MusicBasics4Keyboard
544 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago -Greetings from North America. In 1990 I graduated from a small college in New Jersey with a music program where I majored in piano, attended concerts in NYC, and watched my first opera with Luciano Pavarotti. As a keyboard instructor today and big fan of popular music including light opera, I encourage you to watch We Are Family Wednesday nights to hear the exquisite harmonies coming from the stage. Two episodes brought me back to my roots growing up in the 1960s singing along to girl groups like The Supremes. The beat goes on. I love Cher's music. Read my book "Songbird at the Shopping Mall".
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Episodes
Beethoven & MusicalBasics with Lionel Yu
April 22, 2022 03:17 - 4 minutes - 4.49 MBThe Classical period was an era of classical music between roughly 1730 and 1820. The German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is widely regarded as the greatest composer who ever lived. Let's identify some of the best known western music composers who lived during the 17th and 18th centuries and composed baroque, romantic and classical music. 17th Century - Famous composers of the Baroque period Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) George Freder...
Chopin, Beethoven & Audio Accompaniment Rhythms
April 20, 2022 01:51 - 2 minutes - 2.71 MBLearning to play classical piano means spending long hours listening, sight reading and practice time. How long depends on the student and time spent watching YouTube videos and/or working with a music teacher. This video is about learning to play classical music for beginners Thank you for watching.
Public Performances for Life
April 09, 2022 03:33 - 3 minutes - 3.03 MBMusic students will learn over time that performing in public is one of the fastest and most effective ways to improve music skills. Even early beginners should make a point to play their instrument or sing in public. At the end of this video is a list of public places to consider NOW. My best recommendation is to visit this YouTube channel for great videos about performing in public, shopping for keyboards at a music store and so much more. The name of the channel is MusicalBasics. The name...
The Art of Legato for Piano
April 01, 2022 19:38 - 3 minutes - 3.16 MBThis episode is about a piano course, legato, sheet music and working with a music teacher. Thanks for listening.
Casio CT-X700 Review with Jeremy See
March 27, 2022 00:28 - 3 minutes - 2.97 MBWhy this one? Full sized keys, battery powered option, and affordability. It is also ideal as a second or third portable backup keyboard indoors at home, backyards and/or playing in public. If you're looking to recharge your motivational batteries, adding a portable keyboard might do it. A change of scenery will do you good esp. if public performances are part of your music history. Visit Jeremy See's channel for the entire review. Thanks for listening and watching.
Noontime at Nordstrom's for Piano Players
February 24, 2022 19:50 - 2 minutes - 2.19 MBToday I'm reflecting upon my past public performances as a vocalist and keyboard advisor for Jordan Kitt's in Annapolis after graduating from The King's College in 1992 formerly located in upstate New York (not the UK). Today, The King's College is located in lower Manhattan. Read all about it in my books From Piano to Puccini and Songbird at the Shopping Mall. Find them on Amazon and other online bookstores. Thanks for watching on Spotify and listening on Anchor.
Cheddar & Broccoli Quiche Success
February 21, 2022 00:15 - 2 minutes - 2.45 MBFor a perfectly cooked quiche and a pie crust that won't burn loosely cover the entire glass pie plate with foil during the cooking process. Set the oven at 325 degrees and cook the covered quiche for about 40 minutes. This dish was made with eight whole eggs and about 3/4 cup 2% milk. See You Soon by Otis McDonald from the YouTube Audio Library. Thank you for watching and/or listening.
Matzo Ball Soup for Passover
February 19, 2022 19:34 - 1 minute - 1.49 MBGreetings from my kitchen! Today, it's all about matzo ball soup for Passover and rugelach. Delicious to eat and fun to make, rugelach (pronounced rug-a-lah) are miniature crescent-rolled pastries posing as cookies. They're made by rolling a triangle of dough around a sweet filling of fruit, nuts, chocolate or pretty much anything your heart desires. Medium-textured matzo meal is about the same texture as cornmeal. It is used for baking, as a coating for fried foods, to thicken, and to make...
