Monday Mail: Why Didn't Schubert Finish His Unfinished Symphony?

Romanza Andaluza [Diptych] (Photo credit: pablofalv)

Q: No one's been able to tell me why Schubert didn't finish his "Unfinished Symphony." Do you have the answer?

A: I'm sorry to say that I don't think anyone knows the real reason why Franz Schubert didn't complete his Symphony No. 8 in B minor. There are all sorts of guesses and romance stories, but the composer didn't leave a clue behind. I guess all that we know is that Schubert completed two movements and he began sketches for a Scherzo movement. So, probably he either put it aside for other works (and died before coming back to it), or that he temporarily ran out of ideas that matched the high inspiration of the finished movements.

As fine a work as it is, the "Unfinished" waited for 46 years to be published! Schubert finished the two movements in 1822, sent the score to his friend Huttenbrenner, died six years later, got a first performance in 1865, and publication in 1868.

Many of my readers perform regularly with a worship band in a church service.  That means you know about lead sheets, improvisation, modulations and so much more. Looking back, when I was a moderator in the zone community at the Hear and Play website, I spoke with a wonderful musician and friend James Stevens, who is the Professor of Music at Welsh College. For more information   with tons of great music resources, like improvisation handouts and guides, you'll want to visit his website.  James covers a range of improvisation and arranging topics – from how to read a chord chart,  chords for modulation and walking bass lines.

Besides the free improvisational downloads, you'll find two volumes of original piano solos on his wonderful site that can be downloaded as PDF files. I was so surprised to hear from Mr. Stevens recently and so blessed to receive a copy of his latest book, Romanza of the Heart, a set of “romantic piano compositions for relaxation and contemplation.”  I have been playing through the songs and love the heart-warming compositions with such beautiful, flowing melodies.  It's difficult to have a favorite because all of them are beautiful and very enjoyable to play. They’re written for intermediate to early advanced level for young students and adults. Available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes

Thank you, Dr. Stevens. Best wishes and much continued success.

If you have the time, be sure and head over to his site for Free Improv Downloads

Blessings,





"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Related articles

• Monday Mail: What Actually Happens to a C7 Chord Suspension?
• Monday Mail: What Is Absolute Pitch?

Clocks: Coldplay

Clocks

 Former piano students were always requesting the song "Clocks."
They really wanted to learn it and as quickly as possible.
If you do a Google search, you will find beginner and advanced music.

Clocks by Coldplay

I had located a really cool video tutorial on YouTube awhile back.
So, I did a post on the popular song, here.

 Key of D - Music Chords

Ultimate Guitar.com

Piano Riff x2

 

w/Piano Riff:

/ D - - - / Am - - - / Am - - - / Em - - - / (x2)

 

D                    Am(2)                                 Em

Lights go out and I can't be saved, tides that I tried to swim against

D                 Am (2)                Em

Brought me down upon my knees, oh I beg I beg and plead -singing

D               Am (2)                       Em

Come out of the things unsaid, shoot an apple off my head - and a

D              Am (2)                       Em

trouble that can't be named, tigers waiting to be tamed - singing

 

w/Piano Riff:

D      Am (2)           Em       D      Am (2)           Em

  ye hooooooooh    aahh       ye hooooooooh    aahh 

 

w/Piano Riff:

/ D - - - / Am - - - / Am - - - / Em - - - / (x2)

 

  D       Am (2)                         Em

Confusion never stops, closing walls and ticking clocks - gonna

D             Am (2)                              Em

come back and take you home, I could not stop the tune now known - singing

D             Am (2)                     Em

Come out upon my seas, curse missed opportunities - am I

D       Am (2)                        Em

a part of the cure, or am I a part of the disease? - singing

 

w/Piano Riff:

D      Am (2)           Em       D      Am (2)           Em

  ye hooooooooh    aahh       ye hooooooooh    aahh 

 

w/High Piano Riff:

/ D - - - / Am - - - / Am - - - / Em - - - / (x2)

