Search found 1388 matches

by markymark
16 Mar 2008, 20:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What type of piano shop do customers want.
Replies: 17
Views: 18812

Personally, I like to see a variety of brands. As mentioned so many times on this forum, Yamaha and Kawai have been the main brands with which I have been faced. Brands - good quality makes - such as Bechstein, Steinway, Bosendorfer, even Kemble are practically unknown in my part of the world but it...
by markymark
16 Mar 2008, 16:29
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What type of piano shop do customers want.
Replies: 17
Views: 18812

Controversial statement: Is there really any need to try a new - let's say Yamaha C6 - that is being supplied by a dealer with an excellent track record? Would that fall into the (C) section then. ie you would spend that amount of money, Yam C6 sight unseen on new product if the dealer had a good r...
by markymark
16 Mar 2008, 16:03
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What type of piano shop do customers want.
Replies: 17
Views: 18812

I suppose it really does depend on what I wanted to buy. As Openwood has said, I really wouldn't buy blind if purchasing an acoustic piano so option C wouldn't be all that appealing to me. Option B may be okay, provided that you can get parked at the showroom and also so long as the lane is not long...
by markymark
14 Mar 2008, 01:13
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-151 vs what else?
Replies: 10
Views: 42127

This whole issue of half-pedalling seems to becoming more and more popular. When the P70 and P140 replaced the P60 and P120, this was one of the main updates to their predecessors. I have to say, it's not all that big a deal; I mean, as a pianist, I very rarely use that technique. I wouldn't go as f...
by markymark
13 Mar 2008, 23:59
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

Paul Harris has some nice ranges of books, though I have mostly used his sight-reading range, "Improve Your Sight Reading". He also has another range called "Getting Started" which covers oral, theory and keyboard musicianship written specifically for beginners and particularly y...
by markymark
13 Mar 2008, 18:13
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-151 vs what else?
Replies: 10
Views: 42127

I haven't heard or yet seen much of those new models save for the fact that the piano samples are supposed to be more refined and of a higher standard. I heard back from my contact at Yamaha and he tells me that there are hardly any differences between the CLP-220 and the YDP-151. The YDP-151 was ap...
by markymark
13 Mar 2008, 02:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Fazioli
Replies: 20
Views: 23378

Du-uh! The fourth pedal is quite obviously the choke for when tackling those dense Rachmanininov pieces! :P
by markymark
12 Mar 2008, 21:23
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-151 vs what else?
Replies: 10
Views: 42127

Forgot to mention the P-140! You can read some of the most recent posts about those. People on the forum who have tried these do tend to be impressed. You are comparing it with the YDP-151 so here goes... Specs are quite similar except you do have speakers that, although being the same size, have a ...
by markymark
12 Mar 2008, 21:09
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

Oh! That's a shame. Still, based on my experience, they seem to be very willing to answer questions and to provide you with all the necessary help and support. That means a lot!
by markymark
12 Mar 2008, 21:02
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-151 vs what else?
Replies: 10
Views: 42127

As I've often said to other people considering a digital piano, there really is (so far) only one brand to aim for if realistic hammer action and piano sound are two priorities and that is Yamaha. You've asked an interesting question! One of the annoying things about digital pianos, as you start com...
by markymark
10 Mar 2008, 19:15
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Digital Pianos and temperaments
Replies: 5
Views: 10966

The P140 is a decent instrument but to be honest, I'm not surprised that you went for a Yamaha stage piano in the end. As I've said so many times on this forum, Yamaha certainly don't leave much for improvement as far as piano sound quality is concerned - I really ought to approach Yamaha for an end...
by markymark
08 Mar 2008, 22:19
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

I was looking at EPTA website not that it tells you a terrible lot. One downside to that course is, like the Associated Board courses, you need to come across for residential weekends and training days. In other words, depending on where you live in the UK, you may well have flights, trains, taxis o...
by markymark
07 Mar 2008, 22:11
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

Ask yourself the following questions; > How much does it cost to do the examination? > What is involved in each test? (You can download syllabi from either website) > Will I need training or do I have enough experience to tackle the course without tuition or the assistance of a teacher? > Which cour...
by markymark
07 Mar 2008, 19:21
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

You can read about the types of diplomas available by following this link:

http://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/site/?id=280


And you can find out about distance support and enrolement by following this one:

www.tt4m.co.uk

:)
by markymark
07 Mar 2008, 19:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Just a thought....
Replies: 21
Views: 21654

"I just don't get how posting "brilliant information" as you put it and either hiding it or not letting other people see it, is not a conflict of interest!" Well, the thing is, for example, on clapped-out pianos with loose wrestpins, I use a home-made concoction that costs penni...
by markymark
07 Mar 2008, 01:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Just a thought....
Replies: 21
Views: 21654

Re: Just a thought....

