Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Chorale Gospel Arc en Ciel - Clip de présentation
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Valentin Gheorghiu plays Beethoven Choral Fantasy (II)
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Monday, June 28, 2010
The Eastern Gate (Worship Video w/ Lyrics) HD
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Sunday, June 27, 2010
Jean Beaudet's Victoire de la Paix
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Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Piano Lessons Outside the Box: A New Approach to Learning Piano
Usually, piano lessons consist of a teacher assigning a method book to students in an attempt to teach them how to play the music of the "masters."
The hopeful student learns to read music (in a year or two) and begins to play his first pieces.
For most, this is satisfactory. All they really want to to do is play classical music and entertain themselves and others. Nothing wrong with it at all.
But what if there was a way to play the piano that allowed you to express yourself creatively - just like painters do? There is a way. And it all has to do with a chord-based approach!
You see, chords are to the pianist as what colors are to the visual artist. The artist uses color, form, and technique to create with. The improvising and composing musician uses melody, rhythm, and harmony to create music with.
Yet the sad truth of the matter is music students rarely learn this art. If they do, it's after they've mastered note reading and piano technique. The truly creative stuff doesn't appear until well after in most cases.
Now, I don't know why this is. But one thing is for sure... it doesn't have to be that way!
For example, by using a few chords and a way to play these chords, you can create your own music. Be it improvised or composed. Take my free lesson "Reflections in Water" for example.
Here we have 4 chords in the Key of C Major. The chords are modern sounding seventh chords and are all played in open position. By using the materials of music (chords) we can quickly begin creating music - much like visual artists do.
You don't have to be Beethoven or Mozart to do this. On the contrary, the less you know, the better you will be able to improvise because you haven't learned what you "should" be doing.
I believe piano lessons can be taught much like an art lesson. You first have the title of the piece you'll be creating. You then use a step by step method that shows you how the piece was made. I've been using this method to teach with for years now and my students love it.
In short, don't think going the classical route is the only way. It's not. If you want to create your own unique music, you can!
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Thursday, June 24, 2010
Memorize Piano Facts and Put Knowledge at Your Fingertips!
What is holding you back from reaching your musical dreams? Most often what is holding us back from achieving our goals is the very thing we are avoiding for one reason or another. This is certainly true with learning to play the piano. Memorizing music facts for example is a great way to keep important piano knowledge at your fingertips!
If your dream is to learn to play the piano well, don't avoid acquiring the knowledge you need to play with ease, accomplish more, and understand the music you're trying to play. Yes it's true that memorization takes time and concentrated effort. That's why piano students tend to avoid it. But if this is you, don't worry. It's just a habit that can be changed. My advice for you: Just Do It Today!
Focus on your goals by committing to spend time memorizing music facts with a specific plan for covering your material. This could be things like note names, scales, chords, key signatures, Circle of 3rds, Circle of 5ths, and memorizing pieces of music.
Here's a simple 7-step plan to help you get started by writing down your goals.
Step 1 - What music facts do you want to memorize this year?
Step 2 - What music facts do you want to memorize this month?
Step 3 - What music facts do you want to memorize this week.
Step 4 - What music facts do you want to memorize today.
Step 5 - Do it!
Step 6 - Keep doing it!
Step 7 - Every month celebrate your progress by doing something special for yourself, such as buying a new piano CD, music book, or tickets to a concert.
Follow this straight-forward plan and I guarantee that every day you'll have more music knowledge at your fingertips then you had the day before, and be empowered with a valuable tool for achieving your musical dreams. By the end of the year you'll wonder why you didn't "Just Do It" sooner!
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010
How to Cast Bronze and Other Metals with Plastic Molds
Your first thought when you see this is that the plastic mold would melt or catch fire! You are right! The way it is done is as follows...
This is going to be a story about a foundry that cast propellers for boats. That is where I learned how plastic molds are used to cast metal.
I once rented space in a foundry that cast props. It was a dark and dusty place. Also very hot some days! Like when the furnace was heating metal. It was a little noisy then to. There are big fans running to feed air into the furnace.
Here is how they would use the plastic molds.
