Music Theory, Notation & Performance
Italian Tempo Terms
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Click the button to access a glossary of tempo markings used in classical music. It defines Italian tempo markings with a range of bpm (beat per minute).
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Free blank music notation paper from MakingMusicFun.net
Circle of Fifths
Printable Blank Manuscript Paper
Circle of Fifths
Click the button to access an 8.5" x 11" poster of the Circle of Fifths with mnemonics to remember the order of sharps and flats in key signatures. This tool helps you see the key center (tonic) for a piece of music based on the key signature, and helps you compose music. To read more about the relationships between the keys, visit: MusicCrashCourses
Be Kind to Your Body
How to Cut Your Fingernails
How to Cut Your Fingernails
How to Cut Your Fingernails
This video is an excellent tutorial on how to cut your fingernails if you are a pianist or string player. Although this is part of the Gentleman's Gazette series, it works for women musicians, too.
Aikido Wrist Exercises
How to Cut Your Fingernails
How to Cut Your Fingernails
Musicians can be susceptible to repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger). Doing these wrist exercises before, during, and after practice will help keep your tendons elongated and supple.
Ergonomics
How to Hold a Pencil
Writing music by hand requires fine motor skills and hand positions that are similar to playing piano (rounded, relaxed hand). There is a correct way to hold a pencil and paper when you write, and there's a wrong way. Good penmanship is is an important skill for composers so others can read the music you write.
Piano Mechanics
Piano Pedals
Click "Piano Pedals" to read more about the different pedals you may find on a piano.
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Tech Tips for Musicians
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
From any Office application, click the Insert tab and select Symbol. In the Symbol window select the Font: Segoe UI Symbol
In the Character Code field, type: 1d100
This is the symbol for a bar line. Scroll down the list from here to see more music notation symbols. Click the button below for more details from Microsoft user support forum.
Insert Music Symbols Into Google Docs & Slides
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
1. Click on the “Insert” menu.
2. Select “Special characters”
3. Search for the hex number. (2669-266F)
4. Click on symbol to insert.
2669 = ♩ 266A = ♪
266B = ♫ 266C = ♬
266D = ♭ 266E = ♮
266F = ♯
Convert MP3 (Audio) to MP4 (Video) Files
Insert Music Symbols Into Microsoft Word & PowerPoint
Convert MP3 (Audio) to MP4 (Video) Files
If you make recordings of your music as MP3 audio files, you can't upload them to YouTube until you turn them into video files. Click here for a list of YouTube-Supported file formats.
YouTube accepts MP4 files. filecoverto.com offers a really easy, online MP3 to MP4 file converter that allows you to embed a JPG or PNG photo onto the video portion of the file.
Lessons with Vanessa Ott in Hawaiʻi’s Kaʻu District
Currently, Vanessa is accepting only students who are dedicated to practicing at least 20 minutes per day, six days a week. If you have some music training, you can teach yourself to play by using the Faber Piano Adventures curriculum. You'll also need some gear. See the REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & BOOKS section below.
- Weekly Cost: $40 per half hour; $60 per 45 minutes; $80 per hour. $25 cancellation fee.
- Location: To be determined. Based on individual circumstances. Lessons only in Hawaiʻi County's Kaʻu District.
Click here for Vanessa's Contact Information.
You're (almost) NEVER Too Old to Learn to Play
I love working with older adults who have always wanted to learn to play music and now have the time to do it. You may not have the goal of becoming a performing musician, but that doesn't mean you can learn how to make a joyful noise with a keyboard. . If you can still write with pen, you can play music, and I can teach you if you want to learn and are willing to practice regularly.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & BOOKS
Instrument
You need an instrument before starting. A piano is perfect if it's in tune, but an electronic keyboard may be more suited to your needs. There are pros and cons to both. Whatever you choose, please allow enough room in your home for your child to sit on the piano bench at an arm's length distance.
If you are going to buy a piano, budget in the maintenance cost to have it tuned after moving, and then tuned once a year.
Check the product specifications before you buy an electronic keyboard. If you can't find a product's specifications, I can help you. These are the minimum requirements for a suitable keyboard setup:
- Must have at least 76 keys. A piano has 88 keys. Keyboards with 88 keys are optimum, but usually more expensive.
- Must have "touch sensitive" keys. This keyboard feature simulates the quiet (piano) and loud (forte) sections of music. You'll also need a bench. Generally, the more you spend, the more comfortable they are. If you want a child to sit for long periods of time, make sure the seat is comfortable. Generally, the more you spend, the more comfortable they are.
- Sustain pedal (also called "damper pedal"). This is a standard accessory for keyboards and simulates the action of a piano sustain pedal.
- Keyboard stand.
Bench
You want a bench that is comfortable, so a well-padded bench is preferred. You will be sitting on that bench a lot while practicing. Parents of growing children may want to consider an adjustable bench. Parents of very young children will need a foot stool -- like the kind you use to help them reach the bathroom sink.
Metronome
Tempo and rhythm are the foundation of music, so a metronome is essential. There are numerous metronome apps for iOS and android devices ($1 and up). Almost every electronic keyboard has a metronome built in. You can download your keyboard's manual from the manufacturer's web site, and search for the keyword "metronome" to learn how to use it.
For piano players with no smart phone, a mechanical (wind-up) metronome is good, but delicate. Don't drop it or bend the pendulum. There are stand-alone an electronic metronomes, too. A word of caution about inexpensive electronic metronomes that require batteries. That's a hungry, insatiable metronome.
If you want a recommendation, or the features you want to look for, the Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat is a good metronome. It has an AC adapter (PSA-series ) as well as lots of other features like a human voice sound counting the tempo for you instead of ticking or beeping.
REQUIRED BOOKS
Piano Adventures Learning Method
I use the Faber Piano Adventures curriculum published by Hal Leonard. There are a few required books you need to acquire before your 1st lesson (approx. $30-$40).
Optional & Highly Recommended: Piano Adventures Music Accompaniments
Although you can get by with a metronome, the audio supports are what make the Piano Adventures curriculum so much fun! They cost a little extra ($5-$10 per level or songbook), but it's great to be able to "play along with the band." There is a fabulous app for iPhones/iPads that enables you to adjust the speed of the accompaniment playback. Android users can use the CDs.
Optional: Additional Sheet Music & Song Books
There's always more sheet music (single songs or whole books) a keyboardist can buy. I've been purchasing music sheets and books for the past 45 years, and my parents did it for me for over a decade before that. If there's a particular song you really want to play, I can help you learn how to find the music that you want at a level you can handle.