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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Og-Spm
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Piano - Learning From Scratch
Many people look at the piano as a fine instrument when someone else is playing it, but a bit of a monster when they are given the task. Learning to play the piano is not so much about taming the piano as it is yourself.
You can find piano lessons simply by scouring the internet, though personal recommendations are always a great way to go. Contact music schools in your area, or look for people that play the piano for a living - it is always better to hire someone that has committed their life to a trade, rather than to hire someone that only works at it part time. Most first time piano players will begin by learning how to read music and how to find certain notes, though over time you will become quite an expert yourself.
When you first begin to learn about the piano, you may find yourself frustrated. Don't let this frustration get to you - it takes many years to become an expert player. Still, with a lot of dedication and some hard work, you will find that you'll progress with ease over time. Once you become extremely skilled when it comes to playing the piano, you may even surpass your teacher, and this is exactly what you want to do.
After years of finger exercises and playing around with various scales, your lessons may turn into something else entirely. If you find that you are starting to become bored with your lessons, it may be time to look for a new teacher. Though most people are reluctant to leave their original teacher, sometimes this is simply necessary. In fact, a great teacher will recognize your talent, and they will recommend someone that can teach advanced courses.
You will find that playing the piano absorbs many of your daylight, and night time, hours. This instrument is both wonderful and haunting, which makes it entirely addictive. If you played the piano as a child, consider picking up the instrument again as an adult. Playing the piano is a lot like riding a bicycle - you never really forget. In fact, your piano skills are something that you can pass down from generation to generation, which means that your lessons are an investment well worth pursuing.
Piano lessons are one of the most rewarding things that you ever sign up for, so why not start today? If you don't have a piano, simply purchase a keyboard (it will work just fine until you can get a piano of your own). Remember to practice and to love your instrument -you'll be composing great pieces in no time.
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Monday, March 29, 2010
How to Choose a Piano For Your Home
How to Choose a Piano for Your Home
A piano graces a house like no other piece of furniture. Much like a television it provides a focal point for a room. A piano provides an extra dimension while entertaining, or simply in entertainment. It is a place to express one's creativity, to relax and unwind, a kind of modern-day medication. The purchase of a piano is not something to be taken lightly. Due to its expense and size, the piano really becomes a part of the family. The piano can spend many generations with one single family, so getting the initial choice right is vital. In this article I aim to tackle the issue of buying a piano and examine the number of variables that one has to take into account.
The initial consideration when one comes to purchase a piano is that of space. In modern houses space is something of a commodity. The piano is going to be with you a long time so it's important that it sounds and plays exactly as you would like it to. There are a number of types of piano on offer, these include:
Grand pianosBaby grand pianos
Upright pianos
Digital pianos
The best piano in any specific situation is wholly dependent on the variables already mentioned. If one has space in which to put it, a grand piano is a great option providing a true air of sophistication. It is true to say however that there are not many homes that could accompany such a large piece of furniture. In which case one might consider a baby grand piano. Like the traditional grand piano, a baby grand piano has the same action and sound but can take up considerably less space in the house. The baby grand piano can fit quite comfortably into a modern home. Then we have perhaps the most common of all home pianos, that of the upright piano. The upright piano sits snugly up against the wall and has a much smaller profile than a grand or baby grand piano. This type of piano however produces a different sound from that of a grand piano and provides less of an impressive focal point for a room. Lastly we have digital pianos. These pianos come in the grand, baby grand and upright varieties. They run on electricity and therefore require less maintenance than traditional pianos. Where as a traditional piano will require tuning, a digital piano will always sound just as great as the day it was bought. It's fair to say however that the digital piano lacks something in the style department. Many people consider buying pianos not simply for their sound quality, but also for their beauty; a digital piano doesn't provide this to the same degree.
The Difference Between a Grand and an Upright Piano
Generally speaking, the way we interact with both types of piano is identical. They both have standard keyboards. The main difference comes internally in the way the piano translates the key stroke into a physical sound. The piano is effectively a hybrid between a stringed and percussion instrument. When you press the key on the piano, a small hammer inside the piano is released and then hits the corresponding string. The string then vibrates and is left to do so allowing the sound to resonate. For this to happen, when the hammer hits the string it must immediately bounce back giving the string the ability to vibrate. The way a piano does this is quite interesting and varies between the styles of a piano. The upright piano relies wholly on gravity for this action. The strings in the upright piano run vertically meaning that when the hammer hits a string, the piano relies on gravity to take the hammer away again. In a grand piano however, the strings are laid horizontally, this creates an interesting engineering problem. In a grand piano the hammers hit the strings from the side and so cannot rely on gravity to take them back to the starting position. Because grand pianos rely not on gravity but on the quality of their internal mechanism, the build quality of a grand piano is very important.
New or Used Pianos?
With some products it's always better to buy new, with pianos however this isn't necessarily the case. Many people agree that older pianos resonate a richer and more mature sound than their newer counterparts. For people on a budget, the used piano may well be the option. So whether it be digital, traditional, grand, baby grand or upright, I hope I've given you all something to consider.
Richard Merry Used Baby Grand Pianos
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Sunday, March 28, 2010
More Packing Tips To Be Familiar With - Key Strategies to Protect All Your Items
Electronic Items:
For all electronic items, such as amplifier, DVD, VCR, video, boom box, stereo speakers, computer (not computer screen) printer, fax, small copy machine etc...We still recommend to use dish pack box because it is considered to be the strongest and thickest box available in our inventory that will provide you with added protection. Please surround each one of them (electronic items) with lots of bubblewrap (use the thick bubblewrap) and place them in the box. Put the heaviest at the bottom and the lightest at the top. It is always good to put the amplifier at the bottom since it is a heavier electronic item. The rest should be depending on size and weight.
Table Lamps:
For ceramic or glass table lamp, we still recommend to use the dish pack box simply surround them with lots of bubblewrap (use the thick kind of bubblewrap for added protection). Place them in the box make sure they are well secured around the walls of the box by using bubblewrap or paper balls around the items to avoid movement during transportation. Regarding the lampshades, you will need to open a new dish pack. They will have to be placed by themselves since they will keep its full protection within the transportation. No bubblewrap is necessary for the lamp shades, simply place them in the box and they will still have the necessary protection.
Please note: For all of your fragile items, we don't recommend using other boxes, beside dish pack, since they are not strong enough and can get smashed or break under pressure.
Picture:
Open the box, surround the picture with bubblewrap. For oil paint, simply wrap with paper sheets, do not wrap it in bubblewrap since the wrap might increases heat transport to the paint and the oil might leak and stain the whole picture. Place the picture or oil paint per box. If it's a small painting, two paintings can be place in a box but they should not intertwine. Do not mix oil paint with glass picture that you protect with bubblewrap due to the same reason mentioned above. Make sure they are well placed in the box to prevent excess movement during transportation.
TV and computer screen:
A special box is available that comes in different sizes. Small, medium and large. Simply surround the TV or computer screen with lots of bubblewrap (two layers of bubblewrap is enough when using thicker wrap) and place them in the box to prevent movement. You can add paper balls in between items to increase protection as well.
Other self packing tips
Now, before tapping yourself on the shoulders, and scream "I am a professional packer" , we would like to remind you that you forgot to pack the glass plate from the microwave . Before making any mistakes, make sure to remove the plate from the microwave oven and place it in the dish pack.
It is always good to write on top of all boxes which rooms it's originated from and the content of the box.
It doesn't matter which moving company you choose do not ever, ever, ever write CD on your CD box. Simply name the book boxes so to avoid any... well, you get my drift.
Please, for any other questions regarding packing or other inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us TOLL FREE@1-877-963-7283 and ask for our packing instructor.
Or simply email us at admin@movemewithcare.com
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Friday, March 26, 2010
House of Troy Piano Lamps
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
Best Online Piano Course
I know how exciting can it be to start learning to play piano. However that excitement can quickly turn into frustration. If you are someone like me you are probably looking for better ways to learn piano without getting too frustrated.