First they would cast in plaster, using the plastic mold. Next the plaster casting would be used to make a new mold using sand. This mold is called a "pattern" and will be used to make the sand mold for the metal to be poured into. This is done in a Sand box!! I bet you had already guessed that? The plaster pattern is placed in the box and sand is packed around it. This is special sand that cannot be reused. It is mixed in a big machine with waterglass just before it is to be used. This is packed into place and CO2 it blown over it to harden it.
Once this is ready the metal is heated in the furnace and then poured into the mold. It is allowed to cool 12 hrs or so (this depends on the size of the casting - bigger equals longer). Once it has cooled the sand is broken away and discarded. The casting is cooled for another 12 or so hours and then ground and polished.
Copyright © 2005 Delmar Germyn. All rights reserved.
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Monday, June 21, 2010
Digital Piano Keyboards
Digital Piano Keyboards are usually small in size compared to the acoustic piano. Usually they have keys from 20 to 88 keys and 4-5 octaves to 8-9 octaves. Most people prefer to buy this as they are portable and they have different variations or can say modifications of sounds.
The keys are smaller compared to the acoustic piano which makes the handling of the keys easier. This insturment also occupies minimal space compared to the acoustic Piano and they also come in different sizes suitable for any individual person. Compared to the acoustic Piano the Digital Piano is cheap and it enables one to use a USB connection to connect to a computer and sometimes even the MIDI format to connect to the computer.
In a Digital Keyboard one has to see to certain things which are a necessity as it is costly. We should check the instrument thoroughly before paying for it. Things like the speaker, chords, sound control, external chords, the volume control, head phones. Should also check the functions of each keys as some keys may not function properly, so make sure you play and see all the keys and the necessary buttons. Some cheap quality Pianos tend to have lack of certain off notes, they might have even the tempo problem so see to that what you buy is worth the money you pay. There is no harm in paying some more for the best quality and a long lasted.
There are many manufactures in the market, namely Casio, Yamaha, Roland, Korg, Kawai, Suzuki, Ketron, Kurzweil, Gem, etc. The Casio is the first and economical, and the Roland Company is the best among the Digital Piano Keyboards. Yamaha is said to be the most popular. Korg is said to be on the higher end and are cheaper but do not have the quality of Yamaha or Roland. Kawai Keybaords are light weighted and has a fabulous sound effect. Gem Keyboards are very visibly good but they lack the quality and sound performance. Ketron Keyboards are much more costly but they are good. Suzuki does not have good quality. Kurzweil also has a good sound effect.
The has six advantages compared to the acoustic piano, which are, the Digital Piano keyboard is affordable by many as the acoustic is very costly, the Piano keyboard is portable, it has various sound varieties like we can play the harmonica, guitar, drums, strings, vibraphones, bass, etc. The Digital Piano Keyboard has MIDI or USB facility to connect to the computer. There is no disturbance for the neighbors as one can use the headphones and listen to their play and finally and most importantly the Digital Piano keyboard does not need tuning of the keys as it is digital there is no chance of the tune setting changing but the acoustic piano need tuning to be done once in every two years.
Finally, the difference between the Digital Piano and the acoustic piano is that the acoustic Piano has hammers and strings to play. When the keys are pressed the hammer hits the strings to play the sound which delays the sound timings but in a Digital Piano Keyboard has sensor which is digital and the sounds are transmitted using an amplifier and speakers, and you can control the volume level from low to high.
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
Teach Piano - How to Be a Better Piano Teacher
When you teach piano, you are using your own talent to spread the beauty of music to others, which is a wonderful thing. Here are some tips to help you to learn how to teach piano to students.
The very foundation of how to teach piano is in understanding that every student will be different, and each person will learn at their own pace. It's easy to get into a routine when you are teaching music and to forget that not everyone will learn through the same routine or at the same pace, but it's best to avoid this approach and tailor your lessons to each individual's learning abilities.
To begin to teach piano there are some essential tools of the trade you will have to have on hand.
A whiteboard can help you to teach through activities, and will aid your students in learning notes, rhythm, etc. You will also want to have some rhythm sticks, which you can use to help your students learn rhythm. Along with these tools, you will want some good music lesson books, preferably those that contain a variety of ability levels so that you can match each student with lessons for their level.
