Yamaha intros EZ-220 lighted keyboard [NAMM12]
January 22, 2012
Yamaha has updated its EZ-200 lighted keyboard with the introduction of the EZ-220.
Information is pretty sparse at present, with no spec sheet and a minimal description.
What we’ve managed to glean is that it will include 100 preset songs designed to help beginners learn to play the keyboard.
Yamaha EZ-220 Lighted Keyboard
It features 392 built-in voices including realistic acoustic instruments including drums, plus synths and sound effects. There are 100 preset accompaniment styles on board.
Finally, the Yamaha Education Suite offers various lessons and tutorials for the budding pianist.
Exact pricing and availability are still to be confirmed.
O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum): Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
December 7, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “O Christmas Tree” (also known as “O Tannenbaum”).
Introduction
Here, O Christmas Tree is written and played in the key of F Major, and has a 3/4 time signature.
Main Melody
Notice that the song is constructed from two phrases. The first phrase is played, then repeated. Then the second phrase is played. Finally, the first phrase is played again.
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
C | F F F G | A A A A | G A Bb E | G A C |
F F F G | A A A A | G A Bb E | G A C |
C A D C | C Bb Bb Bb | Bb G C Bb | Bb A A C |
F F F G | A A A A | G A Bb E | G A |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
Here’s what it sounds like:
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play a dotted half note (dotted minim) per bar.
You can see just how simple the accompaniment is. It comprises of a low F and a higher C. You can leave your left hand in position over those two notes, playing the low F with your little (5th) finger and the high C with your thumb.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Extended Bass Line and Chords
Here’s a full version of O Tannenbaum with an enhanced bass line and right-hand chords.
The rhythm of the bass line has changed so every bar (except the final one) has a half note (minim) followed by a quarter note (crotchet).
You’ll notice that the harmony in the first and second lines is identical. It’s the final line that has an alternative harmony, with slightly more changes in the bass and in the chords, to give a distinctive to the end of the piece.
If the variety of chords on the last line looks a little daunting, you might want to practice the transition between them.
In particular, look out for the change from the C minor chord at the end of that first bar and the F# diminished chord in second inversion (has the C at the bottom) at the start of the next bar. In actual fact, it’s easier to play than to describe the chord name! If you play the C minor chord with your thumb, index and ring fingers, then keep your thumb over the C and play the F sharp with your middle finger and A with your little finger, you get a smoother transition.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
In The Bleak Mid-Winter: Mastering Christmas Carols on the Piano and Keyboard
December 7, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “In The Bleak Mid-Winter”.
Introduction
Here, In The Bleak Mid-Winter is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Main Melody
Notice that the song is constructed from three similar-sounding phrases and a distinct melodic passage.
Bars 1-4 (line 1), 5-8 (line 2) and 13-16 (line 4) are all very similar (lines 2 and 4 are identical) but have a couple of differences.
For example, notice the difference in notes and timing between bar 3 and 7.
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
E F G E | D C | D E D A | D
E F G E | D C | D E D C | C
F E F G | A A E | G E D C | B
E F G E | D C | D E D C | C
Here’s the complete melody written out:
Here’s what it sounds like:
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play a whole note (semibreve) per bar, with the exception of bars 7, 11 and 15 where you play two half notes (minims).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Bass Line and Chords
Here’s a full-blown version of In The Bleak Mid-Winter with right-hand chords.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
December 3, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Introduction
Here, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Main Melody
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
C E G C | G F E D C D | C E G C | G | E G C E | D C B A G F | E | |
C E G C | G F E D C D | C E G C | G | E G C E | F E D C B D | E | |
E E E D C | B C D C B | A B C B | B | C C C B A | G A B G A | B C D D | G
C E G C | G F E D C D | C E G C | G | E G C E | F E D C B D | E | E |
E F A C | E D C B A B | C |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
There are five distinct sections to the melody. The first eight bars are almost repeated in the second set of eight bars, with a slight variation in bars 14 and 15.
This is followed by a middle section of eight bars, then eight bars that echo the second phrase.
The final four bars close the song.
Take a look at the melody and you’ll see it’s comprised of many runs of arpeggios (broken chords) and descending scales. For example, bar one is an ascending C major arpeggio starting on the root and moving to E, G and the C octave. This is followed by bar two which is a run of five notes descending in the scale of C major from the fifth note (G) to the root (C).
