Christmas Carols & Songs Sheet Music Free Downloads Check out our complete series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard. Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books at Amazon. As part of our mastering Christmas carols […]
Yearly Archives: 2012
Christmas Carols & Songs Sheet Music Free Downloads Check out our complete series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard. Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books at Amazon. Silent Night: An Introduction Silent Night is […]
Silent Night (A Major): Mastering Christmas Carols on the Piano ...
Christmas Carols & Songs Sheet Music Free Downloads Check out our complete series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard. Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books at Amazon. As part of our mastering Christmas carols […]
See Amid the Winter’s Snow: Mastering Christmas Carols on the ...
Christmas Carols & Songs Sheet Music Free Downloads Check out our complete series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard. Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books at Amazon. As part of our mastering Christmas carols […]
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night: Mastering Christmas Carols ...
Christmas Carols & Songs Sheet Music Free Downloads Check out our complete series on mastering Christmas Carols on Piano and Keyboard. Click on any of the music scores to view/print higher resolution versions View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books at Amazon. As part of our mastering Christmas carols […]
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Mastering Christmas Carols on ...

Appropriately enough for Friday 13th, we’re pleased to promote Oleg Prodeus’s album “The 13”. Although the album sits in the alternative pop/rock genre, it goes far deeper than that. It oozes class and depth, and so it should as it took the multi-instrumentalist Oleg three intensive years to complete. Listen […]
Review: Oleg Prodeus: The 13

Multitalented Dane Francis Bowie provides the perfect soundtrack for the approaching summer months with “Sunny Day”, a track from his EP launched in October last year. Producing in the electronic/intelligent pop music style, his EP features a range of soaring synthesiser lines together with orchestral backing. The style is light […]
Review: Francis Bowie EP

New York City based Alex Nackman is no musical novice, having five albums under his belt as well as being a proficient writer and producer, and his work takes a further turn in his latest album “This Revolution“. Taking influence from a plethora of ’90s sounds including Duran Duran, New […]
Preview: Alex Nackman – This Revolution
We’ve already looked at improving piano playing strength and dexterity using the keyboard alone, but what if you want to take things a step further, plus perform finger strengthening, hand strengthening, and wrist strengthening exercises when away from a piano? There are a number of gadgets and gizmos available but […]
Best hand strengthening equipment for pianists

Twenty-five years after Casio launched the CZ Series synthesisers, the company is back with the introduction of the XW-P1 professional synth.
Casio XW-P1 Professional Synthesizer

This article was written in 2012 about the 4th-generation iPad. For the latest iPad Air and iPad mini go here. It’s hard to avoid an Apple product announcement, so by now you’ve probably already heard about the “new iPad” (third generation). There are plenty of places to get an overview […]
Apple’s new iPad: What’s in it for musicians?

Two-and-a-half years after Clavia introduced its Nord C2 combo organ, it has announced the C2D. We have very sparse information about the C2D at present, with Clavia simply writing the following: “Complete with 2 sets of physical drawbars per manual the Nord C2D is the ultimate portable organ for musicians […]
Nord C2D dual manual organ announced, arriving March

Clavia provided a teaser announcement at this year’s NAMM show that its new Nord Drum Virtual Analog Drum Synth will be available this coming March. Although we don’t have full specs, we’ve now seen a taster video demo, and today pictures emerged of the first review model of the Nord […]
Nord Drum Virtual Analog Drum Synthesizer coming March
Have you ever wondered exactly what makes up good piano playing technique? What sets apart the virtuoso pianist from the mere mortal? Or why some pianists develop injuries? Researchers from the University of Southampton are hoping to answer some of those questions as they set to discover the mechanics of […]
Science of piano playing to be revealed with 3D mapping ...

