Keyboards / Piano

Incorrect Habits During Piano Lessons

It might seem that Piano is an instrument that can be played without any trouble. But just the same, keyboard players can sustain injuries if they do not stick to correct habits. Right from the beginning, one should pay attention to the posture. All these would be taught in your piano lessons as well.

Incorrect Habits

One of the incorrect habits you might indulge in while playing the piano is that you keep your wrists and your whole hand rigid. It is better you relax your hand and let it flow naturally. Long practice hours does not mean immediate great improvements. Regular and steady practicing will help you much more than practicing for long hours. These can lead to many problems. Improper posture, improper wrist positioning, anxiety, or stress are all reasons that could cause body injuries. Getting used to the wrong posture might cause strain, backache, and many other problems.

Do not hit the keys forcefully. The Piano is a delicate musical instrument. Hitting the keys forcefully not only hurts your fingers but the music you produce this way is not melodious either. It is better if you try to put aside a little time every day for your practice. If you keep skipping practices, you will never be able to settle down to a routine. The later you get set up on a routine, the more time your body will need to adjust to it.

If you are a beginner, as you get started with your piece on the Piano, you might hold your breath till you are done. That is a bad habit. Pianos are not wind instruments like the flute! Holding your breath will slow you down, you will have trouble remembering, and your energy will be over sooner. As you get accustomed to playing the piano, you need to worry about paying attention to your breathing as it would become second nature. This is why one should cultivate the right habits from the beginning so that as you move on, you can concentrate more on your playing than on your posture and other habits.

Correct Habits

One should take short breaks while learning or practicing. This will help you to relax and give your mind some time to adjust and take in the rest of your practicing. If you feel you have a pain in your wrists, take a break and do not continue playing. It is a great idea to stretch and do a few small warm-up exercises. This will make your body ready for your piano sessions.

It is generally observed that using too much of laptops and computers can cause neck and back strain. As a pianist, it would be better for you to stay away or limit your interaction with computers.

It is also a great idea if you can learn to read the notes. You could get stressed out if the music is only in your mind and if you get distracted, it would tough to pick it up from memory. But by having the confidence that you can read the notes, you are making sure that you will not get stressed.

These are some of the basic points which you need to be aware of before you are ready to take up piano lessons and learn further. To know why one should learn the piano, check out this link For more on pianos, click here!

YouTube: Piano cover – Mercy (Shawn Mendez)

Do you wish to play the piano like this?

Lessons To Help Master the Keyboard

The keyboard has become increasingly popular and more and more people are learning it. There are few things you need to keep in mind once you have decided to take up keyboard lessons.

Master the basics

This is the fundamental step to learning anything. One should master the basics before moving on to the complex part. It will not only help you in conquering the complicated moves later on but also serve you well while learning. If you learn the basics, you will not have difficulty in understanding and practicing.

Find the right teacher

No doubt you might be able to find a great keyboardist who is willing to teach but make sure he/she is a great teacher as well. Communicating with the students and teaching them is not something that everyone can do. If you have a complex work or study schedule, confirm with your teacher that they are flexible enough to re-arrange classes at times or compensate for the classes that are missed.

There are also a few teachers who believe in being strict, being punctual and so on. It is always better to find a teacher who is friendly because they would be able to connect with you easily and you, as a student, would be able to clear your doubts without feeling troubled.

Get a good keyboard

Now that you have decided to get started with keyboard lessons, it is now time to buy a good keyboard. As a newbie in the world of musical instruments, if you do not have enough knowledge to purchase a keyboard yourself, ask your teacher or mentor to come along. You can also ask a friend who is knowledgeable to accompany you to help you out.

Do not go for virtual classes

There are thousands of websites offering videos, tutorials, theory knowledge and more out there. As a beginner, it is always better to learn from a teacher who can correct you immediately during your keyboard lessons. It is a great idea to use the internet to supplement your knowledge about the instrument, but relying on it alone for your learning needs is not advisable.

Practice!

Practice is something that one just cannot do without. If you aim to be an excellent keyboardist or are thinking of making it your career, any amount of practice is less during the beginning stage. Practice helps in letting you get adjusted to the feel of the keys under your fingers and you get better and better every day! Regular practice will also help you get accustomed to the placement of keys on the board.

