Summer, Piano Playing, and Getting Inspired

I’ll admit it … summer’s not my favorite time of year. I’m almost 50, have a bad back, and can actually feel my body contract and expand in ways I never thought possible.

To say that I’m not inspired to play piano would be an understatement.

And yet, when I do take the time to sit down at the piano and play, I find, once again, how easy the heavy feelings can be lifted once I let the music wash over me.

One of my major teaching philosophies is that you can’t force play. And that’s true! Which is why I suggest that when you’re feeling down and don’t’ feel like playing piano, you shouldn’t.

But, there’s a competing philosophy that suggests you ’show up’ at the piano even if you don’t want to. I tried this myself and found about a 70% success rate. That is, there are times when I really don’t feel like playing and won’t. I’ll go to the piano, place fingers on a chord and when I play, it sounds lifeless and flat.

Of course, the reason it sounds this way is due to my own emotional state.

Yet, if I stay with the music regardless of how I might be feeling and play anyway, there’s a good chance that something will ’click’ and the music will feel new and fresh again. This actually happens and has happened to me on numerous occasions.

So, if you don’t feel like playing - if you’re miserable and the last thing you want to do is play piano, try it anyway. It might be just the thing you need to reinvigorate and inspire you once again.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 15 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit now and get a FREE piano lesson and book!

Adding to Your Repertoire of Sound!

There are a lot of ways to play chords. How many ways? An infinite amount. So how do you find new ‘sounds’ you like?

I usually start students off playing seventh chords in open position. This gives you a nice open sound that’s perfect for the beginner who wants to express in a modern musical language.

But open position chords are far from the only sound available to pianists. Far from it.
In your next new lesson, I’m going to show you how to use the humble triad to create a sound you would not believe is actually coming from this simple structure.

The trick is what I do with it! It’s a different ‘sound’ than what I’ve been teaching you. Somewhat reminiscent of the classical composer Debussy, these interesting triads are used to create an ambiguous, ethereal tone. Something you can use and add to your repertoire of sound. It’s coming very soon. Stay tuned!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 15 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit now and get a FREE piano lesson!

Two Ways to Learn Piano?

I’ll never forget the time one of my college professors talked about types of learners. There are two I’d like to discuss here and they are the A to B learner and the one that learns in leaps and jumps.

The A to B learner, or linear learning for lack of a better term likes to progress from one point to another.

That is, they don’t want to learn anything new unless they get point A down. Then, it’s on to the next point.

These types of learners excel in science and math because these disciplines require a solid foundation based on previous knowledge. For instance, you really can’t do well in a physics course unless you already have a good understanding of basic math.

Then there are those of us who just don’t do well in an A to B world. I fall into this category and I suppose many ‘artistic’ types do as well.

Take music for example. You could actually learn how to play piano going from A to B. And most do. This is what is done in the classical music world. You start with the basics and slowly move from there. Note reading, pedagogy, technique … all are carefully planned out to produce a student who can recreate a piece of music with proficiency.

But … what if you have problems with this approach? What to do? Most teachers only teach a linear approach and this is fine when it comes to learning technique. Yet, for those who like to ‘play,’ growth can seem slow.

And this is where the term ‘leap’ really applies. Because while it seems as if the ‘leaps and jumps’ learner is getting nowhere by playing around, he really is growing and will probably leap right over his linear learning opposite. Why?

Because much IS going on at a subconscious level.

You may feel sometimes as if nothing is happening and that you aren’t growing. Not true. In fact, you probably have already progressed light years ahead of the A to B learner.

Darker Melodies for New Age Piano?

A new student recently asked me about creating a 'darker' sound on the piano.

Traditionally, New Age piano is known for pleasant, consonant harmonies with very little or no dissonance. And that's the way it is for most New Age piano pieces.

Most of them are created in Major keys and stay there. But ... we can also create a 'darker' sound using something called 'modal' playing.

For example, in the video 'Gone, but Not Forgotten,' I use something called the Aeolian mode.

Based on the Aeolian scale, it's simply the white notes A to A. That is, if we start with a A minor chord and build our chords using this scale, we get a dark minor sound. This is also called 'tonality,' a very important concept in music because the sound you get is very much based on how you define it from the beginning.

Another way of looking at this is if you want a 'darker' sound, try playing around with some of the minor keys and modes.

In the video 'Gone, but Not Forgotten,' 3 chords are used ... A minor 7, F Major 7, and D minor 7. I use an ostinato pattern between the hands and improvise.