 

w/High Piano Riff:

D      Am (2)           Em       D      Am (2)           Em

  ye hooooooooh    aahh       ye hooooooooh    aahh

 

Bridge:

Fmaj7 (2)                     C       G

  and nothing else compares

Fmaj7 (2)                   C       G

  oh nothing else compares

Fmaj7 (2)                     C       G     F (4)

  and nothing else compares

 

Piano Riff x2

 

w/High Piano Riff:

/ D - - - / Am - - - / Am - - - / Em - - - / (x2)

 

w/High Piano Riff:

D      Am (2)           Em       D      Am (2)           Em

  ye hooooooooh    aahh       ye hooooooooh    aahh

 

w/High Piano Riff:

D          Am (2)              Em

Home, home, where I wanted to go  

D          Am (2)              Em

Home, home, where I wanted to go   

D          Am (2)              Em

Home, home, where I wanted to go   

D          Am (2)              Em

Home, home, where I wanted to go   

 

High Piano Riff x2

 

End on D

Key of Ab

CLOCKS
By Coldplay


Chords Used:
Ab 4 6 6 5 4 4  Eb 6 6 8 8 8 6
Bb 6 8 8 7 6 6  F# 2 4 4 3 2 2
C# 4 4 6 6 6 4


Eb Bb Ab  Eb Bb Ab

Eb                  Bbm
Lights go out and I can't be saved
                        Ab
Tides that I tried to swim against
Eb                     Bbm
Have brought me down upon my knees
               Ab
Oh I beg, I beg and please, singing

Eb                Bbm
Come out of the things unsaid
                 Ab
Shoot an apple off my head
      Eb            Bbm
And a trouble that can't be named
                   Ab
A tiger's waiting to be tamed, singing

  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee

Eb Bbm Ab  Eb Bbm Ab

Eb               Bbm
Confusion that never stops
                     Ab
Closing walls and ticking clocks
Eb                     Bbm
Gonna come back and take you home
                      Ab
I could not stop, that you now know

        Eb          Bbm
Singing come out upon my seas
                     Ab
Curse missed opportunities
Eb            Bbm
Am I a part of the cure
                     Ab
Or am I part of the disease, singing

  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee

Eb Bbm Ab  Eb Bbm Ab

  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee

F#                    C#
  And nothing else compares
F#                    C#
  And nothing else compares
F#                    C#
  And nothing else compares
F#                    C#
  And nothing else compares

Eb Bbm Ab  Eb Bbm Ab

Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee
  Eb Bbm  Ab
Yooooouuuuu arrrreeee

Eb     Bbm                      Ab
Home, home, where I wanted to go
Eb     Bbm                      Ab
Home, home, where I wanted to go
Eb     Bbm                      Ab
Home, home, where I wanted to go
Eb     Bbm                      Ab
Home, home, where I wanted to go

Here are some clocks coldplay chords I use in the song. 

Do you read sheet music, chord charts or play by ear?

You'll find a free midi clocks coldplay download here.

GBbEb/Eb

FBbDb/Db

FAbC/C

Eb/GBbEb

Bb/FBbDbEb

F/EbAbC

Download this mp3 from Beemp3.com

I like this song and you need to play it upbeat. Practice with Back Pocket Band Software

All the best to you and enjoy the Super Bowl!






"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

On Fire Piano Chords

Image via Wikipedia

I love the song On Fire by Switchfoot. 

The words and music are by Jonathan Foreman and Daniel Victor. I'm getting closer to wrapping up another school year of teaching piano. Unbelievable really, how time flies!

So, a piano student is working on this moderately slow worshipful song. It was written back in 2003.

Here are the guitar chords for the Key of C and Key of G.