When I was learning to play piano I had to research different options to learn. There are number of ways to learn to play musical instrument. You can hire a personal tutor or go to a musical school. What I found that works best for me is online piano courses. Here is my opinion about online piano courses if you are interested. So in my opinion the following two criteria must be met for the online piano course to be a great one.
1. Best Online Piano Course must Include Video Tutorials and Audio Files.
What I found is that some online piano courses offer video tutorials to practice. Since the visual channel is the most important for a human being to receive the information, video enhancement of the course can really improve your progress. That's why I always like the instrumental music lesson programs that are all-video. They usually offer a clear method of teaching. Therefore I strongly believe that taking online piano courses is the absolute best way to learn.
2. Best Online Piano Courses must be Developed by Top Piano Instructors.
Of course the best way to learn piano is to learn from an expert. I always believe we need to learn to do anything from the best in their field. Unfortunately taking even group lessons from such instructors can be really expensive let alone one-on-one lessons. The great advantage of online piano courses they make it possible for the top piano instructors, to be accessible at affordable price to the average people like you and me. That's the advantage of online course. You are still being taught by a great instructor but the price is very affordable.
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Monday, March 22, 2010
Piano Benches - Great Choices For Great Pieces of Furniture
The piano bench industry grew from the desire of piano manufacturing companies to focus solely on the manufacturing of pianos. The bench was, for the most part, an afterthought. Many bench companies got their start in the early 1900s by contracting with the piano manufacturers to offer benches in multiple styles that would match the exact finish and leg style of the piano being bought and sold. As the piano would move from owner to owner the bench would not always make the trip, creating a need for the replacement bench manufacturer. The other primary reason for the piano bench manufacturers existence is the fact that the piano bench is typically handled very roughly by many teachers and students alike. The constant movement and scraping against the floor as the bench is pushed in and out leads to excessive nicks, wear and tear on the bench. Proud musicians like their equipment to standout and a scraped piano bench is something that can be easily replaced and made to look like new again. Several options to consider when purchasing a new piano bench are listed below.
Leg Style. I can tell right away when the bench is a replacement bench and not the bench that originally came with the piano by the fact that most people have a bench that does not have legs to match the leg style of the piano. I may be a little bit of a stickler about this but you should be able to find a bench to match and you should make the effort to find one since it will be a part of your home for decades. Most benches are available with classic straight legs, spade legs, and sometimes antique types of legs such as Louis XIV are available.
Bench Length and Width. There are three types of benches available to select from. The first is a stationary grand piano bench (Duet Bench) is 35 inches wide and 19 inches high. With the duet bench the width is proportioned to the size of the piano and the bench will easily seat two people. The traditional standard upright bench is 30 inches wide by 19 inches high and is a fine piece of furniture to use with all upright pianos. For smaller pianos such as spinets, I would consider a 25-inch-wide piano/keyboard bench to be just the right size. I will often recommend an adjustable bench for families (and teachers) with multiple players and pianists concerned with posture might select an adjustable or a high level Artist's bench.
Wood Finishes. Piano bench manufacturers offer a wood finish to match any finish provided by the piano manufacturer. It is very easy to get an exact match as long as you review the choices you are offered. When choosing a bench to match a mahogany piano you will need to bear in mind that there might be four shades of mahogany available from the bench manufacturer and you should select accordingly. Most bench manufacturers will offer a dark mahogany, medium mahogany (also called cherry), a brown mahogany, and a Steinway mahogany (they are popular enough and just a slight shade different that they have a shade named after the piano). Most finishes will come in a high gloss offering as well, though it will likely cost a little more money to get it. If your piano is a high gloss piano, such as a grand piano likely has, you should match it.
Piano Bench Tops. The most common type of piano bench top is the hardwood bench top. Most have an optional model available with a music storage compartment that is very handy for sheet music or other music accessories (my kids will hide things in our bench all the time). Fancier and more expensive seat tops will be upholstered in fabric or even leather. Most bench manufacturers have lots of fabric choices to select from and they can be made to match your interior décor without issue. Vinyl is a nice substitute for real leather if budget is a concern. I personally like the fabric seat over a leather or vinyl seat top because of the capability of the fabric to breathe.
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Samsung BD-P1400 Reviews of the Multi-Region Blu-Ray Disc Player Version
Region code Areas
The multi-region version plays all REGION A And B Blu-Ray Disc movies on any TV with HDMI input.
A/1North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
B/2Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, plus all of Oceania.
C/3India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central, and South Asia.
Reviews of the BLU-RAY BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player (the is no difference in basic specifications for the
Region A version and the Region A and B Multi-region version so all reviews stand for both versions.):
It's good: Excellent image quality on Blu-ray movies; outstanding soundtrack support with onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD High Resolution and bitstream output for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; relatively low price compared to other standalone Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player s; Ethernet port for updating firmware.
MDOJ,
My BD-P1400 arrived late yesterday! The firmware was updated last night via internet download and burning a CD. First impressions:
Video - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Audio - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FYI: There is no image or sound quality difference, or any other type of difference, in the USA Region A version of the multi-region Region A and B version of the Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
I have tried a regular DVD and one BRD so far and am very pleased. Load
times are very acceptable. No negatives from me on this unit so far. Will
report more later when I get some of the more seemingly problematic BRDs.
The BD-P1400 has classic Samsung style. The front of the unit is all glossy black, with a thin strip of silver along the bottom.
Got my Samsung BD-P1400 last night and boy was I excited!! Before this review, let me start by saying that this is the first and only Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player that I have owned and that I may not make some of the comparisons you are looking for. If I don't, just lemme know! I also want to say that I have NOT upgraded to the latest firmware yet as my modem is not near a TV.
Picture
Excellent, duh...... inky blacks, great contrast, detail, everything you expect from Blu
Design: Wonderful looking BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player , the best yet I think. Face is very open, not cluttered, and the piano gloss finish rocks. Good remote too.
Load Times Wonderful. I have 5 movies so far and they all loaded in approx. 15 seconds. Then there was the new F4 Silver Surfer.... This is a BD+ title from Fox and many have had complaints about its load time. The BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player gave me no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible. Let me say again that this is right out of the box, no firmware update yet!
FYI: There is no image or sound quality difference, or any other type of difference, in the USA Region A version of the multi-region Region A and B version of the Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
Sound
I have not played with the sound much as I don't have my Onkyo TX-SR705 yet. I did notice that there is an option to set the speakers from small to large in analog 5.1 out mode. There are other discussions and reports of people getting full DTS-MA bitstream from this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player (after firmware upgrade) on other threads and forums. I'm getting very anxious to try this out!
Others
The rest of the stuff is pretty standard. 128x max forward, unit resumes same position in the movie even after powered off, pretty good response times from remote keys, etc.
All in all, this is a dynamite BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player. With the firmware upgrade, this guy will do just about anything that you can expect from a blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player right now!!
In addition to Blu-ray discs, the Samsung BD-P1400 can play standard-definition DVDs and CDs.
FYI: There is no image or sound quality difference, or any other type of difference, in the USA Region A version of the multi-region Region A and B version of the Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
The BD-PBD-P1400's high-resolution soundtrack support is excellent. It has onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD High Resolution, which means it can output these soundtracks either in PCM format over the HDMI output or via the analog outputs. For newer receivers, the BD-P1400 also offers bitstream output for high-resolution soundtracks. So if you have a newer receiver with onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, you can set the BD-P1400 to output audio over HDMI in encoded bitstream format--letting your receiver do the decoding, rather than the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
There should be absolutely no sound quality difference whether you let the receiver decode or the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player decode, but some AV fans just love seeing the "Dolby TrueHD" light on their new receiver. If you need a Code free Converting DVD Disc Player for $79.95 Planet Omni also has that and they come with 2 warranties. So far, I am really happy with this purchase. I was not sure I made the right deal because of the negative reviews I read but bought it anyway.
