Music Information

How to Use the Entire Piano Keyboard


There are 88 keys on the piano keyboard. Most pianists use about 1/3 of this number most of the time. Why?

Well, if you're playing sheet music, the answer lies in how the composer used the piano. If you're creating your own music, the answer lies in experimenting with the possibilities.

Now, most of my own music is played near the middle of the keyboard. It's not planned that way but this is the area of the piano I naturally gravitate towards when sitting down to play. Of course, I do and have used most notes available on the piano and it would be a shame not to. But I allow the music to tell me where it wants to go. If I sit down with a predetermined agenda to play high notes, then I am not listening to my intuition.

Although I have to admit that in Lesson 5: "Winter Scene" I wanted to create a crisp wintry sound so I started further up the keyboard with the left hand and played higher register notes in my right. But most times, I will let my intuition guide me and 9 times out of 10 begin at the middle of the keyboard.

There is nothing wrong or uncreative about this at all. In fact, it doesn't really matter where you begin because once started, the heart and mind work together as one bringing you the ideal music. It is the only true music that could come out of you because you listen to what your heart wants to play. If you play a few bass notes to begin with fine. Want to start at the high end of the piano, OK.

The key here is authenticity. Some compositions and improvisations sound contrived because they were - that is they were thought up. There really is nothing wrong per se with this approach - as long as you let the music guide you. For example, you may decide you want to do as I did and create a certain mood piece. However, once you get the general idea for the music, let it guide you to where it wants to go - that is, listen, listen, listen for what is coming next. This approach never fails and will most always yield good results.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!


MORE RESOURCES:

CTV.ca

Subscription music services: Are we there yet?
ZDNet - 1 hour ago
Microsoft on Thursday announced a new music subscription model for its Zune music player and the big question in the back of the room is this: Will ...
Microsoft Announces New Zune Pass Music Subscription Model MarketWatch
Sources: Apple, music labels talk DRM-free songs CNET News
Microsoft enhances the Zune service with MP3s Los Angeles Times
Washington Post - CNET News
all 209 news articles


New York Times

Music Review Making Girls Dance: All in a Night’s Work
New York Times, United States - 10 hours ago
His music is a collage of hits, recent and old, that are instantly recognizable to just about everyone in the crowd. Each one — from Jay-Z to Styx to the ...
Girl Talk shows are a mix of concert, dance party Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Girl Talk Rowan University The Whit Online (registration)
all 5 news articles


Music Choice Announces the Urban Music Award Nominees for Most ...
MarketWatch - 45 minutes ago
Music Choice, the award-winning, multi-platform video and music network, announces the Urban music award categories and nominees for MOST DEMANDED - The ...


mocoNews.net - Mobile Content Bits: Google Contacts Sync; Nokia ...
Washington Post, United States - 4 hours ago
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Music Store Launches In Italy: With a catalog spanning more than 4 million songs, Nokia has launched its digital music store in Italy. ...


ABC News

Formerly Lavish Music Patron Is Convicted of Fraud
New York Times, United States - 13 hours ago
By DANIEL J. WAKIN Alberto W. Vilar, the investor and music lover accustomed to opulent living, front-row opera seats and the gratitude of arts impresarios, ...
Verdict a dilemma for Vilar arts center Rocky Mountain News
all 346 news articles


Ticketmaster to Power Live Music Ticket Sales On Billboard.com
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
"Billboard is uniquely qualified to provide consumers with credible chart data, authoritative music analysis and access to both popular and up-and-coming ...


Boston Globe (registration)

Music listings
Boston Globe (registration), United States - 9 hours ago
617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com JAMES REED DONAL FOX QUARTET The pianist's music melds jazz, classical, and Latin influences into his own deeply rooted, ...
North Best Bets Boston Globe (registration)
all 2 news articles


Just Me! Music Chooses Acutrack for Personalized Audio CD Production.
MarketWatch - 15 hours ago
Music, the leading purveyor of branded, personalized children's products featuring today's most popular children's characters -- Barney(R), ...


CNET News

Bang & Olufsen makes sweet, sweet music with Aston Martin
CNET News, CA - 8 hours ago
At the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show we sat in the DBS as a Bang & Olufsen representative played a variety of music through the system. ...


New York Times

Music Review Proudly Strutting, Defying Hostile Universe
New York Times, United States - 9 hours ago
By STEPHEN HOLDEN Chita Rivera begins her new show at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency with a disclaimer. She is not going to dance (“I Won’t Dance”); ...

Music - Google News

home | site map
© 2006