Songs to help you learn note intervals

Do you struggle to identify the interval between two notes?

A trick I use is to think of a melodies than contain the interval, and are easy to remember.

Below are a few suggestions for the main major, minor and perfect intervals:

Major 2nd

• Frere Jacques: First two notes or second two notes
• Happy Birthday: Second two notes
• EastEnders (UK Soap Opera): Any two consecutive notes from the first five

Minor 3rd

• Beverley Hills Cop: First two notes
• “A Time for Us” Romeo & Juliet (main theme): First two notes

Major 3rd

• While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (Carol): First two notes
• Kum Ba Ya (Chorus): First two notes

Perfect 4th

• Here Comes the Bride: First two notes
• Dallas: First two notes
• Auld Lang Syne: First two notes
• Amazing Grace: First two notes

Perfect 5th

• Star Wars: First two notes
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: Second and third notes
• O Lord and Father of Mankind (Hymn): First two notes

Minor 6th

• Theme from ‘Love Story’: Third and fourth notes (first two notes are the same interval with high note first)

Major 6th

• My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean: First two notes
• It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Carol): First two notes
• Angels (Robbie Williams): First two notes of verse

Major 7th

• On the Street Where You Live: the notes for ‘Once’ and ‘Am’ in ‘All at once am I, several storeys high’

Octave

• Somewhere Over the Rainbow: First two notes

Hat tips to this music theory site and to “Songwriting and the Creative Process” for additional song ideas.

What is Real Piano Music?

I read a press release today showcasing a new website featuring the music of Richard Waterman, who ‘can hear a song, and play it as it was played the first time he heard it.’

The ability to play by ear is a real gift - however so is being able to play from music. Maybe I’m being over-sensitive (I am a musician…) but the website reads as if this is some elite supergroup of musicians, and that anyone who plays from music is somehow inferior.

Would we say that a Shakespearean actor is any less the artist and performer if he cannot learn the lines the first time he hears them?

And in any case, someone must have played the music from a printed score in order for these ‘elite musicians’ to play the song by ear once they had heard it.

Apparently, anyone who uses printed music is ‘bound to a page of notes’ - this is nonsense! Printed music only hints at the interpretation - the musician still has freedom to play from the heart, once they know the piece and can feel it. Of course, not everyone does, but everyone could.

The website continues:

In coming months and years, other artists will be profiled — other artists who share Richard’s ability to create beautiful music solely by ear — music that flows from the heart. Real Piano Music is looking for other such artists. If you think you have the extraordinary gift it takes to be profiled on “Real Piano Music”, contact us. Send a message…

Remember, only very gifted piano players who can play by ear will be profiled. We will arrange to examine your music and your talent closely. If you have the right stuff, you will profiled on Real Piano Music.

Oh boy.

When I was 4, I was told that I played the piano by ear - as soon as I heard a melody I would play it. Probably not perfectly, first time. I honed the skill, and I also learnt to read music. I still play ‘by ear’ but am certainly not ‘elite’ - I can’t claim to always be able to play any piece of music verbatim on first hearing.

I use a combination of playing by ear and using the visual musical language of notation. It works for me, and for countless other musicians. Some are more adept at one than the other.

Let’s not put a dampener on printed music - how on earth would some of our greatest classical music have survived were it not for preserved manuscripts?

I doubt I ‘have what it takes’ to join Richard’s elite club - and to be honest, I wouldn’t want to even if I did.

realpianmusic.com

Vietnamese pianist makes ‘Top Ten most outstanding Asian people’

The Thailand newspaper The Nation has heralded Vietnamese pianist Dang Thai Son as one of Asia’s most outstanding people.

Twenty-five years ago, aged just 22, he won the prestigious Chopin piano competition held in Warsaw, Poland - the first Vietnamese musician to attend the event.

“I am an Asian person playing Western music. So, I integrate the two cultural styles to perform,” said Dang Thai Son.

Read the full article: Pianist Dang Thai Son among Asia’s most outstanding people

Kjaerhus Audio Release Spectra Softsynth

(via SonicState)

Kjaerhus Audio Release Spectra A multi-stage Additive and Subtractive softy for Windows

Known for their Gold Series of high quality dynamic and EQ plugs and their free Classic Series, the Spectra is Kjaerhus Audios first forray into synthesis and uses their ACLM (Advanced Component Level Modeling) technology.

The Spectra synthesizer plug-in combines multistage additive synthesis with subtractive synthesis. Providing sounds ranging from classic synthesizer to re-synthesized instrument sounds and sound morphing.

It features a 250 partial additive engine with up to 8 detune-able oscillators per Voice. Up to 100 harmonies can be made on a timeline for re-synthesis and harmony morphing. An audio analyzer is available to convert wave files into harmonies. The subtractive part includes 12 analog modeled filters with resonance, two of those to self-oscillation. Two LFO’s are available for tremolo, vibrato and filter modulations. Five flexible multipoint envelopes with looping and timestretch capabilities are available to control amplitude, filter cut-off, pitch and modulation level for each of the two LFO’s.