Coffee, Salt and Sugar
February 19, 2022 19:34 - 1 minute - 1.49 MBGreetings from my kitchen! Today, it's all about matzo ball soup for Passover and rugelach. Delicious to eat and fun to make, rugelach (pronounced rug-a-lah) are miniature crescent-rolled pastries posing as cookies. They're made by rolling a triangle of dough around a sweet filling of fruit, nuts, chocolate or pretty much anything your heart desires. Medium-textured matzo meal is about the same texture as cornmeal. It is used for baking, as a coating for fried foods, to thicken, and to make...
Music, Mastery & Itzhak Perlman
February 18, 2022 22:21 - 4 minutes - 3.95 MBItzhak Perlman, (born August 31, 1945, Tel Aviv, Palestine [now Tel Aviv–Yafo, Israel]), Israeli-American violinist known for his brilliant virtuoso technique. His refinement of detail led many to regard him as one of the finest performers of the major violin repertoire of his time. Perlman was drawn to the violin after hearing it on the radio when he was three. His musical education was interrupted, however, when he contracted polio a year later (which left his legs with a permanent disabi...
Three Blind Mice for Piano
February 17, 2022 19:25 - 1 minute - 1.46 MBThree Blind Mice is an English-language nursery rhyme written by Thomas Ravenscroft in 1609. The modern version of the song was first included in children’s literature much later, at the beginning of 19th century, and its lyrics are different than the original one. The farmer's wife refers to the queen who with her husband, King Philip of Spain, owned large estates. QUESTION: Am I playing from memory or reading sheet music? Memory and with both hands. A real milestone this week.
Happy Valentine's Day!
February 14, 2022 21:10 - 1 minute - 1.44 MBLove expresses itself in many different ways. You hear a song. Suddenly a wave of emotion comes over you, remembering days, months (years if you're lucky) of love, desire and intimacy with someone in the past. This is one of those songs by Gordon Lightfoot. If You Could Read My Mind released in 1970. See the videos on YouTube. Source: Lyrics.com. If you could read my mind love What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old time movie About a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark o...
Rent a Practice Room
February 12, 2022 22:13 - 2 minutes - 2.01 MBRenting a practice room has many benefits. It provides a space to practice without distractions. Weekly rentals mean you may give advanced notice to reschedule without being charged. You will be asked to pay for "no shows". What is the policy about recording equipment? Is there an extra charge to bring a friend? Are the practice rooms sound proof? Thanks for stopping by.
How to Find a Music Teacher
February 07, 2022 20:39 - 4 minutes - 4.55 MBCall a music store for information. Are there teachers for hire and, if so, are they available to schedule new students? If so, make an appointment to meet with the teacher ASAP. Take a songbook(s) you're working in dear friends and be prepared to play one song. Consider this an audition. That's what it is. The teacher will advise you on the spot. Thanks for listening.
Find a Music Teacher Today
February 07, 2022 20:39 - 4 minutes - 4.55 MBCall a music store for information. Are there teachers for hire and, if so, are they available to schedule new students? If so, make an appointment to meet with the teacher ASAP. Take a songbook(s) you're working in dear friends and be prepared to play one song. Consider this an audition. That's what it is. The teacher will advise you on the spot. Thanks for listening.
Follow Your Dreams
February 07, 2022 06:41 - 2 minutes - 2.31 MBHow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a 1967 American musical comedy film based on the 1961 stage musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book. The film was produced by United Artists and directed by David Swift, with original staging by Bob Fosse. Synopsis: J. Pierpont Finch (Robert Morse) is a lowly window cleaner with dreams of making it big in the business world. After finding a copy of the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Tr...
Songbird at the Shopping Mall - that would be me
February 07, 2022 00:04 - 2 minutes - 1.99 MBWould you be interested in knowing more about my public performances as a vocalist/musician?? If you are, please check out Songbird at the Shopping Mall and From Piano to Puccini. I am the author of these coffee table books available on Amazon. Who is Bessie Smith? She was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Nicknamed the "Empress of the Blues", she was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. In this podcast, I reminisce about an evening with Be...
Music in Your Dreams?
February 03, 2022 22:24 - 2 minutes - 2.47 MBDo you dream (literally) about singing in public or playing a musical instrument? Do they motivate you? What do these dreams mean to you? This video contains questions about your dreams. Care to leave a comment? Would love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by.
That's Amore Authorized for Use
February 02, 2022 21:45 - 3 minutes - 3.11 MBWe are complying with copyright laws and could not be happier. Sheet music for That's Amore was ordered today making me an authorized user. This song is available in 7-8 different keys (for a price). Check it out for yourself. Dean Martin sang this song in B flat major. That's two black keys, i.e. B & E flat keys. Tomorrow, tomorrow! Thanks for listening/watching on Spotify.
Darlene's Playlist for 2022
February 01, 2022 19:01 - 4 minutes - 4.1 MBJames Kimberley Corden OBE is an English actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer, and television host. In the United States, he is best known as the host of The Late Late Show with James Corden, a late-night talk show that has been on CBS since 2015. Karaoke is a form of entertainment, offered typically by bars and clubs, in which people take turns to sing popular songs into a microphone over prerecorded backing tracks. Source: Wikipedia. What does karaoke literally mean? The word karaoke...
That's Amore for Piano in D Major
January 31, 2022 20:19 - 2 minutes - 2.67 MBThis is about learning to play That's Amore from the movie soundtrack for MOONSTRUCK which stars Cher and Nicholas Cage. Cher plays a tax consultant who falls in love with a man who bakes bread for a living in NYC's Little Italy. Currently, this movie is FREE to watch on YouTube. Ultimately the lovers attend an opera at Lincoln Center which culminates in a hilarious twist in Cher's love life and her engagement to the brother of Nicholas Cage who's visiting their "dying mother" in Sicily. The...
That's Amore in D Major for Piano
January 31, 2022 20:19 - 2 minutes - 2.67 MBThis is about learning to play That's Amore from the movie soundtrack for MOONSTRUCK which stars Cher and Nicholas Cage. Cher plays a tax consultant who falls in love with a man who bakes bread for a living in NYC's Little Italy. Currently, this movie is FREE to watch on YouTube. Ultimately the lovers attend an opera at Lincoln Center which culminates in a hilarious twist in Cher's love life and her engagement to the brother of Nicholas Cage who's visiting their "dying mother" in Sicily. The...
That's Amore for Valentine's Day
January 31, 2022 20:04 - 2 minutes - 2.17 MBOne of Dean Martin's most famous songs, "That's Amore" describes love the way they do it in the southern Italy town of Napoli ("Amore" is Italian for "Love"). Filled with passion, the singer compares the feeling to his favorite Italian foods: pizza and pasta fagiole. It's a quirky romantic song poking a bit of fun at Italian stereotypes, something Martin - born Dino Crocetti - had every right to do. The lyrics were written by Jack Brooks with music by Harry Warren. The song first appeared in...
That's Amore and Eclairs for V-Day
January 31, 2022 20:04 - 2 minutes - 2.17 MBOne of Dean Martin's most famous songs, "That's Amore" describes love the way they do it in the southern Italy town of Napoli ("Amore" is Italian for "Love"). Filled with passion, the singer compares the feeling to his favorite Italian foods: pizza and pasta fagiole. It's a quirky romantic song poking a bit of fun at Italian stereotypes, something Martin - born Dino Crocetti - had every right to do. The lyrics were written by Jack Brooks with music by Harry Warren. The song first appeared in...
Love Songs for Valentine's Day
January 31, 2022 19:39 - 3 minutes - 3.12 MBLet's get started, music lovers! This is about learning to play That's Amore from the movie soundtrack for MOONSTRUCK which stars Cher and Nicholas Cage. Cher plays a tax consultant who falls in love with a man who bakes bread for a living in NYC's Little Italy. Currently, this movie is FREE to watch on YouTube. Ultimately the lovers attend an opera at Lincoln Center which culminates in a hilarious twist in Cher's love life and her engagement to the brother of Nicholas Cage who's visiting th...
Rudyard Kipling and Food 4Thought
January 31, 2022 00:53 - 5 minutes - 4.63 MBJoseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book, Kim, and many short stories, including "The Man Who Would Be King". Joseph Rudyard Kipling (RUD-yərd; 30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. Myra recites verses from Kipling's most famous poem "IF". This broadcast deals with metaphors for life. "The waves keep coming, Darlene." says Myra with gus...
Rudyard Kipling's Food 4Thought
January 31, 2022 00:53 - 5 minutes - 4.63 MBJoseph Rudyard Kipling (December 1865 - January 1936) was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book, Kim, and many short stories, including "The Man Who Would Be King". Kipling was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. Myra recites verses from his most famous poem "IF" and concludes with "The waves keep coming, Darlene." Darlene apologizes for the misspelling the word horizon in Myra's video quotation. ...
Kicking Back with Cat Paws
January 30, 2022 01:41 - 1 minute - 1.1 MBAll work and no play makes me think about today. Is this about you, too? No time to smell the roses? They're on sale at local supermarkets. One dozen yellow stemmed roses for $12.99 at Kroger. They lasted nearly two weeks. Remember your sweetheart this Valentine's day with flowers and restaurant reservations. It's all about the love, la, la, la.
Piano Music and Poetry with the Woodchuck
January 30, 2022 01:32 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBThought you might like to know more about the contents in this piano course. Lessons includes phrase and rhythmic development, musical terms, accidentals, bringing out the melody and so much more. It contains major scale patterns, right and left hand exercises, sight reading Brahms' Lullaby and a suggested recital piece. It's just about everything you hope to learn to play piano or electronic keyboard. This is one of many books by John W. Schaum regarding piano, theory and sight reading lead...
Piano Music for the Woodchuck
January 30, 2022 01:32 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MBThought you might like to know more about the contents in this piano course. Lessons includes phrase and rhythmic development, musical terms, accidentals, bringing out the melody and so much more. It contains major scale patterns, right and left hand exercises, sight reading Brahms' Lullaby and a suggested recital piece. It's just about everything you hope to learn to play piano or electronic keyboard. This is one of many books by John W. Schaum regarding piano, theory and sight reading lead...
Boston Butt Pork Roast with Lager Beer
January 29, 2022 02:34 - 3 minutes - 2.91 MBBrown the pork butt in bacon fat. Cover and cook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for four hours. Add vegetables two hours later. Cook another two hours; test with a meat thermometer for 170 degrees. It's not overdone or well done. The result is very juicy, tender and dark pink in the middle. Serve with potatoes and your favorite vegetables. This is comfort food meant for weekends with friends and family members who can linger and spend time watching sports in front of the TV like the Wint...
Mandolins on the Menu
January 25, 2022 20:14 - 2 minutes - 2.06 MBThese are among my favorite soup/stew dishes throughout the year. My favorite desserts/pastries/cookies and breads are garlic bread, zucchini bread, apfel strudel*, apple pie, chocolate covered butter cookies, tiramisu, and Belgian mini eclairs filled with rich Bavarian custard cream dipped in dark chocolate. Music by Vivaldi in C major. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher, impresario, and Roman Catholic priest. Born in Venice, the capital of t...
Minestrone Soup with Rotelle
January 25, 2022 01:06 - 49 seconds - 782 KBMade from scratch with vegetables on hand that include onions, peppers, celery, carrots, beef broth, minced garlic, salt, pasta and one can of Amy's Hearty Organic Rustic Italian Vegetable soup. Motivated by an interest in Mediterranean style dishes. Serve with garlic bread and/or left-over pot roast or any red meat. Cheers!
Stouffer's Signature Lasagna in NYC
January 23, 2022 22:04 - 3 minutes - 3.32 MBThis is about lasagna with rich meat sauce made from 100% pure beef, vine-ripened tomatoes, and freshly made pasta topped with real mozzarella cheese with a glass of Chianti. Pure heaven on a cold winter's day in January. Remember the garlic bread to make your kitchen smell like an Italian restaurant or if you're dining out in one. Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Berry's Warm Chicken Salad with Dijon Mustard & Creamy Lemon Dressing
January 22, 2022 20:56 - 1 minute - 1.73 MBSimple Comforts is the name of this PBS series with Mary Berry. Across six delightful episodes, Mary braves the elements to discover, and cook, the most heart-warming dishes on offer in the UK and abroad: The indulgent delights of Paris, the majestic Thames, the traditional fayre of Ireland’s abundant pastures, the delicious seafood found along the stunning Yorkshire coastline and the steaming comforts perfect for a wintery Scottish night. Dame Mary Rosa Alleyne Hunnings DBE (née Berry; bor...
Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon
January 22, 2022 20:24 - 1 minute - 1.06 MBLike coq au vin, its sister dish from the Burgundy region of France, beef Bourguignon is a stew of meat slowly simmered in hearty red wine along with pearl onions, mushrooms and crisp, cubed bacon. Use a good wine here, something simple but drinkable. It makes all the difference in the finished dish. As with all beef stews, this one is best made a day or two ahead; don’t sauté the mushrooms and onions until just before serving. This recipe is part of The New Essentials of French Cooking, a g...
Ode to Joy Chord Workout
January 21, 2022 22:36 - 2 minutes - 2.35 MBIt works! Four chords: C, F, G, and D major. Want to know more? Check the Keyboard Primer for Beginners by Lee Davis. This is another occasion over the years when someone who is a master of guitar helps someone (that would be me) who studies piano. Chord study was part of music theory in college. Ear training was about intervals. Put them all together and that's enough basic training to last a lifetime and make your dreams come true. "Ode to Joy" is an ode written in the summer of 1785 by G...
Should You Study Piano or Guitar?
January 21, 2022 15:15 - 2 minutes - 2.55 MBIf you love chord progressions and the "sound" of chords without a melody - then learning to play backup guitar should be your instrument. Not talking about LEAD or classical guitar. As always, working with a teacher helps. If you have time to learn more than one instrument or you're a child prodigy, then it may be possible. If, however, your passion for music comes from listening to classical music, showtunes, singing in church or anywhere (watching THE VOICE, MASKED SINGER), keyboard and ...
Should you Study Piano or Guitar?
January 21, 2022 00:07 - 2 minutes - 2.13 MBLee Davis has published a book for beginners titled "Keyboard Primer". It is part of a Watch & Learn series and comes with a CD in the back of the book. There is also a video for this book which I do not own. He is also a recording artist. Read the book cover closely: 20 Songs to play and quickly learn scales, chords and note reading on the keyboard and piano. I'll give him this. If new students need a reason to study guitar, this book will close the deal. If you love chord progressions and...
Final Performance for Lee Davis
January 20, 2022 20:11 - 1 minute - 1.51 MBWhen it comes to learning to play a musical instrument, we should ask ourselves (occasionally) this question. What is holding us back from moving to the next level? Stage fright, really. No more. This is the final episode for music lessons in the Keyboard Primer book by Lee Davis. In the next episode, lessons will begin with John Thompson's Modern Course for Piano - Book No. 2. We'll also take a look at the easy-play songbook with Chopin waltzes. Thanks for stopping by. It's a new day for us...
Wednesday Night Music Club Songbook
January 19, 2022 20:13 - 1 minute - 1.4 MBWelcome Friends! What songbooks are you using to play piano/keyboard? How far along are you? Do you have a playlist or thinking about making one? For the past many months, I've recommended the Keyboard Primer by Lee Davis. After completing most every lesson today, the goal for 2022 is to work with new songbooks. Check the next episode for more information. Thanks for stopping by.
Piano Lessons Without Owning a Piano
January 18, 2022 18:13 - 4 minutes - 4.07 MBYou can learn to play piano even though you don't own one. What is needed is access to a practice room. There are practice rooms in colleges with music programs which may or may not be open to the public. Check it out. Learning to play in public is learned while playing piano in public. It's the best of all worlds as a music student to play (practice) with an audience nearby. One or two people do fine as your confidence builds. This soundtrack is in the Microsoft Music Library. Composer: Jo...
Look for Signs of Improvement
January 18, 2022 01:30 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBDaily practice and digital feedback will motivate you to new heights. What areas should you listen closely to? Melody, harmony, tempo and dynamics. Are you and the music bonding together in body and soul? Listen carefully to your videotaped sessions before posting to social media. Thanks for stopping by.
Full Orchestra Sound for Let It Snow
January 16, 2022 21:00 - 2 minutes - 2.48 MBThis is about the JOY of owning a digital keyboard like the Yamaha Portable Grand. What do you think? Thank you for stopping by. At the end of this performance it began to snow. Soon it will look like a winter wonderland in my part of the world.
Digital Keyboards Designed for Children
January 15, 2022 22:30 - 1 minute - 1.77 MBThe Yamaha EW-310 76-key digital keyboard is on sale at Sam's Club for $249.00. You be the judge: learn to play on a toy instrument like this model or a keyboard with regular sized keys. Same for piano. Thanks for listening.
Questions about Your Music Training
January 15, 2022 22:04 - 2 minutes - 2.43 MBAre you taking piano/keyboard lessons? What song books are you using? Are you happy with your progress? Are these podcasts helpful? Jingle Bells is what you head me play today.? How helpful are these podcasts? Thanks for stopping by.
Shopping for Logitech Mice
January 14, 2022 21:18 - 1 minute - 1.14 MBYou can never have enough mice! Returned to Staples today to upgrade the mice from M325 to Control Plus M510. What a difference a day makes, la, la, la. Thanks for stopping by.
Meat & Potatoes with Yvonne at Sam's Club
January 14, 2022 03:56 - 4 minutes - 3.98 MBAlthough cars and trucks were lined up at the fuel pumps in numbers that seemed normal, there was a noticeable reduction of shoppers inside the store. However, my experience was excellent throughout and especially during checkout. Yvonne is a Rock Star when it comes to connecting with shoppers and doing her job with utmost skill and speed. I'm certain customer service by her and other employees at this local Sam's Club has a big influence on customer loyalty. Thank you for stopping by.
Wake up Little Susie; Time to Practice!
January 11, 2022 20:39 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MBBy the time the Everly Brothers signed with Cadence Records in March 1957 (a deal midwifed by music publisher Wesley Rose of Acuff-Rose), they were singing teenage playlets crafted by songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant overlaid with R&B rhythm patterns. They scored a string of hits, including “Bye, Bye Love,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” and others. They became Grand Ole Opry members on June 1, 1957. In a sense, though, Don and Phil Everly were more...
Music for Tenor Saxophone
January 09, 2022 22:22 - 5 minutes - 5.18 MBWhen you hear a song on the radio you'd like to play, what should you do? Play it and record it, yes? If you keep a music journal, make a new entry. Determine the key, i.e. major, minor, flat or sharp. Save your song electronically, with a camera or with pen and paper. When scales begin to sound more like playing "music", it's like a booster shot to your musical training and performance skills. Capeech? I hope so. Thanks for stopping by.