 *C*                                       *G*

Chords needed:                            Chords needed:

C2     x32033                             G2     300233
G      320003                             D      xx0232
Am7    x02010                             Em7    020000
Fm     122111                             Cm     x32000


Verses:                                   Verses:
C2    G                                   G2    D
Am7   Fm  4x                              Em7   Cm   4x


Chorus 1                                  Chorus 1
C2    G   Am7   Fm                        G2    D   Em7  Cm
C2    G   C2                              G2    D   G2


Back to verse                             Back to verse


Chorus 2                                  Chorus 2
C2    G   Am7   Fm                        G2    D   Em7  Cm
C2    G   Am7   Fm                        G2    D   Em7  Cm
Am7   F#m                                 Em7   Cm

http://www.xguitar.com

Here's what I'm playing. There are tons of lovely, broken arpeggiated chords in the l.h.

Cmaj7  G(add2)  Am9  F(add2)

Cmaj7
I tell you where you need to go
G(add2)                                                   Am9            F(add2)
Tell you when you'll need to leave

Cmaj7

I tell you what you need to know
 G(add2)                        Am9              F(add2)
Tell you who you need to be

 Cmaj7
But everything inside you knows
              G(add2)
There's more than what you've heard
                             Am9
There's so much more than empty conversations
 F(add2)
Filled with empty words

                          Cmaj7
And you're on fire when he's near you
 G(add2)   Am9                                F(add2)
You're on fire when he speaks
 Cmaj7                           G(add2)           C2
You're on fire burning at these mysteries




 Cmaj7
Give me one more time around
 G(add2)                                Am9  F(add2)
Give me one more chance to see, yeah
 Cmaj7
Give me everything you are
 G(add2)                               Am9             F(add2)
Give me one more chance to be near you, awh, awh

 Cmaj7
When everything inside me looks like
 G(add2)
Everything I hate
                Am9
You are the hope I have for change
                                         F(add2)
You are the only chance I'll take

Cmaj7                                         G(add2)
When I'm on fire when you're near me
                 Am9                     F(add2)
And I'm on fire when you speak
                     Cmaj7              G(add2)
And I'm on fire burning at these
 Am9         F(add2)                   Am9             F(add2)
Mysteries, mysteries, mysteries

C/G  Cmaj13  Dm11  Am11 Fmaj13

You're on fire  Cmaj7  G(add2)
You're on fire  Am9  F(add2)
You're on fire

 
Cmaj7
I'm standing on the edge of me
 G(add2)
I'm standing on the edge of me
 Am9
I'm standing on the edge of me
F(add2)
I'm standing on the edge of me

 Cmaj7
I'm standing on the edge
                        G(add2)
Of everything I've never been before
                         Am9
And I've been standing on the edge of me
      F(add2)
I'm standing on the edge

                     Cmaj7                 G(add2)
And I'm on fire when you're near me
                     Am9                                         F(add2)
And I'm on fire when you speak
                       Cmaj7               G(add2)
Yeah, I'm on fire burning at these mysteries

 Am9           F(add2)
These mysteries
            Cmaj7
These mysteries
 G(add2)        Am9
Yeah, your mystery
 F(add2)            Cmaj7
Yeah, your mystery



 G(add2)  Am9  F(add2)  Cmaj7  G(add2)  Am9  Fsus2




Stop by and check out:

Improve Your Piano Playing
Access Free Piano Tutorials Here






All the best,
-- LadyD

Song Robot: New Software Tool

Dear Readers,


I always blog about a music dvd I've just discovered or a piano dvd that works for us musicians.


I recently received this bit of news launching a new virtual keyboard. When I watched the video, what caught my eye was the fact that you could learn gospel and jazz songs, plus adding free midis. Here's the note:
What if a robot could teach you songs?

Sounds crazy but with the power of technology,
there's now a way to turn your computer into a
song-teaching machine... that never sleeps,
never charges by the hour... doesn't get
frustrated... and repeats as much as you want!

My friends over at Hear & Play Music are the ones
behind it and just created a video demonstration
at:

Virtual Keyboard

(I only wish I had this little magic tool when
I was young!)