In bar 5 you’ll see a C major arpeggio starting on the major 3rd note (E) and rising to G, C and the E octave. Bars 6 and 7 feature a seven note descending C major scale starting on the second note (D) and going down to the lower E.
Interestingly, at the start of the final phrase (last line, bar 33) there’s a rising F major arpeggio.
If you listen to the recording below it may sound a little regimented. This is because it’s played exactly as the musical notation dictates. Feel free to alter the timing of the notes to adapt it to the timing you like, adding your own performance nuances.
Here’s what it sounds like:
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play two half notes (minims) per bar.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas: Bass Line and Chords
Here’s a full-blown version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas with right-hand chords. This version really brings out some of the wonderful harmonies in the piece.
Note that the bass line has been altered a little from the previous example.
There are quite a few chord changes particularly on the third line. Do make an effort to play them, practicing the transition between them, as it really is worth it.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Auld Lang Syne: Mastering Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
December 1, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “Auld Lang Syne“.
Auld Lang Syne: Introduction
Here, Auld Lang Syne is written and played in the key of D Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Auld Lang Syne: Main Melody
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
A | D D D F# | E D E F# E | D D F# A | B B |
A F# F# D | E D E F# E | D B B A | D B |
A F# F# D | E D E B | A F# F# A | B B |
A F# F# D | E D E F# E | D B B A | D |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
Feel free to alter the timing of the notes to make the music “flow” better. Remember, musical notation is not an exact science and there’s room for your own interpretation of the music.
Here’s what it sounds like:
Auld Lang Syne: Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play one whole note (semibreve) per bar, with the exception of the final bar which contains a dotted half note (minim).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Auld Lang Syne: Walking Bassline – Arpeggios
To inject a bit of movement into the piece, here’s a walking bass line comprised of quarter notes (crotchets) played as arpeggios (broken chords).
After the bass note in the bass clef of each bar, you play the next three notes in the major chord arpeggio – that is, the major third, perfect fifth and octave intervals.
In fact there are only three different arpeggios used — a D major (as per bar 2), an A major (bar 3) and G major (bar 5).
Though these should be fairly easy to play, do watch the big jumps between the top note at the end of one bar and the lower note at the start of the next bar. This is particularly noticeable in bars such as 3 and 4, jumping down from a high A to a low D.
It’s important to keep these notes steady, so the four notes maintain a regular rhythm. It may take a bit of practice when played against the first two melody notes in many bars (2, 3, 4 and so on). Listen to the music to hear how these should be played.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Auld Lang Syne: Walking Bassline with Right Hand Chords
In the final version of Auld Lang Syne, I’ve added three-note chords to the right hand to give fullness and a richer harmony.
Generally there’s a chord to play on the first and third beats of each bar. Try to hold the lower notes of the chord while you play the melody over the top. Using the sustain pedal will really help smooth the sound out.
The exception is in bars like 5 and 9, where you have a dotted half note (minim) followed by a quarter note (crotchet).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
December 1, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.
Introduction
Here, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Main Melody
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
G A G E C | A G | G A G A G C | B | F G F D B | A G | G A G A G A | E |
G A G E C | A G | G A G A G C | B | F G F D B | A G | G A G A G D | C |
A A C A | G E G | F A G F | E | D E G A | B B B | C C B A | G F D |
G A G E C | A G | G A G A G C | B | F G F D B | A G | G A G A G D | C
Here’s the complete melody written out:
Feel free to alter the timing of the notes to make the music “flow” better. Remember, musical notation is not an exact science and there’s room for your own interpretation of the music.
Here’s what it sounds like:
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play one whole note (semibreve) per bar, with the exception of bar 11 which contains two half notes (minims).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Walking Bassline – Octaves
To inject a bit of movement into the piece, here’s a walking bass line comprised of quarter notes (crotchets).
Generally in each bar you play a bass note followed by a note one octave above, then repeat.
Bar 19 has two different sets of octave intervals. The first starts on D and the second on G.
In the final bar hold the third note (C) for two beats.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Walking Bassline with Right Hand Chords
In the final version of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, I’ve added three-note chords to the right hand to give fullness and a richer harmony.
Generally there’s a chord to play on the first beat of each bar. Try to hold the lower notes of the chord while you play the melody over the top. Using the sustain pedal will really help smooth the sound out.
Watch out for bar 19 which contains two half note chords.
