord of Francis Poulenc's Mélancolie for piano. It occurs while a piano D♠major chord is still resonating in the bass.
How would you have the Bâ™â™ be perceptible, surprising, and ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
With regards to piano sheet music, when are you supposed to press the pedal(s)?
I've been playing piano for about 8 months. I have a digital weighted 88-key piano with only one pedal.
My friend, who used to play piano, taught me to hold the pedal down when there is an arc in ...
19
votes
10answers
1k views
Which instrument can a person play with 2 malformed fingers on each hand?
Due to a birth defect, I have 2 malformed fingers on both hands (fingers 1,2).
(The picture is from the web just to illustrate the fingers i'm talking about.)
I've seen GuiGui Zheng videos, it is ...
10
votes
2answers
874 views
What is the difference between Kurzweil Mark Pro 1, 2, and 3 Pianos
I'm only interested in the piano tone and feel as compared to a good acoustic piano. Are there reasons to pay twice the money for Kurzweil Mark 3 vs Mark 1?
Both seem to have the same hammer action ...
24
votes
6answers
1k views
How do I use a metronome?
I am currently a beginner at the piano. I know using the metronome is important, but I I'm feeling reluctant to use it often, as it is difficult for me to get the music coordinated with the clicks.
...
3
votes
1answer
562 views
(Free) exercises for intermediate piano player
I'm looking for a good set of exercises that I could practice to develop dexterity, finger strength, and other important skills. Exercises in theory are also quite welcome. I would say I am of ...
5
votes
1answer
259 views
Is it a typo or how do I play it? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
The same note on two staves
I have put red arrows where I am in trouble. As I understand this, I should hit D but it is already pressed down. Do I misunderstand ...
3
votes
2answers
157 views
One hand and then the other
I'm a beginner at piano. When practising is it best to learn how to play each hand separately at first and then put them together, or to practice the whole thing? Or does it not matter?
6
votes
2answers
235 views
What does a grid with dots above the staves mean in a piano sheet music?
First I thought it was for some other musical instrument (guitar?) but both the title and the shopkeeper told me that the music sheet was for piano.
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What does an arc mean above the notes in a piano sheet music? How do I play it?
See the picture above. Is there a website where these (perhaps not so basic) notations are collected?
UPDATE: I see Wikipedia has a nice collection of musical notations.
How do I play the slur on ...
26
votes
3answers
1k views
How long would it take to learn to tune a piano?
I have a piano that is out of tune, and I know tuning pianos properly is complicated enough to have it's own profession. But I think it would be interesting to have a go myself, for fun.
But is this ...
0
votes
3answers
408 views
How do I identify the first 4 notes in this song?
I'm trying to identify the first 4 notes of a song so I can play it on my piano but I just can't seem to find the right notes...
The song is at Youtube at
...
1
vote
2answers
127 views
3
votes
3answers
3k views
How to memorize seventh chords and inversions on piano?
These past few months I've been teaching myself how to play piano, using my background in guitar and a basic knowledge of music theory I've picked up from that. I am having difficulty "memorizing" ...
5
votes
3answers
278 views
Mastering simple songs vs trying harder ones when learning to play the piano as a total beginner
I've had this question in my head for ages. Recently I got myself to start playing piano again after about 5 years, but I'm still total beginner.
Is it better if I stick with really simple songs and ...
4
votes
2answers
540 views
My fingers are huge; how do I adjust on a piano?
I'm a big guy and my fingers are proportionately big. I've been a student of piano for a few months now. I'm told regularly that I should play "into the keyboard" so that my fingers are closer to the ...
6
votes
1answer
187 views
Piano: Significantly right hand arrangement styles/composers
My mother would like to re-learn the piano. She has ability to use her left hand fingers 1-3, full ability with her right hand, the other left hand fingers 4-5 are very weak and come and go. Piano may ...
3
votes
2answers
124 views
How could I create a musical vocabulary based on a group of similar classical pieces?
Sometimes I'll be working on a group of pieces and realize that I'd like to experiment with abstracting some of the musical ideas (rhythms, harmonies, etc) into a musical vocabulary that I could use ...
4
votes
4answers
843 views
What's a good book for learning how to play the piano?
I'm considering learning to play the piano by reading resources instead of taking up piano lessons. It would allow me to just a buy the piano and learn it by myself. What good books or other resources ...
2
votes
4answers
367 views
Piano player, bad traditional sight reading
I'm mostly self taught with the piano. I've only played for ~12 months.
When I learned began playing, I didn't learn which notes were in what position on the staff (I only recognize a couple of ...
