I love my Yamah Clavinova -- here's a wonderful story about it

Yamaha Clavinova Aids Recovery Of Young Brain Tumor Survivor

— High–Tech Digital Piano Offers Therapeutic Benefits to 31–Year–Old Florida Resident —
MELBOURNE, Fla.—"It's a strange story," muses Carol Riley, reflecting on her son Anthony's long journey towards recovery, following surgery four years ago to remove a brain tumor. More importantly, it's a story of how her resourcefulness, determination and hope, as well as the aid of a Clavinova digital piano, is helping the 31–year–old to overcome significant physical and mental challenges.

Anthony Heleno and his classmates enjoy a Clavinova Connection session at the Piano Distributors Store in Melbourne, Florida. Though he had done well initially, Anthony later suffered from a severe post–operative complication: a blood clot in the brain. Damage from the clot created a condition called ataxia, which can occur when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. Anthony's symptoms are similar to the aftermath of a stroke, including short term memory loss and weakness on his left side. As Carol researched therapies to help her son, Anthony's doctor explained the benefits of Interactive Metronome Therapy, a treatment program designed to promote and enhance brain performance and recovery in people with cognitive damage, by supporting the brain's inherent ability to repair or remodel itself. While the prospect seemed exciting, "insurance wouldn't cover it," Carol recalls.Soon thereafter, Carol visited the local Piano Distributors store in Melbourne to inquire about purchasing a metronome, hoping to replicate the therapy in a less expensive way. While the store does not carry individual metronomes, store manager Judy Hanley showed her another tool that could help the Yamaha Clavinova digital piano. "I thought it was terrific," recalls Carol, who had been considering purchasing a keyboard for herself. "Judy explained that the Clavinova had a metronome in it, and demonstrated how you can practice using only one hand or another. As she was showing this to me, I thought this might work, it might force him to use his left hand more and to learn scales.'" Virtually all of Anthony's medical and psychological referrals pointed to the value of music, so she purchased the piano in the summer of 2005 and enrolled along with Anthony in the store's Clavinova Connection class, and subsequently for private lessons as well. "Everything I have read regarding music is that it is a mind stretcher'," says Riley. "It's hard for him to learn new things, but the Clavinova has helped him with his short term memory. The repetition helps. He's coming along; he's finally learning to read music and he has a good ear." "I think this is a good tool for our tool box," continues Carol. "I am always trying to come up with new therapies. Insurance only funds you for a few weeks, so you need to be creative." By all accounts, the combination of therapies, including building muscle strength with a personal trainer, has resulted in a "significant increase in what Anthony can do physically with his left side." "Because of Clavinova Connection, Anthony was able to play popular songs that he enjoyed and identified with," notes Judy Hanley. "Using the Follow Lights system, the program helped build his confidence and provided a strong foundation for additional studies." Cindy Read, Anthony's private piano teacher at Piano Distributors has also noted significant progress. A seasoned instructor with 20 years of experience, she cites the Clavinova's Follow Lights system as being beneficial in helping Anthony concentrate on strengthening his left side. "In January, when he started private lessons, his hand would shake," explains Cindy, who has worked with several students afflicted with both strokes and Parkinson's disease. "The process of focusing on a specific key would make his fingers start to 'stutter'. What he's been able to accomplish in three short months has been amazing." For his part, Anthony, who especially enjoys the Clavinova's Drawbar Organ voice, says, "It helps me play anything; it's user friendly." While he admits "my memory is pretty bad," he notes, "I'm gaining mental agility every day." In addition to the therapeutic benefits offered by the piano, Carol also appreciates its musical versatility. "It enables you not just to play simple things like Mary Had A Little Lamb,' but things that actually sound like music. It's been pretty nice."

"How To Match The Melody Notes Of Any Song To A Chord In Your Left Hand!"

"How To Match The Melody Notes Of Any Song To A Chord In Your Left Hand!"