I really don't know why people get upset when it only takes two minutes to get ready to play. I have used it several times with Blu-Ray disks rented from Netflix with no problems. I am still waiting for the eight free movies.
Connectivity is also solid. There's an HDMI output capable of carrying both 1080p video signals and high-resolution audio.
For high-def analog video, there's a component video output (limited to 1080i), and there's an S-Video output and a composite output for standard-def output. (As with all DVD BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player s, there is no DVD upscaling available via component video). On the audio side, there's the aforementioned HDMI output, along with 5.1-channel analog outputs, both optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and stereo analog outputs.
Rounding out the connectivity is an Ethernet port, which enables you to upgrade the firmware from the Internet--a feature that's been common to HD DVD Players, but very rare among Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Players.
FYI: There is no image or sound quality difference, or any other type of difference, in the USA Region A version of the multi-region Region A and B version of the Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
The BD-P1400 did a good job of rendering the opening sequence of Star Trek: Insurrection, demonstrating its 2:3 pull-down prowess. Next up was Seabiscuit, and the BD-P1400 did a solid job with the difficult introduction, with few to no jaggies on the black and white photos.
MDOJ,
Just a quick update on the Samy BD-P1400. I have rented some BR's from Netflix and have really been enjoying the BD-P1400 - how about you? All the techno mumbo jumbo aside, as far as I'm concerned this is a great BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player.
I hope that the head dudes in charge of this forum will make a sticky for the Samsung BD-P1400 - hint - hint! watching home movies here...not saving lives.
The Samsung is a REALLY good unit for the price. The multi-region version is just $849.95 from Planet Omni and considering they use a double motherboard specially imported which must cost a fortune plus the intensive labor it's a real great bargain, IMHO.
I was able to plug my unit directly into my modem with a network cable (as per Samsungs directions in the user manual) and the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player found it's new firmware and loaded it up without the need for me to get on the computer, burn disks...etc. Very cool.
The Samsung has a great image and with the current update I can listen to DTS-HD Master Audio (Sony can't say that for twice the price!).
With the pace at which the technology is moving I think it is very difficult for a manufacturer to manufacture these units, get them to market and have them totally "current" with the new disk technology, (which is changing daily), but Samsung has provided me with a unit that I can just plug into my modem and get an update when they have it available. I think that is AMAZING.
A little patience and understanding can go a long way. After all...it wasn't that long ago that when you bought an electronic component, you couldn't update it at all. I am sure Samsung will come thru with an update soon. I have not run into any disks I could not play as of yet.
Having never seen a 1200 in action, I can't help you - but the BD-P1400 PQ is excellent, but that's what Blu is all about - right?
I have tried several BD's from Netflix as well as a few standard def DVD's. All were great. As far as the handshake issue, I'm not really sure what that is.... and for the off, then play thing... why would you want to do that in a movie anyways?
Great BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player, I couldn't be more happy I got the new BD-P1400 last week. returned the 1200 to get it. (plus 100 price difference in my favor. PROS= the pic quality is by far the best I've seen, even better then the panny I had.
Controls are easy and setup just the same. I don't like it loses the signal at the beginning of the discs.
AUDIO= I am not able to use all the audio features due to my ONKYO being a few years old. I have it setup with a digital optical cable, the sound is really excellent except for the POPS I get every now and then.
As for the BD discs, POTC about 2 minutes, have had no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible, with any other BD movies. I did notice that after I hit pause and went to hit play, the movie would play for a minute and then stop. I had to hit play again. No big deal.
Used the Ethernet port to download new firmware, can't tell the difference though. I am sorry I am not that technical but this is my blue collar review. any??????s I will answer the best I can
Just finished watching Casino Royale - spectacular!
I have a Playstation 3 that has awesome picture quality for both Blu-Ray and upscaling of Standard DVD's since a software upgrade. We use this for our main HD TV in the family room. I needed another BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player for a second HD TV we just had hung in our bedroom.
I waited for the BD-P1400 to become available since I already committed to the Blu-Ray format and wanted the latest technology available. I cannot say enough about the sound quality that this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player offers, it is unbelievable. The picture quality is excellent and on par with the Playstation 3. I am seriously considering purchasing a second BD-P1400 for our main set because of the outstanding sound. Great BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player especially for the money.
By far the best Blu-ray I ever tested. Never watch cartoons but now I'm spending a lot of time watching with my kids.
This is a great Blue Ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player. DTS HD MA bitstream finally. I have owned this product for about two months and am thrilled with it; it is really a good deal. I only use my Blu Ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player to play Blu Ray movies, since the sound is piped into a Samsung 5-disc receiver. The picture quality is amazing. I own four Blu Ray discs (which I purchased on Amazon at $14.99 each) and they all play beautifully, with no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible, and a crystal clear picture.
I bought this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player in December. I hooked it up with an HDMI cable to a Sony Receiver. The Cable Box from Comcast is also hooked up to the receiver. The receiver is connected to a 42 inch Panasonic 1080P Plasma. Three HDMI cables, that is it.
It has worked flawlessly from the beginning with every Blu-Ray disc we have tried. We get about one a week from Netflix. I can play Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Not sure why the other reviewer could not.
The picture quality is stunning with Planet Earth. I guess I can credit the Panasonic TV mostly for that.
I did the version 1.2 firmware upgrade in December. I just did the version 1.5 firmware upgrade yesterday Feb 5th. I downloaded both and created the ISO CD.
To me it works fast. So you have to wait a few seconds for it to boot up, so what? Go get the DVD while you are waiting.
Most computers nowadays take minutes to boot. I imagine it will never get better, likely probably worse over time since these are in essence computers, and the more technology advances the slower these machines are to turn on and load up.
After doing the firmware upgrade, I checked my settings and noticed they had been reset. If you have a digital receiver, you should make sure that the audio is set to 'bit rate' and not PCM if you want surround sound.
I also had no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible, playing regular DVDs or CDs either. So when it becomes obsolete, it will replace my other DVD BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player and improve the quality of the regular DVDs with my other older 720P Samsung set.
I don't think anyone should delay buying because of the format war. The minute you buy anything nowadays, it becomes obsolete and is eventually a throw away. So you at least enjoy it while you can, life is too short. At the prices today what the heck, it is cheap, buy now before the dollar becomes worthless! You can get an entire home theatre 1080P HDMI based system with speakers for less than $[...] right now. Thank you China! I got my HDMI cables from Planet Omni, $19.95 for 2 meter length, superb images and sound!
Before I hooked this up, I updated the firmware via the Ethernet port. Once that was done I have had no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible, with the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player at all. I debated whether or not to buy this due to some negative reviews, but the deal was just too good to pass up for a stand alone. Those of you that have had problems with this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player have every right to complain about them here, that's what these reviews are for.
However, the people complaining it isn't 1.1 or 2.0 (no BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player is 2.0 yet) should stop. Nowhere in the description does it say this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player is supposed to be 1.1. If you want to inform people there are updates coming and this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player will not be able to benefit, go ahead, but to say it is horrible and obsolete because of it being 1.0 is misleading. I have a feeling most people want to just watch the movie and would rarely use the features of 1.1 (like picture in picture commentary).
If that's you, this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player is perfect. If you need a 1.1 BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player, get the panasonic. For me this one will work fine for the next couple of years while Blu-ray gets its act together and finalizes an emerging product. I hope those of you that have had problems were able to get them resolved and can now enjoy the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player as I do.
I have had no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible with the Samsung BD-PBD-P1400. I just plugged it in, connected it to the internet and started the firmware upgrade utility. After about 20 minutes, the firmware upgrade was successful and I played my first movie without a glitch. Every movie I've played since has also played flawlessly. You can also upgrade the firmware by burning a CD or if you don't have internet, Samsung will send it to you.