If a student has no previous experience in playing the piano, you will want to start to teach piano to them by having them learn and practice some basic chords. Along with the chords, in the beginning your student will also have to learn about hand position, piano keys, as well as notes and scales. When you teach piano a general lesson guideline to follow may include:
o A warm up period: At the beginning of each lesson, the student should warm up before going over what they learned during the previous lesson.
o Evaluate the student's progress: As the student is warming up and playing what they were taught during their previous lesson, you can evaluate their progress and decide if they are ready to move on to the next lesson.
o Introducing a new lesson: If the new lesson is especially difficult, you may find it helpful to teach piano lessons in blocks. Show your student how to play in separate blocks, learning each one before moving on to the next.
o Whiteboard lessons: After practicing lessons at the piano, spend some time with your student using the whiteboard. You can go through a variety of activities that can aid them in understanding rhythm and notes. During your whiteboard lessons you can teach your student rhythm, note naming, notes and values.
When you teach piano at the end of each lesson, always ensure that your student leaves feeling as if they have achieved some measure of success.
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Friday, June 18, 2010
Luciano Pavarotti - Caruso
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
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Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Dressing Up a Fireplace With Tapestries
Not so long ago the fireplace was the focal point of a room, not only providing much needed warmth but also adding warm with its majestic stone or brick masonry. In many older homes, the fireplace is still grand. But in many newer homes, the fireplace is a little less ornate, in keeping with the principles of modern home design.
Whether you have a grand fireplace that looks as it was transported across the sea from a regal castle in England or a more modern one that uses gas instead of wood as a fuel, you can still capture the old world charm of the fireplace by adding a few design elements.
Of course, a fireplace really begs for a tapestry. The stunning art combined with the intricate weave creates an even bigger focal point for the room. The tapestry naturally draws the eye to the area and then down to the fireplace itself.
Properly conceived and executed, adding a tapestry can add a major element of art to the room, add a touch of drama and help showcase a part of your home that often doesn't get the attention it deserves, unless there's a roaring fire in the hearth.
When selecting the perfect tapestry, you want to keep several things in mind.
1. Choose a tapestry you like.
This is really the easy part. Since the tapestry is in an area of the room where you will see it every day, you want to find a tapestry you can live with. Thankfully, there's an endless selection, from landscapes and still lifes to historical, religious and classic works. If you like more modern works, there are tapestries featuring the work of many contemporary artists as well as the masters.
2. Find a work that fits the space.
Once you find several tapestries you like or an overarching theme that reflects your personal tastes, it's time to find a tapestry that will fit the fireplace you have. Obviously, a fireplace with a wide mantle can have an equally wide tapestry to match. If you have a soaring fireplace, you can go vertical with it and let it cascade down the front. Nothing is more magnificent than a fine tapestry being displayed as they were used throughout history.
3. Consider the scale.
Compared to finding something you like and its basic dimensions, scale is a little more difficult to determine. You don't want it to overwhelm the space. In other words, even if you have a massive fireplace you may not want to get an equally massive tapestry. You want a piece that complements the room, commands attention, but doesn't become too much. You don't want it to suck the life out of the room.
If you haven't had the chance to review all your options, it's a good idea to begin your journey online. There are some great sites where you can look at literally hundreds of tapestries and visualize how they will look in your home before you ever have to make a purchasing decision.
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Monday, June 14, 2010
Cutting Ceramic Tiles
Cutting ceramic tiles is a very critical activity and basic steps need to be followed to cut them correctly. Various types of tools and safety devices are available for this purpose. Always use a tile cutter to score the surface along the cut line. Cuts are usually along a perimeter, in a corner or around an electrical outlet.
Most saws will accommodate tiles up to 12 inches (30 cm) in size. It's always advisable to wear safety glasses when cutting tiles. Since you are grinding the tile apart, ensure that the water have sufficient time to cool everything. The cutting procedure involves snapping on the line. Where the off cut is narrow, the snapping process will be very difficult. In this case, use a pair of pliers to gradually nibble away the off cut working slowly towards the scored line. Straight ceramic tile cutters are designed to score fired clay ceramic tiles that have a thin porcelain coating on their surface (glaze). Stone, fully vitrified porcelain tiles and some types of unglazed clay tiles may not cut properly with this type of cutter. Cutting a radius or a U-shape in ceramic tiles without breakage can be a tricky business, hence use a wet saw and nippers. A wet tile saw leaves a clean, smooth edge. A tile setter needs to trim tiles at the installation site to fit the edges of a room. The saw combines a circular blade with a water pump and hose to constantly drench the cutting area with water to reduce friction and cool the surface.
