Though everybody would love to own an acoustic piano if they could afford it, the fact is an acoustic piano is not affordable for a lot of people and it occupies a lot of space. Digital pianos have been so popular because they have practically solved most of these problems for us. A lot of options are available to buyers nowadays and you get digital pianos in various looks - portable, upright and Grand piano look.
But besides cost and space, a digital piano also offers other advantages which you would normally find in digital equipment. A digital piano basically combines the best features of an acoustic piano with the features available on a digital instrument and gives you a product which is appreciated by a lot of musicians.
Advantages of a Digital Piano
1. No tuning required - Unlike an acoustic piano
2. Portable - certain models can be carried around
3. Inexpensive - much cheaper than acoustic pianos
4. Variety - portable, upright and grand piano look with synth, semi-weighted, weighted, hammer or graded hammer action.
5. Space - less compared to acoustic pianos
6. Headphones - you can play without disturbing others
7. MIDI - Turn your computer into a recording studio. You can even load midi songs into your piano.
8. Other features - Built-in musical styles, CD player and other features just as in a musical keyboard.
Digital pianos nowadays have all the features that you would find on a musical keyboard. Most of the digital pianos know have hundreds of voices, musical styles and come with several effects. They even come with a built-in sequencer to let you record and arrange your own songs.
The more basic digital piano models do not have these features. They come with only a basic set of piano and other sounds and are cheaper. They may or may not have built-in speakers.
In 2003, Chuck Brown had a lot going on in his life. His father's health was in decline and had been for a couple years. It seemed like he was suffering setback after setback. This meant that Chuck was spending a good deal of time every day in hospitals, convalescent centers, doctor's offices and at physical rehab...and therefore, around people whose lives were in some level of crisis. And he began to notice a common thread: "Everywhere people were spending lots of time, especially as their health declined...there was music. People whose active memories had broken down and whose ability to communicate had seemingly completely failed them would begin singing along with songs on the radio from their much younger days. A man who had become unable to take any further nourishment (but who had also asked that no heroic measures be taken to keep him alive) was alone in a room accompanied day and night only by beautiful music playing at a rather high volume on a boom box. It was all really quite striking."
Chuck Brown had been writing songs at that point for nearly 30 years...releasing two albums of solo piano music along the way, with a third one in the works. Now, if there's a style of music that travels really well, appealing to all ages and to fans of most musical styles, it has to be solo piano music. The new age style of piano music had taken form in the early 1980s with the release of George Winston's album, December...a collection of Christmas standards rendered in gentle, flowing piano arrangements released on the newly-formed Windham Hill record label. Others had followed over the years, including John Tesh and Jim Brickman. And Chuck Brown...who had found it a perfect vehicle for his melodic, inspiring compositional style.
He was sitting in his father's hospital room when the thought came to him: "Why not a gift of music...for those who are going through the kind of struggles that often separate us from human contact? Those who are sick and bed-ridden at the hospital or at home...those who are caring for someone, or who have recently lost someone and are grieving...". And as he sat in the chair next to his father's bed, he logged on with his PDA and discovered that the domain name HealingPiano.com was available. He registered it then and there....and over the next few days, put together a simple web site featuring free MP3 downloads of some of his solo piano music.
By this time, his first album (released in 1997) was nearly out of print. His second album had found a friendly audience in new age radio, and he was trying to find time to finish his third album while his father was still around to hear it. Soon he had added 16 songs to the site...and over the next few months, those who had visited the site and downloaded the music started sending in their comments:
"I listened to your piano solo 'remind me to breathe' and it brought tears to my eyes. (hard for a guy to admit that)"
"Thank you for your gracious gift of love through your music. I work with Alzheimer's patients and the soothing sounds you've enabled me to give to them is not only extremely therapeutic, but truly a gateway to the soul. Your music has given a greater gift than you could know. Peace and tranquility is a rarity amongst my friends at Emmanuel. Thank you!!!"
"I've enjoyed hearing you play. It is very soothing and relaxing and your sound is very beautiful. I've had a tough time since my surgery and my Mother has lost her Mother in death this year and her Father is on his death bed. This music is very comforting right now. Thanks so much."