By the way ... in keeping with my philosphy of not trying to 'come up' with material, I created the music as I always do and then, came up with the title, i.e., I thought this music would work well for the picture and theme of the video!

Piano Lessons - Are You a Sensitive Musician?

Have you ever been told you were too ‘sensitive?’ I have. And not in a good way. For instance, my mother always used to tell me … “you’re so sensitive.”

Now, that little story relates to what I have to tell you about playing piano. And this is a good thing as Martha Stewart might say.

You see … being a ‘sensitive’ musician is where it’s at because when you play with sensitivity, it’s much easier for you to transmit your feeling. Whether you play for yourself and/or others, by playing with care, you are able to communicate much more subtly than the average musician who just sits down and ‘plunks out’ a tune.

Classical pianists have a jumpstart in this area. Most who teach this style emphasize and expect a sensitive ‘performance.’ But you don’t have to spend 4 years learning a Beethoven sonata to learn how to play like that. All it takes is the willingness to slow down and listen to yourself while you play.

Especially in the New Age style where every note ‘says something,’ it’s a good idea to reevaluate how you’re playing from time to time.

Now, I’m not saying you should spend all your time playing like a classical pianist. But if these students of Bach and Mozart have one thing to teach us as pianists, it’s that when you play as if each note counted, the music says more.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit now and get a FREE piano lesson and book!

Piano Lessons By Quiescence Music Passes 1,000 Subscribers Mark

One of the most popular learn-at-home courses available online is Edward Weiss 's Piano Lessons by Quiescence Music. In just a few short years, Weiss has amassed over 1,000 subscribers to his non-traditional method of learning to play the piano.

“My method is extremely popular since it doesn't involve long hours of practicing scales and arranging student's schedules around inconvenient lessons," said Weiss. “Students can access the lessons whenever it's convenient for them, any time of the day or night."

The well-known pianist and composer has been instructing students in how to play New Age piano for over 15 years. An author and composer, Weiss now gives group lessons and works with private students.

Through Piano Lessons by Quiescence Music, people of all ages can learn how to play piano in the New Age style. His New Age piano course makes a radical departure from traditional methods of learning to play the piano. Courses are offered entirely online and students can be playing their own New Age musical creations in just a few hours.

The system is the only one of its kind for piano currently available. It's endorsed by Grammy nominated New Age pianist, David Lanz, considered by many to be the originator of New Age Music. His album, “Cristofori's Dream," was number one on Billboard's New Age chart for 27 weeks and went platinum.

Weiss's course walks students step-by-step through the process of learning to play New Age piano music. The course includes examples, videos and easy to understand instruction that can quickly be put into practical application. His methods are easy to implement, allowing students to begin composing their own music in a very short time. Students also receive Weiss's 342-page book, “Free to be Creative at the Piano."

Those who wish to sign up for the course can do so for just $19 and take a month to examine, explore and experiment with the system. Individuals who want to learn more can continue their lessons on a monthly basis. Anyone who decides not to pursue their musical endeavors can cancel and owe nothing more. Students who sign up now will also receive Weiss's book, “New Age Piano Made Easy."

Edward Weiss's Piano Lessons by Quiescence Music provides anyone with the means to learn New Age piano quickly and easily. In a busy society, Weiss's music lessons offer a convenient way of learning to make New Age music, known for its healing and stress-relieving abilities, without years of practice and expensive music instructors.

For more information about Weiss's New Age piano course, visit the website at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/

Recommended Listening: The Phrygian Mode

Thought this was interesting. Especially since she's using an open position chord in the left hand. Modes are pretty cool as they give you 'new' sounds. On the white keys, E to E is called the Phrygian mode and has a somewhat mysterious sound to it.

She's playing two 'shell chords' in the left hand (E minor and A minor without the third) and improvises a melody in the right using the tones from the Phrygian scale.

Actually, I think I'll show you how to really get some cool modal sounds in my next lesson coming soon! :) Membership expired or want to join? Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com/#offer to take advantage of my New Year's special!

Help Me Name my New CD - And Win a Free Month of Lessons!

Well, things are moving along nicely now as far as composing the music for my new CD. Problem is, I need a great title to go along with the music.

The CD will be a combo of nature sounds and piano music - my 2 favorite things!

I'd like to have the word 'Forest' in the title so if you come up with something, be sure to include that.

Here's what I have so far...

"Forest Moods," "Forest Dreams,"
"Quiet Forest," "Forest Rain," "Autumn Forest"

Out of these, I like 'Forest Rain' the best.