If you've ever wondered how you can know which chords go with which melody notes, I've got good news for you!
It's easier than you might think to learn how to go about matching the melody notes (the tune) of any song to the appropriate chords. It's really a simple 2-step process, once you understand it, but if you don't know the secret, you can wonder about it for years. But if you learn it now, you will know it the rest of your life.
Back when I was a teenager learning to play the piano, it used to puzzle me which chords to use with which melody notes:
"I wonder how those top pianists know which chords to use? I mean, they don't always use the C chord to harmonize the C melody note, or the D chord to harmonize a D in the melody, and so on -- so how do they do it?"
A few years later I had the extremely good fortune to find a teacher in Hollywood by the name of Dave. He was THE teacher -- he taught many of the recording artists and names you would recognize -- plus a young aspiring piano player named Duane (me). And he showed me how to go about matching the melody notes of any song to the appropriate chords.
That changed my musical life. I didn't have to wonder any more -- I knew for sure which chords went with which notes, and when and why.
It's really a simple process once you understand it, and it has to do with knowing just 2 facts:
Fact 1: There are 3 basic chords that will harmonize any note, and that note is a member of all 3 chords. For example, in the key of C there are 3 basic chords (in music theory they are known as "primary chords") that are organic to that key because they are the only 3 chords that occur as major chords without having to add any accidentals. Those chords are the C chord, the F chord, and the G chord -- also known in music theory as the I chord, the IV chord, and the V chord (Roman numerals are used in classical music notation). So if you play any note of the C scale -- C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C -- you can harmonize that note with one of the 3 primary chords -- either C, F, or G -- because all of the notes in the C scale are members of one or more of those 3 chords.
Fact 2: These 3 chords rotate as the melody moves through the song, so pick the chord that has that melody note in it. For example, let's say you are trying to pick out "Silent Night" by ear, and you start on G. Simply ask yourself "Which of the 3 primary chords -- C, F, or G -- has the G note in it? The answer is both the C chord and the G chord. So you try one, andif it doesn't sound quite right, try the other. Before long you will be sensing which chordis the better choice. Like in any subject, there is a learning curve, but it's not a steep learningcurve -- especially when you enjoy what you're doing!
Then once you master the primary chords, you can widen your scope to "cousin chords"(known in music theory as "secondary chords") then later on you can add "neighbor chords" and "color chords" and all kinds of other exciting variations, and then the sky is the limit in terms of improvising and making up your own musical sounds.

Duane Shinn is the author of "How To Match The Melody Note Of Any Song To a Chord In Your Left Hand!" available at http://www.playpiano.com/music-home-study-courses/match-chords-to-melody.htm

How To Predict Which Chord Comes Next In A Song

Keyboard Workshop has announced the release of a new DVD course titled “How To Predict Which Chord Comes Next In a Song”
It is quite possible to accurately predict which chord comes next in a song, and a new course from www.PlayPiano.com reveals how it is done.
Medford, Oregon - April 12, 2006
It is quite possible to accurately predict with 75% to 85% accuracy that chord comes next in a song, and a new course from www.PlayPiano.com reveals how it is done. The reason that it is possible is because music has FORM -- like the skeleton that holds your flesh, muscles, and skin up. If you had no bones -- no skeleton -- your flesh and all the other parts of you would fall in a heap on the floor. Not a pretty picture. But because you DO have a skeleton, you are able to walk around and pretty accurately predict which way your next step will take you. It's the same in music. Music has FORM -- a skeleton to hold it up, hold it together. And that skeleton is made out of chords -- harmony -- the tonal center of the song or piece. In any given key you can play in, there are PRIMARY CHORDS -- chords that occur way more than other chords. They are like family members of that particular key. At your house, let's say you have 3 people in your family -- your spouse, your child, and you. On the same block, but down the street a few houses, lives your cousin and her family. At any given moment, who are the most likely people to be in your house? Hillary? John McCain? Barry Bonds? I don't think so. It's possible, of course, but not too likely. If I had to guess, I would say it would be either you, your spouse, or your child. It might be your cousin down the street -- there's a much better chance of that than, say, Steve Martin -- but my best odds would be to guess that the family members would be there. It's the same way with chords. In any given key, there are 3 "family members" that are residents of that key -- the I chord, the IV chord, and the V chord. They are far and away the most likely chords to occur in any given key.
To cover this subject thoroughly, Keyboard Workshop has announced the release of a new DVD & CD course titled "How To Predict Which Chord Comes Next In a Song" which reveals how any musician can accurately predict chord progressions once he or she understands the "family of chords" and how they relate to one another.
Other helpful information regarding this DVD & CD course can be found at: www.playpiano.com/music-home-study-courses/predict-chord.htm
For More Information Contact:
Duane Shinn duane@playpiano.com www.playpiano.com/music-home-study-courses/predict-chord.htm

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Free Piano Lessons Online On Piano Chords & Chord Progressions

http://www.playpiano.com/playmorenotes.html

You can play a lot more notes without having to read more notes...