"I teach emotionally disturbed and behaviorally disordered high schoolers. The power of your music I downloaded from Healing Piano has an almost magical effect on my students. I've bought countless classical CD's, but I can put on one of these when I sense their tension rising and a peace comes over them, anger dissipates and the most hyperactive and attention deficit of them all are just...calm. I thank you."
There's no mystery here to Chuck Brown: "When I write music, I honestly am only a part of the process of creating the music. Music comes from somewhere else...someONE else, I believe. I am touched so often by it myself. It's just a delight to hear from people who are touched by something that I was a part of creating. And I love the fact that the internet means I can make it available without an admission fee. We get gouged everywhere these days. Sure, it costs money to have a web site. But I make a little bit of money back on the site...and that's enough for me. The comments I get back about the music and the site are worth much more than big dollars or big record sales ever could be!"
Sixteen songs is a lot of beautiful music. An entire album's worth.
You, too, can enjoy this gift of free healing piano music by visiting HealingPiano.com today.
If you have a passion for music and you have got all the instruments with you such as the guitar or piano but don’t how to initialize then here are certain tips that shall help you in learning your new skill.
First of all , you need to have on hand, is a guitar and then hold it on your lap with your left hand holding the neck and the right hand draped over the body of the guitar. We are going to use a six string guitar and play it with the right hand. Each string correspond to a musical note and starts with the thinnest string and working our way down to the thickest string – E, B,G,D,A and E again. You should not confuse yourself with the two E strings that are the same note and they differ in the way that the top E is two octaves higher than the bottom E if the guitar is tuned correctly.
The individual strings make up the chords and these chords are accomplished by playing certain notes or strings together at the same time. There are number of simple as well as complex chords but you need to learn A, D and E to play a part of the song.
The major A chord is played by placing the fingertips of the first three fingers on your left hand directly behind the first fret on the guitar. Frets are the bars on the neck of the guitar. When you count for finger positioning, you should ignore the first or largest fret bar. This might seem to be uncomfortable but later you shall accustom of the same. Press the strings down firmly and hold them one string per finger. Next use your right hand to strum the guitar strings from the top to bottom. Perform this act several times and listen to the sound you are producing.
The next major chord D should be played by using the same fingers. Place the index finger on the third string behind the first fret. Place the next finger on the first string behind the first fret. Again, hold the strings down at once and strum the guitar. Again do this and try to listen to the music being produced.
The third chord you need to learn is the E major and for this you have to place your index finger on the third string on the front of the first fret. Place the next finger on the fifth string behind the first fret and place your third finger on the fourth string behind the first fret. Again, hold the strings down at once and strum the guitar and listen to the sound that is being produced.
The last step is the tricky part and therefore to play a simple song you have to switch the positions of your fingers from chord to chord. This shall take some time to learn but if you practice you can do it surely.
From selecting the right instrument to learning to read music, being in band can enhance a student's education. Even children with no musical background can join their school's band. How is this possible? It's because all the basic aspects of playing a musical instrument and reading musical notation are taught at school. No one can predict whether a child will have musical ability, but even those whose parents are not musical have a chance of success. The most important factors in whether a child will do well are regular practicing and desire.
Finding an instrument
Selecting the right instrument is an important part of joining a band class. Band directors will consider the student's preferences, musical aptitude and physical characteristics before recommending the most appropriate band instruments for each student. The flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba and percussion are good choices for beginners.
Band instruments can be purchased from local musical instrument dealers or online. Prices vary widely depending on the level of quality. Beginners should select lower priced, entry level instruments. Upgrading to better quality instruments should the students have a gift for music can always be done later. Those with a strong interest in improving their skills can take private music lessons to supplement the school instruction.
Band can be time consuming
Students who also wish to participate in sports may experience schedule conflicts if they sign up for band. Both sports and band are time consuming activities. Before a student registers for band, his or her parents need to consider the child's other needs and activities, including studying and time for fun. Like other music courses, band is an elective. In addition to the time spent in class, students will also be expected to attend rehearsals and performances outside of school hours.