By the way, 'Forest Piano' is already taken by another composer. :) If I like a title and use it, I'll let you know and you'll recieve a FREE month of lessons and a free CD when it comes out - hopefully by or sooner than April 2011.

P.S. Please post your suggestions in the 'Comments' section below. Just click the link.

Piano Songs - Create Them Yourself With Just a Few Chords!

Most people play other people's music. That's fine. Nothing wrong with that. The classical repertoire is fantastic and worthy of playing.

But what if you want to just sit down at the piano and create on your own? Piano songs can come out of you as easily as drinking a glass of water. Think not? It's true. All you need to realize is it can be done - if you start using a chord-based approach!

For example, in the lesson "Reflections in Water," a few chords and a simple technique is used to create a very nice little piano song.

Nothing complicated or sophisticated here. Just some simple chords in open position and a framework upon which to hang it.

But, and this is important, it's an original piece of music. No note-reading was used. No attempt to "come up" with material. You see, when you're able to freely improvise, piano songs can spill out of you as easy as words do when speaking.

So what's the trick? It's being able to let go of the need to control the outcome and allow the music to unfold on it's own. This is actually an intuitive approach to playing the piano and one that's served me well over the past 15 years.

Look, the goal for most piano players is to be able to either play the classics, or play from lead sheets or fake books. Creating one's own piano music is a foreign notion to most. That's why I'm a big fan of the New Age piano style!

It focuses mainly on improvisation and "free play" and requires very little in the way of technical know how. What is required is the ability to suspend judgment and allow for the unexpected.

This can be very threatening to some. In fact, people come up with all kinds of excuses as to why this music is "inferior" to other types. I always laugh when I hear that argument because I know there's nothing more these people want then just to "be" at the piano.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

The Case Against "Traditional" Piano Lessons

How would you like to spend 4 years in a University learning how to play other peoples music? If you think this is ridiculous, you're right! Because that's what thousands of piano music students do each day.

They sit in front of their piano or keyboard with sheet music of a dead composer in front of them. Then they are told to "play it right." Have you ever heard of such nonsense?

Imagine a budding writer forced to copy another novelists work? In essence, this is what classical piano students do. They copy.

Although many think this is a creative act, it is not. It is a re-creative one. It's purpose? To give people who are told how to listen to music a chance to hear what is considered "good" music. Only in classical music is there such pomposity. And it exists because a very few people wish to hear the classics.

Let me tell you something. I love classical music. But I don't spend my time trying to recreate what has already been created. No. Instead, I want to connect with my own source and allow the music that is inside me to come out. I want to be creative too! And my philosophy is that anyone can be "a composer."

All it takes is the desire to create - to want to hear ones authentic self expressed through music. Difficult? Not at all! It's as easy as putting fingers to keys and playing. Hard to believe but true. You see, music students have been cheated from the get go by an academic snobbism that destroys the spirit and the will to create.

The suggestion is that the best music has already been created so why bother. The answer is crucial to our own well being. We bother because it makes us feel good. That is all that is required and that is all that is needed to make music.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

How To Find Musical Ideas

The Russian Composer Igor Stravinsky once said: " A good composer does not imitate; he steals."

I think what he meant by this is that it's OK to use a technique developed by another and make it your own. To imitate is to steal a technique or style and, somehow, not incorporate your own voice and energy into it.

We all get our ideas from somewhere, whether by accidentally listening to a piece of music and subconsciously storing it away, or by a conscious act where we say to ourselves: "This sounds great and I want to use it in my own music."

Some people have the idea that everything created must be original and by that they mean that there must be no outside influences - but this is unrealistic. Haydn taught Beethoven. Italian composers influenced Bach and so on. All past and present composers on this planet have their influences whether they admit them or not.

Now, most of you know that I have two major influences: George Winston and John Herberman. You may or may not know of these people. The point is I admit that they shaped my own style. How? Because I liked listening to them. It's that simple.

When I sit down to play, I inevitably gravitate towards one style or the other. I'm fine with that. It doesn't mean that I'm unoriginal. It just means that I acknowledge reality and don't try to come up with "something original." What sounds new is 99.9 times out of 100, a modification of what came before.

The whole point I'm trying to make is this: Don't try to be original. Instead, focus on what you like and love and your own voice will come through in the end. The music may be modified to an extreme (innovation) or just a little (homage). Just don't imitate.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com now and get a FREE piano lesson!