When you learn to play from chord symbols (such as G7, Fm7, Dm6 -- also known as "piano tabs")

Most professional musicians play from a book called a "Fake Book". I bought my first fake book containing only about 200 songs when I was a teenager -- they were illegal then, but most musicians owned them -- for $50. That would be equal to $500. or more now. But fortunately, they have since become legal, so you can buy a real good one with 1000 songs now for $50. or less. A fake book contains just the melody (tune) and the chord symbols of a song, so you have to know chords to use one. But when you do, your playing comes alive -- you're only reading a few notes, but playing lots of notes.
Most people learn to play the piano by playing just the written music. Playing by written music is exactly what the phrase says it is -- playing the exact notation on a piece of sheet music. But playing by chord symbol is very different. Instead of following the harmony note by note, you follow the chord symbols (i.e. C7 or F) written above the harmonies, filling in the gaps with...well, whatever you want as long as it sticks to those chords. Of course, you'll still read the melody (it is, after all, often what makes the song recognizable) but even that is completely open to interpretation. Playing by chord symbol allows you a freedom that playing by written music simply doesn't. The freedom to create. The freedom to invent. The freedom to arrange chord patterns in the way you want.
Does that mean playing by written music is less important than playing by chord symbol? No. The ability to play by written music is an extremely valuable skill, one that even some of the most famous musicians don't possess. And while you don't necessarily need to know the skill backwards and forwards to create great arrangements, it's a great help.
Chord Symbols: Cmaj7 Am7 Dm7 G7 Eb13 B11 etc.
Chord symbols -- sometimes refered to as "chord tabs" (for example, Cmaj7 or G6) are a type of notation used frequently in jazz and other areas of modern music to notate chord progressions and changes. This type of notation differs from that of classical music in that chord symbols don't show the function of a chord the way the Roman numeral notation does. Chord symbols, for modern music with lots of changes, are much easier to read. They function as a sort of shorthand for change-heavy music and are written with four chord parts in mind: the root, the quality, the extension, and the alterations.
How to read chord symbols:
The root
The first part in chord symbols, the root, tells the musician which note is the root of the chord. In an E6 chord, for instance, the E serves as the root. In a C7 chord, C is the root. Easy enough.
The quality of the chord
Quality, the second part in chord symbols, denotes whether the chord is major, minor, diminished, or augmented. In a Cmaj7, the maj tells us that the C chord is major. The abbreviations for this area in chord symbols are maj, min, dim, and aug, respectively. So Cm means the chord is a C minor chord. Caug means that the chord is a C augmented chord.
The extensions
The extension in chord symbols, written after the quality, shows the musician if the chord differs from a triad, such as an 11th or 6th or 9th or 7th or 13th. So a C9 would mean that the C chord includes the 9th note above C, which is D. A C6 chord would mean that the C chord includes the 6th scale note above C, which is A. This part of chord symbols is not always shown; if there is no indication of an extension, the musician is to assume that the chord is a triad.
The alteration
The last part in chord symbols, the alteration, is usually but not always expressed. Think of this part as the "notes" section in chord symbols; it gives the musician any specific (and sometimes irregular) instructions for playing the chord and is always written in parentheses after the extension (or the quality, if no extension exists). For instance, (no fifth) would tell the musician that the chord is to be played with the fifth tone left out. Sus – short for “suspension”, would mean to play the 4th scale note instead of the 3rd. A minus sign would mean to lower (flat) a chord tone, such as C-9 which would mean to flat the 9th of the chord. Conversely, a plus sign would mean to raise (sharp) a particular chord tone.
Use sheet music as a map instead of a ball & chain
Reading music using chord symbols allows a person to use written music as a map, rather than a note-for-note approach -- being tied to the written sheet music. By just reading the melody note and the chord symbols, musicians can improvise to their hearts content and create their own sounds on the keyboard.
What would you do if your sheet music blew away?
Did you know that many pianists wouldn't have a clue what to do if a gust of wind blew their sheet music off the music rack? I've actually seen it happen, and it is very embarrassing to the pianist. And it's so un-necessary! And there's a true story about a famous concert pianist who could play most any piece of written music, but when asked to play "Happy Birthday" at a party, she couldn't do it because she didn't have any written music! Almost unbelievable, but true.
Once you learn this skill you'll be reading only a few notes per measure, but playing handfuls of notes -- arpeggios, chords, runs, riffs, fills, etc.

