Search found 24 matches

by samasap
22 Feb 2011, 15:56
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Books that teach technique?
Replies: 19
Views: 19139

Re: Books that teach technique?

Hanon exercises are good to learn and will help improve your technique.
by samasap
22 Feb 2011, 15:54
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: I found the fastest way to learn the piano!
Replies: 3
Views: 8165

Re: I found the fastest way to learn the piano!

I use piano blogspot.com to get copies of music, I'm not sure if its the same thing but I find it very useful. I think it's good to mix up both traditional and online learning. If you can afford to have some one on one tuition this will help improve your technique e.t.c, but online now you have some...
by samasap
22 Feb 2011, 15:50
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Top 10 easy pieces for piano
Replies: 8
Views: 12356

Re: Top 10 easy pieces for piano

You can get a beginners version of Pacelbals Canon which pupils always enjoy learning as beginners. Amazing Grace is another nice song, again there are nice easy arrangements out there for beginners. A folk song I teach some adult pupils is Drunken Sailor as this incorporates chords in the right han...
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 13:12
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Free Sheet Music site for the beginner Piano players
Replies: 2
Views: 5480

Re: Free Sheet Music site for the beginner Piano players

Thanks for this, I will use for new pupils.
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 13:07
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Looking to improve technique and skills.
Replies: 8
Views: 14758

Re: Looking to improve technique and skills.

The Kenneth Baker books are great if you are self teaching, I think you can get an Elton John one in this as well! With Sightreading, I'd suggest simple pieces that you don't know, and give yourself a two minute time scale, to scroll and read through the piece trying bits out, looking for repetitive...
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 12:49
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Is this hopeful for an absolute beginner?
Replies: 8
Views: 8145

Re: Is this hopeful for an absolute beginner?

I think indeed it is hopeful, if you can play by ear it's always a very good benefit, and you can almost use music as a referall and to maybe help you out where needed with working out certain sections.
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 12:18
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: chords?
Replies: 6
Views: 10304

Re: chords?

If there is a song you want to learn, and you are familiar with most major and minor chords, then if you purchase the sheet music that is for Piano Guitar and Vocals then it will show the chords above the music, so this will help you learn the song, then listen to the music, and try and work out the...
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 12:05
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: My Little Finger!
Replies: 6
Views: 9422

Re: My Little Finger!

I wouldn't worry about it too much! But it does sound like you may have a bit of tension in your hands, so maybe try and keep your hands lower your fingers slightly more curled and make sure your arm isn't tense! This may help you. Try doing some co-ordination exercises on simple notes just doing c ...
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 12:00
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Piano Teacher's Association(s) London/UK
Replies: 2
Views: 6383

Re: Piano Teacher's Association(s) London/UK

The Associated Board of the Royal School of music and Trinity school of music in London.
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 11:58
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Adult beginner's fingering question!
Replies: 10
Views: 8941

Re: Adult beginner's fingering question!

If your chosen fingering works for you, and it still enables you to glide quickly and have smooth transitions to your next section then stick with this.
I'd try and work on some alternative fingering though in future pieces, and see if you can find a way that works for you to use your thumb.
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 11:56
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Top 10 easy pieces for piano
Replies: 8
Views: 12356

Re: Top 10 easy pieces for piano

Fur Elise is a good one, so is God Save America! And a simple version of Pachelbals Canon.
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 11:54
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: When did you start learning?
Replies: 83
Views: 127540

Re: When did you start learning?

I started learning Keyboard when I was just four, had keyboard lessons until I was 10 then went on to play piano and take all my exams. It's something I enjoyed from a young age and still love and have passion for at 25 years of age! I believe you are never to young or to old to learn piano if it's ...
by samasap
20 Jan 2011, 11:50
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: advice and fair pricing of lessons.
Replies: 6
Views: 10158

Re: advice and fair pricing of lessons.