Errmmm, closed, so we can exchange brilliant info that the non-techies can ever get to see. Problem is, everyone will now sign in with a tuner-esque nick - like me - except I am a tuner. Honest. Check with Newark Tech. (1977-1980). I have to agree with Gill on this one. It is nice to look through t...
by markymark
07 Mar 2008, 00:03
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Digital Pianos and temperaments
Replies: 5
Views: 10966

I have to agree with you about the DGX-620 - I think that Yamaha tried to let it straddle too many kinds of keyboard to really develop the instrument. Having said that, the hammer action keyboard is very good. The SP series in Korg show Korg's real progress to develop a decent piano sound which they...
by markymark
06 Mar 2008, 23:27
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to go about being a Piano Teacher
Replies: 13
Views: 18359

Having Grade 8 practical and Grade 6 theory is nothing to be sniffed at! It is a very high standard and testimony to your musical competence. The fact that you have taught in a music school will give you some experience, although I wonder if your teaching was more casual tuition rather than teaching...
by markymark
03 Mar 2008, 20:51
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: which digital piano for a pianist?
Replies: 4
Views: 10637

First of all, you need to clarify your terminology. Dealers, over here anyway, use the terms “fully weighted” and “hammer action” as two interchangeable terms but they are two totally different things. “Fully weighted” is just what is sounds but “hammer action” will replicate the response and action...
by markymark
03 Mar 2008, 20:15
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: CONCENTRATE!
Replies: 58
Views: 40276

Sounds like you need a 2 by 4 slapped across your knuckles never mind a ruler! :P Seriously though, you don't have to be self-taught to end up being a poor sight-reader! Sight-reading is one of the worst taught skills in private tuition today. I was horrified when Trinity College announced their dec...
by markymark
01 Mar 2008, 23:55
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: which digital piano for a pianist?
Replies: 4
Views: 10637

That was certainly an exhaustive list. I noticed some models there that are now long since obselete and hard to come by even on Ebay. Other models are just toys and nothing more. Some of the instruments are technically stage pianos and, in the case of Kurzweil for example, many of those do not have ...
by markymark
01 Mar 2008, 23:45
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Learning and playing piano "elitist"?...
Replies: 6
Views: 7582

I do agree with you there! I can't really think of hardly any popular musicians that lead bands or perform from the piano. Today, Jools Holland, Elton John and Jamie McCullum are the three British pianists in popular music that spring to mind. Laying aside, classical performers, who else is there re...
by markymark
01 Mar 2008, 23:24
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-S30
Replies: 3
Views: 9189

Don’t be tricked into thinking that a bigger instrument automatically ALWAYS equals better sound. I have come across some very compact keyboards such as controllers and budget level instruments that are slimline and are also very basic. However, one of the benefits to digital instruments is that the...
by markymark
24 Feb 2008, 22:59
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Digital Pianos and temperaments
Replies: 5
Views: 10966

I certainly can't think of a keyboard below 500GBP that allows you to adjust individual note tuning. Many of them will allow you to adjust the overall pitch levels but not to individual keys so that you can adjust the temperament. The DGX-620 is more versatile but you are including other rhythms and...
by markymark
23 Feb 2008, 16:41
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How do you play this song?
Replies: 8
Views: 12030

Am means "A minor". I'll outline the basic notation. LH = Left Hand, RH = Right Hand Am: LH: A, RH: E, A, C G: LH: G, RH: D, G, B C: LH: C, RH: E, G, C G: LH: G, RH: D, G, B This will give you basic progression and the general sound of the song but as the song isn't in English and I don't ...
by markymark
19 Feb 2008, 19:25
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Teaching 10's to teens
Replies: 33
Views: 26326

