Articles Index
The Differences Between Grand and Baby Grand Pianos
The most obvious difference between ‘regular’ grands and baby grands is size. Actually, these are just two of the many standard grand piano sizes, and the exact measurements can vary by manufacturer or location. Voices of the best baby grands are almost indistinguishable from those of proper grands; but this becomes less so as the size of the piano decreases.
Piano Keyboard Layout
The piano keyboard is arranged in a pattern that will help you find notes easily. Learn how to navigate the piano keys with helpful illustrations and tips. Both the C and F notes begin groups of accidentals, so you need to memorize which is which. There are few easy tricks to help...
Early Musical Organs
The earliest known keyboard instrument is a water-powered pipe organ called the hydraulis, which dates back to the 3rd century B.C. Later organs powered by bellows began appearing in the 2nd century A.D., and continued to evolve into many of the pipe organs we have today. Learn about the early musical organs; their size, octave range, and innovations; and hear audio examples of the early keyboarded aerophones.
Overcoming Musical Mistakes
Stage fright manifests itself in different ways. For serious sufferers, it can create a mental block and make concentration nearly impossible. People with this kind of stage fright tend to fear the lack of control that goes along with it more than the possibility of actually making a mistake - Learn how to overcome mistakes when they happen so you don’t enter panic mode during a performance.
Piano Recital Dress Codes
Remember that when dressing for a piano recital, you’re dressing to perform. Some clothing and accessories can turn into annoying distractions on stage and prevent you from playing your best. Avoid surprises by practicing in your piano recital clothes at least one time before your performance date, and always choose clothes in which you’ll be physically and mentally comfortable!
Choosing a Piano Recital Song
Choosing your piano recital song is an important decision, and finding the perfect song often only occurs after some serious contemplation. The following tips will help you sort out what’s important in a piano recital piece, and find the right one for your performance. When deciding on a song to play at your piano recital, you shouldn't play it too safe or too risky. The most important thing to do is find a recital song with these qualities. Learn more about Piano Recital Preparation.
How to Deal With Stage Fright
Stage fright is a challenge for musicians of all skill-levels. There are techniques you can use to calm your nerves before a performance, and ultimately gain control over your stage fright.
Warming Up for a Piano Recital
Actually, for some pianists, knuckle-cracking is part of a warm-up routine -- not because it's beneficial to their playing, but because it has simply become habit. Not doing so would be a distraction. But most pianists rely on the old standbys: arpeggios, scales, and other various warm-ups; and in addition to keeping fingers agile and ready for motion, there are a few more tricks you might want to keep up your sleeve for recital day.
Concert Etiquette for Audience Members
As an audience member at a piano recital, you should be aware of the following rules to ensure a great experience for yourself and others -- learn the dos & don'ts of concert etiquette, and don't be "that" person! Avoid musical faux pas: Learn more about Piano Recital Dress Code & Etiquette.
Practicing for a Piano Recital
Get tips for learning and practicing your piano recital song. Performing for a live audience can definitely be unnerving, and you have to put forth a lot of effort to make sure things go as smoothly as possible on stage. Use the following tips to help you practice and prepare for your piano recital.
Sheet Music for “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”
Piano sheet music for "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen" in E minor. Learn how to play the traditional English Christmas carol "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," available in JPG image and printable PDF formats. Read the history behind the carol; whether it should be "you" or "ye," and get the complete English lyrics. This arrangement of God Rest You Merry Gentlemen for piano is perfect for beginner and intermediate pianists.
“The First Noel” Lyrics & Chords
Piano sheet music for "The First Nowell." Get the complete lyrics and chord progressions for the traditional English Christmas carol "The First Noel," written in the key of D Major. Get free, printer-friendly sheet music for piano and vocals, complete with English lyrics and full chord progressions.
Piano Sheet Music for “The First Noel”
Piano sheet music for "The First Noel" in D Major. "The First Noel," also Nowel or Nowell, is a traditional English Christmas carol that is believed to have existed since the 1200s. Get free, printer-friendly sheet music for piano and vocals -- with complete English lyrics -- available in easy and intermediate forms. "Nowell" is an anglicized take on the French "Noël," meaning Christmas; learn a brief history of the carol and learn it on piano.