http://www.playpiano.com/playmorenotes.html

Is there more to piano than practice, practice, practice?

Free Piano Lessons Online On Piano Chords & Chord Progressions: 33 Tips For Becoming a Great Pianist!

Are there really secrets to becoming a really good piano player? Or is it just a matter of practice, practice, practice?

Free Piano Lessons Online On Piano Chords & Chord Progressions: 33 Tips For Becoming a Great Pianist!

"There are at least 33 elements that contribute to becoming a good pianist," says Duane Shinn, pianist and owner of Keyboard Workshop in Medford, Oregon. "There are probably more, but without these 33 principles a pianist cannot hope to rise to the level of his ability."


Are there really secrets to becoming a really good piano player? Or is it just a matter of practice, practice, practice?

Practice is necessary, of course, but you could practice until the cows come home without understanding what you’re doing at the piano, and all you would end up with is fingers that behave obediently to whatever the sheet music or score tells them to do.

Understanding how music works in terms of form and content is the key to productive practice. Then you are not just playing mechanically by rote like a machine, but you can get “inside” the music and eventually let it flow out of your brain and heart as well as your hands.

"There are at least 33 elements that contribute to becoming a good pianist," says Duane Shinn, pianist and owner of Keyboard Workshop in Medford, Oregon. "There are probably more, but without these 33 principles a pianist cannot hope to rise to the level of his ability."

So yes – there really are secrets to becoming the piano player of your dreams. It’s not that anyone is purposefully trying to keep a secret from you, but it’s a rare teacher who has the ability to not only play well but to be able to explain music theory – chords, melody, rhythm, dynamics, and all the other elements that contribute to playing the piano well and with feeling.

In our piano teaching studio at Piano University we have identified 33 distinct skill that must be developed if a person wants to play up to the limit of her or his potential.

33 Tips For Becoming a Great Pianist!

http://www.playpiano.com/musical-courses/33-tips.htm


I have isolated 33 prime characteristics -- 33 key elements of piano playing, and put them all in one place in a course titled
" 33 Tips For Becoming a Great Pianist!"
You'll get 33 cards that summarize each of the 33 tips -- and on the 4 audio CD's that come with the course you'll hear me explain and demonstrate each of those 33 key elements.
For example, you'll learn when you should look down at your hands, and when you shouldn't, and how to keep from losing your place when you do.
You'll learn the secret of pedaling, and how to make your playing smooth when you want it to be, and explosive when you want it to be. You'll learn the logic of fingering -- whey it's so easy once you understand the principle. You'll learn the 7 secrets of sight reading fast. You'll learn how to train yourself to hear intervals of all kinds, from 2nds to 13ths. You'll learn to recognize chords, and extend them, and substitute them, and how to turn them into various styles by breaking them up in certain ways.
You'll learn to voice chords in open and closed voicings and how to add color tones.
You'll learn how to harmonize and analyze and stylize....and tons more.
Here are the 33 Tips:
1 - Hand & Body Position -- Eye Flips 2 - The key to productive practice -- Spaced Repetition
3 - Attitude -- how it affects your learning4 - How & when to pedal. Using explosive dynamics5 - Exposure: why it's critically important6 - Ear Training -- Intervals from 2nds to 13th 7 - Fingering -- which finger do you use when? 8 - Chord substitutions that create fantastic sounds9 - Chord recognition -- how to recognize what chord is being used10 - Musical vocabulary: tempo words, form words11- Arranging: how's your "bag of tricks" coming along12 - Melodic sense: how does the melody relate to the chords?13 - Sight-reading: 7 fundamentals you can't ignore14 - Key orientation: Can you think in the key you're playing in?15 - Scanning the score before you start playing16 - Mental practice -- how to learn music in bed17 - Repertoire: Why you need one to be prepared18 - Goal setting: How good can you get?19 - Rhythm awareness -- samba, fox trot, etc.20 - Why music history is important to you21 - Idea stealing -- how and where22 - 12-bar blues; creating a motif; "blue notes"23 - Extended chords: 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th24 - Technique acquisition: rubber balls, drills25 - Harmonization: Using I, IV & V to harmonize26 - Key identification: Recognizing key signatures27 - Voicing: Open, closed, registers, color tones28 - Improvisation: Making music right out of your head29 - Harmony & theory: How much should you know?30 - Stylistic devices: Western, boogie, jazz, etc.31 - Analysis: How to understand what you're hearing32 - Riffs & runs & fills: How to develop them33 - Cross-pollination: The best of all worlds!
"33 Tips For Becoming a Great Pianist!"
A Priceless 4-Audio CD Set along with 33 individual cards! Duane discusses each card and demonstrates each point on the piano, so you will clearly understand. You get all 33 cardsplus the 4 CD's.