Trying to vary repertoire is a good idea. Even giving the children well known songs such as theme tunes for Eastenders for example, simplified versions of pop songs can be effective too. Depending on how long children have been attending piano lessons, they should already be starting to develop eith...
by markymark
18 Feb 2008, 02:17
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha YDP-S30
Replies: 3
Views: 9189

Yeah, as far as I can see (and hear) they both have six voices and similar recording and preset song options. I think the casing was the main reason for its development. Piano sound is respectable - not that tinny sample you can get as a second option on better CLP models.
by markymark
18 Feb 2008, 02:04
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: LCM diplomas
Replies: 0
Views: 3041

LCM diplomas

Has anyone had any experience with the following diplomas offered by London College Of Music: ALCM , Church Music DipLCM/ALCM , Electronic Keyboard Performance Not very familiar with this board or these qualifications. London College will give you generic info but personal information from other stu...
by markymark
16 Feb 2008, 22:35
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How do you play this song?
Replies: 8
Views: 12030

Okay, that one worked on my computer. Unfortunately, I don't have the facilities to record the demo for you, but the good news is that the song follows a very simple pattern and in a very simple key and I can outline that for you if that is any use to you... The pattern is: Am, G, C, G The song foll...
by markymark
15 Feb 2008, 00:34
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: blues fingering
Replies: 2
Views: 5484

I've heard of that fingering but have also come across fingering commonly used when approaching chromatic scales, namely the 1-3-1-3,etc. I use a style like that for my left hand and the same for my right hand (with the exception of (sometimes) using the fourth finger on the Bb) but when talking to ...
by markymark
15 Feb 2008, 00:25
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How do you play this song?
Replies: 8
Views: 12030

:!: This webpage isn't loading.
by markymark
08 Feb 2008, 00:30
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: "Dry" music reading or how you call it
Replies: 3
Views: 6311

Reading music and getting a sense of the music by 'hearing' it in your head tends to improve with your own sight reading ability. I have found from personal experience that developing experience in reading and especially sight-reading music will help you develop a greater instinct for the music. You...
by markymark
05 Feb 2008, 19:13
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: M-Audio pro keys 88 help
Replies: 1
Views: 4201

Have you been changing or editting keyboard regions? Unless you have been doning something that has been changing the default settings of the keyboad, I can't really see how resetting it will do much good. Have you contacted the retailer or M-Audio directly? They seem to have a good customer service...
by markymark
05 Feb 2008, 19:10
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Question on Chinese teaching piano in UK?
Replies: 3
Views: 5021

The fact that your friend holds a music qualification from UK means that a lot of people will take for granted that she knows what she is talking about and is familiar with the British musician tradition and language. Again, provided that she does not have an overly strong accent, most parents with ...
by markymark
30 Jan 2008, 16:49
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Cortot's rational principles of technique
Replies: 1
Views: 3603

I have never used the book so I can’t comment on this from personal experience but just a few things came to mind as I was reading your post. I’m going to assume that the 60-60 bpm is a mixture of two terminologies. I have heard people talk about “60 notes in 60 seconds” or 60 bpm, but never a mixtu...
by markymark
30 Jan 2008, 16:28
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: digital piano impending purchase ...
Replies: 1
Views: 4270

I put in a post about the whole weighted versus hammer action quite a few times. Click on this link below and see if this particular thread answers any of your questions: http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/viewtopic.php?t=5135 I have always been impressed by Yamaha's hammer action keyboard, more s...
by markymark
29 Jan 2008, 19:29
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Train the Trainer
Replies: 2
Views: 4090

I'm aware that there is a Train the Trainer program that focuses on training business men to achieve their potential in whatever firm or corperation they are working for as well as business and staff development. This has no association with music or education as such, though... :? Aside to this, th...
by markymark
29 Jan 2008, 17:54
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Kurzweil 2600X and Yamaha Motif XS
Replies: 1
Views: 5871

Kurzweil 2600X and Yamaha Motif XS

Does anyone own or has anyone actually played the Kurzweil 2600X and/or Yamaha Motif XS? I have been looking into the Kurzweil 2600X for some time and I'm sure it must be due for an upgrade sooner or later the rate Kurzweil seem to upgrade their instruments. With the lauch of the PC3X very soon, I ...
by markymark
29 Jan 2008, 14:43
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: P60 Strangs with Sustain Pedal
Replies: 8
Views: 13237