They call it the "Song Robot!" You simply load
song files into it and it shows you, on demand,
how to play them on a big virtual keyboard.

There's a full video demonstration at:

Piano Robot

Here's what it does:

* It can slow down songs, "turtle speed."

* It transposes songs to all 12 keys so you're
  not stuck in ONE key.

* You have the choice of learning with huge, red
  colored notes that light up or a real-looking
  3d version of a piano.

* You can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward.

* You can even load your favorite audio files
  and have it remove vocals so you can practice
  (they can even be slowed down and put in all
  12 keys... real albums!)

Visit:
Song Robot

For a limited time, they're making you an
unbeatable deal on the song files... and
throwing the song robot in at no cost!

Once you get your hands on this, you'll see
why so many are excited about it.

Visit:
New Software

I just might jump on this deal and take advantage of the deal!

Fun way to learn!


P.S. Here's a chord chart to I Love Your Grace by Rick Founds

A           G                 D
I love your grace I love Your mercy
A                  G               D    E
I love the way You help me when I fall
A           G                D             Bm
I love Your truth I love the power of Your name
        G                D                A
But You know I love Your presence most of all

C             G             D                
My soul takes refuge in the shadow of Your wings
G               D               A
Close to You is where I want to be
C          G                   D              F#m
You are my strength You are my God You are my King
      G            D             Esus E
All I want is what You want from me

 Maybe I should post some worship songs that have LOVE in the lyrics or title!



"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Piano and Keyboard Salsa

 I just returned home from vacationing in Santa Barbara and experiencing "Fiesta Days." I must say the mariachi musicians caught my ear to many happy, marching moments. Reflecting on some of my past blog entries, I seem to like salsa music. How about you? For more information, visit:
ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html

ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2010/02/learn-to-play-latin-jazz.html

Chord Chart for Piano and Keyboard Salsa:

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-E-Gb

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

F/ F-B-Eb

Eb/ A-Eb-G

Bb/ Bb-Eb-G

F/ G7+5

(Practice 4 beats with each chord).

Cm9 = Bb-Eb-G

F13 = A-Eb-G

G13 = F-B-E


Salsa Piano By Ear Keyboard Lesson Sample of Jeff's Playing 

Salsa Piano 101 - Salsa, Salsa, and More Salsa... WOW!

Hear and Play Salsa 101: New Apporach To 1-4-5 Progression!

Have a great week! Viva La Fiesta!
-- LadyD

Here's a great resource for learning The difference between montunos and claves and how one affects the other.

Discover:

• How to easily play tons of Salsa and Latin chord patterns that are guaranteed to make you look like you've been playing for years.
   
• Learn several Latin rhythms that you can start playing today.  Like the montuno, clave, and more!
   
• How to play several Salsa bass lines on your left hand and accompany them with powerful right-hand chord patterns.
   
• How to lock in with the band and ensure that you're always playing the right rhythms at the right time (and how to listen for them).

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

How To Play Jazz Piano

This morning I was looking online and found this great article over at TipDeck.com
I hope you find some useful tips that will help take your piano playing to the next level.

"Jazz as the name suggest is a soulful and most sought after genre of music. Jazz is the expression of the heart, a spirit of joy and a way to relax your senses. Like all the genres, Jazz came through many stages of evolution to become what it is now. Jazz is originally said to have been started from the New Orleans. The first form in the evolution of Jazz was Regtime which existed around 1897 to 1918. This kind of music was generally famous around the red light areas of the New Orleans. Since then it was a favorite for the night bars and night clubs.

Swing Jazz came as the next form of evolution around the 1930’s. Swing Jazz suddenly became popular among the marijuana smoker of the west land. It was the time when this form of Jazz was at its peak. During this phase of development Django Reinhardt started gypsy Jazz which was a combination of American swing and France dance music. Dixieland or commonly referred as the Hot Jazz became the next favorite of the people. This gradually descended from the New Orleans, the place of its origin, to other places like Chicago and New York by some group band. Then there was a sudden downfall of the Hot Jazz which was then replaced by the Bebop.