However, ceramic tile is not cut well with sharp blades. The wet-tile saw doesn't overheat and uses a relatively dull blade with no serrations. It grinds a channel through the tile. A blunt, wide, non-serrated blade uses sharp sand crystals or diamond to cut instead of sharpened metal. The circular blade is fitted with a plastic hose that splashes the blade and tile surface with a steady stream of cool water.
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Sunday, June 13, 2010
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Saturday, June 12, 2010
Decorative Mirrors As Good Alternative For Decor
There are many things that can be put in a house to make the needed effect of its owner. Although you can always try to use the paintings or hang pictures on your wall, the use of decorative mirrors is a good alternative. There are many things that can be done through this kind of décor and you will get more than the aesthetics that you need.
One of the known benefits of having decorative mirrors in a home is the illusion of having more space. This explains why there are many individuals who put mirrors in their hallways. This creates the illusion that the space in the hallway is wider and even spacious even if it is actually narrow. The mirror has this kind of effect in the room or hallway. You can make a room larger, longer or add space if you can put the mirror in the proper places for this. Added to this, you can put the style of the mirror that you like so that it does not only give you more space but also creates an effect of elegance or appeal to your room.
Moreover, decorative mirrors can also make a room look better through adding light. You can place it in the walls or in your ceiling and still create the appeal that you prefer. Also, you can check on the different ways that you can do so that the light will be reflected in the effect that you want.
Decorative mirrors are also able to reflect the things that you want. This creates the appeal that you like and reflect the things that you want to emphasize. You should be careful in doing this since there are times that even if there is a mirror; the things in a room are not reflected properly. You have to make sure that you position your fixtures in a way that the reflection is right. There are certain spots that must be used so that you can get the effect that you are searching for.
There are many things for you to enjoy your Decorative Mirrors. The positioning would be important so that it can function in the right way that you want. You can also enjoy decorating the mirrors and finding the right kind of mirror that will suit your room. The design is important since you will have to make it blend with the rest of the room. Also, there are many types of mirrors so you should check on these options. The sizes are important and the irregular shaped mirrors can also have the unique appeal that you prefer. Since you have options, you should check on the different things that can be purchased and they can add the effect that you want form a mirror or it can simply be an ornament in it.
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Friday, June 11, 2010
Photo Canvas - A Unique Fast Home Makeover
Decorating on a budget can be difficult to achieve. Whether you are moving to a new house, moving out on your own for the first time, or have a work space that needs some livening up, wall art is the most important step in personalizing your area and a photo canvas fits the bill perfectly.
A Photo Canvas Makes for Unique Artwork
If you are like many people, you have a hard time finding an appropriate piece of art to hang on your walls. There are so many styles, sizes, types, and mediums of art that it can be difficult deciding what meshes well with your personal style.
Creating a photo canvas is the best solution. Whether you choose to use a photo of a person, place, or thing, the possibilities are endless. That large bare space over your couch can easily be filled with a wide canvas screened with a snapshot of a nearby park or interesting landmark.
Decorating a child's room? How about taking pictures of his/her friends and making a collage? You might also want to take photos of items such as an apple, a box, a carrot, etc. to teach your child his ABCs or his colours. Go to the zoo and take photos of the animals to liven up the walls. Use your imagination to come up with further ideas.
You could also create a travel-themed guest bedroom or den. Place a globe atop a stack of glossy travel guides, frame a map, and complete the look with a series of photo canvas created from snapshots taken at past vacation spots.
Photo Canvases as Personal Art
What better way to express your personality than by using personal photos to create the pieces of art which hang in your home or office? Are you a cat lover? Photos of the cats you have owned screened on canvas will instantly turn a room into a personalized space which contains reminders of what you like most. For motorcycle enthusiasts, a photo of a row of bikes parked at a local hang out becomes a quick and easy picture for the wall.
Get creative. You can take existing photos and crop them to achieve the best viewpoint. Or experiment with lighting and special effects offered in most software programs which open picture files.
Photo Canvas Art is Budget Friendly.
Not only can you create unique and personalized pieces of art from your photos, but the price is much less than you might think - and certainly far less than you would pay for pictures purchased in a store. It is also an easy way to change the look of a room or to ensure that artwork in a child's room grows along with him.