You’ll notice that the bass line has changed slightly in bar 16 to add a bit of interest. However, the song doesn’t sound bad if you play the original version of that bar (a repeat of bar 15).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
White Christmas: Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
December 1, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “White Christmas“.
White Christmas: Introduction
Here, White Christmas is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
White Christmas: Main Melody
Here are the melody notes you need to play:
E | F E D# E | F | F# G | A B C D | C B A G |
C D | E E | E A G | C C | C G F | E | F E D C | D | (D) | E |
F E D# E | F | F# G | A B C D | C B A G | (G) | (G) C D | E E |
E A G | C | (C) C D | E E | A B B B | C | (C)
Here’s the complete melody written out:
The musical notation is written to allow for a slight ‘push’ ahead of the beat in bars 5/6, 6/7 and again in bars 21/22 and 22/23. You may wish to alter the timing when you play. Listen to the recording below, which is taken directly from this notation, and see what you prefer. You are totally at liberty to add your own artistic interpretation.
Here’s what it sounds like:
White Christmas: Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. Most of the time you simply play one whole note (semibreve) per bar, with the exception of bar 29 which contains two half notes (minims), and bars 27/28 and 31/32 which have tied whole notes held for eight beats in total.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
White Christmas: Walking Bassline
To inject a bit of movement into the piece, here’s a walking bass line comprised of quarter notes (crotchets).
In the main, you play a bass note followed by a note a perfect fifth above it, followed by the original bass note an octave higher, followed by the second note again.
So, in bar 1 you play a low C followed by the G above it, followed by the C above that, followed by the G again. In bar 3 you play a low D followed by A, high D then A, and so on.
Bar 12 is an exception. This is a broken F minor chord (F, A flat, C) placed to give a better harmony.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
White Christmas: Walking Bassline with Right Hand Chords
In the final version of White Christmas, I’ve added three-note chords to the right hand to give fullness and a richer harmony.
Generally there’s a chord to play on the first beat of each bar. Try to hold the lower notes of the chord while you play the melody over the top. Using the sustain pedal will really help smooth the sound out.
Watch out for bars 27 and 28 (first two bars on the last line). In the right hand, the F major chord changes to an F minor chord, but you should only play the A flat while holding on to the F and C (and releasing the A).
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Winter Wonderland: Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
November 24, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “Winter Wonderland”.
Introduction
Here, Winter Wonderland is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Main Melody
This well-known Christmas song is made from four distinct phrases, with the first two and last one being very similar to one another, with the third distinct ‘bridge’.
The first eight bars feature the first phrase. The second eight bars feature the same phrase repeated.
The next eight bars are quite different, while the final eight bars replicate the second phrase.
The melody notes you need to play are:
G G | G G G | E G G G | G G G | F G G |
B B B A A | G G G F | E E E E D D D D |
C G G | G G G | E G G G | G G G | F G G |
B B B A A | G G G F | E E E E D D D D | C |
B B G# G# C# C# A A | G# E | B B G# G# C# C# A A |
G# | D D B B E E C C | B G G | B B B B A A A A |
G G G | G G G | E G G G | G G G | F G G |
B B B A A | G G G F | E E E E D D D D | C |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
The musical notation may look a little strange to you if you’re not used to seeing triplets. Although the piece of music is written in 4/4, each beat is broken up into thirds. Another way of thinking of it is that each bar has 12 distinct, regular ‘pulses’ or beats in it (we could probably have written it in a time signature such as 6/8 or 12/8 instead).
In reality, there’s nothing much to worry about here, particularly if you know what the song sounds like. In each beat that’s made up of a triplet, you generally have a note that lasts for two-thirds of the beat followed by a note that lasts the remaining one-third (like the pair of notes in bar one or the last beat of bars 2,3 and 4).
Bars with tied notes such as bars 3, 5 and 6 might look confusing. If it boggles your mind and you want to get it completely right, try playing the song much slower than normal and count 12 beats in every bar.
If you do this, a triplet takes up three beats (with the split of notes as described above); a quarter note (crotchet) also takes three beats on its own; a half note (minim) takes six beats on its own; a dotted half note takes nine beats on its own, and so on.
Look at the beginning of bar 3. You should be able to work out how long that last note in the first triplet tied to the next half note lasts — 7 beats.
Or in bar 5, where the three Gs are tied together for a total of 9 beats.
When all is said and done, remember that the printed manuscript is only there as a guide. As you get used to the piece, you can play it with your own chosen swing and timing nuances (and indeed you should).