Quiescence Music Passes 110 Lessons Mark!

It's been quite a while since I started Quiescence Music. About 8 years I think. And in that time it's been my pleasure to create lessons that show people how to play piano in the New Age style.

I actually thought about stopping the new lessons at one point. But my wife wisely said - "what else are you going to do?"

Of course, she was right!

I'll keep giving new lessons and offering you new ways to create your own music. It's what I do and I love the fact that it's helping so many find their music and muse.

If there's something you want to learn that I haven't covered yet, feel free to email me and ask.

Sincerely,
Edward Weiss
Quiescence Music

Exciting New Piano Lesson: "Watercolors!"

I've just posted a new lesson called "Watercolors!"

What I’m going to show you is how to create a beautiful harmonic background (similar to what George Winston does) using chords so you can freely improvise your own melody on top!

You’ll learn all about phrases and how to use them to quickly create your own unique music. Think of this as the “background” in a watercolor painting.

We lay the foundation and then add in details. This is going to be very exciting and it’s all going to be on video!

Visit http://www.quiescencemusic.com/#offer for more information and to join.

Sincerely,
Edward Weiss
Quiescence Music

P.S. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the course workbook “New Age Piano Made Easy!”

Successful Black Key Improvisation - Zen Gardens

What a great instrument the piano is - white keys, black keys, and 88 tones make it incredibly versatile!

Most students take it upon themselves to try and master this instrument. They begin to learn note reading and go through a series of books before they are ready to play the music of the masters.

If only they realized that a world of free improvisation was waiting for them on the black keys, they too could experience the joy of improvisation right away. They might even forget about note-reading for a while and actually enjoy themselves as actual music was being made.

For example, take the video "Zen Gardens" based on one of my lessons "Oriental Sunrise." This is a black key improvisation based on the E flat minor pentatonic scale. Now, when most people hear the term "black key improvisation" they think of children banging on the piano creating some kind of noise. And while this has its place, the adult can create quite a beautiful sound by using only the black keys.

The secret is in how the keys are played. Anyone can go to the piano, sit down and play. The keys are there and are readily accessible. However, one person may just plunk around while another is able to create music. It's all about sensitivity! The sensitive musician is able to create music using only a few notes. The non-musician can not. They have to learn to get in touch with themselves first.

If you can go to the piano, play a black key improvisation, and make it sound like music, you are way, way ahead of the game! You understand that it's not how many notes or chords you know, it's how they are played that makes the difference!

P.S. If you'd like to know how "Zen Gardens" aka "Oriental Sunrise" was created, sign up for my online piano course. I take you step-by-step through the lesson and show you exactly how it's done!

Don't Be Afraid of Melody!

In New Age piano music, there are basically two styles - textural and melodic. The textural style is usually associated with George Winston where you hear beautiful backgrounds created by the left hand while the right improvises melody.

The melodic style popularized by David Lanz, places melody at the forefront.

Many students fall in love with the textural side of New Age piano and while there is nothing wrong at all with this, it's also a good idea to not put melody off to the side. It's a very good idea to familiarize yourself with both aspects of New Age piano playing.

For example, the lesson "Egrets" focuses mostly on melody. In fact, the first thing you hear is the theme, which is, repeated two times more after the introduction. It's a simple theme that most would say is "New Age."

In the lesson piece Cirrus, we have something entirely different! We have textures created by broken chords. Melody is not playing the lead role here. In fact, there really is no discernible melody at all - although there really is no music without melody - (a whole new topic!)

While I'm the first person to say play what you feel and don't try and force yourself into playing something that's not your personal aesthetic, I'm also an advocate of not brushing off something completely just because it's not "your thing."

Leaning how to create pieces with melody at the forefront is a skill that will come in handy whether you enjoy this side of New Age piano or not.

Watch As I Turn These 2-Bars Into a Full-Fledged Piano Composition!

On Monday, November 24 2008, I give my next piano lesson. What I will teach you is how to take 2-bars and then turn it into a complete piano composition!

Don't worry. It's a lot easier than it looks. Actually, the 2-bars you see above is just a rhythmic pattern I came up with on one of my daily walks in nature. I scribbled the pattern down and when I got home, went to the piano, played around with some notes from the Key of G Major and came up with the simple melody you see here.

This "method" of capturing a rhythmic pattern as an initial idea is really an excellent one as it allows you to notate musical ideas quickly and easily.