This product works just fine on blu-ray disks, also on non-European format DVDs, and on music CD-ROMs. I have found no problem, and the multi-region version from Planet Omni will be even more incredible with it. It even does a superior job of showing plain DVDs on my 40" TV, where my previous DVD BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player only would take up part of the screen.
One clever and undocumented touch is that it seeks out the right TV input choice once a disk is inserted. It may help that the TV is also a Samsung.
I got this on Nov.30, 2007, and unlike what other reviewers have said, the BD-P1400 does start back where you stopped. Everything else looks and works great.
I'm editing this review on March 13, 2008, to reflect my experience with the machine. It appears to me that whether a DVD will start back where it stopped depends on how the DVD was manufactured, NOT on the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player . Some DVDs, such as "LOST, Season 3", don't even have chapter/scene makers on them, much less the ability to restart after a stop.
Some DVDs, such as "3:10 to Yuma", actually have their own system for marking where you stop or where you may want to go back to, but otherwise require a restart from scratch. But some DVDs do restart where stopped.
My chief complaint with Blu-Ray (not necessarily with this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player in particular) is that it takes FOREVER for a DVD to start up, then if you do have a DVD that won't restart from where it stopped, you have to go through the painfully long start-up again.
I've learned to NEVER PAUSE a DVD, which causes it to shut down the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player after a few minutes. Instead, I keep it going at 1/8 speed, then when I come back, I can easily back up to where I was -- a lot faster than a restart.
If there is a better BR BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player anywhere near this price range, I haven't heard of it. Now that HD DVD has died, I hope that DVD makers will focus their attention on making BR DVDs work more easily and FASTER.
This is a great player. The only issue is the firmware upgrade. I used CD-R/RW burning method...easiest and fastest. Burn *.iso image using nero burning rom software. The instructions are in [...]/support. I have both HD-DVD and blu-ray. so far blu-ray is better. HD looks like upconverted DVD. Read the instructions carefully i.e. the new Blu-ray "Live Free Die Hard" contains a note letting you know the software upgrade may be needed.
Lastly, remember this is HDMI 1.3 compatible...so in order to use 1.3 capabilities, you need a cable and TV which is HDMI 1.3 compatible also....the picture is great. Buy this BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player and upgrade the software right away.
I have read and continue to see many complaints about different blu-ray and hd-dvd BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player s not working like people hoped. I can say that with this model I have had absolutely zero issues.
I am sure some people will write that it doesn't load this or doesn't do that, but it hasn't affected me. I have not found a single disc that has not played perfectly. What people have to remember is that in this day and age everything is like a computer, you may have to update, it is part of life now, get over it.
Will the manufacturers eventually get this flawless, probably so but in the mean time I will be enjoying my movies now. If you are an early adopter like I am on technology then any issues you might run into will be no big deal. The BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player is easy to setup, easy to play and loads reasonably fast. Glad I bought it and already thinking about a second one for different room.
Complete satisfaction with this product. Greatly enhances my regular dvd's. I was really surprised about this claim, but the Samsung does as advertised. The blu-ray disc audio is very good. Can't wait until hooking this up with my new surround system.
This product is money well spent for the viewing pleasure it gives. I highly recommend this product.
For its price this is a steal. The audio and video quality here is great, the quality and selection of Blu-ray is top notch and you can be fairly confident you'll be getting blu-ray format movies made for you for years to come. One of the better options for a dedicated BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player if you're not interested in the PS3.
Before deciding to purchase my Samsung BD-P1400 I studied many of these customer reviews and they were very useful. I also read a dedicated AV Science forum online concerning this model BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player. First, all of the information and customer reviews highlight the endemic problem that implementation of newer Blu-Ray standards is occurring gradually. Moreover, features are evolving, meaning that we are all taking some chances when we purchase any Blu-Ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player (that is not a PS3).
I personally have no interest whatsoever in owning a game console. Second, many of these reviews describe in conscientious detail the kinds of problems that people are having, as well as whether and how the problems have been overcome. This review adds data to that second category - practical problems.
When my BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player arrived the very first thing I did was install the latest firmware downloaded from the Samsung web site. I suggest the method that uses a cd rather than a direct network connection; in either case the manuals and web site offer complete directions. Be sure to *confirm that the update was successful* by restarting the BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player , re-inserting the firmware cd, and comparing the disk version to the installed version.
What problems have I had? In a month of watching Netflix discs I have had not one single hiccup, not a single blue screen, no refusals to play any of the BDs or SD-DVDs that others have had problems with - I have had *nothing but perfect performance*! True, some of the other criticisms like slower controls are inherent to the technology. But my BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player has been flawless and my expectations have been significantly exceeded. Without hesitation, I give my BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player five stars.
Pros: My favorite feature, by far, is the 24 frame per second output mode. Movies display exactly as they were intended - be that good or bad - and 'judder' in slowly-panned scenes is significantly improved compared to 30 FPS. This alone, in my opinion, warrants the relatively modest price tag. [In direct comparisons using my 50" plasma TV, the video quality of movies from the BD-P1400 at 24 FPS is clearly superior to the same discs when played through advanced computer video cards that cost the same!] I also like the features and layout of the remote control, which doubles up to control my Samsung TV. Yes, these are basic features within the realm of Blu-Ray, but they have been very capably implemented.
Cons: My only nit-pick is that I would like a set-up feature that allowed the audio and video outputs to be delayed relative to each other by a selectable increment. This would allow perfect lip-sync when using older (i.e. slower) audio decoders/receivers that are not HDMI 1.3 compliant. However, to my knowledge this feature is not offered on *any* new Blu-ray BD-P1400 Blu-Ray Disc Player , since the HDMI 1.3 standard incorporates an automatic synchronization feature if all the components are HDMI 1.3 compatible.
Maybe I've been lucky, but I have not had a single 'playability' issue using the latest build of the latest firmware. Based on this - 5 stars.
Let's hope that Samsung will support this model well into the future by further optimizing the operating firmware, as needed.
In brief: Outstanding picture quality---my wife and I say, even for stills, "Polaroid picture!", breathtaking.
The unit has all the requisite connections. I play it through a Yamaha av-tuner with 7.1 channels, via HDMI, but other connections are available.
There is a simple blue-ringed on-off button, and a tray open-close button; that's it on on-board controls. The remote has several levels of sophistication: It is easy to find and use the power, pause-play-rewind-fast/slow controls, those you will use 99% of the time. The remote also provides movie menu controls (e.g., language), player menu controls, and options for controlling other devices---learn to use them only if/when you need them. There was absolutely no setting up to do---plug and play! Great neuro-ergonomics, i.e., intuitive ease of use.
In over three weeks of regular usage, we have noted some glitches, but it's not clear if it is the player itself or the emerging technology. Several times, the unit went into "Stop" mode as if the button had been pushed; I had to hit "Play" to get the movie started again. Mildly distracting.
What would I also like? Perhaps controls for the av amplifier as well, although that unit has all the buttons needed for TV, player, and amp. Maybe better backlighting on all buttons. This is one heck of a deal, recommended to anyone wanting to get into blu-ray.
Good BluRay DVD. Easy to use. High definition DVD's look great but regular DVD's look better too.
No problems found yet.
the Samsung 1400 is significantly superior to the Toshiba HD-A3. The BD-P1400 supports not only TrueHD, but DTS-HD MA bitstream output over HDMI. The A3 can only extract the DTS 'core' and cannot send bitstream DTS-HD MA out. Only the HD-A35 and the XA2 can do that, but both are significantly costlier than this player. The BD-P1400 can also output full 1080p/24 video, while the A3 can only send out 1080i and does not support 24fps output.
