A keyboard instrument which uses felt-tipped hammers to strike at strings.
3
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6answers
330 views
How to learn piano improvisation
I am a self-taught piano player, played for about five years with shorter and longer breaks. I've never had any formal education, don't know chords or music theory. What should I do to learn piano ...
3
votes
2answers
270 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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
102 views
Whose idea was it to put three pedals on a piano?
Who ever decided to put foot pedals on a piano? Do we know who did it, or do we only know the general period that this happened? I would like to know who did this and when did it happen?
3
votes
5answers
434 views
Technique for octaves on piano without pain?
So I'm a decently experienced pianist, but I never had formal training. And now I've got this absolutely amazing arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody, and it's killing me.
The first two parts were so ...
3
votes
2answers
385 views
Riders on the storm fingering for piano
I'm talking about this little run:
I can't think of a proper fingering of this, so it sounds very smooth.
Its basically in the Dmajor scale starting on b.
Can anyone help me getting the ...
3
votes
1answer
70 views
Notation on Schubert's Op.94, D760, piece 6
I was practicing the 6th moment musicaux of Schubert's Op. 94 using a Henle edition (which is in public domain in imslp, Here) and I encountered something I have never seen before.
Over the bars 30, ...
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?
3
votes
1answer
335 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 ...
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?
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" ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Is there any repertoire that makes explicit use of the Sostenuto pedal?
Often when I've used the sostenuto pedal (in fact, whenever I've used it thus far) it's as a "helping hand" to sustain various notes individually that would be much more difficult to hold otherwise.
...
3
votes
4answers
307 views
Developing a good practice routine for piano improvisation with a band
I have been playing the piano for 2 years now and I can play some of my favorite pieces through sheet music and a lot of time. I have also been singing in a band for quite some years and want to ...
3
votes
1answer
560 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
416 views
Is there a canonical piano grading system?
The Thompson's books are divided by grade (first grade, second grade, etc.) Aside from that I have encountered a pianist who says that he is considered to be an X grade pianist. what is this grading ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
135 views
How do I finger these descending treble fifths?
From BWV 914, Toccata in E minor, Fuga:
My Henle edition marks 5-1 for the first four pairs of fifths starting from F#, E, D, C#, but doesn't give fingerings for the next 6 pairs of fifths.
What ...
3
votes
2answers
761 views
Playing Piano in a Big Band / Chordal Accompaniments
I play piano in a jazz band and I've been learning piano for about 8/10 years now. The type of music I'm talking about here is mainly swing music.
What are some good techniques/practices for ...
3
votes
1answer
144 views
Playing Haydn on the modern piano, reading list?
A typical modern score for Haydn has a boatload of editorial suggestions for dynamics, staccato, tenuto, etc. I'm sure these editors know more than I do (that's not hard), but I'd like to know more ...
3
votes
1answer
284 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 ...
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, ...
3
votes
1answer
280 views
Piano technique: Repetitions and oscillations
Not sure if I am using the right expression, so allow me to cite examples.
There are some piano movements that cause my hands (wrists) to cramp when I play it for too long. One are repeated chords. ...
3
votes
3answers
500 views
Suggestions for switching from piano to electronic keyboard?
I've been playing piano for more than 40 years -- started out with classical, but I've been playing in a praise band the last 10 years or so.
We recently purchased a Kurzweil PC3X keyboard for 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
228 views
How to be calm and relaxed during a performance, recital, or competition? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to overcome audience fear?
I play the piano and have to frequently perform on stage, and participate in competitions. Sometimes, I remain calm and played well. ...
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
3answers
94 views
Piano Maintenance
What should be done to maintain an upright piano?
I am not asking about tuning it, but what can be done so it does not have to be tuned as often?
I heard someone once say about a particular piano ...
2
votes
3answers
282 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
982 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.
...
2
votes
6answers
132 views
Sight reading (“two hands”) for one non-performers?
For a long time I have wanted to learn to sight-read piano music, and made a few a ttempts, but failed.
The most important reason for these failures, I think, is that I have no interest whatsoever in ...
2
votes
2answers
345 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 ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
How much being a touch-typist can help learning the piano faster?
I'm a touch-typist, and I want to learn piano. Does my touch-typing help me learn it faster? I have a good amount of control over my left hand, and my palms are curved as if I hold an small orange. My ...
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?
2
votes
2answers
345 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?
2
votes
3answers
875 views
Starting piano - which instrument to choose?
I've been playing guitar for a couple of years now, and I want to try my hand at piano - so to speak.
I'm a little stumped as to what the best instrument for me to choose is, as I've been looking at ...
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
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
134 views
Transcribing Piano Chords for Guitar
I've recently started playing rhythm guitar in my church's worship service. The more contemporary songs I don't really have a problem with. It's the traditional songs that are giving me some pain ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
Is this note in Für Elise an E or a D?
I've seen two notations for the note progression of Für Elise that goes "E.-C-B-A" at the end. One is "E.-C-B-A", which was the one I heard first, and the other is "D.-C-B-A", which appeared in an RCM ...
2
votes
2answers
407 views
In what order should I learn all the theoretical concepts for piano?
I can do major scales with every key. I am now start minor scales. In what order should I learn all the concepts and theories? For example chords, chord progressions, lots of other stuff etc..
I ...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
Is it normal, when playing scales on the piano, to occasionally rub neighboring fingers against each other?
When I play the F sharp harmonic minor scale, my right index finger on E sharp (F) rubs on my third finger on F sharp, since this scale is rather awkward. Is this to be avoided, or is it ...
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?
2
votes
3answers
727 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 ...
2
votes
3answers
622 views
How difficult is it to play Beethoven's (Emperor) Piano Concerto No. 5?
At what ABRSM grade would it be sensible to attempt the piano component of this sublime piece of music?
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
What are good warmup practices for piano?
What are the basic warmup practices and exercises for piano playing?
2
votes
1answer
161 views
How to learn chords for piano?
I am starting to learn some music theory and improving other things in my piano playing, and I've decided I will begin by learning chords. I've read a bit about them and I know, more or less, how they ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
How do I go about practicing this arpeggio?
I'm an experienced guitar player, and I'm finally getting around to spending some time self-studying the piano. I've been learning a few songs by ear, and I'm wondering how to go about properly ...
2
votes
3answers
94 views
Zedd - Spectrum arpeggio fingering help?
I am having real trouble working out the optimal fingering for an arpeggio in this piano piece:
(Note that lower G should be on the right hand stave. The piece is 104 bpm)
I have tried a few ...
