Piano Lessons for Beginners - Lesson 2 - What Are Sharps And Flats?

Lesson 2 of online piano lessons for the beginner piano student.
This lesson details sharps and flats.
The video will show that sharps and flats are not always necessarily on the black keys.
It also details how to go "up" and go "down."
Again, I post these videos for those of you
who are aren't quite ready to sign up for piano lessons
but would like a little something to get you going at home.
When you are ready for lessons,
don't forget to contact meat Wyandotte's Little Piano House.

Piano Lessons for Beginners - Lesson 1 - Can You Name The White Keys?

I found this video on youtube and found it to be so on the mark.
If you are considering taking piano lessons
at Wyandotte's Little Piano House,
but aren't quite ready to register yet,
this, and subsequent videos, may help you at least get started at home.
This video will help you loads with naming the white keys on the piano.
When you are ready to register for piano lessons,
just contact me!

J.S. Bach Fugue in G Minor

Ah, Bach.  . .
one of my faves. . .
I've never learned this piece myself,
but I love it nonetheless.

Here's a video,
and of course,
a place where you can download the sheet music
to Bach's Fugue in G Minor.
Enjoy!!

Liberace Plays Malagueña

Librace.
No one quite like him.
Here you’ll see him in this video
with another legendary performer,
Sammy Davis, Jr.

Liberace performs Ernesto Lecuona’s Malagueña.
This music sits on one of my pianos
as I write this blog post.
I used to play this piece years ago,
but am working on re-learning it as it is,
without a doubt,
one of my all-time favorite pieces of music for the piano.
It’s demanding.
It commands attention.
It’s robust in some sections,
and romantic and soft in others.

And, truth be told,
I’ll take a Baby Grand Piano
over electronic instruments every time,
though I must admit that I own both.
(And I dream of owning a player piano from the 1800's!!!)

Enough words.
Here is Liberace,
God’s gift to the piano,
performing Lecuona’s Malagueña. Enjoy!

you'll find the sheet music for
Ernesto Lecuona's Malagueña here.

Ernesto Lecuona's Gitanerias

Here's a video you will enjoy.
It is Ernesto Lecuona's Gitanerias
from the suite Andalucia.


Also,
the sheet music.


Please keep in mind that these music downloads
are link to other websites.
I only provide them for your convenience.


Enjoy Gitanerias!

Mozart Minuet in G - Video and Music

Here's a lovely piece.
It's Mozart's Minuet in G.
Enjoy the video.
And if you'd like the sheet music,
you can find it here.

Enjoy!

Mozart - Minuet in G

Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet - Video and Music

Maybe you've seen this video before.
It's an elderly couple
who went to the Mayo Clinic for a check-up
and spotted the piano
and started making music
while waiting for the appointment.
They clearly enjoy themselves
and those around them
are enjoying the impromptu performance as well!

This senior couple knows the truth:
You're  never too old
to enjoy the piano!

Remember,
Little Piano House
offers piano lessons to senior citizens
at a discounted rate.
And those 55 and older
qualify for the discount!

The song is
"Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet"
by Percy Wenrich. 
You'll find the sheet music here.

Enjoy!

Bach Invention #14

My favorite 2-part invention
by J.S. Bach, #14.
This young lady
does a great job!
Enjoy!

Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C# Minor

A wonderful video
featuring the music
(and sheet music!) of
Sergei Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor,
sometimes referred to as The Bells of Moscow.


Once a upon a time,
yours truly played this magnificent piece.
Truly an amazing composition.
Perhaps it's time that I search my piles of sheet music
and relearn this fabulous selection.


Thanks, Sergei,
You are one great composer!


Enjoy Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor.

Are mom and dad ready for piano lessons?

Are you ready?
Do you have what it takes
to send your child
to piano lessons?

I pose this questions
because sometimes the piano lesson
is harder for the parents
than it is for the child.

Here a few things you should be prepared for.