“Our goal was to make a musical instrument with new and interesting sound possibilities that was also easy and intuitive to work with. We have done our best to make this synth as logical and nontechnical for the user as possible, focusing on the quality and features that make a difference to the musician.” says Torben Larsen, founder of Kjaerhus Audio.

Spectra will be available for online purchase beginning January 3, 2006. The price will be $198.00, but until February 3, 2006 it can be purchased for only $158.00 as an introduction discount.

Young children read music before words

There’s an interesting article in the Lansing State Journal of how Ron West is teaching pre-schoolers to play the piano and to read music.

He teaches them about numbering the fingers on each hand, basic scales, and clapping to a rhythm.

It’s been a huge success, and what started as a small addition to his piano-teaching career of 30 years became amazingly popular.

“The churches and schools opened all their doors for me,” he [West] said.

“Everyone started referring me and referring me and referring me. Before I knew it, I was in business and I just kind of never looked back.”

More people are being trained up into Ron’s methods, which make learning to play the piano and understand music from a young age fun.

One parent says:

“I don’t know how he does it, but he has great energy, that’s for sure. It amazes me how much [my daughter] has absorbed, and so quickly.”

Anything that gets kids excited by music, and the prospect of being able to make it themselves, has to be a good thing. Quality, affordable education that’s as painless as playing a game is vital, particularly in an age of Arts education cuts.

Developing a musical ear with Ear Trainer

I found the Ear Trainer to be a great website for practicing ‘ear tests’ (in my graded exams they were aural tests)

This goes far beyond anything I ever learnt, and it’s pretty challenging.

Think you’re good for basic intervals and chords? Great…

…now try advanced intervals, jazz chords, recognition of 26 types of musical scale, note location…

…and to top it all, test out your perfect pitch.

Phew!

The advantage of the site is that you can test yourself as often as you like. It’s hard to do that on your own - after all, how do you secretly play a valid interval, chord or scale?

And even with a friend, I don’t know too many people who could even play a Mixolydian b9b13 scale, letalone be happy to do it ad infinitum. Do you?

So, give the Ear Trainer a go - it’s free and works well.

7 Easy Ways to Improve your Piano-playing Strength and Dexterity

Here are seven simple ways to develop your finger strength and dexterity and so improve your piano playing technique.

1. Keys

Playing on different types of keyboard instrument can develop different playing technique.

Playing an acoustic piano or a realistic digital equivalent will develop greater finger strength, as it takes greater effort to depress each key.

It can also help in playing notes evenly, particularly quietly, due to its wide dynamic volume range.

Playing a synthesiser keyboard can develop playing speed, because the keys are lighter. It can also improve accuracy as you may need to be more careful not to depress notes inadvertently.

2. Scales

The bane of every music student? Scales and arpeggios are boring, but they work.

Not only do they help to reinforce knowledge of the notes in each key signature, but they help develop finger strength and rhythm.

Try playing major, minor and chromatic scales, and major and minor arpeggios, both single-handed and in unison in a variety of ways:

• legato (notes smooth);
• staccato (notes played shortly and sharply);
• regular rhythm;
• alternative rhythm (for example, hold the first note of each octave for longer than the other six notes);
• alternative accents (for example, every third or fourth note);
• inverted (same start note, right hand plays ascending notes whilst left hand plays descending notes, and vice-versa).

Remember to use the correct fingering for maximum benefit.

3. Stretches

• Play two notes of at least an octave apart, with thumb and fifth finger.
• Play a third note somewhere in between, with another finger.
• Jump staccato from the lower to the higher note and back.
• Hold thumb down on one note and play ascending staccato notes as far as possible with one of your fingers.

4. Work your weaker hand

Many pianists have one hand that is weaker than the other.

Since I stopped playing classical music regularly, my left hand is weaker and less dexterous than my left right.”

Scales (see above) will help, as will practising parts usually played by your stronger hand.

5. Work your weaker fingers

Generally, the little (fifth) finger is weaker than the other fingers in the hand (and the thumb is the strongest).

Significantly differing finger strengths will make it difficult to maintain even playing.

• Practice playing scales with even volume across all fingers.
• Play two alternating notes with your weakest finger and a stronger finger. Maintain an even rhythm and volume.
• Play a run of three notes with your weakest finger and two stronger fingers. Again, maintain even rhythm and volume.

6. Styles

Learning to play music in a style that you are not used to can not only be fun, and improve your overall knowledge and musicianship, but it can also highlight areas where your fingers and hands are weaker or less agile.

It can take quite different technique to play classical music well, compared to rock, pop, jazz or blues, for example.

Try learning some music written in a different style, even just a portion or a phrase.

7. Key and Tempo

Try playing pieces or phrases of music you know well at different speeds and in different keys.

• Dexterity can be challenged at faster tempos.
• Steady rhythm can be challenged as tempos change.
• Different fingers can be stretched and strengthened as a piece of music is played in a new key.

Practice these techniques on a regular basis and maintain your playing technique, strength and agility.

Happy New Year!

Wishing all Piano and Synth readers a happy new year and best wishes for a successful, music-filled 2006.

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