http://www.playpiano.com/musical-courses/33-tips.htm

Singing the blues?

Singing the blues?: "Singing the Blues?



Singing the Blues?

The Blues is one of the truly American art forms. It has its roots in the African American culture from the Mississippi delta in the late 1800�s (historian�s opinions vary from the 1860�s to the 1890�s). Regardless of the precise year that the music we call the Blues started, we know that by the 1920�s it was wildly popular around the country with Blues joints popping up all around the country and new recording stars popping up in unprecedented numbers.
The Blues, was (and is) different from most any other kind of music known in the western world and the contribution that the Blues have made to American music and lyrics cannot be overstated. It merged western music influences with the cultural influences that reflect the African American heritage from which it was born, giving us (among other things) the �blue� notes, which are often described as bent pitches which don�t fit easily into the western tonal system. Truly, the contribution of the Blues in America is great.
Inherent in the Blues is an idea, however, that one can overcome sadness by listening to, singing, or otherwise performing the Blues. But the question that follows is, does the idea (or philosophy) hold up? Can you overcome major depression through listening to the Blues?
Without a doubt, singing (or listening to) the Blues can be a fun, even exhilarating experience, and probably, if the listener is simply tired or frustrated, this music style may well be able to help. However, a pair of studies conducted in 2003 suggests that depression and other such conditions can best be avoided by focusing on the things an individual has to be thankful for rather than their losses. In these studies they found that people who were actively keeping a journal of thi"

Successful kids

Successful kids: "To Make Your Kids More Successful, Teach Them Music!



To Make Your Kids More Successful, Teach Them Music!
Benefits of Music Education Shown to Include Leadership and Teamwork Skills

Besides being a sure way to become the life of the party, learning to play an instrument can make your children smarter, better adjusted, and better equipped to adopt a position of leadership in a diverse world.
The idea that music education makes children smarter isn't just our opinion. Music has a mathematical precision; the rhythms, pitches, and motifs in musical composition can all be expressed with numbers and equations. Maybe that is why the 1993 Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) showed above-average scores in both mathematical and verbal portions of the test by high school students who studied music.[1] At the time, President Bill Clinton and Education Secretary Richard Riley were calling for enriched arts education for all children.[2]
Being smart is important, but it's also critical that children be well adjusted. Children with music education�especially in a school setting with other musicians�develop the key people-skills that are essential to functioning in society, including teamwork, problem solving, and leadership. They gain from the hard work of music mastery, learning self-discipline and self-worth through accomplishments.[3] Studies demonstrate that the students most likely to be elected to class office, achieve the highest grades, or receive honors for academic achievement are the students who�you guessed it�study music.[4]
There is also an impossible to quantify, yet essential quality that music adds to each of our lives. If, as argued by the Oxford Review of Education as far back as 1996, the richness of music is itself enough justification for the tea"