Alesis has shown off the latest addition to its line of digital pianos. The Cadenza features 88 hammer-action graded weight keys and a range of simple controls designed to allow the pianist to concentrate on the performance. The Cadenza features eight stereo voices, and although Alesis doesn’t seem to want […]
Alesis Cadenza digital piano unveiled

Alesis has introduced its Vortex USB/MIDI Keytar controller complete with an onboard accelerometer. Bearing similarities to the Roland AX-Synth, the Vortex gives keyboard performers the freedom to move around during a performance while still being able to control a host of other equipment. Alesis Vortex Key Features Dynamic, shoulder-worn performance […]
Alesis Vortex USB/MIDI Keytar with Accelerometer unveiled

Alesis has unveiled a bigger brother to the QX49 launched last year. The QX61 is an advanced five-octave MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software. As well as the 61 touch sensitive keys there are four […]
Alesis QX61 Advanced MIDI Controller Keyboard unveiled

Alesis has unveiled a smaller brother to the QX49 launched last year. The QX25 is an advanced MIDI controller keyboard capable of controlling a wide number of parameters on an attached module, keyboard or PC running compatible software. As well as the 25 touch sensitive keys there are four pads […]
Alesis QX25 Advanced MIDI Controller Keyboard unveiled

A rare find is this half-century old Excelsior Concert Symphony vintage piano organ from the 1950s/1960s. It even comes with a collection of music books which can be paired with the numbers above the keys, making it easier for beginners to play. Available from this auction.
Excelsior Concert Symphony vintage piano organ [eBay]

Alesis has launched the Q61, a five-octave MIDI/USB controller keyboard capable of sending the basic MIDI control messages most musicians need. This makes it an ideal keyboard for those wanting to control other keyboards, sound modules and virtual instruments on a PC or Mac. It doesn’t have all the bells, […]
Alesis Q61 USB/MIDI Keyboard Controller unveiled

The latest piece of kit from Abstract Data is the ADE-10 Reactive Synth. Waveshaping, Wavefolding, Feedback and full CV control in a low-profile, high-quality 10HP Eurorack module. DC-coupled I/Os with individual Gain/Attenuation will accept most Audio and CV waveforms. Two simultaneous Full- and Half-wave Outputs provide effected AC audio and […]
ADE-10 Reactive Shaper from Abstract Data

The Alesis HR-16, launched in the late 1980s with a fairly rudimentary set of sounds, gets the circuit bending treatment and is available at this auction. Check out this short video demo: No doubt there’s plenty more sounds to be got out of this modded kit.
Circuit bent Alesis HR-16 [eBay]

Here’s a colourful keyboard find for you. Though you could argue it remains squarely in the ‘toy’ department, the concepts here are pretty cool. OK, so you only have the C major scale to play with, but take a look at those coloured blocks above the keys. These make contact […]
The Muson Synthesizer [Vintage]

A fantastic acoustic upright piano from the mid-1950s, this Cable-Nelson spinet piano is beautiful and available via this auction. This is a beautiful piano that still looks and sounds great after 56 years! It belonged to my mother and she gave it to me a few years ago. We’re making […]
1956 Blonde Cable-Nelson spinet piano [eBay]

A perfect candidate for circuit bending, the Casio SK-1 is available on this auction with the Diabolical sk1 glitch. “Diabolical modified Casio SK-1 MIDI glitch synth with custom paint by Matt Ralph. Features 20pt banana jack circuit bending patch bay (cables included) and CLK/Pitch mod with bypass switch. This was […]
Circuit-bent Casio SK-1 MIDI Diabolical sk1 glitch [eBay]

“We think you’ll find the 2260 Modulation Orgy to be the most fun you’ve ever had with a LFO!” “The Best Product Name We’ve Heard This Year At The NAMM Show 2012” – SynthTopia Impressive words indeed for this new module from the wizards over at Synthetic Sound Labs. They […]
Modulation Orgy Model 2260 launches from Synthetic Sound Labs

If you want to get your hands on a piece of Korg kit from the mid-90s, check out this auction for a Korg X3. The Korg X3 is a synthesizer produced by Korg in 1993. The X3 features 200 Programs, 200 Combinations, 32-voice polyphony, a 32,000 note, 16-track sequencer with […]
Korg X3 Synthesizer [eBay]