Sheet music is the road map
Learning to read music is an important part of the band experience. The songs to be played are written in musical notation on paper which is called sheet music. The way the information is put on the page determines what notes will be played, for how long and how loudly.
The composer records his intentions on the sheet music and the conductor leads the musicians in the proper interpretation of those intentions. Not every conductor sees the music the same way. Recordings of the same music by different conductors will have subtle variations in the way the music is played even though the sheet music used was the same.
While musicians may have their own ideas about how to play the music, when they are in a band, they are expected to follow the directions of the conductor. If all the musicians went their own ways, the audience would hear a mishmash of sound instead of music.
Would you believe me if I told you that the first 'rock' band in the history of the world was formed exactly 50,000 years ago, in the 'Stone' Age?
Yeah okay...you're right, I was kidding on that one. But the joke was pretty good, wasn't it? Yeah alright...I know...the joke was probably the worst you've ever heard. But, hey, what if I said that the first ever music concert on our beloved Mother Earth happened over 35,000 years ago, and it featured a group of prehistoric flautists. Now what would be your take on that one? Nope, I'm not kidding this time around because believe it or not, it's true. Recent findings revealed that the oldest musical instrument on Earth happens to be a 35,000 year-old flute that was, in all probability, carved from the bone of a prehistoric vulture. I bet that gag about the Stone Age rock band doesn't sound all that bad now, does it?
Anyway, coming back to the point, music originated in prehistoric times and gained rapid momentum thereafter. It assumed tremendous social importance, especially in the ancient era, which is when many of the following ancient Greek musical instruments grew in popularity among the masses.
We all know about the popularity of the music in Brazil. Brazilian music is heavily influenced by the Portuguese culture. Like the vibrancy of the culture, the music of Brazil is equally diverse and pulsating, full of energy and life. The musical tradition varies from every region. This is probably why there are so many different genres of Brazilian music. Today, Brazil boasts of some of the most renowned musicians of all times. Music is the main essence of the soul of the people of Brazil. Here, we shall take a look at some of the important Brazilian musical instruments that have been used to compose beautiful melodies.
Brazilian Musical Instruments:
Agogô: The agogô was used as a part of ceremonial music compositions in olden days. An agogô actually means a gong or bell. This is also the most oldest musical instrument to be used in Samba music.
Atabaque: This Brazilian musical instrument is basically made of a special wood called Jacaranda from Brazil. Atabaque is like a hand drum that is used in many religious styles of music.
Bateria: Bateria basically refers to a set of drums in the Portuguese language. These set of instruments include Surdo, Chocalho, agogô, pandeiro etc.
Ganzá: The ganzá is a cylindrical shaped musical instrument. This cylinder is made up of a handwoven basket that is hollow from within. This basket is filled with stones and metal balls. The basic concept of the ganzá is based on a rattle. The ganzá is also used in Samba music.
Pandeiro: A pandeiro is on similar lines to the tambourine. It needs to be shaken so that sound can be produced. There are many notable musicians who have made a name for themselves as some of the best-known pandeiro players. This instrument can be modified to produce a range of musical notes. A pandeiro needs to be held in one hand and needs to be struck on the other hand for the sound.
Repinique: Repinique, also known as repique, is a Brazilian musical instrument that is made of metal. In the olden days, this drum shaped instrument was made of wood. This Brazilian instrument is like a two headed drum. It also features prominently in the carnival festivals of Rio de Janeiro. A musician who wants to play the repinique has to carry it with the help of the shoulder straps and needs to use a wooden stick to play the drum. Sometimes, a person can even use two wooden sticks to play the repinique.
Skekere/Xequerê: This musical instrument has its base in Africa. It is made of the shells of a fruit from a plant known as gourd. Since every shape is different, the sound that is produced also varies from this musical instrument. In Brazil, this instrument is wrapped in a net. This net consists of little plastic balls that are threaded into the net.
Tambourine/Tamborim: This musical instrument is a small shaped drum that has its origins in Portugal and Africa. One can find the use of this instrument in many types of Brazilian music. The head is made of nylon material. Apart from beating it with the hand, this instrument is also played with the help of short, thin drumsticks.