Jazz music has no limitations and there is great deal of rhythms owing to the use of a great deal of instruments. Piano forms the base music in the crescendo of the Jazz music. Therefore learning piano is the most important task in the series of learning Jazz music. Assuming that you know a little about the scales and rhythm of the piano, a few steps shall help you to achieve perfection in the learning process.

Step # 1: Listen: 

Though this may sound silly but listening carefully to the works of people who have already mastered this art helps. Listening gives you better grasp on the minute details of the music and you start differentiating between the different scales.

Step # 2: The Scales: 

There are twelve major scales in piano. Try learning all of them. Some people only go for six to seven scales. Therefore learning all the major scales gives you an edge over the other musicians.


Step # 3: Symbols: 

Try learning all the symbols of the piano music literature. In other words you must develop a capability to read music. Reading music and then performing it makes the learning process faster.

Step # 4: Songbooks: 

Do not hesitate to buy songbooks if you need one. Songbooks are the main source of learning things more quickly and efficiently. Learn a major 7th (1 3 5 7), minor 7th (1 b3 5 b7), dominant 7th (1 3 5 b7), half diminished (1 b3 b5 b7), and diminished chord (1 b3 b5 bb7) of every key. So, for example, to play C7 (C dominant 7th) you would play C, E, G, and Bb. For C diminished seventh, you would play C, Eb Gb, and A (Bbb).

Thus the learning process of the piano can be so much fun and rewarding."

I'd also like to add my 2 cents here. I have found these music resources very helpful  with learning piano tips for your jazz playing. Here' s my list:

1. Mark Levine: Jazz Theory Book
The Jazz Theory Book


 2. Luke Gillespie: Jazz Piano Voicings
Stylistic Ii/v7/i Voicings for Keyboardists


3. Dan Haerle: The Jazz Language
The Jazz Language


4. Mark Levine: Jazz Piano Book
The Jazz Piano Book

 Also, Yoke Wong provides good resources as well.

  Free Piano Tutorials And Video

Do you have any favorite Jazz songs?  I have tons, mostly Duke Ellington stuff.
Let me know what you think about thee jazz piano tips and music resources.

All the best,
-- LadyD

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

Learn To Play Gospel Piano: CeCe Winans "Thirst For You"

I love to share with my readers any information I can find on Gospel piano, especially because I am passionate about gospel music.

I have played on various worship teams for over 30 years and I have found that worship songs are just so inspiring and soul-uplifting. When you listen to a worship band, you find yourself admiring the keyboard player who adds a lot of feeling to the gospel songs. Maybe you desire to play as skillfully as him/her. Playing songs of praise on your own can be achieved through gospel piano lessons. I learned to play the piano by ear with Jermaine Griggs music articles and piano resources on his website. For more information, visit his website: www.hearandplay.com

Find out how to play gospel songs on the piano or keyboard. Learn music chords because chords build chord progressions and chord progressions make songs. Make sure these are geared towards the enhancement of the musical skills regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner.

Gospel music in piano is usually played for worship and for your own pleasure. Gospel songs have two classifications namely Black Gospel or Urban Gospel and Southern Gospel. Today, some Black Gospel even adds hip hop quality to it while Southern Gospel was born as a unique genre to the early 1900s. So it is possible to learn Black Gospel or Southern Gospel by learning gospel piano lessons on the web, especially with Jermaine Griggs and Willie Myette.

It's fun to learn gospel piano on the internet. With music lessons, you can spice the music up by combining themes from religious music, with styles from different genres such as blues, jazz, and boogie-woogie. You can learn this method once you start practicing, especially knowing the Circle of Fifths. Keep yourself motivated and enjoy playing  gospels songs in your home anytime.

Choose to get involved in your  local church or ministry,  playing those gospel piano songs. Soon you'll be playing the piano with a group of singers and other musicians. If you feel this isn't your calling and you would be comfortable just playing worship songs at home for your own enjoyment, then watch how you grow as a pianist, moving your piano hands and getting more familiar with chords.

