Piano

Download Reading Music Guide / Scale & Arpeggio Fingerings for Piano

Submitted by brittany.anjou on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 10:11

I'd like to share with you some of my favorite materials for beginning piano students. Although rudimentary, these seem to be harder to find nowadays with the lack of sheet music retailers in Brooklyn. First is a primer on reading sheet music and second is a fingering chart for all 12 major scales and arpeggios.

Reading Music Notation - Download

  • Mnemonic Devices for learning the names of the lines and spaces 
  • a Rhythm Tree showing Whole, Half, Quarter, Eighth and Sixteenth Notes
  • the most common Time Signatures and all twelve Key Signatures
  • some Popular Triads so you will start to feel out reading two handed stacked harmony

Fingerings of the Twelve Major Scales and Arpeggios - Download

  • Group One Scales (C, G, D, A, E) all have identical fingering patterns. Once you physically get the feel with both hands together for C major, it will be the same action in muscle memory for G, D, A, and E.
  • Group Two Scales (B, Db, Gb) are similar in the number of sharps/flats, thus the fingering changes to acquire depressing five black keys in this group. For example, in B Major, the right hand is the same as the Group One scales, but the left is different to accommodate the pattern physically.
  • Group Three Scales (Ab, Eb, Bb, F) are most similar in that they have 1-4 flats, and their finger patterns are nearly alike. At times, the right and left hands must switch thumbs at the same points, making them easier to memorize than the Group One Scales.

This is pretty much all you need as it covers fingerings for both the right and left hand for all twelve major scales, plus minor scales and arpeggios. The best thing is that it labels both hands for one and multiple octaves, which is essential for the progressing pianists' technique and for future school auditions!

Brittany Anjou teaches Piano, Vibraphone & Gyil at Brooklyn Music Lessons.

Jesse Elder's CD "The Winding Shell" Reviewed on eJazz News

Submitted by jesse.elder on Tue, 10/06/2009 - 12:33

CD Reviews: Jesse Elder “The Winding Shell” CD-2009 Off
Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 11:34 AM

Glenn Astarita

Original Posting on eJazz News

Here, forward-thinking pianist Jesse Elder employs tenor sax titan, Gary Thomas along with talented jazz saxophonists Chris Cheek, Logan Richardson and Jeremy Viner. But Elder varies the program and finalizes the album with four piano duets, featuring Aya Nishina. Simply stated, Elder offers a bit of mind candy for the average jazz enthusiast, as the album title does indeed, parallel the content of his multifarious compositions.

Weaving saxes, false endings and Elder’s dynamic reengineering of themes are just a few of the underpinnings that generate gobs of excitement. The band also tosses in a few off-kilter treatments amid bustling rhythmic forays, crisp accents and intermittent treks into the freer realm. Elder possesses a broad musical vernacular, where some of these passages are constructed upon classical frameworks within the comprehensively arranged and largely, winding movements.

The frontline sax section often projects a sense of urgency to complement several melodic intervals. Thomas’ monstrous chops are in full force here, as he morphs a top-down soloing approach with blistering flurries. On “Kiss Rain,” the unit fuses sanguine storylines with whimsical sentiment, sparked by Elder’s huge block chords and melodic overtones. Then they interject a bit of funk via staggered flows and harmonious unison lines during the peppery jaunt titled “All Moments.”

Elder and Nishina interrogate each other while exploring various modes of counterpoint and structure on the four duets simply titled “I – IV.” They improvise through classical, jazz and avant-garde elements while also dishing out some rather haunting propositions. Sure enough, Elder is on track to impart a significant presence within global jazz circles due to this irrefutably, persuasive debut release. – Glenn Astarita

Track listing: Surrender; Solar Plexus; The Thoughtful Nudge; Flight Of The Pelican; Rotating Canvases; Kiss Rain; Red Paint; The Winding Shell; All Moments; I; II; III; IV.

Personnel: Logan Richardson: alto saxophone; Gary Thomas: tenor saxophone; Jesse Elder: piano; Christopher Tordini: bass; Tyshawn Sorey: drums; Chris Cheek: tenor saxophone; Jeremy Viner: tenor saxophone; Aya Nishina: piano.

Digital Piano for the home

Submitted by BML on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 12:14

It has come up recently that a few students are looking for an affordable digital piano for their respective homes, so I've decided to put in my 2 cents.

When I was studying at the New School University's Jazz & Contemporary Music Program, I learned about the Yamaha P80 Digital Piano. The piano proficiency classes were held in rooms with about 10 of these keyboards; the piano sound is decent and the action on them is remarkably good for a keyboard. Unlike many digital pianos, the Yamaha P line of keyboards actually feel like a piano! This, I feel is the most important factor in choosing a digital piano for home practice. I went around to a few music stores in the city and tried out all the weighted key digital pianos for under $1000 and the Yamaha P80 had the best feel. I remember the Kurtzweil having the best sound, but it was more expensive and so I ended up buying the P80.

