| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Whitney Baby Grand | 10/22/2009 |
Q: I've been looking for a good Baby Grand for teaching lessons. I had a call from a man who has had ...
A: If the piano is a Baldwin (they are brilliant!) and it's in a dry basement and in good shape and ...
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| Diploma Programme Notes | 10/20/2009 |
Q: I'm a 15 years old girl taking ABRSM Diploma in Performing for Piano. I do not know how to write my ...
A: It's a tricky one but it's not as hard as you might think. The key is to keep it factual and yet to ...
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| Piano Experience | 10/3/2009 |
Q: *Please read until the end, even if you do not believe me. Hello, I started taking piano lessons on ...
A: Excuse me for being direct, but if what you are saying is true then why do you need me to validate ...
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| carpet, tiles or floorboards | 9/28/2009 |
Q: what is the best floor covering to position a piano on?
A: I will answer you on the assumption that your piano is an acoustic piano (i.e. with strings inside ...
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| sustain pedal for keyboard | 9/19/2009 |
Q: I just bought a sustain pedal for my keyboard, but Im not too sure what jack it's suppose to plugg ...
A: Since I don't know your model of keyboard I cannot give you detailed information however the ...
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| Piano | 8/29/2009 |
Q: Can water damage a piano and if so how much water? Also, if it is a short amount of water but is ...
A: The short answer is yes! Water will definitely damage a piano so please try to avoid any kind of ...
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| Piano Major | 7/25/2009 |
Q: I'm a 16 year old musician interested in being a piano performer. I've only had a few months of ...
A: Playing the fantasie impromptu at 16 being self taught is very very difficult! You should ...
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| Una Furtiva Lagrima Notes | 7/7/2009 |
Q: Mr. Al-Dah, This is a bit of a strange question. I am a writer not a musician. I'm writing a scene ...
A: What an interesting question! To make sure I understand this better, you'd like to describe 8 ...
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| Piano exams | 7/5/2009 |
Q: Mohammed. It's nice to know that there is someone to help you. I am 14 yrs old and I love playing ...
A: Firstly I'd advise to have a look at Trinity College London's (TCL) webpage: ...
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| Audition Pieces | 6/5/2009 |
Q: I can play just about anything I put my mind to and practice. That being said, what pieces do you ...
A: I don't know much about the schools (I studied in Dubai and England) but luckily I played both ...
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| Question on reading notes | 3/29/2009 |
Q: My name is Julian and I've learned to play the piano at age seven. I was formally trained and ...
A: which is very interesting! To learn to read the notes off the bar there are many tricks you can use ...
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| my keyboard | 2/8/2009 |
Q: i have a Yamaha PSR-200 and PSR-150 (which is very old. around about 12 years old now), and i was ...
A: Not being a specialist on electric keyboards, I'd recommend a quick google search.. which I did.. ...
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| Keyboards | 12/20/2008 |
Q: Keyboards come in different sizes. They can have 88, 76, or 61 keys. When you have a 76 key ...
A: It's very interesting and quite a specialised question. I can answer it partially and will do my ...
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| piano pieces | 12/3/2008 |
Q: i need your feedback for a survey. in your opinion, what is the most difficult SOLO piano piece by ...
A: here are some answers: JS Bach: Hard to say because in general his pieces were written for the ...
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| Piano Solo | 11/25/2008 |
Q: In your opinion, what is the most difficult solo piano piece? I want to audition for a piano role, ...
A: this is a tough question but really if you're skilled enough then you should know better than to ...
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| Trinity College Dubai | 11/2/2008 |
Q: I have noticed that in one of the posts you mentioned finishing Trinity College in Dubai, could you ...
A: I've done Grades 2 and 4 in Dubai with the Trinity College London (TCL).. and I did grade 8 in ...
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| How to advance? | 7/2/2008 |
Q: Al-Dah, I have been playing the piano for six-seven years, I absolutely love the piano. I'm ...
A: First of all good news that you're learning Chopin and you know terms such as Rubato.. this is all ...
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| unknown title/composer help! | 6/10/2008 |
Q: Hey there! I have an odd request... I've had this one classical piano tune in my head for years but ...
A: . Thank you for your question! An odd question deserves an odd answer. Why don't you try to send me ...
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| instructor/lessons question | 6/5/2008 |
Q: I have been taking lessons weekly for about 9 years. I have been with the same instructor who I ...
A: Your question is quite difficult in that it seems the technique of your present teacher that you ...
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| Re: Hardman and Peck baby grand | 5/27/2008 |
Q: Someone is giving me a Hardman and Peck Baby Grand, mahogany , built in the 1920's. It is need of a ...
A: I'll give you my advice as a pianist, not a piano maker. I've seen many people go for old pianos and ...