I love CeCe Winans and here's a song with the chords to one of her songs online:

Thirst For You

INTRO: Db F# x4

   Db
WE THIRST FOR YOU
   Bbm
WE SEARCH FOR YOU
 F#maj7
IN A DRY AND BARREN LAND
  F#maj7/Ab
WE’RE LONGING FOR YOUR HAND
      Bbm   Bbm/Ab
TO GUIDE US TO, A PLACE WHERE YOU
 Ebm
CAN CLEANSE  US WITH YOUR RAIN
 F#maj7/Ab
BAPTISE US ONCE AGAIN
   Db F# Db F# (Intro x2)
WE THIRST FOR YOU


      Bbm    F#
OH, LORD WE ARE WAITING
      Bbm    F#
LET YOUR SPIRIT FLOW
Ebm      F#min7
COME FLOOD OUR HEARTS AGAIN
F#maj7    Ab(sus) Ab
QUENCH OUR THIRSTING SOULS

Artist: Cece Winans

CECE WINANS LIVE - WE THIRST FOR YOU

 




"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King

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Fourth of July: Patriotic, Country and Popular Songs

Image via Wikipedia

The Fourth of July is here. The time of year when we celebrate America's independence by dancing with sparklers, having barbecues, and inviting people from neighbors and friends to join you. 

This is the time of year we also get out our patriotic music, dust off our old CD's , crank up the stereo or cue up the Ipod to listen to songs about the good ol' US of A. Some of us might enjoy  listening to the National Anthem, probably sung by Whitney Houston,  but for those who believe "The Star Spangled Banner" is simply not enough, the following is a list of best Fourth of July songs, songs that just might light your fire cracker. 

 Patriotic Favorites:

1. Grand Old Flag by George M Cohan

2. Yankee Doodle Dandy

3. The Star-Spangled Banner by John Stafford Smith

4. The Battle Hymn of the Republic by William Steffe

5. God Bless America by Irving Berlin

6. This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie

7. America the Beautiful by Samuel Augustus Ward

8. This is My Country by Don Raye and Al Jacobs

9. God Bless the USA  by Lee Greenwood

10. My Country 'Tis of Thee

Country Favorites:

1. Our Country by John Mellencamp

2. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen

3. R.O.C.K. In The USA by John Mellencamp

4. Living In America by James Brown

5. America by Neil Diamond

6. Pink Houses by  John Mellencamp

7. Back In The USA by Chuck Berry

8. Have You Forgotten by Darryl Worley

9. Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash

10. America Will Survive by Hank Williams Jr.

 Songs Enjoyed Around the Barbecue:

1. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

2. American Woman by the Guess Who

3. American Girl by Tom Petty

4. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

5. American by Don McLean

6. The Star-Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix

7. American the Beautiful by Ray Charles

8. Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival

9. Summertime by Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff

10. Celebration by Kool and the Gang

You know, the list is endless because just when I think I'm finished there's so much more. Wouldn't you agree? Then there's "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan and "Independence Day" by Martina McBride. 

America - Chris Tomlin

America by Chris Tomlin

D
Let Your glory fly

D/F#               G           G/B                    C
If my people will humbly pray turn from sin and their wicked ways
D/F#                  G
I will hear them and heal their land 
G/B                   C
And show my glory and power again

D                 C/D
Lift your eyes up unto the sky 
G
The Lord is coming, coming to America
D                      C/D
Can you feel the fire, can you see the wind 
G                C/E           F   D
Blowing through, coming to America again


Go and tell them the blind will see
The lame will walk and the slave is free
Shout the news that the lost are saved
In the name of Jesus the dead are raised

 American dream by Casting Crowns

D5   D/B
All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy

D5      D/B
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul

D5
But he's moving on full steam

D/B
He's chasing the American dream

D5                D/B      D5    D/B    D5   D/B
And he's gonna give his family the finer things


