Piano Guidance
Piano Guidance
Photo: cottonbro studio
It creates a melancholic mood that sweeps over you before the melody begins in earnest, with a murmuring, almost desperate ache. There's this sense of relief but also anticipation about what will happen next.
In music, sight-reading, also called a prima vista (Italian meaning "at first sight"), is the practice of reading and performing of a piece in a...
Read More »
Upright piano – 300 to 500 pounds. Baby grand piano – 500 to 650 pounds. Grand piano – 700 to 1,200 pounds. Mar 3, 2021
Read More »A lot of music that's designed for relaxation — the kind that would be classified as meditation or new age music — is actually quite boring. In an effort to create calming, soothing sounds, this type of music lacks any tension. By contrast, Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, which he titled "Quasi una Fantasia (Almost a Fantasy)," is filled with discord — which is exactly what makes it so effective as a piece of music that can help you relax. I was first introduced to the piece, popularly known as the "Moonlight Sonata," by a friend who was designing the sound for a one-woman show I was creating. My friend suggested the first movement of the sonata for a cathartic moment of the play. Ever since, the Moonlight Sonata has been a piece of music that I've gone back to when I'm feeling anxiety or when I'm going through an emotional period. That might seem illogical, but let me explain. I liken the experience to one of my favorite relaxation exercises, where you lie on your back and create tension in various points of your body. First you squeeze your toes, then your calves, then your thighs, and so on. Using your muscles to create this momentary tightness helps them to release afterwards. When I can't fall asleep it helps a lot. The Moonlight Sonata works much in the same way. In the first movement, which is my favorite, the broken minor chords played with the right hand countered with the octaves played with the left evoke a lulling sadness. It creates a melancholic mood that sweeps over you before the melody begins in earnest, with a murmuring, almost desperate ache. There's this sense of relief but also anticipation about what will happen next. The melody is so simple, but it builds and builds, conjuring imagery that will differ for each person listening to it. The balance between anxiety and composure provides an emotional ride that ultimately provides a sense of release. It reminds you that even during the uncertain moments in life, it's going to be all right in the end. Perhaps it's the Moonlight Sonata's inherent drama (I mean, hey, it's Beethoven) that the music is used so often in films. Sid and Nancy, Misery, Immortal Beloved, Crimson Tide, and The Pianist are just a few examples. The music provides the perfect element of conflict and resolution to accompany a narrative, especially at an emotional peak. It is for that reason that I am drawn to this piece of music when I'm feeling upset or unsettled. It helps me reach inside and find that knot of despair or unhappiness and let it escape. Sheila Regan is a Minneapolis-based writer. She writes frequently for the Twin Cities Daily Planet and City Pages, among other publications. Interested in writing about classical music for Classical MPR? Have a story about classical music to share? We want to hear from you!
In today's Quick Tip, we'll examine why you may want to learn jazz piano instead. #1 – You Don't Need Sheet Music. ... #2 – Memorize Hundreds of...
Read More »
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ACOUSTIC PIANO AND DIGITAL PIANO An acoustic piano produces sound with felt-covered hammers hitting steel-wire strings....
Read More »Interactions between your drugs Using melatonin together with zaleplon may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
Adults who learn to play piano experience a decrease in depression, fatigue, and anxiety and an increase in memory, verbal communication, and a...
Read More »
But, it's worth asking: is tutoring for Wyzant worth it? In my short and sweet opinion as a professional tutor, the answer is no. Wyzant takes...
Read More »
The average mass produced piano lasts 30 years. Hand-crafted pianos last substantially longer, often exceeding 50 years. Over time, the piano will...
Read More »
Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.
Learn More »
Restoration is significantly cheaper than buying a new, handmade piano of comparable value. What many people do not realize is that the investment...
Read More »
Promotion
Promotion
Promotion