Here’s what it sounds like:
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. It uses four quarter notes (crotchets) per bar to provide a basic rhythm to the song. Be sure to play these notes steadily and regularly.
Many of the intervals between first and second notes in each bar are an octave, with some perfect fourth and perfect fifths.
Here’s the printed music, split over two pages:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Adding right hand chords
In the final version of Winter Wonderland, I’ve added two- and three-note chords to the right hand.
Generally there’s a chord to play on the first beat of each bar, except in cases such as bar 8 where two chords (the first on beat 1 and the second on beat 3) make for a better harmony.
Try to hold the lower one or two notes of the chord while you play the melody over the top. Using the sustain pedal will really help smooth the sound out.
Here’s the printed music, split over two pages:
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Frosty the Snowman: Mastering Christmas Songs on the Piano and Keyboard
November 22, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
This guide will show you how to play simple arrangements of “Frosty the Snowman”.
Introduction
Here, Frosty the Snowman is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
Main Melody
This well-known Christmas song is made from four distinct phrases, with the first two and last one being very similar to one another, with the third distinct ‘bridge’.
The first eight bars feature the first phrase. The second eight bars feature almost the same phrase repeated, with the exception of the final two bars.
The next eight bars are quite different, while the final eight bars replicate the second phrase.
The melody notes you need to play are:
G E F | G C B C | D C B A | G B C | D C B A A | G C E G A | G F E F | G |
G E F | G C B C | D C B A | G B C | D C B A A | G C E G A | G F E D | C C |
A A C C | B A G E | F A G F | E E | D D G G | B B D | D C B A | G F D |
G E F | G C B C | D C B A | G B C | D C B A A | G C E G A | G F E D | C |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the song using just one note at a time. With two half notes (minims) in each bar it provides a basic rhythm to the song.
Many of the intervals between first and second notes in each bar are an octave or a perfect fourth. Watch out for bars 5, 13 and 29 which jump down from an F to a G.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Playing a chord harmony
In the final version of Frosty the Snowman, I’ve added three note chords to the right hand and taken out the melody. This is a useful version if you are accompanying singers.
Note that most of the song uses C major, F major and G major chords. However, to make it both easier to play and sound better, the C major is usually played in root position, the F major in 2nd inversion (so the C is at the root of the chord) and the G major in 1st inversion (so the B is at the root of the chord).
You can see from this that the right hand fingers have to move very little in order to play the chords.
Note that in bar 23 there’s a D major chord (see the F# accidental). This is pretty much the only time the right hand has to move slightly out of position.
Here’s the printed music.
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Joy to the World: Mastering Christmas Carols on the Piano and Keyboard
October 17, 2011
Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions
View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books
A popular carol in our series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard is “Joy to the World”.
Introduction
Here, Joy to the World is written and played in the key of C Major, and has a 4/4 time signature.
C major makes the higher notes more comfortable to sing, but you could transpose up (or indeed down) if needed.
Main Melody
The melody notes you need to play are:
C B A | G – F | E D | C – G | A – A | B – B | C | ^C C |
C B A G | G F E C | C B A G | G F E E |
E E E E F | G – - F E | D D D D E | F – - E D | C C – A |
G F E F | E – D – | C – - – |
Here’s the complete melody written out:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Fingering
The first four bars contain a descending C major scale, so play this as you would a normal scale, starting on the fifth (little) finger, running to the thumb (on F) and then bridging over with your middle (third) finger to play the E, ending up on the thumb again on C.
Stretch your index finger up to the next note – G – if you can as this makes the next run easy to play. Play the descending runs of notes with your fingers in sequence, arching over with your index finger where necessary.
Single Note Bass Line
Below is a simple bass line for the carol using just one note at a time. Most of the bass notes are whole notes (semibreves) with one bar of half notes (minims). You only play notes C, F and G.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
More elaborate bass line
This bass line is a little more elaborate and follows the melody rhythmically, often reflecting the melody in some way.
Here’s the printed music:
And here’s what it sounds like:
Adding harmony and fullness with chords
In the final version of Joy to the World, I’ve added two- and three-note chords to the right hand, always with the melody note as the highest note. The bass line has also been slightly altered to fit with the harmonies.
Here’s the printed music.
And here’s what it sounds like:
We hope you found this guide useful. Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions or suggestions.