These were some of the Brazilian musical instruments that have been used to create beautiful compositions since the ancient days. It's no wonder, music lies in the blood of all Brazilians!
Music certainly knows no language nor has any barriers. Ancient Chinese music is one of the traditional art forms. Ancient China has witnessed many masterpieces in terms of music. There have been some great musicians who created melodies with the help of ancient Chinese musical instruments. These instruments are generally classified into three segments – string, percussion and wind instruments. The categories of these ancient musical instruments are also divided as per the kind of material used for example, bamboo, wood, clay, metal etc. Take a look at some of the details associated with ancient Chinese musical instruments.
Ancient Chinese Musical Instruments:
Amongst the most ancient of the instruments used to create music in China were the Chinese flutes. These flutes were seen in different types of varieties. The Dizi is one of the kinds that belong to this category. This musical instrument is particularly used to compose Chinese folk music. This type of flute is made of bamboo. There are many stories that are associated with the origins of the Dizi. Some believe it was the Yellow Emperor who conceptualized the idea and got it made where as others believe, it was imported during the Han dynasty.
The Qin, known as Guqin in the modern times is another type of ancient Chinese musical instrument. The Chinese hold this instrument in high regard and it has also been associated with Confucius, the Chinese philosopher. This instrument has also been associated with great scholars. It has thus been used for ritual ceremonies and was also a symbol of high culture.
The Pipa is another example of ancient Chinese musical instruments. For the last two thousand years, this instrument has been used to create soothing melodies in China although today, the Pipa is seen only in museums. Some of the earlier forms of the Pipa existed during the Qin dynasty. As time passed, the Pipa became particularly popular by the Tang Era.
Ruan is another such musical instrument that belonged to ancient China. The origins of Ruan go back to over two thousand years. It was named after one of the reputed Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. The modern version of this instrument is structured differently.
The zhu is an instrument that is not used anymore. This ancient Chinese musical instrument became popular in the Warring States Period. There have been differences of opinion to the way this instrument was used. Some say, it was plucked with a stick where as others feel the stick was bounced on the string to produce the sound.
Yet another musical instrument that has many stories attached to it is the muyu also known as the wooden fish. This is actually a wooden instrument. The legends associated with the wooden fish all have taken place in China. This wooden fish is used especially for rituals by monks.
Ancient Chinese musical instruments cannot be complete without the mention of the Yunluo. Drawings recovered from the olden era depict the yunluo with five gongs. Today, there are many modern versions of the same. Now, one can find up to 29 gongs with varied diameters.
These were a few examples of ancient Chinese musical instruments that have been around for years. These instruments have certainly helped to keep alive the many traditions of China.
The piano is considered by most as the ultimate personal instrument because with it a single person can create beautiful harmonies to match any mood or feeling. This is why nearly all professional musicians, no matter what their specialty, have spent a great deal of time learning to play the piano well. But you don't have to be a professional musician to enjoy learning to play the piano. Whether you've never tried playing the piano or you've played the piano some and never mastered it, learning to play the piano can be a simple and enjoyable process. But, it does take time and patience. Here are the basic steps to learning the piano:
1. Get access to a piano or synthesizer. This may sound silly, but some people actually think they can learn to play the piano by listening to music or reading a book. You have to have access to a piano to truly begin learning to play the piano.
2. Take piano lessons. Piano lessons can come in many different forms. The more forms you combine the more complete your learning experience will be. If you're totally dedicated to learning to play the piano then schedule piano lessons with a piano teacher, buy several beginning piano books, buy instructional CDs and DVDs, sign up for online piano learning classes, and find any other instructional piano helpers you can get. The more you combine and study thoroughly the quicker and more complete your learning will be.
3. Take advice from experts. Concentrate on the areas of learning they recommend. Your books and your teachers may take different approaches to things, but they all know more about playing the piano than you do. Do whatever they tell you to do for each of their respective lessons.
4. Make practicing the piano a priority. No matter how much you study or take classes, unless you find at least 10 minutes per day to practice, you will not improve. You should begin your practice with the warm ups at least four times per week.