Anyway, if you'd like for me to show you how to do this, don't miss my next piano lesson. You can sign up for the course now for just $4.97 at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/ or join my mailing list and I'll let you know when I post the new lesson.

-- Edward

How a "Difficult" Piano Student Showed Me How to Teach Piano

I'll never forget the time I was giving lessons to this one student. Talk about difficult. She just couldn't get it.

And the "it" I'm talking about is not reading music or playing Beethoven or Bach. I'm talking about improvisation.

No matter what I showed her she just froze up.

I then realized something. This student really wasn't having problems getting the technical aspects down, i.e., chords. The problem was she didn't think she could do it! It was all attitude.

I then had a lightbulb moment. If the basic problem with most adult students is not technique but attitude, then I had to come up with a different approach to reach them. And that approach turned out to be mentoring.

Listen, what people really need is to believe in themselves. If this aspect is missing, no amount of technique or theory will help. In order for me to be helpful, I had to act as a therapist so to speak... gently guiding students to believe in themselves! Click here to read more!

Top 14 Tips for Successful Improvisation!

Some time ago, I wrote an article outlining what I believe to be the most important factors for learning how to improvise. And surprisingly, none of them have to do with technique. They are all attitudinal!

And there's a good reason for that.

You see, many students think that once they get a certain amount of technique under their belts, they'll be able to play piano like Keith Jarrett or George Winston. But that's just not true.

The real secret, and the one that will serve you best is to understand the main principles that will allow you to sit down at your piano with ease and allow the music to unfold. Sounds a little mystical I know. But it's true nonetheless.

Find this free report at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/tips.pdf

Piano lessons Online a Low Cost Win-Win for Students and Their Piano Teacher

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2008 -- It's tough trying to maintain an active lifestyle and wanting to learn piano at the same time. Not only that, but piano lessons with good teachers are expensive and it's often really difficult to schedule lessons.

So to fit it all in to a filled-to-the-gills schedule more and more students have turned to taking their piano lessons on the Internet.

They've proven that not only is it doable, but that they have the brains and musical ability to improve and learn, and they have a blast at the same time. And the online instruction is even more personal than one would expect.

In classic piano lessons, students and teachers vie for a certain number of limited time slots. With the Internet, students download workbooks and view videos anytime they want.

Edward Weiss, who has been teaching improvisational piano conventionally for more than 14 years, has now moved his piano instructions almost totally online. His growing online practice helps piano students, mostly young and mature adults, of a wide range of experience from all over the world. His web site has been growing and getting bigger and bigger. It now contains over 100 individual lessons.

Personal music lessons with a good piano instructor usually run $25 to $35 per half hour session. Online music lessons with Weiss cost $19.97 a month.

"My students move a computer or a wireless laptop right next to their piano," he explains. "With the Internet, students just click on the piano lessons they want to take and work their way through the instructions. They practice on their own for the most part. Then when they have a question, they email me."

"Good musical training is good musical training", says Weiss. "It's just that nowadays, people can get more and more of it online. It doesn't matter where we are anymore. We just get together virtually."

"In fact, some of the training is more personal and easier to receive, because we have access to each other so readily and there's no travel involved."

"No matter where my students are, they can reach me. We interact more frequently than if we are in a traditional conventional setting."

"It provides a lot more flexibility for students and for me. I help more students than ever using the Internet than I could even hope to teach with conventional lessons," says Edward Weiss. "Students can get every bit of personal one on one attention than they can get in person, and they can do it from anywhere."

According to Weiss, and more and more will undoubtedly agree, the future of music instruction is on the Internet.

A Google video demonstration of Weiss giving a piano lesson - Lesson 20: "Reflections in Water" is available for free. Students learn how to use open position chords in the Key of C to create a quiet, reflective mood.

http://www.quiescencemusic.com

Showing Up At the Piano

You know, I used to think that you should only play piano when you feel like it. But now I'm not so sure.

I guess it all has to do with your goals. For example, I just set a new goal for myself to have a new CD out by Sept 08. That means I'd better show up at the piano whether I feel like it or not if I want to produce something.

Normally, I just sit down and play when the mood strikes. And since I'm not a big fan of forced practice assumed this was the way to go.

But taking a cue from the book "The Artists Way," (where the author suggests you "show up" in the morning to write) I've come to learn it's a good idea to set a certain time to play.

What I like to do is tell myself I'll spend 15 minutes or so at the piano. If something comes - fine. If not, that's fine but at least I showed up.

What about you? Do you think showing up at the piano is a good idea or not?