Q. Now I know this has been asked quite alot. I'm 14 and I play the clarinet. I have been thinking of extending my music experience by trying out a new instrument. Question is, I'm stuck between a piano and a guitar. Both are wonderful instruments and I could learn both if I want to, but then which one should I learn first? I know it's a matter of MY opinion, but a little info about the instruments will help. And I'm still wavering about the piano since it's not portable, but I don't want to decide because of that. Help?
A. Hi, I started playing piano when I was young (I'm 15), and I started the guitar a couple years ago. I like the guitar so much more because
- the guitar is portable; you can bring it to friends' houses, school, camp, etc.
- the guitar takes up less space than the piano
- it's easier to look up chords than piano sheets
- it's easier to look up guitar tutorials than piano tutorials; i mostly taught myself the guitar; i don't think you can do that with the piano
- the guitar is more suitable to play mainstream music with
However if you want something challenging and you are able to practice regularly, go for the piano and maybe you can play around with the guitar as a recreational thing?
Good luck :)
for piano sheet music...?
Q. for some piano sheet music there are two right hands one on the top and one in the middle then the left hand is on the bottom, i can't figure out if i should be playing and practicing the top right hand or the lower one. which one sounds more like the song? i tried playing both but i just can't figure it out. what do more of the percentage of people play?
i mean should i be playing the top part for the right hand or the middle part for the right hand
WITH
the left hand also.
ok. thank you
A. This answer might be an oversimplification of your question, but I'll give it a shot anyway...
If playing sheet music with lyrics (or not), you are supposed to be playing the the notes/chords on the Grand Staff, which consists of the staff that houses both clefs. The very top staff, which you described as the "top right hand," is the melody line the vocalist and/or other lead instrument follows. When playing as an accompanist, the piano takes a supporting role to back up the lead. By playing the notes and/or chords in the Grand Staff (mostly chords), you are playing the harmonic accompaniment to support the melody line. So, play the bottom two staffs and leave the top for the lead instrument, unless you're lead (i.e. jazz solo - then you can improvise around the lead/melody line and do your thing, you dig? - hope you do & hope this helps)
Peace
Any suggestions for good piano songs on Musicnotes.com?
Q. I really love MusicNotes, but I need more suggestions! Usually I get either, emotional ballads, fun "coffee shop" music, or just anything I can sing along with. However, a lot of music that I'm finding either doesn't have a good piano part or the right hand follows the melody (which is really frustrating and annoying for those of you who know what I'm talking about). So, can I have any suggestions for good songs to get that are either emotional, meaningful, or just a good song and have a good piano part. Some examples that I have very much enjoyed are:
All of Me by John Legend
Say Something by A Great Big World
Turn To Stone by Ingrid Michaelson
Come Wake Me Up by Rascal Flatts
All of these songs have a good piano part that doesn't play along with the melody line that I would sing and have good meanings. I really want some help! Thanks!
A. I do know what you are talking about concerning the accompaniment merely doubling the voice part, but I'm not quite sure what you mean or want in the way of "good piano part"--I'm not a pianist. /
Just a hint--you might look under arrangements under "Singer Pro" if you haven't already done so. They usually are arrangements in which the vocal line is completely separate from the piano accompaniment in most cases (it depends on what the arrangement is like on the original version in case of current popular music).
I'm more familiar with classical music. If you want a really "good" piano part, as in "challenging", try Franz Schubert's many lieder including things like "Gretchen Am Spinnrade" which Musicnotes actually has.
However, I'm going to list some pop, "coffee house" ballads and "fun songs" that I hope you might like. The piano accompaniments are usually just chords--appegiated or otherwise but I chose these more from the viewpoint of a singer. A couple of other Ingrid Michaelson's songs are listed. And ALL of these are available on Musicnotes.com because I bought MY copies there.
"The Way I Am" Ingrid Michaelson (VERY spare accompaniment, sometimes just a bass line with the left hand--one note at a time).
"You and I" Ingrid Michaelson (cute song--good for when you need a fun uptempo song to contrast with "emotional ballads")
"Brave" Sara Bareilles (another uptempo song AND emotional too)
"Glitter in the Air" Pink
"My Immortal" Amy Lee (Evanescence)
"This Woman's Work" Kate Bush
"Walking in the Air" Howard Blake for the animated short "The Snowman"--pretty piano part, very sweet song usually sung by children)
"Carrick Fergus" traditional folk song (the Charlotte Church version)--I picked this because I did like the piano part underneath the vocal.
"Jar of Hearts" Christina Perri
"Somewhere Only We Know" Keane
"Dark Waltz" Hayley Westenra
"Kingdom Come" Civil Wars (name of country-folk duo)--this was a real departure from what I normally sing (actually this I don't actually sing in front of anyone--I usually play my guitar for this one). There is SOME doubling of melody, but not a lot.
"Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" Cole Porter standard--get the Julie London version. THIS is definitely a great piano accompaniment especially if you do play well--very jazzy.
And of course these come in an assortment of keys.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title : What should I play? Piano or Guitar?
Description : Q. Now I know this has been asked quite alot. I'm 14 and I play the clarinet. I have been thinking of extending my music experience by ...