Below is a link to the new, updated P80, the Yamaha P85. The P85 is great because it has BUILT-IN SPEAKERS (my P80 didn't have that). So, after you plug it into the wall for power, you're set - no amp or stereo is needed to make sound. It sells for just over $600, which in my opinion is quite a deal.

 

Yamaha P85 88-Key Digital PianoYamaha P85 88-Key Digital Piano

Faber & Faber Piano Adventures

Submitted by BML on Mon, 03/23/2009 - 01:49

 

My First Piano Adventure - ages 5 & 6

 

Level : Pre-Reading A

My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book A look inside My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book A (for the Young Beginner). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Written for ages 5 and 6, My First Piano Adventure captures the child's playful spirit. Fun-filled songs, rhythm games and technique activities develop beginning keyboard skills. Instructional and Method. Young Beginner - Pre-Reading. Instructional book. Accompaniment CD. 88 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1619. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420259)

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My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book A look inside My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book A (for the Young Beginner). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Written for ages 5 and 6, My First Piano Adventure captures the child's playful spirit. Fun-filled songs, rhythm games and technique activities develop beginning keyboard skills. Instructional and Method. Young Beginner - Pre-Reading. Instructional book. Accompaniment CD. 64 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1620. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420260)

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Level : Pre-Reading B

My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book B look inside My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book B (for the Young Beginner). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Instructional and Method. Young Beginner - Steps on the. Instructional book. Accompaniment CD. 87 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1621. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420261)

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My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book B look inside My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book B (for the Young Beginner). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Instructional and Method. Young Beginner - Steps on the. Instructional book. 64 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1622. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420262)

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Level : Pre-Reading C

My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book C look inside My First Piano Adventure, Lesson Book C (for the Young Beginner). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Instructional and Method. Young Beginner - Skips on the. Instructional book. 72 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1623. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420263)

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My First Piano Adventure look inside My First Piano Adventure, Writing Book C (for the Young Beginner). By Nancy Faber and Randall Faber. For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. Young Beginner - Skips on the. Softcover. 64 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1624. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420264)

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Piano Adventures - kids of all ages

 

Level : Primer

Piano Adventures Primer Level - Lesson Book (2nd Edition) look inside Piano Adventures Primer Level - Lesson Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. Primer. Softcover. 72 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1075. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420168)

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Piano Adventures Primer Level - Theory Book (2nd Edition) Piano Adventures Primer Level - Theory Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Theory. Primer. Softcover. 48 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1076. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420169)

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Piano Adventures Primer Level - Technique & Artistry Book look inside Piano Adventures Primer Level - Technique & Artistry Book By Nancy Faber and Randall Faber. For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. Primer. Softcover. 32 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1096. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420189)

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Level : 1

Piano Adventures Level 1 - Lesson Book (2nd Edition) look inside Piano Adventures Level 1 - Lesson Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. 1. Softcover. 64 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1078. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420171)

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Piano Adventures Level 1 - Theory Book (2nd Edition) look inside Piano Adventures Level 1 - Theory Book (2nd Edition) For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Theory. 1. Softcover. 48 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1079. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420172)

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Piano Adventures Level 1 - Technique & Artistry Book (2nd Edition) Piano Adventures Level 1 - Technique & Artistry Book (2nd Edition) By Nancy Faber and Randall Faber. For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. 1. Softcover. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1097. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420190)

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Level : 2A

Piano Adventures Lesson Book, Level 2A look inside Piano Adventures Level 2A - Lesson Book (A Basic Piano Method). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Learn To Play. 2A. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, easy piano notation, fingerings, lyrics (on some songs) and harmony part (for the teacher). 48 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1081. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420174)

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Piano Adventures Theory Book, Level 2A look inside Piano Adventures Level 2A - Theory Book (A Basic Piano Method). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. General Theory. 2A. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, musical examples and easy piano notation. 32 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1082. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420175)

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Piano Adventures Level 2A - Technique & Artistry Book look inside Piano Adventures Level 2A - Technique & Artistry Book By Nancy Faber and Randall Faber. For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. 2A. Softcover. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1098. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420191)

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Level : 2B

Piano Adventures Level 2B - Lesson Book look inside Piano Adventures Level 2B - Lesson Book For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. This level introduces cross-hand arpeggios and the full major scale in the keys of C, G, and F. Instructional. 2B. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, musical examples, illustrations and performance notes. 55 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1084. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420177)

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Piano Adventures Theory Book, Level 2B look inside Piano Adventures Level 2B - Theory Book (A Basic Piano Method). For piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. General Theory. 2B. Instructional book. Introductory text, instructional text, illustrations, musical examples and easy piano notation. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1085. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420178)

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Piano Adventures Level 2B - Technique & Artistry Book look inside Piano Adventures Level 2B - Technique & Artistry Book By Nancy Faber and Randall Faber. For Piano. Faber Piano Adventures®. Methods. 2B. Softcover. 40 pages. Faber Piano Adventures #FF1099. Published by Faber Piano Adventures (HL.420192)

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