Both are slow to load up, but the A3 is significantly slower, taking almost 2 full minutes to warm up the player and display video on your monitor/screen. The PS3 takes less than 30 seconds btw. The A3 is also very noisy, distractingly so especially because it is a high pitched noise that is hard to ignore.
Overall, the BD-P1400 is a high functioning blu-ray stand alone player, that supports lossless audio output (PCM, TrueHD, and DTS-HD MA) and 1080p/24. I would still recommend a four hundred dollar PS3 over the BD-P1400, but if you really want a standalone player, you can't go wrong with the BD-P1400.
I don't actually own this player, but I have a friend who bought one and he loves it.
This is a excellent blu ray and I am very happy with my purchase, I recommend this player to everyone and the price is great.
It did NOT disappoint in the slightest. I have not had any problems playing any DVD Blu-ray or not. I have not had to download any firm-ware to solve ANY issues. The BD-P1400 worked straight out of the box. The only thing that comes close to a con is that it's slow on start-up and loading.
I am very satisfied with this player and I'm happy. All I can report is that mine works perfectly so far, and I have recommended it to many of my friends when asked for an opinion.
Works wonderfully with my new Samsung plasma... Haven't experienced any issues expressed by other reviewers. Connected with an HDMI to TV and optical audio to Home Theater... Breathtaking PQ and sound.
This Blu-Ray player is first-class. Easy setup. This is my first Hi-Def player, and I am very happy with my purchase. I did the latest firmware update per the instructions in the manual, and it has functioned flawlessly. The player has a modern, slick, glossy appearance. The sounds are incredible, and the images are too beautiful to be described. Very easy to install and use. I never knew the difference that a Blu-ray player can make in the movie watching experience. I am not an expert, just a regular mom that purchased the blu-ray player for family viewing.
I have had this player for about a month now...After updating the firmware, it has been flawless. Amazing picture, quiet unit, looks great in the entertainment rack along with my HD DVD player.
The upconversion is wonderful! Best part is I can use optical and take advantage of the new audio codecs.
I give this player 5 stars!
Not a single problem. I even have it in a tight spot with 2" clearance above top and open back with No overheating problems. None of my movies have locked up or have been unable to play. I have tried Live Free or Die Hard, all the Harry Potters, Planet Earth and others. Firmware 1.5 arrived on Jan 24th and it has seemed to fix all the problems others were having. I would definitely recommend this player to others.
I have a PS3 and a Sony 300 S Blu-ray player, and they are both excellent blu-ray players. However, I love my new Samsung 1400 BD it can decode DTS HD sound, and it makes for a wonderful movie watching experience. The first thing a new owner should do is go to samusung.com and download the latest firmware update (it is a fast simple process). There are also instructions on the owner's manual that explains how to update the player. I have watched the latest Blu-ray releases from Fox, Disney, Sony, etc. and the picture/sound quality is outstanding. Very pleased with the product.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Children Piano Teachers Don't Want
From a piano teacher's point of view, there are children who are easy to teach and those who present difficulties.
It's easy to teach a child who is calm, happy, diligent and serious.
It's hard to teach a child who is scattered, nervous, unhappy and uninterested.
Piano teachers, bless their hard-working souls, have ways of avoiding these unwanted students.
The first method is to simply wait until the child fails to master the teacher's method, and quits on their own. The teacher loses a little income, but also loses a headache.
Or, since the child is not doing well and knows it, (the teacher has made it clear they are not happy!) the student will start canceling lessons and then the teacher can let them go as a "financial liability." After all, the teacher has to fill time slots to survive.
I have the opposite tactic: I want these kids as students, these failures the other teachers call "quitters."
Why would I want the hardest of students, the ones who wiggle and giggle, the ones who have seemingly no aptitude whatsoever for the piano? I mean the same ones who cancel half their lessons out of apathy or fear or laziness or baseball or whatever.
Simple answer, I want the challenge. I'd prefer to feel the pride when I get a child like this to finally play, however simply, and with a sense of joy.
And most of all, I want to see the look on the child's face as they play something they would have sworn a year earlier that they could never play.
What I find mystifying is the piano teachers themselves.
Here they are in an industry where 90% of the clients are expected to fail, yet they never do anything about it. Why lose all those clients?
The reason, I'm sorry to say, is that some of the teachers are perhaps lazy and not a little bit impatient.
These teachers, either from inexperience or tiredness, know only how to turn students out of their "mill" with as little effort as possible, hence their "method." It's easy for a teacher to follow a standard text from page to page, especially if you've done it twenty thousand times.
If a student is unpromising and unable to toe the line of their "method," they are termed a "quitter" and a "failure" at the piano. These teachers make no allowance for personality, family situation, mood, age, gender, or any one of the ten thousand other things that affect why a kid can or cannot learn the piano at 3:30 today.
It is easier for these teachers to make kids follow a set curriculum, a diet of dry, unimaginative exercises that would chill the soul of even the most enthusiastic child. After all, they followed more or less the same path to the piano as a child, so why should this child not do exactly the same?
This beginning piano curriculum, worthy and valuable to the few people able to master and enjoy it, has not changed in almost 200 years.
Listen to yourselves: you're the same poeple who tell me, "I took piano when I was a kid but I hated it."
I'm not saying the standard piano curriculum will not teach you how to play. Obviously, to be a real pianist there are rules and you must learn them, if only to break them later.
I am saying the standard beginning piano curriculum will only succeed with a very few children, (that same 10%) and the other 90% are forgotten and denied a musical education at the piano.
Look at the statistics: the same 10% who "succeed" at piano lessons are the ones who have an aptitude for the teacher's method, not the piano itself.
If a child comes to me with "no aptitude" for the piano, I make them prove it. Then I find what little aptitude they have.
Every kid can do SOMETHING at the piano. I know because I've taught piano to remarkable, courageous kids with grievous, terrible disabilities, and if they can play piano and enjoy it, you can too.
Like a tiny campfire flame, I blow on that tiny spark of interest or aptitude until the fire burns as bright and hot as it can be.
I believe that every person, especially a child, has a musical spark inside, and that it is the obligation of the teacher to be creative enough to nurture that spark into a flame, regardless of the student's "aptitude" for any particular piano method.
This creativity takes, more than anything else, patience in measures not experienced by most normal humans.
The next time you hear about a child quitting the piano, start wondering if it was the teacher's fault.
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Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Fifty Wonderful Uses For Common Salt
Salt has always been considered one of the great food seasonings found however adding taste to our otherwise bland meals is not the only purpose this condiment can serve. There are other uses of which I have enclosed a list.
Salt is an excellent item to use when you wish to remove any offensive odors from your stove.
You can add a pinch of table salt to your hot cocoa to improve the flavor.
If you are trying to remove stains from your clothing you may wish to mix 1 part of salt to 4 parts of rubbing alcohol.
If you are being plaque with mildew then lemon juice mixed with some salt will do wonders.
You can readily prevent grass from growing between sidewalk bricks by simply sprinkling a little salt on the grassy spots.
Salt is great as a polish for your old kerosene lamps.
If your sink drainpipes have a nasty smell you can remove it with the addition of a strong, solution of hot water and salt.
In the event that you have a pie which bubbles over while cooking in the oven place a handful of salt upon the top of the spilled pie juice. The spilt juice will not smell and it will bake shortly into a dry crust which you can easily wipe off when your oven has cooled.
If you have apples which have become wrinkled you can soak them in a mild salted water solution. They will perk up in no time at all.
If you rub some salt on your pancake cast iron griddle, your pancakes will not stick.
If you soak your new toothbrushes in a salt water solution they will last much longer.
Salt will clean discolored coffee pots.
You can mix some salt in with turpentine in order to whiten your bathtub or toilet bowl.
If you soak nuts in salt brine overnight, they will crack from their shell whole. Merely tap the ends of the shells with a hammer in order to break them open.
If you boil new clothespins for a short time in salt water prior to use they will last much longer.