Stick to a schedule

You might have a lot to study or a lot of unfinished work piled up. Make out a schedule and stick to it. Give yourself time to finish your work and allot a time for practice as well. This will help you in getting regular practice. If not for this, one would always be swamped with work and find no time to practice the keyboard.

Keyboards are expensive instruments. In order to make sure it lasts, you should take care of it well and learn to maintain it properly. If you are a beginner and do not own a keyboard yet, check out this link: https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/how-to-buy-a-musical-keyboard/.  For more on musical keyboards, you can refer to https://www.absolutelyintuned.com.sg/keyboards/ for more helpful tips.

Teaching Keyboard Lessons: Setting Up Keyboard Classes

Are you a professional keyboard player and want to pass on your knowledge to the new generation? As a teacher, knowledge and skills are the two most important factors before you start your own classes. As you might know, not all great keyboard players can be great teachers as well. One should be able to build a rapport with students and understand their concerns to be a good teacher. If you are intent on starting your own classes, take a look at some of the factors that you will need to consider. Most of them are basic and you will need to consider them before you are ready.

Space and Infrastructure

Think about how many students you would be able to accommodate at one point of time. Are you more comfortable giving private lessons or group lessons? If you are giving private lessons to students, you might be able to teach at the student’s place of residence. But if you have a group of students, you might have to arrange for a suitable place for them to learn. If you are just starting out and cannot finance renting a room for your classes, you need to do the next best thing. Ask your friends or colleagues if they have an empty garage or shed that you can use, or you can put your home into use. But make sure your neighbors, family, and friends will not be disturbed.

Lessons

You need to prepare a structured lesson plan for beginners and advanced students separately. You need to put in a lot of efforts to prepare your keyboard lessons. Lessons that are done on the spur of the moment are messy and confusing. They will not adhere to a pattern and leave the student confused. Keep in mind that beginners will need a different sort of approach while advanced students require a different approach. Make sure you plan for both and are ready for this before your class starts.

Fees

Ask around in your neighborhood and location to know what the approximate cost is for keyboard lessons. If you are starting out new, you can offer low rates for a while. But once you establish yourself as a good and qualified teacher, charge the standard rates. Do not over-charge as it may lead to unpopularity. As your experience increases in teaching, you can start charging more as students would also be willing to pay more for a more experienced and skilled teacher.

Networking

Try to attend local music workshops, connect with schools and colleges in your locality to increase your visibility. You can also teach at schools and other institutions where you would get the proper infrastructure to teach as well. You will be able to meet students and parents and make a name for yourself. Later, if you want to start classes outside, you will have a crowd of students already.

As mentioned above, to truly excel at the keyboard, or any instrument, you need to take care of it so that it can have a longer life. If you are a beginner and do not own a keyboard yet and are looking for tips on how to buy a keyboard, check out this link: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/how-to-buy-a-musical-keyboard/.  For more on musical keyboards, you can refer to www.keyboardlessonssingapore.com/.

 

 

YouTube: Shawn Mendes – Stitches (HD Piano Cover) by Francesco Parrino

Superb arrangement and excellent rendition of the song. Look at how beautifully the fingers dance over the piano keys!

How To Excel In Beginner Keyboard Lessons

How To Excel In Beginner Keyboard Lessons

 

Keyboards are quite popular today due to the ease of learning. Most keyboards available today are synthesizers. The modern keyboard looks much like a piano but is not that large nor is it that heavy. It is favored by the young people who are interested in learning a musical instrument. Below are a few tips on how to excel in beginners keyboard lessons.

Understand the instrument

Everyone needs to have a rapport with their instrument and keyboard is no different. Understand the keyboard and get familiar with it. Learn the various parts and their functionalities, the correct terminologies used and the like. Once you have a better idea of the instrument, you will be able to progress better and at a much faster speed.

Learn to read and understand music

If you are serious about learning the keyboard, then you must also make the effort to learn to read the music. Learning to read music can not only help you with an instrument such as the keyboard but also with any other instrument that you may want to learn in the future. You can learn this on your own using various books, the internet, taking keyboard lessons or asking a friend.