The next time you begin a decorating project, or simply choose to redecorate the space you already have, consider hanging a photo canvas, or a series of them, to express yourself in a unique and economical manner.
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Thursday, June 10, 2010
Pendant Lighting Layout - How To
Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for use in kitchens over the last few years. A common place to install them is over an island or peninsula. One of the most frequent questions I see is how high do I hang them and how do I space them out? Both questions can be answered in several ways and as with any home design aspect there is no absolute or right answer. There is however some guidelines to use that can help you make the right decision.
One consideration on the height is with the fixture you choose. If a fixture has an open bottom and it is installed to high, it can become very annoying looking up into the light bulb all the time. By the same token, a fixture that is designed so that the top is not made to be viewed, if installed too low, can be very unappealing. There is an average height you can use as a guide, about 68" - 72" off the floor to the very bottom of the fixture. This puts the fixture at about eye level for the average person. The reason there is no correct answer is in a house where everyone is 6' 4" and taller this height would most likely be too low.
Over a dining room table this same rule can be applied. A little tip or word to the wise. If your fixture is going to be installed before there is actually a table under it put something there in its place. It could be a large box, bench, folding table or a chair. It will save someone a trip to the hospital for stitches after walking into the fixture or a broken fixture.
Spacing the pendants when there is more than one is a matter of a little mathematics. The most common mistake is to just split the space into even sections but that is not entirely correct and I'll explain why. Let's say your island is 60" long and you have two pendants. A common thought would be to split the space into three sections that are even. This would give you each fixture 20" off the ends and 20" between them. A better choice would be 15" off each end and 30" between them. Why is that you ask? Well for one thing you'll see it is more visually appealing. The other reason is the light spread on most pendants is in the shape of a circle. If you can imagine the actual light that falls on the counter area picture two circles of light. To best illuminate the counter we want the edge of the circle to hit the edge of the counter. The other two edges should meet or overlap in the middle.
If you are not sure what it is I am describing take a look at the link below and view the diagrams along with the explanation.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Piano Desk Lamps
What are piano desk lamps? Are they really all that different from any normal lamp that you use on your desk?
Piano desk lamps are lamps that are specially designed for your piano. Any piano lamp is designed to light up the sheet music on your piano, without shining a light back into your face. This allows you to see the music clearly without having to shield your eyes from the light that's shining on the music. This can be a great asset when you're playing the piano.
But won't a simple normal lamp do the job just as well?
There are instances when a normal room lamp will help increase the visibility of your sheet music. The brighter the room is, the brighter the music will be. But while a floor lamp will be able to increase the light in your room, a piano lamp is specifically designed to light up the sheet music. It allows you to place a lamp directly onto your piano and shine it exactly where you want it, rather than lighting up the whole room and relying on that to increase the amount of light on your sheet music. Piano desk lamps can be especially useful in rooms with poor lighting, or if your piano is placed in a position that is easily shadowed by other objects in the room. Piano desk lamps allow you to focus the light directly onto the piano, regardless of how the light is in the rest of the room.
Some may be tempted to use a very small regular lamp in place of a piano desk lamp. This may be one of the worst things you can do to solve your lighting problem. While a normal lamp will be able to increase visibility in most settings, desk lamps aren't going to help your problem when you're playing the piano. This is because any lamp you place directly on your piano is going to shine back into your face. Desk lamps don't pose a problem for bedside reading, because you're sitting at the side of the lamp to read.
But when a lamp is placed directly on a piano, you're going to have to stare almost straight into that lamp in order to read the music. Piano desk lamps are designed with a shield on the front, which keeps the light from shining into your eyes. This shield also allows all of the light given off by the lamp to shine directly onto the sheet music, making the light brighter on the music, and keeping you from having to squint while looking at the lamp.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Digital Piano Vs Acoustic Piano
The piano has come a long way since it's invention 500 years ago. The original version has now been replicated and improved countless times, resulting in a large number of different piano styles and with the latest technology, digital pianos have cropped up and become a popular alternative. But which one is right for you? That depends greatly on what you intend to do with your piano playing and what your budget is. However, there are many pros and cons for both sides.