You can clean your brass; pewter and copper with homemade paste of vinegar and salt which has been thicken with a little flour.
If you add a pinch of salt to your vase water then cut flowers will have a longer life.
If you pour a small mound of salt upon an ink spot that occurred on your carpet the salt will soak up most stains.
In order to clean your iron you can rub some salt on it with a damp cloth.
In order to make double broiler foods cook faster you can add a little salt to its water.
A mixture of lemon juice and salt can be used to clean your piano keys.
You can easily fill plaster holes made in your wall by using equal parts of starch and salt with only enough water to form putty.
If you have a sore eye you can use a salt water rinse.
Slightly salted warm water will make a very effective mouthwash. If you have a sore throat, make the water slightly on the hot side and use as a throat gargle.
You can make a good tooth polish by sprinkling some dry salt on your tooth brush.
Salt is an excellent product to use for killing any weeds in your yard.
You can eliminate any excess suds by sprinkling a little salt in the water.
You can add a dash of salt to your warm milk and it will make a more relaxing type beverage.
Before you use new glasses you should soak them in some warm salty
water for a short period of time.
A pinch of salt will enhance the flavor of tea.
Salt will readily improve the taste of cooked apples.
If you soak your clothes in salt water solution when washing they will not stick to your clothes line in freezing weather. In addition you can use salt in your final rinse to prevent them from freezing.
If you rub salt on your wicker furniture it will prevent the furniture from yellowing.
Your sponges can be freshened up by soaking in salt water.
Add a few raw potatoes to soups and stews which are too salty.
burnt on stains can be readily removed by soak the enamel pans in salt water overnight while you boil salt water in the pan the following day to remove burned-on stains.
Dirt will come off your greens easier if you clean them in salt water.
To set your gelatins faster use a dash of salt in it.
You can prevent discoloring of your fruit by placing them in some mild salt water.
Your milk will stay fresher longer if you add a little salt to it.
You can use equal amounts of soda and salt to brush your teeth.
Clean your greasy pots and pans with some salt on a paper towel.
When cooking eggs add some salt to the water to make it cook faster.
A pinch of salt added to whipping cream will make it whip quicker.
A dash of salt will improve your brewed coffees taste.
Sprinkle some salt on your shelves to keep ants away.
If you soak fresh fish in some salt water they will de-scale much easier.
You can test the freshness of your eggs in salt water. If they are fresh they will sink while bad ones will float.
If you have a cracked egg it will remain in its shell if you add a little salt to your boiling water.
If you add a pinch of salt to your egg whites you will find they whip up much faster.
I have only scratched the surface on the many hundreds of uses for salt. If you wish to find more a quick search of the internet will quickly show it.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
How To Choose The Best Keyboard For You
In this material we shall discuss how to choose the best keyboard for you. I get lots of emails from visitors to my web site asking what keyboard they should choose. They often want to know whether they should choose one particular keyboard over another. Well choosing the best keyboard for you does not have to be difficult at all. As long as you know and understand the features that you really need, it's a simple matter of buying a keyboard that comes with these features. And there's no need to pay extra for features that you will never have use for.
Here's a checklist for choosing the best keyboard for you. Understand what these features are all about and you can choose your keyboard according to them. These features are as follows:
Number of keys - 32, 49, 61, 76, 88Keyboard touch response
Display - color, score, lyrics, 640x480 dot matrix
Recording capability - 16-track recording capability
Yamaha Education Suite
GM, XF, XG, or XG Lite compatibility
Standard features such as metronome, tuning, and transpose
Polyphony - 16 or less, 32-64, 96-128, or more than 128
Vocal harmony
Guide lamp
Internet connectivity
Professional piano players, serious pianists and piano students should buy 88 key keyboards. But if portability is an issue, the best keyboard for you would probably be a 61 or 76 key keyboard. If you're looking to save money, a keyboard with less keys may be your best bet.
Personally I think touch response is very important. In fact, I wouldn't buy a keyboard that didn't come with this feature. With touch response, your keyboard will feel and sound like an acoustic piano. The more pressure you apply the louder your keyboard will sound, and the less pressure, the softer. Some keyboards take touch sensitivity one step further with a feature called Graded Hammer Effect where the keys are heavier in the bass and lighter in the higher registers of the keyboard just like an acoustic piano.
Knowing what kind of display you really want makes it easy to choose the right keyboard for you. It's really about personal preferences. You have various choices when it comes to a display. These include color display, backlit display, one that displays lyrics and score, or even a 640x480 dot matrix display. Or how about a keyboard that comes with a touch screen?
Do you need a keyboard that comes with recording capability or not? There are many options available from simple 2 track sequencers to 16 track sequencers. The more tracks the better. These are great for practice as well as professional arrangements and compositions.
Yamaha keyboards come with a feature called Yamaha Education Suite that is very good for students. If you're buying a keyboard for a child or student, you may want to buy one with this feature. It actually teaches one how to play the keyboard with its various keyboard lessons.
Polyphony is another important feature. Polyphony has to do with the number of notes that can play together simultaneously. If your playing is such that you're only using one or two voices at a time you can get away with low polyphony. But if you're doing complex sequences it becomes an issue, and the more polyphony the better. Polyphony choices include 16 or less, 32 to 64, 98-128, and 128 and over.
If you're a student you will find Yamaha's guide lamp very useful. With this feature the keys light up as you play, indicating where you should place your fingers.
Understanding what terms like GM, XF, XG, and XG Lite stand for will make it easier to choose the best keyboard for you. Other standard features include metronome, tuning and transpose.
If want to harness the power of the Internet your best keyboard should be one that connects directly to the Internet. Some Yamaha keyboards come with a feature called Internet Direct Connect (IDC) that allows you to do just that.
Whether you're a beginner, professional, teacher, gift giver, religious, or simply want a piano replacement, choosing the right keyboard for you shouldn't be difficult at all. As long as you know what to look for the rest comes easy.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
CARUSO - NÉSTOR GURRY.
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Monday, March 15, 2010
Using Less to Create the Feel of More
My seven year old daughter's recent haircut had me thinking, once again, about the age-old "less is more" topic. With the waist-length hair cut to an above-the-shoulders bob, suddenly my little one looked so much bigger (and more grown up, too). All that hair was visually dwarfing her simply because of the ratio of hair length to body height.
With hairstyles being quite a deviation from my field of expertise, I was intrigued by the similar effects of cutting back hair to cutting back on the items within a space. "Cutting back" in a room can mean many things:
» Using smaller scale furnishings to open up the space;
» De-cluttering / removing excess items that create a "busy" feel in the room;
» Using fewer by pieces of furniture by selecting pieces that are multi-purpose, such as an upholstered ottoman that doubles as an occasional table.
Proportion, or scale, is one of the most important elements in good design -- interior design, graphic design, and obviously hair "design" too. Something quite big just doesn't work as well when it's background is relatively small, unless of course the big item is meant to be the only focal point, as could be the case with a piano or pool table in a home setting.
Although I do like the look of minimalism, I have never accepted it as an achievable style for my own home, or for that of any average family. Most of us are comforted by having some personal belongings visible around us, whether they be books, photos, crafts/hobbies, displays of collectibles, or just a special something that has sentimental value. "Cutting back" too much equates with shaving your head, I suppose. Both are extreme. There is a way to find a happy medium.
In under a day, you can revamp your home in such a way that it is no longer being dwarfed by its contents. Here are some simple (and cost efficient) tips to open up your rooms to showcase the space as well as your belongings:
> Busy prints or patterns, especially on large furniture pieces (such as sofas), tend to make the pieces appear even larger. Cover it with a solid-colour or subtle tone-on-tone print, leaving small areas of the original print exposed.
> Reframe photos in matching frames, or use the frames that accommodate multiple pictures.
> Display collectibles in shadow boxes or on appropriate shelves or in display cases that can be hung on the wall.