Train your ear

Try to understand just by listening which key is used to play a note. No doubt, it will be difficult at first, but this can be very useful for you. You will be able to understand the nuances of music better and thus, perform better. You will get better at this after a bit of practice. Getting to know how to play and which notes or keys to use will definitely help you in the future should you feel like composing.

Practice hard!

No one can master anything if they do not practice hard enough. Try to set aside at least 15 minutes for practice every day. Overdoing it by even an hour can cause frustration and cause you to feel irritation and a lack of interest in playing the instrument. Practicing a little every day is the best option. You can also come up your own little combinations and try to jot them down and try it on the keyboard.

Care for your instrument

Most instruments can last for years and the keyboard is no different. Make sure that you clean the keyboard regularly else the dust can form inside and cause the keys to get stuck. Take a look at the instruction manual before you get down to cleaning especially if it is an electric keyboard. Caring for your keyboard is one of the most basic things you need to keep in mind.

Storage is another concern. Get a case, a cover or a bag for your keyboard when you purchase it. This can help against potential falls and act as a barrier against the dust. Keeping your keyboard safe and sound will probably help you go a long way in learning and performing brilliantly.

As mentioned above, to truly excel at the keyboard, or any instrument, you need to take care of it so that it can have a longer life. If you are a beginner and do not own a keyboard yet and are looking for tips on how to buy a keyboard, check out this link: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/how-to-buy-a-musical-keyboard/.  For more on musical keyboards, you can refer to www.keyboardlessonssingapore.com/.

Keyboard Lessons: Tips for Buying a Keyboard

Keyboard Lessons:  Tips for Buying a Keyboard

Once you have decided that you are indeed going in for keyboard lessons, you have to start thinking of purchasing one. Without an instrument at your disposal, it is going to be hard to practice and become proficient. Having your own keyboard can also motivate you to practise more. Some questions that are raised during the purchase are described in this article: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/choosing-an-instrument-for-your-keyboard-lessons/. Here, we will discuss further and offer some tips on buying a keyboard.

Research on the warranty available

The usual warranty period for keyboards is one to two years, depending on the brand and manufacturer. This means that if any damage happens to your keyboard within this time frame, it would be repaired or replaced at no extra cost to you. Since instrument repairs can be a costly proposition.  That is why warranties are very important. Keyboards are also purchased to last for many years, so purchasing additional warranty from the shop is also advisable. This additional warranty would come into effect after the manufacturer’s warranty period has expired. Carefully read out the terms of the warranty offered on the instrument before signing up for it.

If you are planning on buying a used instrument for your private keyboard lessons, then ensure that a warranty of at least 30 to 60 days are provided by the seller. This gives you the time to ensure that the instrument is in good working order.

Try out the keyboards before purchase

Whether you know anything about keyboards or not, purchasing a keyboard without ever seeing it, touching it or playing  it, is a very bad idea. Different brands offer different features, and it is important to find out which ones suit your needs better. There is also the very important criterion of comfort while playing. Not every brand will suit every person, even though some brands are wildly popular. If you already have some experience with music, it becomes easier to judge your requirements. The keyboard must sound right for the type of music you want to learn.

Budget vs. quality

It is true that you would want to purchase a good quality keyboard so that it can facilitate your learning and remain relevant for a long time. Good keyboards, however, can be very expensive. Many beginners might not want to invest in an expensive keyboard right at the beginning of their musical journey, even before they know whether they are going to continue with their lessons or not. There is obviously a budget vs. quality argument here. There are two ways to overcome this. First, consider purchasing a used keyboard of good quality, which comes cheaper. Or go in for a new keyboard with fewer features, but be prepared to upgrade it when required.

Get expert opinion

If you feel as if you don’t know much about keyboards in general, try taking a friend along for the shopping. If this is not possible, you can also research on the various available keyboards that fit into your budget and whose looks you like and discuss them with your keyboard teacher. Those who actually have experience with keyboards would obviously be able to guide you better instead of being dazzled by great features that you might not yet require.

Ultimately, what is important is that the keyboard you purchase is comfortable and enjoyable. If these two criteria are met, then it is likely you will be motivated to enjoy your lessons and thus become a better player.

The website http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/ is a veritable resource of keyboard-related topics if you require more information on this subject.