D5    D/B
Not this time son I've no time to waste

D5        D/B
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play

D5         D/B
And then he slips into his new BMW

D5      D/B
And drives farther and farther and farther away


E5      F#5  G5         D5
So He works all day and tries to sleep at night

E5         F#5 - G
He says things will get better;

Better in time






D5      G5       B5      G5
And he works and he builds with his own two hands


D5   G5        B5        G5
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand

B5  D5       G5
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in

B5    D5   G5         D5
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands

D/B    D5   D/B
His kingdom stands


D5       D/B
His American Dream is beginning to seem

D5        D/B
More and more like a nightmare

With every passing day

D5            D/B
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"

"Oh Baby, please don't work late."

D5        D/B
Another wasted weekend

And they are slipping away

E5      F#5   G5        D5
'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night

E5       F#5 – G5
He tells them things will get better

It'll just take a little more time




D5      G5        B5      G5
And he works and he builds with his own two hands

D5   G5  B5       G5
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand

B5  D5      G5
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in

B5    D5  G5         D5
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands

D/B    D5   D/B
His kingdom stands


D5          D/B
He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"

D5     D/B
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end

D5
I'll take a shack on the rock

D/B
Over a castle in the sand

E5    F#5  G5       D5
Now he works all day and cries alone at night

E5      F#5 – G5
It's not getting any better

Looks like he's running out of time

D5    G5  B5        G5
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands

D5 G5      B5              G5
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand

B5  D5       G5
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in


B5  D5  G5         D5   G5   B5
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands

G5    D5   G5   B5
His kingdom stands


D5
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You       D5

American Dream

Wishing you a Happy 4th of July! 

To all my readers, thanks for stopping by. I do read all your notes and comments.

I look forward to future posts and answering your many questions.

Keep playing your instrument and enjoying all genres of music.

as you know, I am passionate about music education!

Best,

LadyD

 

I write for Fortitude. Fortitude is for people who write with passion. http://fo.rtitu.de/1014

To Him Who Sits Upon The Throne: Sitting at the Piano

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

To Him Who Sits On The Thrown
 

C          Bb/C           F/C
To Him who sits on the Throne
             C
And Unto the Lamb
C          Bb/C           F/C
To Him who sits on the Throne
             C
And unto the Lamb
   Ab 
Be blessing and glory
    Bb              C
And honor and power forever
   Ab                     Bb              C
Be blessing and glory and honor and power forever

Artist: Unknown (Petra)

To Him Who Sits On The Throne 

C           Gm 
 TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE 

F             C 
 AND UNTO THE LAMB (2X) 

   Ab 
BE BLESSING AND GLORY AND 

Bb                 C 
HONOR AND POWER FOREVER (2X) 

 I wrote this article for beginners on how to sit at the piano. Most of my readers are intermediate to advanced players. Perhaps there are some new beginners or someone that you know who would enjoy this post. Thanks again for stopping by and dropping me a line. I enjoy reading what songs you're working on and what you want to learn next. Keep Practicing!