> Determine if any of your furnishings can be used as multi-purpose pieces, and do some rearranging if needed. For instance, an old-fashioned desk can be used as a console table, while providing you with an instant place to handle mail and even bill paying.
> Look for hidden storage space. First clear out what you don't need, and make proper use of the storage space you do have; then look for "hidden" storage areas. Storage solutions can be created underneath stairs, above the washer & dryer, wherever you have wasted space in your home... Depending on your heating system, you may have bulkheads concealing ducting; often some bulkheads are put up just to make the needed ones look balanced. Empty, or fake, bulkheads can easily be transformed into storage space. Don't leave an inch of space un-thought of if you really are short of room to keep your family's stuff.
> Strategically hang mirrors to reflect windows and doors. Although this doesn't affect your layout, it creates a sense of more area. On the other hand never hang a mirror at the end of a long corridor or hall as the "long and narrow" will be emphasized, giving a bowling alley feel.
> Use contrast to define space. Make sure there is a contrast between your wall colour & doors and window frames. Have a stronger contrast between your walls and your small furnishings than between your walls and your larger pieces whenever possible.
> Emphasize open floor space with a simple rug that fits within that open space, leaving a border of visible floor exposed.
> Establish a furniture layout that has your largest (highest) pieces of non-focal-point furniture furthest from the entry to the room. For example, a tall dresser opposite a bedroom door will accentuate the size of the dresser, while a small piece of furniture in that same location will accentuate the space your room has to offer.
A trip to your local library or bookstore can provide you with even more inspiration for you home.
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Saturday, March 13, 2010
Piano Lessons for Kids - Piano Tips for Young Students That Really Work
Learning strategies are important for piano students. Having developed great learning strategies over years of teaching experience is what makes good teachers. Young piano students, however, need a bit of guidance to practice their music at home using effective strategies to develop good playing habits. Without this they may not acquire the basic knowledge and skills necessary to move forward. Plus, there is no point in having your child spend 30 minutes practicing incorrectly without learning their pieces when the material can be mastered in 10 minutes with good practice habits.
Imagine little Susie or Johnny at the piano delighted to be learning to play, but having so much trouble mastering their first lessons at home. They're not getting the guidance they need because their parents who may not play the piano assume they can't help and that the weekly piano lesson is all the guidance their young student needs. These assumptions are not true. It's easy to help your young student at home even if you don't play the piano. Here are 5 tips for parents to help their young children use effective learning strategies at home and develop good paying habits.
Remind your child practicing piano at home to:
1. Sing the note names as they are played. Pre-reading music has the names of the notes written on the note heads. Students need to say the names of then notes as they are played so they learn to visualize what keys are under their fingers in beginning hand positions C and Middle C. Without this simple knowledge, students will not b able to go on to learning to read notes on the staff.
2. Keep eyes on the music, not the hands. Once students have their hand position, they need to keep their eyes on the music and not look down at their hands. This way they are developing a keyboard in their imaginations. This is also necessary for reading notes on the staff, which is just a map of the piano keyboard.
3. Sit back on the piano bench and reach out to the piano. Students will not be able to use their small muscles in the fingers unless they are reaching out to the piano with their arms extended and elbows slightly bent with elbows pointing to the walls and not the floor.
4. Round the hands over the keyboard. The fingers need to stretch down to the piano keys from the top knuckle and then retract back to a rounded hand position. This allows for finger flexibility and control.
5. Play each song 5 to 7 times a day. It doesn't take long for a young student to practice their beginning lessons. But each song needs to be played about 7 times using good playing strategies. For the average student whose teacher has assigned them two songs, this will take about 5 minutes a song. That's a ten minute practice session. And that's really all beginning students need to do to learn their lessons. But without these strategies they could sit at the piano for hours and never learn what they need to know.
Guide your young piano student at home with these 5 practice easy to use practice tips and no one will ever know that their parents don't play the piano!
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Friday, March 12, 2010
Piano Speed Limit For Kid's Piano Teachers
Every child has their own internal speed limit for the piano. This is the pace at which they can comfortably learn the piano.
It is different for each child. Because one child learns Beethoven's Fur Elise in five minutes doesn't mean any other child will be able to do so as quickly.
A wise piano teacher is always testing their students, not for scales and abilities but for mood. It's more important to make the child comfortable than to rush into new ideas.
A child who is happy and comfortable at the piano is far more likely to eventually accomplish what the piano teacher wants. The trick is for the teacher to be patient and move slowly enough that the child does not feel overwhelmed.
Since the main object of piano lessons is usually to make the child read music, it is important for the teacher to have a strategy for achieving that.
Thus, in between reading music, a piano teacher should play fun piano games when the child becomes fatigued with reading music. In my experience, younger children get tired of reading music in about five minutes. If you exceed this limit, you will have a sluggish student, for the mental exertions required to read music deplete kids of their energy quite quickly.
Keep using this bait and switch scenario. Start with a little work, when it becomes drudgery, as evidenced by the child's mood, immediately switch to a light-hearted musical game.
When this game is finished, move back instantly to the problem that was exhausting them, and let them have another try. They will be refreshed and will make a little progress.
Don't forget: the speed limit for hard work at the piano is five minutes.
Exceed it and you will have an exhausted child.
Obey it and you will be able to string those five minute periods into a musical education.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Valentin Gheorghiu plays Beethoven Choral Fantasy (I)
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Find Baby Grand Pianos For Sale Online
Pianos are one of the most beautiful instruments anyone can play alone or with. Ala date from the early 18th century, and since then have only grown in popularity. Besides the great sound that emanates from them, but they are also great show pieces for your collection or room in the house. I always wanted a traditional instrument like the violin or piano, but I chose to play something of jazz, a soprano saxophone, which I played day in and out almost 4 years. Wings areas baby-grand piano. Ali is one of the greatest tools and go to the size of a large concert grand piano in the living room big big boy.
A Baby Grand is usually shorter than it is wide and has strings that are shorter and thicker and stiffer than other grands. This allows the baby grand sound more harmonious than others. Many people buy baby grand piano, instead of grands normal for three reasons. One of the noises, two, because they are smaller, and threebecause they are cheaper! Some of the best known brands of baby wings are Breitenbach, Stuyvesant, Bergmann, and Baldwin. These types of pianos from $ 1000 to $ 8000, but it's worth at the end!
If your looking around the Internet for a big boy, you're in luck! Many sites offer buyers online, as you can buy, rent or bid on these types of pianos. A few good places you could look if your searching for pianos in general orAla Baby's:
- EBay
- Amazon
- ThePianoSuperstore
- SweeneyPiano
- MyModernPiano
- Google Checkout
Incidentally, you can also find piano shop both online and offline, the nearest to your home, which means less shipping and handling, or better yet the company to pay directly involved in the delivery to your door without a service pack.
These pianos not only in different brands and prices, but also different "age" and the others areThe types of forests. In the woods, see also vary from the original black, oak, mahogany, polished mahogany and polished, and white, but there are many other types of forests depends on what you're looking for. And as already mentioned, there are also several antique pianos you can buy. These are usually more expensive than a new piano, but if it could be a collector of this kind have something you are!
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Which Piano Brands Are Best For Beginners?
Figuring out the best possible brand of piano to purchase for a player that is just beginning can be a pretty difficult task depending on the particular situation. No one can come right out and tell you what piano to buy, it's a decision that you must work your way to with a good bit of research.
There are a number of questions that you should ask yourself before jumping into a purchase that may be as major as buying a piano.
Has the beginner ever played before?
If the beginner that you are considering buying a piano for has never so much as played the instrument before and there is no one else residing in the house that will play, some serious thought should be put into the decision. In fact, if this is a situation that you are currently facing, it might be advisable, if possible, for the beginner to take a few lessons at a studio or to purchase a less expensive, electronic keyboard to begin with to be sure that the beginner will hold some interest in the endeavor after the initial novelty begins to wear off.