The Advantages of Pursuing A Career As A Keyboard Lessons Teacher

The Advantages of Pursuing A Career As A Keyboard Lessons Teacher

 

The old age says that ‘teaching is a noble profession’. However teaching is sometimes deemed as a ‘fallback’ career only when all else fails.   But those aspiring keyboard players who have pursued the path of teaching keyboard lessons now embrace it with a sense of joy and fulfillment. Truth be told, being a keyboard teacher may not be as glamorous as a concert pianist or a band keyboard player who basks in the limelight and enjoys the perks of fame and adulation. Being a teacher though, has its own rewards that can make you embark on this profession with positivity and confidence.

 

One of the more practical ways to start your music teaching career is to teach in a music school. A music school has an accessible stream of students that are ready to be under your care. It is important to be prepared and expect that you will be handling students with varied skills and mastery levels in teaching keyboard lessons. Singapore students may be mostly beginners; yet you should also be able to handle more advanced levels and adult beginners as well.

 

So, you want to be a keyboard teacher? Here’s a rundown on why this could be the best option for you.

 

  1. Independence. You have the option to be a private, home tutor or be under the management of a music school, or both on part-time basis. In your music class, you will be in-charge of running the show, so to speak. You can apply your own teaching style and house rules that ensure order and productive use of time in each session. You can even set your own rate, as a private teacher.

 

  1. Flexibility. One of the best perks of being a keyboards teacher is being able to set the pace of your teaching schedule. You may choose your preferred teaching time slots and the number of hours you can allocate for teaching. This would enable you to have work-life balance, where you can have more me-time or quality time for the family. This set-up is most ideal for working moms, students, or those who intend to teach part time.

 

  1. Extra Income. For those who have day jobs but still want to carry-on with their musical pursuits, teaching keyboards could be a source of supplemental income.

 

  1. Develop People Skills. As a keyboard teacher, you will be interacting with students and parents. You will learn how to market yourself, convince, and assure them of your capabilities as a music teacher. For students enrolled in your class, you have to give them feedback regarding their progress. Give them a pep-talk to boost their confidence. These are just some communication skills that you will develop along the way.

 

Over and above these advantages, a keyboard lessons teacher finds great satisfaction when his students show progress over time, see them fulfill their dreams, and find remarkable passion in playing. Indeed, the success of a student could be attributed to a good teacher. Here are some qualities that could help you be one: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/makes-good-keyboard-teacher/

 

Getting things started could be quite challenging.   A reputable music school like http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/ could help jumpstart your career as keyboards teacher. They will help you find a pool of students seeking to avail of your services as keyboards teacher.

Keyboard Lessons: Options for Buying a Keyboard

Keyboard Lessons: Options for Buying a Keyboard

 

So you have decided that you want to learn the keyboard. You have also arranged to take keyboard lessons and perhaps even have learned the basics. But you cannot really practice or get better unless you have a keyboard at your disposal any time you want. For this, it is best to buy a keyboard of your own so that you can have it with you and can practice on it at any time you like at your own comfort and convenience. For general information on keyboard lessons in Singapore, please refer to www.keyboardlessonssingapore.com.

Determine second hand or new purchase

When deciding to purchase a keyboard, the first question that arises would obviously be whether to go for a new one or a used one. There are many reasons for both options to be chosen, but a simple rule of the thumb is this: if you really cannot afford a new keyboard, it is better to settle for a used one rather than not having one at all. Another important aspect is that if you are convinced that you want to pursue your musical aspirations on a long-term basis, then you opt for a new keyboard. And a third thing to keep in mind is that if you find a used keyboard, especially through a trusted friend or acquaintance, and it is in perfect condition, grab it! Ultimately, the choice would depend on your own circumstances as well as your needs and wants, and availability of new and used keyboards. But whatever you choose, make sure you enjoy the purchase!

Research on the available options

There is a large variety of choices when you set out to purchase a keyboard for your private keyboard lessons. There are three main options: digital piano, electronic keyboard and synthesizer. Once you have chosen to purchase one of these, you would have to decide what features to look out for in each option. So let us take a look at the key options in order to help you arrive at an informed decision.