Be prepared for the "noise."
Move your cell phone calls to another room.
Shut the tv off or go watch in the bedroom or basement.
Make sure everyone in the house
knows that this is the way it is going to be.
Let your child's music take a priority.
If need be,
set a certain time of day
for music making, practice
and experimenting at piano/keyboard.
But be prepared to hear
the same piece of music
over and over and over again.

Be prepared to sit with your child
for a few moments every day.
At least 10-15 of their rehearsal time every day
should include you at their side.
Be prepared to do this
until they have discipline enough
to practice without you at their side.

Be prepared for the whining.
"But it's too hard, mom."
Yes, yes it is.
Some students have a harder time than others.
And for some students,
well, they just need to stick with it.
There will eventually come a time
when it all just clicks.
I feel so frustrated sometimes
when I see parents pull their child out of lessons
when I can see the turning point just ahead.
Please be strong.
Be prepared for the "I don't wanna go,"
for the "can I quit lessons?"
Be prepared and be consistent.

Be prepared for the cost.
The lessons cost.
The books and materials cost.
And purchasing the keyboard/piano
will definitely cost something.

. . .for free/low cost pianos
please check out my other blog post. 

When you are ready
be sure to contact me
for low-cost piano lessons
in the beautiful City of Wyandotte, MI!!!

Free or low cost pianos

Yes, there are options
to get a piano for free
or for a very low cost.




Go to the
Piano Adoption website.
You'd be surprised 
at the lovely pianos
you can get for free,
. . .well, almost for free
(you'll need to pay for moving it!!).
I just saw a piano listed on that site yesterday
for an instrument in the City of Wyandotte.
I don't know if it's a good instrument
or if it needs work.
You won't know more about the instrument
unless/until you ask.
But right here in Wyandotte
there is a piano
someone is giving away for FREE!!

Go to Craig's List.
Other instruments might be available
at a very low cost.

And visit yard sales.
I found a lovely electronic keyboard
last year for $20.
(I'll discuss digital vs acoustic pianos
in another blogpost,
But for now,
we just want to get you started
as low cost as possible!!!!)

Don't be afraid to barter.
If someone has an instrument
they want to get rid of,
they may very well sell it to you
for a price lower than what they say.

Also,
don't be afraid to ask
if you or your child
can practice on an instrument
that belongs to someone else.
For example,
ask your church
if they would permit you to practice
on the piano there.
Or maybe your child
can get practice time in
on a piano at their school.

These are just some ideas.
If there's a will, there's a way!
Welcome to the wonderful world
of piano study!

How old should a child be to begin piano lessons?

What is the right age 
to start piano lessons?

That's a loaded question.

I, myself,
started the study of piano
when I was 4-years-old.


But what age is best?
Personally,
I think the earlier the better.
Music study needs to be a part of daily life.
"Practice your piano," needs to be heard
as often as
"do your homework,"
"clean your room,"
"feed the dog," etc. etc.


If your child:
- knows the alphabet from A to G
- can count up to 10
- knows which hand is right and which hand is left
- can sit still for 10 minutes at a time


. . .then, my friend, your child is more than ready
to formally begin the study of piano!


Do contact me!

Beethoven/s Moonlight Sonata

Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven.
Enjoy!

At the piano - finger and hand position

This short video
teaches us
about the appropriate way to place hands
and fingers at the piano.
No flamingo fingers
and no mummy fingers at the piano, please!

Enjoy!

Gifts - Baby Grand Piano Necklaces

Here are a  few really great gift ideas:
Baby Grand Piano Necklaces.
There are several here to choose from.

These Baby Grand Piano Necklaces feature:

Full-color, full-bleed printing

Sterling Silver-Plate

UV Resistant and Waterproof

Get a baby grand piano necklace for a friend
or for yourself!

Enjoy!

Black Grand Piano: Necklace by spiritswitchboard
See other Black Necklaces

Piano Black Sillouette Blue Top View by MusicianEvents
Design a custom photo necklace

BabyGrand Piano - GreyBkg by thejewelrystore
Browse Jewelry Necklaces

Baby Grand Piano - AquaBkg by thejewelrystore
Shop for another necklace at Zazzle.