5. Learn the music one measure at a time. You won't be sitting down and playing any advanced music pieces from start to finish on first try until you've spent hundreds of hours practicing the piano. In the mean time learning to play the piano music will always involve patiently going through it one piece at a time. When you can play the whole musical composition, move on to your next piece of music. Go back over the ones you've already learned at least once per month in order to retain what you've learned.
You can get a more in-depth knowledge about the piano in general and the digital piano in particular by going to the-piano-site.com - The Complete Online Resource For Pianos And Piano Music.
You are looking to find an instrument for yourself, or perhaps your child. You want to pick the right one, but it is so overwhelming! Woodwinds, piano, brass, strings, and percussion, and that’s just the groupings. How can you decide which instrument is right for you?
Do some Research
Here are few suggestions that will help you to narrow down the search. First, do some research into what the different instruments sound like. You do not want to be stuck playing, or listing to someone play, an instrument you cannot stand the sound of. Check out some orchestra CDs from your local library, or go online to find sound clips of different instruments. A music teacher may be able to demonstrate the sound of some instruments for you. Sergei Prokofiev’s "Peter and the Wolf" is a great piece that showcases several instrumental solos.
Try Some Out
Once you have found a few sounds that please you, see if you can try some out. If you know someone who plays an instrument, ask them if you can try it. They may not want to let you put your mouth on their mouthpiece, but you can at least hold the instrument and feel how it feels in your hand. Also, if you are looking for an instrument for your child, their school orchestra teacher will most likely have some student models they can try.
Some music stores may be willing to let you try an instrument. Keep in mind that you will not play a symphony on the first try, but you do want to have an instrument that feels somewhat comfortable in your hands.When looking at an instrument, there are some physical capabilities you need to consider. For example, if you have tiny hands, you may have trouble reaching some chords necessary to play the piano. The trombone requires relatively long arms, and a child that is younger than fifth grade is probably too small for it. Kids with braces will have a difficult time beginning a brass instrument, as the pressure on their teeth will be painful. Think about the size of the arms, hand, and mouth of the person you are choosing and instrument for, and try not to force them into something that is too big or small for their build.
Match with personality
Next, think about the new musician’s personality. A quiet, shy young person is most likely not going to be comfortable with a loud brass instrument. Likewise, the tough football player would be mortified playing the flute. Piano students need to be capable of working on their own, while band students need to enjoy working in groups. Think about your home environment too. Is there a place where the student can practice? If space is at a premium, choose a smaller instrument. If there are close neighbors, think of quieter instruments.
Think about your budget.
The fact is, some instruments take more financial dedication than others. For instance, strings have to be upgraded as the student grows, whereas a brass instrument usually comes in one size. Also, keep in mind the repairs the instrument will need, whether it be tunings for a piano, strings for a violin, or reeds for a clarinet. These considerations may help you decide between one or two once you have narrowed it down.
The bottom line is, choose an instrument you can see yourself or your child enjoying. Practicing an instrument is hard work, and in order for it to pay off, you need to enjoy it. By taking time to choose your first musical instrument, you will ensure that you have made a choice you can stick with until the final curtain call.
Music as we know is an art form that has a power of healing, comforting and tying together all of humanity. Kids are curious learners, especially if they are exposed to new things in a creative or appealing way. Therefore, parents or teachers who want their children to inculcate the art of music always look out for some fun and interesting ways to teach music. Learning music or how to make musical instruments will not only give your child a better understanding of music, but will also enhance your child's creativity and artistic skills. Instead of wasting hours and hours watching TV, making musical instruments for toddlers or for children can be a fun activity which both parents and children can do together. This will help them to invest their time in something more productive and useful. Therefore, here are instructions for musical instruments for kids to make at home, which are simple and won't require much of your time and efforts.
Musical Instruments for Kids
Pie Pan Tambourine
Materials Required:
Foil pie pan
Jingle bells
File or hammer
Yarn or string
Nail
Procedure
With the help of a nail, punch holes in the edges of the foil pie pan. Smoothen the sharp edges of the hole with the a file or hammer and then at each hole, tie a small jingle bell to the foil pie pan with yarn or string. Your pie pan tambourine is ready to give you a rhythmic adventure that won't be able to resist.