The last thing you want to do is go out and spend more that twenty thousand dollars on a very large instrument that will take up quite a bit of space in your home only to find that there is no real deep interest there. A keyboard is a good, inexpensive and portable learning tool that will help you gage if there is a real interest there, and it will still be of use later down the road after a full size piano is procured.
What fits my situation?
If you are sure that purchasing a piano is the right decision, then you've got some serious studying to do.
In all reality, the best brand of piano for your beginner is going to be the one that fits your particular situation, in terms of price, size and sound quality.
There are plenty of excellent manufacturers of pianos available in every imaginable style and price range: Steinway, Wurlitzer, Kawai and Yamaha each have different musical quality and each manufacturer comes with a potentially very different price tag (Steinway produces pianos that are well in excess of six figures, where as Yamaha produces a quality instrument for under twenty thousand dollars.) Each brand will have a style, sound and price that will appeal to different types of players.
Pianos come in two different "body types", uprights and grand pianos. Grand pianos normally produce a better sound quality, but uprights are often far less expensive and easier to fit into your home.
You'll want to visit plenty of show rooms, do a lot of testing out different brands and talking to a good deal of sales people, teachers and technicians in order to narrow down the possibilities and begin to select the piano that may be right for you. You want a brand that has good merit, a solid reputation and that offers a good warranty.
Once you've got a manufacturer in mind that you feel comfortable with, it's time to pick the most appropriate model for your situation - if at all possible, try not to buy the manufacturer's least expensive model. It's no secret that the cheapest model in terms of cost is probably the manufacturer's model that is also of the lowest quality, a few hundred to one thousand dollars price difference could mean a world in the difference of quality of the instrument.
Don't despair that you can't afford the world's greatest piano right from the beginning, many reputable manufacturers have a "trade up" option that will allow you to upgrade to a better model when you feel that you may have outgrown your current piano
When it comes to buying a piano, as with making any other major purchase you want to be armed with information -ask a lot of questions and buy what you can afford. Pick a manufacturer that has a trade up option so you'll always be able to have the best possible piano for your situation.
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Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Stand by Me Piano Tutorial at Tempo
Friday, March 5, 2010
Piano Lessons For Beginners - A New Approach
If you're interested in learning how to play the piano and you're a beginner listen up. What I'm about to share with you will have you playing the piano in no time at all.
First off, forget about note reading. Forget about sheet music and trying to play Bach or Beethoven. While all of these have their place in piano lessons for beginners, it's not what I'm going to teach you. I promised you a new approach and that's exactly what this article will deliver.
Take a look at my free piano lesson "Reflections in Water," (available by clicking below.) The first thing you probably will notice is the title followed by what this lesson will teach you to do - namely using open position chords in the Key of C major to create a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
Notice anything here? This piano lesson actually looks like an art lesson doesn't it! It's completely different as it takes you step by step through the process of actually creating your own music.
After you notice the title and the description of the lesson, you may also notice a small paragraph of text to the left that reads "materials used." Again, like an art lesson, you see exactly what you'll be using to create with. At the beginning of most art lessons, the author introduces you to the materials and techniques you'll be using to complete a finished painting. That's exactly what I do with piano instruction.
And my students love it. It gets them playing piano almost right away. Plus, it allows them to create music with modern sounding chords instead of the usual boring triads.
Note reading is not required for this approach. Just a little knowledge of chords. For the lesson "Reflections in Water," you'll see 4 chords and the keyboard diagrams they are laid out on. Once you get the feel for the open position chord, you'll love it and want to play the piano with enthusiasm. Why? Because it's fun! And it's easy.
And if that wasn't enough to get you motivated, there are also audio samples that let you hear how another pianist plays it.
Piano lessons for beginners do not have to be the same old boring thing most of us have come to know. They can actually be fun AND creative!
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
La Traviata (Giuseppe Verdi)
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Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Deep Piano - How To Go Beyond Surface Playing
All of us have our "special" times at the piano. You know what I'm talking about. Those times where every note sounds like it was meant to be and everything comes together. Body, mind, and spirit are aligned and the music that flows out of us seems to come from a limitless source.
Then there are times when nothing comes. These periods are frustrating yet essential to our growth. We may not like them, but unless we go down in the valley so to speak, we will never see the next peak on the horizon.
I've found that it's best not to try and bypass this back and forth scenario. Some students get so frustrated that they try and force the music. This is a mistake and will only lead to further frustration.
The key to getting "back in flow" is to listen. Listening is essential for without it, we will only be playing on the surface. But if we tune in to what's going on inside of us - or more accurately, if we just let go and let the music itself speak through us, we're following our intuition and going with the flow rather than against it.
As you might have surmised, this is similar to meditation. Not the mantra chanting kind of meditation but the kind where you just sit and allow thoughts to come and go ... watching them go by as an impartial observer. Soon, thoughts slow down and we are left contemplating nothing. From this place can come your deepest piano playing.
To get to this place, it's a good idea to not have a goal when sitting down at the piano. You simply allow yourself to be and explore using the materials of music - chords, notes, etc.
Perhaps the Key of G Major calls to you. Then that is what you must play. Your intuition will never fail you and will reward you with some of the "best" music possible. But you must release your grasp on what you want and allow for the unexpected to develop.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Piano Lessons Online Guide
The selection of the best Piano Course
Before buying online piano lessons, you must provide the method to know what all. Below you will find reviews of the best piano lesson courses online. Studying the piano should be fun and rewarding experience, so choose the most appropriate for your needs, we motivate and give better results.
Rocket Piano
This extremely popular program offers a simple and easyfor the format to follow, and a comprehensive knowledge at your fingertips! Rocket Piano is in 3 levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced students organized. Piano lessons supported by video and audio files. The free software included in the package will help you, the music and you may be able to enjoy it.
You can find more effective ways to practice so that the new master material quickly, without developing bad habits. Learning to play the pianosmoothly and without errors, while the learning curve cutting half! It includes knowledge of fingering techniques, how to get by ear, arpeggios, including how to play gospel, jazz and much more.
Disadvantages: Some lessons have audio recording, but still have a video or an animated keyboard. Nor is it to follow a system or function for your progress. However, Rocket Piano is one of the best courses in piano market. This method is suitable for teenagers andAdults.
Piano Wizard
This award-winning program takes all your child has some degree of hand-eye coordination and the ability to distinguish colors. Piano Wizard is ideal for children (4-13), but also adults who enjoy learning. This package comes with a detachable keyboard color-coded stickers to easily adjust your baby, your music keyboard, compatible with the color code in the software screen to help him / her to learn to playSongs in minutes.
'll See how this system becomes tedious and repetitive practice sessions into an exciting and rewarding game. After your child plays his favorite song appears on the screen, a result that is a big motivation to play the song over and over again. There are thousands of songs are available to Bach, the Beatles, and tastes of children.
Disadvantages: the effect of the buttons rather stiff and lack of considered response. Softwarenot provide a structured method of instruction or ideas on how to improve it. However, Piano Wizard is an effective and fun.
Learn & Master Plan
This program makes the experience of learning piano very pleasant. You can learn at their own pace and learn a lot of fun choosing your favorite genre of music, like rock, Latin, classical and ragtime, and etc. Master Plan consists of 14 DVDs, 5 play-along CDs and a 100-sided brochure information. TheCD accompanied the group, and you have the ability to stop, leaving the plan so that you can play with the band.
Legacy of learning are the creators of this system, and offer an excellent 24 / 7 support platform and network, in which your progress can be monitored. Have access to an online forum and additional material, including songs, music tips and tricks. And back with a 60 days no questions asked money back guarantee.
Disadvantages: There is a downloadable version ofThis tutorial, only a press exercise. Learn & Master Piano is more expensive, but an excellent and comprehensive if you really paid what you are.
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