Fancy getting your hands on a vintage piece of Hohner kit? The Hohner Bass 2 Keyboard is from the 1960s. This auction offers up one in very good condition and fully functioning. Seller ringobellini says that they run it through an SVT with a tube driver to get a great […]
Hohner Bass 2 Keyboard [eBay]

Check out this set of six 3.5-inch diameter coasters, coloured black with a keyboard design all the way around the edge and a white treble clef (G Clef) in the centre. Vinyl with Black Rubber back. Via auction
Piano Keys Treble Clef Coasters [eBay]

Check out the latest blog post over at noystoise. It details the process of circuit bending a Yamaha PSS-30 (which by all accounts is notoriously difficult to do) and building a pretty incredible piece of kit. Read about the whole experience (frustrations and all) from start to finish then check […]
Circuit bending Yamaha PSS-30
We love digging up cool/bizarre little instruments and the Panasonic R-1088 is just such a find. Sorry, Panasonic? Since when did they make musical instruments? Well, they may not be in the same league as Yamaha, Roland or Korg, but that doesn’t mean they can’t produce a product you only […]
Panasonic R-1088 AM Portable Radio / Mini Organ [Vintage]

Check out this piano keys wall clock. Complete your room with this custom Piano wall clock. The clocks are lightweight plastic, measure 9 inches in diameter with a clear, plastic cover that protects the hour, minute and second hands. The frames are available in both black or white. Via auction
Piano Keyboard Wall Clock [eBay]
Here’s a cool little video with great sound, with a hat tip to Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic. A different take (and visual) to Myleene Klass’s version. “My buddy Colin posted a video of his band playing Aerodynamic by Daft Punk and it inspired me to fire up the old Triton and […]
Improv Synth Solo with a dash of Daft Punk’s Aerodynamic ...

If you liked our ten toy pianos and want something in print to match the theme, check out this auction for the Toy Piano by H Jean Diestelhorst circa 1960. It’s only four pages long but is a genuine piece of ’60s music. It’s published by Shattinger Publications Inc.
Toy Piano H Jean Diestelhorst sheet music 1960 [eBay]

J. Lawrence Cook player piano roll personally cut on Leabarjan w hand writ words Rare hand cut on his own personal Leabarjan perforator is a roll made in 1976 of a song called “Amica” composed and cut by famous piano roll artist J. Lawrence Cook who was in the piano […]
J. Lawrence Cook player piano roll [eBay]
Learning to play any new instrument can be daunting, particularly if you’ve never tried it before, but the benefits are worth the effort. The piano is a wonderful instrument and fits nicely into a wide variety of musical styles. Here are our recommendations for the beginner wanting to learn how […]
How To Play The Piano

Overview One of the very first synths created, in the late 1960s, by England-based Electronic Music Studios. The highly portable modular synth featured a three octave keyboard, monophonic sound, noise generator, two input amps, one ring mod, one voltage controlled low-pass filter and spring reverb unit, one trapezoid envelope generator, […]
EMS VCS3 [Vintage]

Overview One of the very first synths created, in the late 1960s, by Electronic Music Laboratories. Similar to Moog and ARP synths, the company designed for the educational market. The ElectroComp 200 included a number of features including stereophonic sound, a Wave Shaper. It has a great front panel and […]
EML ElectroComp 200 [Vintage]

Structure A one octave C Major scale is made up from the eight notes C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. This can be extended across the keyboard as required for two, three or four octave scales. Here are the notes of one octave depicted on a piano […]
How To Play the C Major Scale on a Piano ...
It may not be the most exciting news around, but it’s no surprise that Casio wants to show off a couple of its existing Celviano digital pianos in matte black. The AP-220 and AP-420 have been given the makeover to demonstrate Casio’s “commitment to dealers and the music enthusiast”. The […]