Cardboard Guitar
Materials Required:
Cardboard appliance box
Tempera paints
Metallic felt-tip marker
Pencil
Scissors
Paintbrush
Glue
Straight pin
Duct tape
Fishing line
Procedure
Sketch a life-size guitar on the long end of an appliance box; can be an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar shape. Draw around the neck of the guitar on the cardboard to create another neck, slightly longer than the original. Cut both pieces out, and stick the second neck to the back of the first neck with a glue. If you are making an acoustic guitar, make a hole in the body of the guitar, so that it appears like a real guitar. Paint the guitar with some psychedelic colors and if you desire you may add your name, logo or any thing you like to it. As the paint dries, sketch frets (lines along the neck of the guitar) with the metallic felt-tip marker. Punch four holes for an electric guitar and six holes for an acoustic guitar at the top of the guitar and four or six holes at the bottom of the guitar with a nail. Measure the distance between the top holes and the bottom holes, add four inches to it and cut four or six pieces of fishing line of that same length. Thread a piece of fishing line through the front of a top hole, and attach the line down on the back of the guitar with the duct tape. Do the same for the bottom hole and repeat the entire procedure for the other holes and pieces of line.
Xylophone
Materials Required:
Tall glasses or jars
Water
Mixing Spoon
Procedure
Fill the glasses or jars with different quantities of water; more water, lower the pitch and less water, higher the pitch. To play, gently strike the jars with the spoon and enjoy the music.
Drums
Materials Required:
Empty oatmeal box with cover
2 pencils and a pen
2 spools
Construction paper
Yarn
Procedure
Decorate the oatmeal box with the construction paper and crayons to give a colorful bright look. Set the cover on the box and with a pen make a hole in the center of the cover and in the middle of the bottom of the box. Through these holes, extend a piece of yarn long enough to hang around child's neck and down to his/her waist. For the drumsticks, put the spools at the ends of the pencils, fix them with glue if required.
Read more on:
Easy to Make Musical Instruments
Different Types of Musical Instruments
Making musical instruments for children is fun and can be done in different ways. Let your imagination soar while personalizing and decorating these musical instruments for kids. Once finished preparing these instruments, kids can put on a concert, have a marching band, play along their favorite songs or can just simply make their own music. Enjoy!
"Life is like a piano... what you get out of it depends on how you play it." ~ Tom Lehrer
As a kid, I was always attracted towards music and musical instruments. Though my first crush happened to be a guitar, the first musical instrument that I actually managed to lay my hands upon was a piano keyboard. It was a Casio SA-1, a small and basic model that I was gifted when I was 8 years old. And even after all these years, I still remember quite vividly just how overjoyed I was, upon seeing an actual, real-life musical instrument in front of me. I was over the moon, and was bubbling with excitement about learning to play this oh-so-fancy keyboard of mine. So when I see people expressing a desire to learn piano keyboards, it instantly lights up my face as I go back in time to those lovely days, when I, as a young boy, was trying to learn how to play a keyboard.
How to Play a Keyboard
If you are a beginner, it is advisable that you begin with a piano keyboard and then move on to an actual piano at a later stage, if the piano is what you're really interested in. Let us begin with the basic music notes. There are twelve musical notes or semi-tones which form one musical octave. Starting with the 'C' note, the sequence of musical notes that make up one octave is as follows:
C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A# and B.
'#' is a symbol used to denote the word 'sharp'. A keyboard has both white and black-colored keys. If you observe carefully, you will notice that the black keys are arranged throughout in groups of two's and three's. The first black key in the group of two denotes the note C#. Using the sequence of musical notes listed above, you can match each key with its corresponding note. Press each key starting from the 'C' note, and move upwards till you reach 'B'. Once you have completed this octave, repeat this process but in the reverse direction i.e. from 'B' to 'C'. This is called 'playing an octave'. Do this a few times so that you get a hang of the 'sound' of each note. There are basically two ways of learning any musical instrument:
by referring to a music sheet i.e. through notations
learning it by ear.