HI, I think if you are going to trial teaching from home then don't worry too much about all the H&S procedures. I have a CRB check, a website which I get pupils from, and also Liability insurance incase somebody fell over or slipped when coming to my home. But don't worry too much about all tha...
by samasap
12 Aug 2010, 14:51
Forum: Piano Showcase
Topic: Pink - I'm not dead (piano cover)
Replies: 2
Views: 6774

Re: Pink - I'm not dead (piano cover)

I like it. :)
by samasap
12 Aug 2010, 14:49
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Things You Must Consider Before Learning Piano
Replies: 1
Views: 5143

Re: Things You Must Consider Before Learning Piano

Thats very good points you have made there, and most teachers can instantly pick up if people are going to have a natural ear for music, and those students are often easier to teach, but a good teacher must be able to adapt and have patience to teach all abilities. Learning piano is very time consum...
by samasap
12 Aug 2010, 14:30
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Rhythm
Replies: 5
Views: 10151

Re: Rhythm

From experience myself of playing piano and from teaching others - Rhythm is one of the hardest things to grasp in music, and it is a skill that will improve over time, so just practice it as much as you can, and you've done the right thing to get a metronome, so use this to play your pieces, but st...
by samasap
12 Aug 2010, 14:25
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Looking for good learning materials.
Replies: 2
Views: 6789

Re: Looking for good learning materials.

Hi, The little book of music theory is good, and you can get this from - www.musicroom.com and its pocket size so you can carry it around with you which is handy!!!! Plus their are some good websites around that offer free theory advice, plus free piano music - These sites are: - http://www.musicthe...
by samasap
12 Aug 2010, 14:10
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: musical three and a half year old
Replies: 6
Views: 11162

Re: musical three and a half year old

Hi, Your daughter sounds like she could be a very talented pianist. And if its something she is enjoying and loves, then certainly go ahead and find a piano teacher, but maybe one that is use to teaching very young children. The teacher would need to get her playing pieces that she is familiar with ...
by samasap
13 Apr 2010, 12:25
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Initial level
Replies: 2
Views: 6173

Re: Initial level

I agree, 20-30 mins per day is a good length of time to practice, however if you do have a spare hour this is a good length of time to go over old pieces and scales, just to keep these up to scratch also.
:D
by samasap
22 Mar 2010, 11:36
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Piano classes in group
Replies: 4
Views: 8778

Re: Piano classes in group

Hi I use to teach in a pop music school weekends when i was younger, and it use to be two pupils to one teacher. Which did kind of work, but it just depends what sort of teacher you get. If you get a good teacher who can organise their time efficiently, so they can bring out the best in each pupil, ...
by samasap
16 Mar 2010, 17:34
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Aching back
Replies: 2
Views: 6242

Re: Aching back

Hi It could be your chair....Make sure your not too close to the piano and equally not too far back. Maybe do some shoulder exercises before going to play. Roll your shoulders back and forth a few times. Make sure you are comfortable, and that your back is straight as though you are trying to stand ...
by samasap
16 Mar 2010, 17:04
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: What piano websites or software can people recommend
Replies: 7
Views: 11898

Re: What piano websites or software can people recommend

Hi
I have used Rocket Piano which is an online piano course, and it is excellent. If you go to my website, which is on my signature and go to my free lessons page, they offer a free trial and they are also doing a special offer to purchase the whole course at the moment.


Good Luck.
by samasap
15 Mar 2010, 12:20
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Am I always going to be playing as a beginner?
Replies: 9
Views: 11451

Re: Am I always going to be playing as a beginner?

I think it all comes down to determination...It sounds as if you are very determined, so keep the practising up. Scales are so important especially if you are doing your exams. Find a scale that you really enjoy, and work on this in different keys, paying attention to the fingering guide. Also make ...
by samasap
15 Mar 2010, 12:01
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Learn & Master Piano / Rocket Piano
Replies: 5
Views: 11027

Re: Learn & Master Piano / Rocket Piano

Hi I have used rocket piano and found it very good. Once you have the basics refreshed, you should also try the complete Kenneth Baker book on piano. This is really good as it starts off with very basic pieces and then progresses throughout the book, each piece having something different to think ab...