The fact that your sustain pedal works fine with the piano sound rules out a possible fault with your pedal - is it a yamah brand? I have found, by accident, that for example, Roland pedals don't completely co-operate with Yamaha keyboards. If the pedal is also a Yamaha FP3 or FP4 for example, then ...
by markymark
29 Jan 2008, 00:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: How do I record myself?
Replies: 6
Views: 9033

If you are working from an acoustic piano, the challenge of recording yourself is much more difficult, particularly if your piano is sitting in the corner of your study or living room. Acoustic pianos can be tricky to mic with the correct type of microphone and mixing desk, never mind anything else....
by markymark
28 Jan 2008, 20:24
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: how much should i be concerned?
Replies: 4
Views: 6653

You obviously have a great love of music and the instrument you play. I think that it is commendable that you are developing, not only as a performer, but also as a listener. So many musicians can wade through a piece of music but never really engage with the emotional element attached to or built i...
by markymark
28 Jan 2008, 19:39
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Run your Clavinova through a hifi amp and chunky speakers!
Replies: 3
Views: 9811

I have always used Yamaha keyboards and digital/stage pianos in a stage setting - I always feel that the amplification from the speakers needed that bit of an "oomph" to release the real sound potential from the instrument, whether in a large hall or small room. Of course with an amp you a...
by markymark
28 Jan 2008, 19:31
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: P60 Strangs with Sustain Pedal
Replies: 8
Views: 13237

I don't own a P60 and wouldn't have played one long enough to notice this issue you are having with strings and organ sustaining. Even strings on lower level keyboard will be able to last for at least 10 seconds before a noticeable fade occurs in the tone. If it cuts off before you have time to chan...
by markymark
25 Jan 2008, 00:23
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: Help! (i need a tab)
Replies: 1
Views: 3135

I've never heard this song before! The link on Youtube doesn't have a very clear recording. I'm assuming that you understand how to read chords. Introduction: Right hand part is built around the chord and played over left-hand chords which are as follows : G, D, A7, Dsus4 and repeats. Experiment wit...
by markymark
24 Jan 2008, 20:05
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Which Clavinova?
Replies: 3
Views: 22029

These items are more or less unheard of nowadays and it is a long time since I've ever heard of these models never mind seen them. When Yamaha brought out Clavinovas, they produced CLP and CVP models that more or less came out together. In fact, the modern models still exist and co-exist in the same...
by markymark
24 Jan 2008, 01:35
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C1/Yamaha GC-1/Kawai RX-1/Samick NSG/Boston, etc
Replies: 4
Views: 11053

The Yamaha C1 is a nice instrument! If I had room in my front room, I'd certainly consider one of those! :D A technician/tuner should be able to adjust the piano to soften the shrillness of the upper section of the piano. A lot of people don't seem to realise that about acoustic pianos, I have found.
by markymark
24 Jan 2008, 00:55
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Where to find a good range
Replies: 10
Views: 14420

Silent Pianos

Just, something else came to mind as I was scanning through my last post, don't forget about the option to install a silent system on an acoustic. You may be able to get a better deal on a good acoustic and then add a silent system with a final lower cost. Silent pianos - I find - tend to be more ex...
by markymark
23 Jan 2008, 18:57
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Where to find a good range
Replies: 10
Views: 14420

Re: Range

Oh no, I've just realised I've been under the impression that a silent piano was the same as a digital. Just looked at Yamaha's UK site and found they're different... I think... sorry everyone! I guess that means we've got more choice, hmm... may not be a good thing! So-o-o if you had to recommend ...
by markymark
23 Jan 2008, 18:31
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Where to find a good range
Replies: 10
Views: 14420

As far as I have been told, the silent system installed on acoustic pianos seem to be quite reliable. I think replacing them tends to be more popular than repairing them though should anything serious go wrong with them. They seem to have a good track record with the people that get them installed. ...
by markymark
23 Jan 2008, 18:18
Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
Topic: How to make students to remember the things you teach them?
Replies: 7
Views: 10205

That's alright Gill.

You've been removed from my hit-list... :lol: