Piano and Swing Feel

What is the hardest style of music to play?

Answers may vary depending on who you are, but I am in strong belief that Jazz is the hardest style of music to play.

All of my past posts apply to jazz; Preparation, Originality, Rhythm, and Minor/Major chords. Jazz is quite basically the mother load of music. It incorporates various feels, sounds, and rhythms. This is why Mr. Palmer introduced the swing feel last. For those who don't know, Jazz is primarily triplets. Practically every note played in jazz is in the placement of triplets. If you were to play eighth note triplets all the way through a sheet of jazz music, it is more then likely that you would of played in the spot of all written notes.

Mr. Palmer represents this by making us play eighth note triplets continuously, according to him "continue to play triplets each time three eighth notes are joined by one beam" (Palmer 142). After attempting, and completing this, I suddenly got more of a feel for swing as a whole. Now i am in the jazz band for Kentridge, and i do understand swing. But i never really thought of it in the manner of triplets. By applying my new knowledge of Jazz, it is ten times easier to play the swing feel.

Me practicing triplets by playing a B flat chord

Piano: Minor Vs. Major?

What sounds better; major chords or minor chords?

I rarely use minor chords in my personal music, I stick with the same C scale, and all of its major chords. But this doesn't necessarly mean i like the sound the best. Any experienced piano player would tell you they love minor chords, and the reasoning is simple. They sound good. Major chords don't express emotion as well as minor chords. Every time you are watching a movie or show, and you begin to cry at whatever scene you're watching; there is a 99.99% chance that the composer was using minor chords in that segment. For those who don't know, minor chords are theoretically the opposite of major chords, and they have a strong influence of sharps and flats. According to Mr. Palmer, "Every MAJOR KEY has a RELATIVE MINOR KEY" (Palmer 128). So which one sounds better? the answer is neither.

Now, i could throw quotes at you such as "Music is a preference", but the truth is, change is the true beauty. This can be applied to any form of music. If you play the same 3 chords an entire song, chances are that it will be boring. Truly good music introduces different feels, different rhythms, different sounds. 

Mr. Palmer has started to develop this idea in the book. I've noticed a pattern in is work. After every major scale, he teaches the contrary minor scale. Then shortly after that, he combines the two scales into a song. Shortly after mastering A minor, we were introduced to "The Stranger" (Palmer 129), and shortly after learning D minor, we were introduced to "Scarborough Fair" (Palmer  135).

Mr. Palmer is trying to get the readers to play music with influence in both minor and major keys, which personally, is a great importance in good sounding music.

Me playing a major chord

Me playing a minor chord

Rhythm and its Importance

Why is it hard to understand rhythm?

In my opinion, music is polar. What i mean by this is, you either understand it, or you don't. Music has surrounded me my whole life; my aunt was in a band, and many family members have had somewhat of an experience with a musical instrument. There are people out there, that can't seem to get the idea of rhythm right. Whether they can't play in time, can't read music, or can't play at all. But me, i've always understood music. I can look at an instrument, or a sheet of music, and everything just makes sense. So i guess the answer, for me, is that it's not. 

Mr. Palmer has a hand exercise about halfway through the novel in which he puts our rhythmic understanding to the test. The challenge is really simple actually, all you have to do is play a C scale with one hand; In time. I completed this on my first try (No bragging intended). Now this section of the book is literally named "These Hands Were Made For Playing" (Palmer 102). He explains how you can't move on to the more challenging concepts until completing the exercise I addressed above. According to Mr. Palmer, "Rhythm may be the most essential part of music. It is a particularly important factor in playing a keyboard instrument" (Palmer 102). 

I have mastered rhythm, and am truly prepared to take my piano skills on to more challenging concepts.

Me using a metronome to practice time-keeping

Piano Originality

What is the hardest part about playing piano?

I friend asked me this recently, and frankly, i didn't have much to say. After much thought, it came to me. For me, one of the hardest subjects in learning piano is being original.

I can play various songs for ever, but at the end of the day, the best part about music is its endless possibilities. What i mean is; it is an accomplishment to play famous songs, but there may be no better feeling then coming up with something yourself, regardless of the instrument. This is part of the reason why solos, in any song, mean a lot to the soloist. But truly being original is hard to come by. 

After learning about proper posture, and the traits of a standard keyboard, Mr. Palmer has started to go in depth on playing music. He first introduced "Ode to Joy", a classical song written by Beethoven. After playing this, and going into depth on more classical music, it has occurred to me what Mr. Palmer is trying to get at. 

Mr. Palmer has tried to get beginners the feel for music, and through time, they can apply to their own standards of music. As stated in the early stages of the book, "Music is an open door, feel free to walk through it" (Palmer 29). Upon reading these words, i was dumbfounded. The emotion, and motivation behind that quote really influenced me to try some stuff on my own. And so i did.

Me attempting to play various charts i have written

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course - Jack Thorsland

What makes one pianist stand out from the others? what makes one pianist great? 

Hello Everyone! For me, learning piano was an easy choice. I believe that the piano is the most important instrument in music. It is arguable that the drums may be considered more important, due to them being the first of instruments, but the ability to play piano opens many doors in the musical universe. This consists of; The ability to identify notes, to gain a "musical ear", and to learn why things generally sound good or bad. Upon beginning my book, i learned one thing. There is a science to playing musical instruments correctly, actual theories that revolve around what makes a player not just good, but great.

The first words of my book, are quite literally "BE KIND TO YOUR HANDS!" (Palmer 4) The author is VERY confident in his belief of hand condition. He explains how it is necessary to wear gloves every time I have to lift a heavy object, or even use hand tools such as screwdrivers or wrenches. This is only the beginning. (Palmer 4)

"Before practicing, it is good to soak the hands for a few minutes in warm water. This promotes circulation. Many concert pianists use very warm water on their hand before beginning to play. Towel the hands vigorously until they are dry, then hold your arms out with the hands dangling from the wrist, and shake out your hands rapidly for a few moments." (Palmer 4)

I have already changed my outlook on playing piano. what Palmer is explaining is that there is much more to playing the piano, then just pressing your fingers against the keys. The conditions of your hands, and the way you prepare them upon practicing or even performing, these are the traits that differentiate those who are mediocre at piano, and those who can be great.

Now, looking back on my question, i answer with this statement, feel free to quote this one day.

The ability to play piano is not influenced by the time you practice, but the manner in which you practice, and the manner in which you prepare.

This one is for you Mr. Palmer! 

Honestly, dipping my hands in warm water was one of the best ideas ever. All the activities that involve using fingers are benefitted, especially playing the piano.