In the book, How to play Popular Piano in 10 easy lessons, by Norman Monath, shows many basic and significant instruction to become a great pianist. In the first chapter, its provide information about the black and white key of how there is a pattern of twos and threes or twins and triples, through out the keyboard (Monath 23).
One important thing I notices on the white keys, in every twins (to the left) is the note C and in every triplets(to the left of triplets) is the note F (Monath 24). Also middle C is in the middle of keyboard. This helps to find the note much easier and faster, since there are only 7 notes in the music alphabet, which are C D E F G A B, and its has a consistence pattern throughout the piano or a keyboard.The black keys representing flat or sharp of a note. In the diagram, its pointing at the black keys next to C showing it is a higher note than C. "Since it is a higher pitch than the white C, it can be called 'C Sharp(♯).' the note C sharp is a lower pitch from note D, therefore it's going to be called 'D flat(♭)'"(Monath 26). Thus, also applies to all other notes.
Question: Was there are some unclear concepts that might of confused you? If yes, please comment below and i can clarify them. If not, have you ever felt struggle learning the Sharp(♯) and Flat(♭)?
Oh yeah, I've struggled with the sharps and flats. I mess around on the piano that I have at my house and whenever I use the black keys, it just sounds like a weird Chinese song that isn't good. How do you think that learning the piano will make you a better musician overall?
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you on the weird Chinese song that sound odd. Through everything there is a challenging part, and think this is one of them. I think learning the Piano will help me better and open my mind as a musician for other instrument like the piano and learn more complex things and can help me transfer the skill to violin and that could improve my self as a violinist, pianist, and a musician as a whole.
DeleteOf course, I think all musicians have struggled with sharps and flats. Ty, your post was very informational and helpful to possibly many aspiring beginning pianists, or even musicians out there. Going back to flats and sharps (accidentals), I had the same experience that Nathan had, as he said above. When I just messed with the black keys, it sounded really.. Generic. In a bad way. It was the type of music you heard in those Asian tea stores. Similar to Nathan's question above, how do you think piano will improve your skills on violin?
ReplyDeleteYea sharps and flats are very odds. I think the piano will help me get in tune better as a violinist and as well as musician as well, since because it's straight forward from piano, where they are keys, instead of a fingers board on the violin, where you have to guess where the correct notes are. Which Piano will help me find the notes easier and I can transfer that in-tune note to the violin since it's always in tune!
DeleteNice post Ty! In general, I think that sharps and flats are almost inhumanly confusing. No matter what key you play in, uttering a flat or sharp note sounds off. Another concept that was hard to learn was remembering the rule of accidentals. I find it hard to remember to play a note sharp or flat in the measure without using a pencil to mark it. However, with practice I think one can improve over these bad habits. Again, well done Ty!
ReplyDeleteNathan! Yes, I think practice and practice will overcome bad habits and along with improvement! By the way I really like your way of describing sharps and flats couldn't be any better!
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ReplyDeleteGreat post Ty! It was very informational. To answer your question, I struggle with sharps and flats as well. Like Nathan said, it is difficult to remember to play a note sharp or flat without having something to mark up my music. Still, with enough practice, I think that I can remember to play them without having to do this.
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