Re-Learning to Play the Piano
Author: Neal Smith
This article is about a new musical product that I think every aspiring musician should know about. It’s called “Sheet Music On A Stick” and is a small USB memory drive that is filled with sheet music, audio files and a ton of interactive options that can make learning, or re-learning to play the piano much easier than traditional books of sheet music.
Like many others during their childhood I took piano lessons at the strong urging of my parents. After two years of such lessons the call of my friends on the baseball diamond meant the end of the lessons and shortly thereafter the end of playing the piano. Over the years I often thought how nice it would be to be able to play the piano again. And then last summer I decided to give it a try but even with the help of my old Thompson Third Grade book (amazingly still available) I was very discouraged. Not long after I came across this amazing little product called “Sheet Music On A Stick”. It’s a small, and I mean small, USB memory drive that plugs into your computer and is filled with sheet music and a ton of interactive stuff. The one I had was called “Today’s Hot Hits” and it had the sheet music for 25 songs including songs of the Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Taylor Swift and many others.
What makes this product so unique is the way it can help you to play those songs. After plugging into the computer you can choose any number of songs and print the sheet music. Then with the computer by your side you can hit the play button and the notes will light up across the screen and the audio will play. You can listen or begin to play along. You can slow it down to whatever tempo is easier. You can isolate the audio and make a solo for either hand or mute it altogether as you play the notes yourself. You can easily go back and practice a section again. You feel that you have a teacher at your side.
There is a wonderful feature for vocalists. If they don’t like the key of a song they can change it to whatever key is comfortable for them, keeping the piano in its correct key. They can then print their own customized version of the music. The melody can also be customized for various instruments such as Trumpet or Saxophone.
I don’t think that I would have persevered in getting back to the piano if it hadn’t been for “Sheet Music On A Stick”. I think that this will help a lot of people who have long wished to get back to playing the piano again.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/relearning-to-play-the-piano-1406140.html
About the Author
This article was written by Neal Smith the Web Manager for MBH Digital Music, website for interactive sheet music for today's musicians.
http://www.mbhdigditalmusic.com
What are those piano/keyboards called that the keys light up?
I wanna find a keyboard that the keys light up so I can learn how to play some songs
You’re talkin’ about Yamaha PSR models that have Music Tutor (or Learn Music or simply Learning) function. Search for this function while reading their actual manuals or on-line descriptions.
What is a good beginner’s piano keyboard that lights up to teach you how to play notes & chords?
I’ve seen ads for Casio, Yamaha, etc. Do the keys light up for instruction while a demo song is playing. I’m not sure if they will really teach you sufficiently. I play guitar but I learned it by ear. I know the piano is quite more difficult.
Best method to learn piano?
I have a Casio electronic keyboard (LK-94TV). The keys light up when you play it or when it plays itself. It has various exercises to teach you to play. I’m wondering if this is considered a good way to learn?
You will never learn better than with a good professional teacher. It is totally worth 30$ or so per hour.
Digital piano’s keys light up?
I am a different type of learner and do not like reading sheet music. Are there digital pianos that have the keys light up to learn how to play a song? If so what is this called? What digital pianos come with this? and how big of a music selection is available?
Thank you
I am aware of two types of keyboards that do similar things.
The first is sort of a toy, and ranged in price from
inexpensive toys to moderately expensive electric pianos
or organs.
.
The type I had was for a different purpose, and fitted
to a Bösendorfer 225(BURR sehn Dorrf err).
It was a rather pricey combination.
The CEUS system was developed for Bösendorfer, and
has LEDs over the keyboard that could be synchronized
for teaching. It is best for recording a lesson, then
reviewing it. The CEUS system is rather common now,
and similar systems are such as the Disklavier system.
Effectively, they are the modern innovations of player
pianos, except some have LEDs above the keys.
.
I think those strips are available separately from the keyboards,
with interfaces to pcs or macs.
I have seen a Kurzweil electronic grand with a similar system.
I believe Rhodes has a similar system available. I don’t know
if those were originals or add ons.
.
The musical repertoire available was quite extensive.
Perhaps you could look online for a Rhodes dealer. Those
systems were available on floppy, but now are probably
available on cd-rom, or thumb drive or something.
.
But if you have quite a bit of extra money, go for the
Bösendorfer. No other alleged piano is in the same universe as
a Bosie 225 or 290.
Learning to play the piano?
If you learn to play the piano using those keyboards that have light up keys, is that a easier/more efficient way of learning than to take piano classes/learn how to read music? I met a guy a while ago that learned how to play using light up keys and after only doing it for a couple months he was able to compose his own melodies and he was good at it. What’s the difference between the two learning methods?
The previous answer is correct. Regarding the composing, the chances are what he composed is moving back and forth between two chords and the music would be repetitive, dull and like a jelly fish floating on the ocean, not doing much. Music is a discipline and playing the piano well takes time, diligent practice and concentration. Your friend is playing at the piano, not playing the piano. If you do it right you will be more competent and self assured. Best wishes.