Acoustic Piano
The acoustic piano is a complicated structure. Touching the keys results in a hammer hitting a string, which then vibrates and the sound produced is amplified by the piano`s soundboard. This provides a rich, true piano sound, which is quite valued at concerts and recitals. However, an acoustic piano requires a lot of space, upkeep and money.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Piano
o Acoustic pianos need regular tuning, particularly if there are changes in the weather or if the piano is moved.
o Nothing compares to the full-bodied sound provided by an acoustic piano.
o These pianos allow the artist to play softly or loudly, depending on the mood of the piece . . . the piano responds to the touch of the pianist.
o Acoustic pianos are large, weighing between 450 and 1,000 pounds and take up a large part of a room.
o Affordable acoustic pianos are usually wrought with flaws and not worth buying . . . but for many, a true, good quality one is simply beyond their budget.
Digital Piano
A digital piano is one that is a replica of an acoustic piano. Rather than contain the strings and mechanisms to produce the sound, digital pianos just use recorded notes from a real piano. There are definite advantages to using one of these instruments and they are often used by bands who need an easily portable instrument, but there are definite down sides, as well.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Digital Piano
o Digital pianos are considerably cheaper than acoustic.
o There is very little sensitivity in the digital key, meaning that true interpretation of many piano pieces is simply not possible.
o Some piano teachers will not teach students who only have access to a digital piano.
o These instruments are quite light and portable, some even come in their own carry bag.
o A high end digital piano offers a wide range of styles and features, including drum tracks and recorded notes from a variety of other instruments and types of pianos.
o Digital pianos don't need to be tuned, making them very useful in humid areas or where the weather changes drastically.
The debate of traditional acoustic pianos vs. digital ones has been around as long as digital pianos. Classical piano students insist that an acoustic piano is the best and to be honest, the digital piano is only an imitation, albeit a very good one these days. Even with the best technology, digital pianos are simply not able to live up to the original acoustic.
However, this doesn't rule out digital pianos completely. They are still extremely useful for the piano student on a budget or for anyone who has little space in their home for a large acoustic piano. Bands also find the more portable version to be easier to use, since it doesn't require tuning and can easily be packed up and moved to the next gig. In the end, it depends on your intent, as well as a few other factors, such as budget and space, as to whether or not you will go with an acoustic or a digital piano.
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Cowboy Home Decor - How to Bring the West to Your Home
One of the classic home decor looks that continues to be popular is western or cowboy home decor. Luckily it has become more refined over the years and is no longer about creating rooms that look straight out of a western movie set, hay bales and all. Similar to country music, cowboy or western home decor has grown a more distinguished and fashionable image.
Depending on your particular tastes and needs, you can find the right cowboy home decor. Whether it be the elegantly western styled home or a fun children's cowboy theme room. Keep in mind that the western or cowboy home decor style concentrates on a rural and casual, comfortable living feel. Use this concept as a guide when creating your room.
So how do you create the cowboy look? A simple strategy is to use a top- down design plan. In other words, what would you like to see on the ceiling, walls and floor. Also consider furniture pieces and accents. For the ceiling naturally you want to consider lighting options, for the walls paint and art work, and on the floor decide on rugs or flooring.
When deciding on your options, look for materials that are common to the cowboy western look. Consider natural materials like leather, suede, denim, wood and cast iron or metal pieces. Colors again should be very natural or neutral. Try not to use colors that are very vibrant and stand out.
You can really have fun with this style whether it's for an adult or a children's room. The best part is probably picking out the accent pieces. Here are some home decor ideas to get you started, horse themed art work, fur rugs (fake fur preferably), denim pillows, twig styled lamps, iron candle holders, cowboy print bedding or curtains, and on and on. Use your imagination. Look at old cowboy movies for inspiration on decorating a western cowboy room. Remember there are no rules to decorating so go ahead and try new home decor ideas.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Tips For Purchasing a Used Piano
When searching for a used piano people often refer to the local classifieds or ask for referrals from family or friends. Although looking at pianos in private homes has less pressure than visiting a piano store where you'll most definitely have to talk to a salesperson, there are some things to watch for.
When searching for your next piano you can also look online at our pianos for sale section, at websites such as eBay, or Craigslist. The obvious benefit is that you don't have to even leave your home to find exactly what you're looking for.
Before you even begin your piano search is it essential that you are aware of all angles of your search. Below is a list of questions your should consider when purchasing a used piano.
