MusicBasics4Keyboard

What do we know about Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). He was born in Eisenach, Germany, composer of the Baroque era, and the most celebrated member of a large family of north German musicians. In 1695, when he was just nine years old, his parents died. He was sent to live with his brother, Johann Christoph, an organist. Johann Sebastian Bach had a prestigious musical lineage and took on various...

Learning to listen goes back to early childhood. Think about it for a moment. When it comes to playing piano, finding the right key and reading sheet music is as much about listening as it is about playing. Tune in to the next episode when I will demonstrate the importance of listening while playing each note on the keyboard. Meanwhile, this episode also covers the heat wave moving across the Unit...

Increase your practice time enjoyment by playing piano along with recorded music. Play songs you know with or without sheet music at every level. Remember to quit while you're ahead. Don't worry about making fingering mistakes and keeping up with the indicated tempo. It's normal to lose your place while sight reading and playing. Believe ear training is important in the learning process and there...

Some digital keyboards come with more sounds than piano. On my Yamaha Portable Grand DGX-640 they are called voices. In this episode you will hear a brief presentation using drum kits no. 143. If there are children or grandchildren in your family or neighborhood with an interest in music and little fingers, this is a good introduction to the keyboard. Digital pianos, after all, are about having fu...

Today we get down to business about ear training and playing piano. Consider reading my coffee table book "From Piano to Puccini" about music education, music programs and my performance singing opera at the Colony Square Shopping Mall. Think of it as a plan for success. In this episode I explain how to record and share a practice session that can be heard by me. Publish them as a podcast or make...

What is the secret to a happy life? Music by Bach and bacon. Not just any bacon, mind you. It must be real wood smoked and thick cut like the Wright brand. Their thickest cut. Use this bacon with burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and Quiche Lorraine. What is music4Dad all about? Music and entertainment with a food and wine theme. Today's podcast was published on an empty stomach. Good thing there...

What does it take to become a musician? Johannes Sebastian Bach believed anyone could learn to play a musical instrument if they were teachable and worked hard. The Encyclopedia Britannica published an review by an author with an opposing viewpoint including six skills needed to play a musical instrument. They are raw talent, imagination, psychological disposition, judgment, skill and experience....

Meet the author. Thank you for tuning in to today's podcast about my life as a musician. What is that? The Internet defines it as a person who plays a musical instrument, especially as a profession, or is musically talented. Example: "Your father was a fine musician." Perhaps this describes you, a member of your family, a teacher or orchestra leader. I've known two orchestra leaders in my lif...

Welcome to today's podcast about the role of witnessing in relationships. Everywhere we turn today there are cameras pointed at us recording our behavior. Too much or too little? Today's technology makes being unobserved nearly impossible. Watching movies is a form of witnessing. Writers, artists and musicians who live alone may want to give this matter some serious thought before partnering up wi...

Today's podcast is about romantic movies and finding love on the Internet. Here is one summary from Sleepless in Seattle with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan from Imdb - International Movie Database. Summary (edited): It was Christmas eve when Sam (Tom Hanks) pours out his heart on a national radio talk show about his magical and perfect marriage to Maggie. Sam is an architect. Eighteen months after her un...

There are three ways to learn to play piano. First, practice in a quiet room without distractions – real or imagined. Second, stay hydrated. Take breaks with your favorite beverage. Learning to play piano is hard work for most students of any age. Third, change things up regarding a practice schedule. Suggested ways to do this are described here and on video at my YouTube channel with the same nam...

It may be difficult for some listeners to adequately define lyric and dramatic musical expression. Drama is often associated with theatrical excitement. Consider moments of great tension in movies and operas that are accompanied by music that is tense and exciting. The fire and spirit of a fuoco (Italian - a burning passion in a figurative sense. Source: Daily Italian Words) and the grandeur and m...

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://music4dadcom.wordpress.com/2021/05/30/music-for-a-sunday-afternoon/