Sitting at the Piano Ready for your first piano lesson? Sitting at the piano should be a comfortable feeling right from the beginning.  Sit up straight facing the center of the piano. Place your feet flat on the floor. If your feet do not reach the floor, it is helpful to have a footstool or books under them when you practice but not absolutely necessary. Sit high enough to reach the keys easily. Do you have a piano stool or chair at home that moves up and down? If not, pillows or books may be used to help you sit at the correct height when you practice. Piano posture is important for all beginner and advanced players. Most importantly, you want to be comfortable at the piano. Sitting with your nose directly in the middle of the range of piano keys is the best place to sit. Where is Middle C you ask? You will find that the white key to the left of the 2 black keys is the “C” key. In fact, all of the “C’s” are to the left of the 2 black keys. After sitting at the piano and practicing for a time, let’s say 30 minutes, I suggest you take a little break. I have found that sewing at the machine, being on your computer and playing the piano for a much longer period of time will cause your shoulders to droop (round shoulders) and gravity will just pull you forwards, plus the backache will begin with a tense neck. For youngsters, 10-15 minutes of practicing every day will show great improvement overall. Hand Position Hold your fingers in a nice curved shape. Imagine you are holding a ball in each hand. That is the way the fingers should be curved when playing the piano. Your wrist should be level with your arms. Keep them level as if you’ve placed a rectangular pencil eraser upon your wrists while moving your piano fingers. Finger Numbers Left Hand: 5=Pinky, 4, 3, 2, 1=Thumb Right Hand: 1=Thumb, 2, 3, 4, 5=Pinky Have someone trace your piano hands and then number your fingers accordingly. Date it when you first begin piano lessons. It will make a wonderful keepsake. The Piano Keyboard The keyboard has white and black keys. The black keys are in sets of 2’s and 3’s. When you play down to the left on the keyboard the sounds are lower, bass tones. When you play up to the right on the keyboard the sounds are higher, treble tones. On the keyboard, the high keys are usually played with the Right Hand. The low keys are usually played with the Left Hand. Make up some pieces using sets of black keys. Perhaps you could make up a song using the sets of 2 black keys. Then add the set of 3 black keys. If you play all 5 black keys in the high end of the piano, you will hear tones that sound like a lovely Asian piece or flowing, running water. I hope these first steps have been fun and easy for you.

All the best,
~ LadyD

Charlie Parker once said "Learn the changes and then forget them."

Sticky Piano Keys

 Sometimes piano keys or notes sustain long after you release them. Have you ever wondered what to do about those sticking keys? How about those squeaks and rattles, or a “touch” that is too sluggish or too “light”? Other times you might hear an echo that results from a hammer striking multiple times with just one blow. So, what do you do? 

Many piano problems require services of a competent technician. I have a local piano tuner in my area that can troubleshoot major problems that may arise with my acoustic piano. But there are things that I can learn to do between piano tuning visits.

To begin with, I think it is important to understand that the piano sounds are created by a number of separate, but very interdependent, components. So tuning a piano won’t automatically fix broken keys, make the action more responsive, eliminate buzzes, or change the quality of sound. There are a few things you can do to trouble shoot the problem.

Here are the main components of all pianos: 

The Soundboard amplifies the vibrations of the strings and it’s usually made of spruce.

The Plate is found directly over the soundboard. It’s usually made of cast-iron. Its function is to rigidly support the structure of the piano, so it can withstand the pull of strings.

The strings are secured at the back end to the plate’s hitch pins, and at the front end to threaded tuning pins, which are embedded in the pin block or wrest-plank.

So, all problems concerning the general “feel” and responsiveness of the piano, and most malfunctions of individual notes can be traced to the action and keys.

The problem of sticky or sluggish notes, meaning when the note plays but returns slowly or only partway so that repetition is poor, is most noticeable when the sustain pedal is depressed.
There are many possible causes of this problem.

Keys can stick because: 

• Something is rubbing against something else it shouldn’t be touching, so it’s getting “hung up.”
• A point of rotation or contact between a stationary and a moving part is too tight or somehow bound up or impeded, hindering free movement of that action part.
• A spring that is necessary to the return of a moving action part is broken or weak.
• A piece of action felt has become pitted or worn in such a way that the part that rides against it gets caught up.

I guess another reason would be letting your children play the piano with strawberry jam on their hands!!!

These four points don’t include all possibilities, but they certainly cover a lot of territory. So, if you still don’t know why the piano keys are sticking, please call your local piano tuner.

Here in California, piano tuning can cost around $75.00 for a tuning and then they go from there. I have heard that antique piano strings can cost $1000.00 per string... so sometimes looking for another piano is a better route than trying to fix broken strings and sticky keys!


Charlie Parker once said "Learn the changes and then forget them."
All the best,
LadyD