1. Why are you purchasing a piano? What are your intentions for the next five to ten years with the piano once you have it?
2. Are you actually saving money buying used versus new? Do the math and be realistic about repairs, maintenance, and the actual depreciation when buying used.
3. Are you focused more on brand name than on the actual quality of the piano? Brand names can often sound nice on paper, but they aren't everything.
4. How much time are you willing to spend maintaining your piano? Like houses, pianos tend to need more repairs as they age. Therefore, if you?re buying a piano over twenty years old it may not be best if you don?t want to deal with repairs.
5. Will you know if you come across a great deal? If so what makes it one? Is there a warranty or guarantee to back up the purchase? This is one area where piano stores are the best route to purchase because they may offer returns within 30 days or a limited warranty where a private seller cannot.
6. If you do decide to purchase privately, are you going to have a tuner technician inspect the piano before the sale is final? This small fee may save you thousands so it is highly recommended that you get the piano inspected.
7. Beware of the price tag! If you find pianos under $1,000 ask the seller why. Also be very cautious around sellers who claim their old piano is in perfect or mint condition. This will most likely not be true as a piano that has sat for twenty years even untouched is not in mint condition.
8. Remember that it's what's inside that counts. A piano may look great out the outside, but if a piano needs work on the inside it may cost your thousands of dollars to get it up to par. Don't be swayed by the cosmetics of a piano.
9. Does the piano sound good? Even if you think the piano is in a tune, a deaf person has about the same chance of getting the answer right. An untrained human ear is not a proper tuning mechanism and does not have the accuracy needed to tell if a piano is in tune. Yet another reason to use a piano tuner who has the ability to measure the frequencies of each note allowing for an actual analysis.
10. Why is the seller selling the piano? Like in any sales situation this is a big question. Be sure of the sellers' true motivation when you are looking to buy.
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Saturday, June 5, 2010
Robin Williamson - Strings in the Earth and Air [Myrrh] 1972
Thanks To : Markers Grave
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Beyond the Open Position Piano Chord
Those of you who have been reading my articles for some time know that I'm a big fan of the open position chord. This is where both hands play a chord together. It's a great technique that allows beginners (and pros) sound good at the piano right away. But, it's just one method or way to approach chord piano playing.
Another method I use is something called the crossover technique or arpeggio. Here the left hand plays a cascade of notes ascending or descending (usually ascending) while the right hand plays melody. This technique is especially suited for New Age piano playing because we can get a gentle flow of notes in the left hand. In fact, you can use over 2 octaves just in the left hand. This covers a lot of musical space so to speak and creates a lovely backdrop over which melodies may be composed or improvised.
For example, in the upcoming lesson, "Winter Sky," we have a 16-bar phrase in the Key of B flat. The chords are all charted out for you and you can hear me playing the left-hand crossover pattern. This pattern uses much of the left hand right away. The right-hand plays octave melody notes and the whole piece is finished in a few minutes.
Usually, when we use the open position chord, we skip the third in the left hand. In this lesson, we use the third to create a denser sound. And it works out well! You see, when you block out or chart the chords using the crossover technique, you create a harmonic background, a canvas of sound over which you paint in your foreground using melody instead of paint! A unique, but very helpful way of seeing how an improvisation or composition can be structured!
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Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Home Decorating - Bubble Glass
Glass is a naturally occurring noncorrosive, semiopaque substance fused by the heat of volcanic eruptions or lightning strikes. It is believed to be accidentally discovered by humans around 5000BC when Phoenician merchants, while feasting on a beach, could find no stones on which to place their cooking pots. They set them on blocks of soda carried by their ship as cargo. The soda blocks, melted by the heat of the fire, mixed with the sand and turned into molted glass. The intentional glass making involves precisely the same recipe: heat, sand and soda ash.
The mysterious physical and aesthetic properties of glass have always intrigued men. From the time of its discovery to the invention of the blowing pipe and to the emergence of the automated glass blowing machine, glass has become inexpensive and widely available. Yet this solid material, which has the random atomic arrangement of liquid that is sort of frozen into permanent substance, continues to fascinate even the most sophisticated modern men when it's transformed into the most vivid forms from nothing but coarse sand and soda ash. While commercial glass production has undergone a tremendous evolution, the art glass creation remains a closely guarded craft. The glass blowing techniques have not changed much in centuries and are passed on from generation to generation of glass makers. The result is inspiration and skill melted into each piece created by the human hand.
