Tag Archives: piano

3 Chord Thursday 2025 Ukulele +

We launch the fifth year of 3 Chord Thursday with the theme of ukulele plus to anticipate World Ukulele Day and open our world to other instrumentalists. Which instruments go well with the ukulele? We’ve celebrated World Ukulele Day in … Continue reading

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Piano Accompaniment & Other Skills

By popular demand, the next 8-week PIANO COURSE is focussed on accompaniment. As with previous offerings, we will continue to build the important skills of sight reading, harmonization (formation and inversion of block and broken chords), and technique. This course … Continue reading

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Arrangements for easy piano

I am organizing ALL my piano arrangements on one page so that I can categorize them for easier access. Here’s my YouTube Playlist of recordings of my piano arrangements by others who stumble upon my pieces online.

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Sightreading, the art of reading music

Sightreading, also known as prima vista playing, refers to playing the correct notes on a musical instrument while reading the notation at first sight or glance (at the tempo written). It is a skill that can be learned but requires … Continue reading

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Workshop: Auld Lang Syne

It’s THAT time of the year when everyone bursts out singing “Auld Lang Syne.” This popular tune is also sung on Burns’ Night. Here’s an opportunity to explore different ways to make this song interesting, a useful skill applicable to … Continue reading

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Pachelbel Birthday Party

Johann Pachelbel’s exact date of birth is not recorded. Born in Nürnberg (Nuremberg), he was baptized on 1st September 1653, which means his 370th birthday is either happening soon or has already happened. We celebrated his greatest gift to the … Continue reading

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America the Beautiful

A parishioner requested “America the Beautiful” to include in the programme on the weekend before Independence Day. For Catholic mass, I played it as a recessional hymn on the organ while the young cantor lead the congregation who sang more … Continue reading

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God Bless America

Irving Berlin initially penned the words to “God Bless America” while serving as a sergeant at an army camp in 1918. As typical of many of his songs which didn’t fit the occasion at the time, it was put away … Continue reading

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Correct fingering for error-free execution with ease

“Pencil in your fingering for both hands. Use a pencil in case you want to erase later. Decide on the fingering. Practice with the fingering you wrote in the score.” Why? The students in piano and ukulele classes ask. Why … Continue reading

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Pachelbel Progression

When I learn of a musician’s departure, I instantly hear his or her music in my head. Last week, I checked my phone and read “RIP George Winston” in my Facebook feed. His Pachelbel Canon Variations entered my sound space … Continue reading

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