German Lyrics for “Adeste Fideles”
Lyrics for "Adeste Fideles" in German; deutsche Text von "Herbei, O Ihr Gläubigen."
French Lyrics for “Adeste Fideles”
Lyrics for "Adeste Fideles" in French ("Peuple fidèle"); trouvez les paroles de chansons de Noël: "Peuple fidèle," en français.
Spanish Lyrics for “Adeste Fideles”
Lyrics for "Adeste Fideles" in Spanish; letras de canciones navideñas en español: "Venid, Fieles Todos."
Piano Sheet Music for “Adeste Fideles”
Piano sheet music for "Adeste Fideles / O Come All Ye Faithful": Free, printable sheet music for piano and vocals, written in the key of G Major. Music for Adeste Fideles includes complete English and Latin lyrics, with lyrical variations and chord progressions. Download piano music in PDF or printer-tested JPEG format. One variation of the song is "O come, all ye faithful, joyfully triumphant," instead of "joyful and triumphant."
“Adeste Fideles” English & Latin Lyrics
English and Latin lyrics to the Christmas carol "Adeste Fideles" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." Free, printable sheet music is available for piano and vocals, as well as lyrics in multiple languages.
Piano Sheet Music for “O Tannenbaum”
Piano sheet music for "O Tannenbaum / O Christmas Tree" in F Major. Learn to play the traditional German tune on piano, with chord progression for accompaniment. The main English lyrics for "O Christmas Tree" were translated from the German carol, although "Tannenbaum" literally means "fir tree" -- "Christmas tree" is "Weihnachtsbaum" in German; learn more about the history of O Tannenbaum, and get complete German and English lyrics for the carol.
“O Tannenbaum” Lyrics & Chords
Piano sheet music for "O Tannenbaum / O Christmas Tree" in F Major, with complete German and English lyrics and chord progressions for accompaniment. One of the lyrical variations uses "wie gruen sind deine Blaetter" instead of "wie treu sind"; meaning «green» and «faithful», respectively; get complete O Tannenbaum / O Christmas Tree lyrics and piano music, and learn more about the carol.
“Away In a Manger” Lyrics & Chords
Get the complete English lyrics for "Away In a Manger," with chord progression for accompaniment. Away In a Manger has three standard stanzas of lyrics. An interesting fact about this Christmas carol is that it has two official melodies. This D major arrangement of Away In a Manger (Mueller version) is ideal for most skill-levels, and free piano sheet music is available in JPG image and PDF formats.
Sheet Music for “Away In a Manger (Mueller Variation)”
Piano sheet music for "Away In a Manger": "The Cradle Song" and "Mueller" are the two official melodies of this carol. This Mueller version in D major is available in printable JPG image and PDF formats. Read the history behind the Away In a Manger, and get the complete English lyrics. This arrangement of "Mueller's Tune" for piano is perfect for beginner and intermediate pianists.
“What Child Is This?” Lyrics & Chords
Piano sheet music for "What Child Is This? / Greensleeves." Get the complete lyrics and chord progressions for this carol, written in the key of f-sharp minor. This original arrangement takes you across the octaves with a slightly elaborate texture and full chords, and has a ballad-like feel -- perfect for intermediate pianists or beginners who want to move towards the next level of piano-playing. Piano music arranged by Brandy Kraemer.
Piano Sheet Music for “What Child Is This?”
Piano sheet music for "What Child Is This?"; based on the traditional English tune "Greensleeves." Learn to play one of the most popular and beloved Christmas carols, written in the key of f-sharp minor. This original arrangement takes you across the octaves with a slightly elaborate texture and full chords, and has a ballad-like feel -- perfect for intermediate pianists or beginners who want to move towards the next level of piano-playing. Piano music arranged by Brandy Kraemer.
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Lyrics & Chords
Get the complete English lyrics for "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," with chord progression for accompaniment. This E minor arrangement of God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen is ideal for most skill-levels, and free piano sheet music is available in JPG image and PDF formats.