Some truly distinctive glass pieces are created by an assembly of Czech glass artists at the Beranek factory situated in the heart of the Highlands, on the border between Bohemia and Moravia. These extraordinary glassworks began in 1940 with Emanuel Beranek who made his original glass in the most primitive conditions. At the time when most of the hand-made glass producers used generator gas heated furnaces, Beranek and his three brothers used peat for heating. Glass products were cut on a crank-brace and bits of bottle glass mixed with charcoal were used as raw materials. These harsh conditions undoubtedly put limits on the production assortment, but at the same time they forced the artists to experiment with glass. Most of the experimental outputs were techniques, which combined with advancing technology, eventually resulted in a variety of the most innovative ideas in glassmaking. One example is the bubble glass. Emanuel Beranek found the way to turn the original glass flaw into a magnificent artistic intricacy.
The air bubbles of the most vivid shapes and sizes are intentionally forced into the glass only where they belong according to the original design of each piece. Under any bright light, these bubbles produce an unforgettable effect. The light reflects in every bubble and bounces back resulting in a soft surrounding glow adding an ultra futuristic tone to any environment. Since its creation, the bubble glass has found admirers throughout the world.
See some examples of bubble glass:
1. Blue Bubble Glass Vase
2. Bubble Top Glass Vase
Since the very beginning, Beranek glassworks stood apart from the commonplace glass production. As the time went on, more and more glass designers and experts joined in the creation of these glass marvels. Today, there are 60+ world-class glass artists who focus solely on the design and production of contemporary glass decorative objects. Among them are glass vases, glass spheres, and decorative glass platters. This is designer glass par excellence. All items are hand made, most of them are hot-shaped without the use of moulds. Each piece reflects the successful synergy of the old-fashioned glass making techniques and the most unique concepts of modern glass design, which bring to its owner great beauty and delight.
Most items are made of the traditional soda-potash glass - it is shaped into its final form and decorated while it is still in its molten state right by the furnace. The furnace is the heart of the glasswork.
The work on the following day's melt begins in the afternoon, towards the end of the working day. The homogeneity and transparency of the fine blown glass are dependent upon the purity of raw inputs and glass-melting methods, that is the ability to reach furnace temperatures over 1450 °C. This temperature is easily reached through fuelling by natural gas, which also permits a working cycle of 24 hours. The mixture of raw materials is loaded into the pots two or three times on any given day. The first load goes in at about 3 pm, at the temperature of 1350 °C to 1400°C. The last usually goes in at 10 pm. The temperature is raised to 1450 °C to drive any air bubbles out of the liquid and to let the glass become pure and homogeneous.
The entire process is completed at about 2 am and the temperature is lowered to 1350 - 1280 °C. When the glassmakers arrive at approximately 4:30 am, the glass is ready to be worked. It now has the viscosity necessary for working. It is now that the unshapely chemical compound will become a marvelous piece that will travel many miles, beautify homes throughout the world, perhaps even make someone's day better, and on a grand scale, become part of the human history. All of this is at the hands of a skilled glassmaker whose personal touch and part of his being will live with each piece for years to come. Most pieces are blown using the flying-hand technique at the working temperature of about 1250 °C. The finished products are carried into electrical cooling furnaces which are pre-set to follow a 48-hour cooling curve to insure a perfect resistance of product against cracking.
"A success of work rests with a man' s determination, concern and love. It is certainly true of any human activity and it is clearly an inseparable condition of all pursuits in the field of any artistic creation. You cannot do without this. To create means to be able to identify yourself with your work, to do more than just the duty of it and to be able to really make use of the best you can do. Work and our total personal devotion are the basic roots of everything we pursue. Nothing goes by itself, each individual achievement is a sum of obstacles overcome, each final perfection comes out of initial confusion, failures and doubts, which have to be handled persistently and with patience. It is only natural that he who loves his work can find the resources within himself to make such an effort and this applied art is no exception. It is just as difficult and requires just as much strain as any other human activity, however, in addition to this, it has to be blessed with a deep personal involvement as the most crucial condition of its success." Emanuel Beranek
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