It is recommended that all beginners should follow the 2nd method as it helps to develop a good music sense and a 'musical ear'. Pick a simple song like "Doe, a deer" or "Happy birthday to you". Try and play it on your keyboard. Adopt a trial and error method to figure out what musical notes make up the song melody. Take your time and don't be in a rush. You won't get it at first, nobody does. Not even Elton John did. But practice and keep working at it. Practice, and I say this with utmost seriousness, is the one and only way of becoming a good keyboardist. Nobody becomes a Mozart or a Beethoven overnight; everyone has to work hard day and night, with lots of passion and devotion.
Take Keyboard Lessons
Becoming a self-taught keyboardist is fine, but if you want to learn the trade properly and progress at a faster rate, you should seriously consider taking up keyboard lessons. The best way would be to locate an experienced music instructor in your locality and start with formal keyboard lessons. Catch hold of a fellow keyboard newbie in your neighborhood and practice together. In this case, two heads can certainly be better than one! And how can you forget your good old friend, the Internet? Google around for a few minutes and you'll be amazed at the amount of online music lessons that you will get.
Those of you who, until a few minutes ago, were probably wondering "How to play piano keyboards?", be rest assured. Follow the above-mentioned keyboard lessons and tips religiously and you will be able to master the piano keyboard sooner than you think. Regardless of how you choose to learn to play keyboards, always keep this principle in mind - how much you practice will decide how good a musician you eventually become. Enjoy your new musical journey! It can be a very rewarding experience, I promise you that.
Okay, I assume that you are a music enthusiast or an aspiring newbie musician who wants to learn music notes. Well, in this article, I will explain a bit regarding how to learn music notes fast, using the reference of a musical instrument such as a guitar or a piano keyboard.
Please note: I will not be dealing with the topic of how to learn music notation. That, by far, is a very complex subject, and one which is certainly out of the scope of this article. Reading and writing music is something that you should learn on a personal level, i.e., on a face-to-face basis from a proper music teacher; not by yourself, and certainly NOT over the Internet.
How to Learn Music Notes Fast
Now although the above heading says 'how to learn music notes fast', let me tell you, in reality, if you really want to learn music notes properly and understand them thoroughly, then the first thing you need to do, is get rid of that word 'fast' from your head, this very moment. The reason is, basic primary learning of musical notes may well be accomplished within a few minutes time; but if you want to perfect your knowledge and your art, then it requires nothing but consistent practice and long hours of sincere hard work.
How to Learn Music Notes for a Guitar
The acoustic guitar has six strings, namely, E, B, G, D, A and E (low). Here is a table which shows the different music notes corresponding to each fret on each guitar string.
| String | Open | Fret 1 | Fret 2 | Fret 3 | Fret 4 | Fret 5 | Fret 6 | Fret 7 | Fret 8 | Fret 9 | Fret 10 | Fret 11 | Fret 12 |
| E (high) | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E (next octave) |
| B | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B (next octave) |
| G | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G (next octave) |
| D | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D (next octave) |
| A | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A (next octave) |
| E (low) | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C# | D | D# | E (next octave) |
Here are some guitar lessons if you want to learn how to play an acoustic guitar.
How to Learn Music Notes for a Piano
The traditional piano as well as all its modern forms such as the piano keyboard, synthesizer, etc. have a bunch of black and white keys. If you observe the key layout, you will notice that the black keys are grouped in two's and three's with white keys in between them. Starting from the left black key in the group of two, and moving ahead one key at a time till we reach the left black key in the very next group of two, here are the corresponding music notes for each piano key.
| Key | Music Note |
| First Black | C# |
| First White | D |
| Second Black | D# |
| Second White | E |
| Third White | F |
| Third Black | F# |
| Fourth White | G |
| Fourth Black | G# |
| Fifth White | A |
| Fifth Black | A# |
| Sixth White | B |
| Seventh White | C |
| First Black (next octave) | C# |
Read more on how to play a keyboard.
Well, this was some basic information regarding learning music notes using a guitar and a keyboard. Remember, although this article was titled 'how to learn music notes fast', if you're serious about becoming a good musician, you better prepare yourself to put in all those long hours of practice and perfection. Because my friend, in life, there may be shortcuts; but in music, there aren't any.