Digital piano

Digital pianos are just like acoustic pianos, except they don’t have strings attached to the keys or soundboards. Instead, they have speakers built in for the resonance and sound. The reason why it is more useful for many musicians than the traditional pianos is because it is portable and can be carried from one place to the other without much effort. Another advantage of opting for a digital piano is the lower price, which can save you a lot of money.

Electronic keyboard

Electronic keyboards are the most popular options for those taking keyboard music lessons. It offers a large number of functions and features to complement your music playing, such as rhythms and sequencer options. Many advanced models even offer a record-back facility. Portable and affordable, it is no wonder that the electronic keyboard is one of the more popular options for musicians of every hue.

Synthesizer

Synthesizers offer everything an electronic keyboard offers but they are not a traditional musical instrument in any way. The synthesizers are designed to explore sonic possibilities of their sound engines. They can produce the general acoustic music, but are also used to produce synthetic sounds. Most models offer excellent editing and customization features, making this very useful for modern musicians.

For more information on general options to consider before purchase, consult http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/choosing-an-instrument-for-your-keyboard-lessons/.

Piano Lessons: Why Learn the Piano?

Piano Lessons: Why Learn the Piano?

 

The piano is one of the mainstays of Western classical music and is a favourite of music lovers worldwide. It has been a consistently popular instrument for decades and has never gone out of fashion like so many other instruments. This shows us that there is something about the piano that is permanent and intriguing for those who are into traditional and modern music. There are a number of reasons why learning the piano is worth your while.

Rich traditions

The piano was the choice of instrument for many stalwarts of music. With a 250 year old tradition, the piano has kept its hold over musicians for a long time, and continues to do so. This has led to a variety of piano music that you could spend months exploring. Alternatively, it is also easy to adapt the piano to any style of music, which makes it versatile and probably the reason behind its long popularity. Those who want to learn to play a piano are effectively contributing to this rich musical heritage of the instrument.

Dynamic solo instrument

With the piano, you can play a number of notes at the same time. This is not possible with many other instruments, but with the piano, a single person can play complex music without accompaniment and still be able to produce rich music. This makes the piano a dynamic solo instrument for players who prefer to practice alone or play by themselves. The best part of this is that the piano can also lend itself to being played with other instruments, so if you want to have a change, it’s possible.

Family bonding

The piano has always been a family instrument. For centuries, people have entertained their families and friends at parties by playing the piano. Nothing much has changed. The piano can still be a way of entertaining your near and dear ones for a while at a gathering. If your family is inclined to be musical, you could even have regular sing-alongs with you playing the piano. This is quality bonding with the family, and makes for great experiences.

Improves other skills

Studies have shown that children learning the piano do much better in academics than their peers. This also applies to adults who learn the piano. Learning the instrument improves your language and mathematical skills as well as in the overall development of your artistic senses. From a physical viewpoint, pianists develop manual dexterity through the constant coordination of pressing the right keys with just the right touch at the right time. From the time you start piano lessons Singapore, your brain is affected by the experience, allowing different skills to develop.

Job opportunities

The piano has a large array of opportunities. For instance, you can be an orchestral or choral conductor. There are restaurants, hotels, cruise ships and many similar places which like to hire pianists for performing for their customers on a regular basis. Piano can also be the choice of instrument in events like weddings or funerals. If you have enough experience and are properly certified, then you can even get into teaching the instrument to others and seek employment in universities.

To know more about how the piano is beneficial to children, refer to: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/benefits-of-piano-lessons-for-children/. To get a generic overview on the subject of piano lessons in Singapore, check out the website: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/.

Keyboard Lessons: Practising Tips for Keyboard Beginners

Keyboard Lessons: Practising Tips for Keyboard Beginners

Learning any instrument has its own tricks in the beginning. It is essential to learn the basics and then gradually progress towards the more interesting and complex formats. While you might be very impatient to get right to playing the music, it is not advisable to do so without paying some attention to the basic concepts and ideas during the basic keyboard lessons for beginners. Once you have the basic concepts, then it is easier to forge ahead. To know more about what beginners should do, you can consult this article: http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/tips-for-beginners-before-starting-keyboard-lessons/.