Piano Black Sillouette Pink Top View by MusicianEvents
Make personalized silver necklaces

Grand Piano Graphic, Blue Image by SusansZooCrew
Make a custom silver necklace

Grand Piano Red White Blue Graphic Image by MusicianEvents
Browse other silver necklaces

Grand Piano Brown Bird's Eye View by MusicianEvents
Browse more Piano Necklaces

Grand Piano "Drawing" by Lynnes_creations
View other Grand piano Necklaces

Piano by TerryBain
See more Piano Necklaces

Blue Grand Piano Necklace by lovescolor
Browse more Piano Necklaces

Chocolate grand piano by photoslot
Shop for another silver necklace

Glenn Gould Video - J.S. Bach Partita No. 2 in C Minor

Glenn Gould.
What he was to the piano is unmatched.
Just watching this video
of this most accomplished pianist is beyond words.
He is totally engrossed.
It's just Mr. Gould's fingers.
It's his whole body.
Yes, a pianist's whole person is involved
when playing the piano.

Here it is:
Glenn Gould plays
the J.S. Bach Partita No. 2 in C Minor.

Gift Idea: Beethoven Mousepads

Here's a great gift for your musician friend
or the classical music lover:
Beethoven Mousepads!

OK, maybe you want it for yourself!
Either way
I thought these mousepads
that feature the Great Ludwig Van Beethoven
to be just wonderful.

Stay tuned,
because at Little Piano House
we hope to not only offer information
about affordable piano lessons
in the Detroit/Downriver area,
but great gift ideas such as this.

Enjoy!

Beethoven by magarmor
make money as an artist using Zazzle.

Beethoven Mousepad by agorina
Learn how to make money as an artist online at Zazzle.

Beethoven on Music by geargems
Learn how to make money as an artist online at Zazzle.

Ludwig van Beethoven by apollo335
See more Beethoven Mousepads

Ludwig van Beethoven by apollo335
Sell art online at Zazzle.

Ludwig van Beethoven by apollo335
Join one of the biggest artist affiliate programs

Ludwig Van Beethoven ~ Beethoven Collage by VintageFactory
Join one of the largest artist affiliate programs

Beethoven by thinkers
View other Beethoven Mousepads

Beethoven by thinkers
Browse more Beethoven Mousepads

Portrait of Ludwig Van Beethoven by bridgemanart
Buy a cheap mousepad at zazzle.com

The young Ludwig van Beethoven 1806 by bridgemanart
View other Isidor Mousepads

Ludvig van Beethoven , 1804 by bridgemanart
Browse more Willibrord Mousepads

Fur Elise by Beethoven - Piano Solo - Video

Here's an absolutely wonderful video
I found on youtube.
The pianist
is a nine-year-old girl
playing Beethoven's Fur Elise.

As you may know,
Ludwig V. Beethoven had piano students.
One student did particularly well in her studies,
and so,
Beethoven rewarded her with an original composition.
And thus,
we have "Fur Elise" (For Elizabeth).

I hope for great things
for the child in this video!

The music for Fur Elise
can be found here.

Enjoy!

Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag - A Video of a Very Creative Pianist

This video
shows a very creative pianist
as he interprets Scott Joplin's
Maple Leaf Rag.
He's got the cover off
so you can see the piano's hammers in action.

OK,
truth be told,
I just love Ragtime Music
and this musician's creativity
just inspires me.
Enjoy!

Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concertos #3 - Video

This pianist is amazing!
This is one of my all-time favorite pieces,
composed by the master himself,
Johann Sebastian Bach.
This the Brandenburg Concerto's #3
for 8 hands (4 pianos!).
This video is of the same pianist
who creatively plays
and then splices the video together.
Enjoy!

An Amazingly Talented Young Pianist

This young pianist
has an absolutely incredible amount of talent.
What a gift she is
to that baby grand piano!
Certainly, she has an outstanding teacher
and parents who truly understand
and appreciate their little prodigy!
Enjoy!

Welcome

Welcome to
The Little Piano House!

More good stuff coming later!