Play with both hands

While playing the keyboard, it is natural for most people to play with the hand they feel most comfortable with, that is the right hand. Just like with typing, right handed keyboard player beginners tend to use their right hands only. This is not a problem in itself, but you would ultimately have to learn how to use both hands to play the keyboard so that the music flows easily and you can play comfortably. Practice doing this right from the beginning. Don’t worry if you miss out some notes because you aren’t used to working with one hand. You’ll get the hang of it soon and you will be able to play automatically with both hands, with an ear to the music.

Learn the songs

Learn the songs you mean to play. This doesn’t mean that you should just learn every note in advance because that would be impossible without actually playing. But when you sit down to practise, make sure you know the tune well enough not to stumble mid-way. If you already know the tune well, it makes it easier to break it down into notes and scales and work your way through the actual playing. Without this advanced preparation, you might find yourself floundering more often than not, which will decrease the pace of your progress.

Explore the keyboard

Now you have your keyboard and you know how to play a few things. But it is important to familiarise yourself with the tools of your trade. Every musician must understand what their instrument is capable of doing, or not doing. Keyboard players must become familiar with their instrument so that they know exactly what to expect when they begin to play seriously. Learn what note each key produces, and memorise the sounds. Explore, experiment, play with your keyboard so that it becomes a friends and you begin to understand each other well. This really should be a basic tenet of beginner keyboard lessons.

Identify the notes

Familiarise yourself with the layout of the keyboard. This will help you in distinguishing between the different notes and scales you will have to understand for playing. There are black keys and white keys on the keyboard, which will help you to make a clear distinction between modified notes and natural notes. The black keys represent the former and the white keys the latter. To distinguish between flat and sharp notes, you just have to look at the keyboard. The black key to the left produces the flat note and the one to the right produces the sharp note. This can be complicated to understand in the first place and can take a while to assimilate. But as you practice regularly, it will come as second nature to you.

Check out http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/ for more information on all things related to the keyboard.

 

Choosing a Piano Teacher

Choosing a Piano Teacher

If your instrument of choice is the piano, then you will probably be seeking a piano teacher who can help you fulfill your goals. Whether you are a beginner student or an advanced one, having a good teacher to train you consistently and help you improve your playing is essential. Different students have different criteria in choosing a piano teacher. Check out this article for information on choosing a teacher – http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/questions-to-consider-when-hiring-a-keyboard-teacher/. However, there are some practical considerations you need to take into account as well.

Location

When you choose a teacher, see whether they are actually accessible to you on a regular basis, that is, their location works for you. It is suitable if your teacher lives nearby.But after taking other factors into consideration that might be more important for you, you may find that you do not have the option of a teacher who lives nearby. If this happens, then check to see whether the place you have to travel to on a weekly basis is well-connected by public transport. If you are using your own transport, will you be wasting time getting stuck in traffic? Remember that your time is valuable. You could be better occupied practicing the piano during these hours if you choose a suitably located teacher.

Group or private

This is a constant debate among people, but the fact remains that each person has their individual tastes. Group lessons have their advantages, such as learning how to play with others in synchronization, being able to network with other budding musicians on a regular basis, and of course, lower tuition fees. Private lessons, on the other hand, can provide a more flexible schedule and you will be able to learn at your own pace. It not just depends on your taste, but also which stage you are in your training and the student teacher relationship.

Fees

Choosing a teacher also includes planning out your budget. It won’t do to break the bank even if your teacher is the best. You still have other financial commitments and bills to pay, so you have to budget for teacher’s fees. Remember that your piano needs to be regularly tuned, your music sheets and other materials purchased, and quite a few other related costs. Budget all these and then arrive at a final figure within which you have to find piano lessons. Research well before you settle on a final amount. There will be slight discrepancies in the rates, but beware of anyone who is too cheap or too exorbitant. You can take advice on this matter from music academies and universities, or even from other students.

Flexibility

While many piano students would be happy to have a regular structure for their classes, not everyone has a regular lifestyle. If you are the kind of person with unpredictable work times, do excessive traveling, have small children at home and in general, have a choppy schedule, you will benefit greatly from a teacher who is more flexible. Of course, such issues need to be discussed with the teacher well in advance as their time is valuable too.Even if flexibility is an important factor for you, try to be as regular as possible in your lessons so that your progress is consistent and leaves you something to be motivated about.

To know more about the world of piano in Singapore, consult http://keyboardlessonssingapore.com/.