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| pianos | 5/6/2008 |
Q: I have been playing piano for 10 years now and am now working on my grade 8 -royal conservatory of ...
A: Your pianistic journey is similar to mine and to advise you about a piano will be difficult without ...
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| plz read this | 4/26/2008 |
Q: why does a keyboard have to have black and white keyboard notes?
A: not all keyboards have black and white keys.. some of them have them reversed.. some have yellow and ...
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| Lowrey Organ Repair | 4/14/2008 |
Q: I recently acquired my fathers lowrey Micro Pro Keyboard...Model V600, 3 keys do not work and I was ...
A: Unfortunately this is not something that I know much about. However, if I were you I'd do a quick ...
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| Stop piano lessons for now | 4/11/2008 |
Q: My question is one tending towards music education and I hope you can help. Due to time constraint, ...
A: It's very difficult to advise on speculative things like that, especially without meeting your ...
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| Composing and Transposing(?) Music | 2/22/2008 |
Q: Mr. Al-Dah, I am currently 13 and I've been playing piano for about 2 weeks now. It seems like a ...
A: Yes, you understand correctly! First of all I'd recommend recording your music. This is the best ...
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| Composing and Transposing(?) Music | 2/21/2008 |
Q: Mr. Al-Dah, I am currently 13 and I've been playing piano for about 2 weeks now. It seems like a ...
A: Indeed you have a lot to be proud about. Not only about your musical skills but also you have an ...
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| Piano Repertoire | 2/20/2008 |
Q: I'm terribly sorry, but I have to go soon, so I'll get to the point. I'm going to go to a ...
A: What an interesting question! I hope I can help!! I played Chopin's Ballade 3 once, but never ...
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| Memorizing Accidentals | 11/28/2007 |
Q: I started taking piano lessons when I was eight, but stopped a few years later. In the last year, I ...
A: There is no easy way out of this I'm afraid. I used to be like you, and for many years I used to ...
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| Piano pedals | 11/2/2007 |
Q: What is the function of the pedals on the piano and how do they affect the sound?
A: In general most pianos have two pedals, some have three. The right pedal is the sustaining pedal, it ...
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| Keyboards | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I am not a piano player but I would like to learn how to play. I am trying to learn how to play on ...
A: I am not sure if you're a musician (with something other than the piano) or not. If you're a ...
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| Humidifier | 9/12/2007 |
Q: I live in New Jersey and have recently bought a refurbished grand piano. It is a Yamaha, C3, ...
A: In general I'd say the answer is no. However the need for a de-humidifier is not dictated by the ...
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| Beethoven | 8/16/2007 |
Q: I hope you have this music piece for that is the only way you might be able to respond to this ...
A: Fortunately I have the sheet music, so the question is simple! To answer your question, I say yes, ...
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| Piano placement | 8/10/2007 |
Q: WE just bought a grand piano for my husband. He is heavy handed and tends to play loud. We need to ...
A: Congratulations on your new grand piano! What a very interesting question, I hope I can help you. ...
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| Wanting to play the almost impossible... | 6/19/2007 |
Q: Almost but not impossible! Here's the scenario: I can't read music, I'm not super good, but I've ...
A: The video clip you sent me is for Beethoven Fur Elise which is a very easy piece. The piece you ...
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| Francis Lai/Love Story | 5/9/2007 |
Q: Hopefully you have heard of Love Story by Francis Lai. If not, I would be happy to e-mail it to you. ...
A: Of course I know Love Story. I tried to play it myself a few times but struggled because, like you, ...
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| KEYBOARD KEYS VS. PIANO | 3/15/2007 |
Q: I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO LEARN OIANO SINCE I CAN REMEBER AND NOW I OWN A VERY NICE SET OF KEYBOARDS. ...
A: GOOD NEWS! Congratulations on your new purchase! Pianos generally have 88 keys, with a few with ...
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| not getting better | 1/25/2007 |
Q: Mohamad- I've been playing piano for three years and practiced, practiced, practiced. I love it. I ...
A: You'd be surprised how many pianists with more than 3 years experience cannot play Fur Elise well. ...
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| Guitar/Piano | 1/22/2007 |
Q: I have been playing piano for about a year and a half and I love it, but I've got just as much ...
A: This is a tough question because the answer is not a clear cut case! I honestly believe that you ...
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| Petrof uprights | 12/28/2006 |
Q: I am about to purchase a piano, primarily for my wife who wants to begin piano lesson. (I played ...
A: Apologies for the delay, was on holiday.. To be brief and to the point I'd pay double and take home ...
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| Chord Progressions and Piano Harmony | 12/11/2006 |
Q: Mohamad I appologize that I have mispelt your name last e.mail.I appreciate your reply anyway. I ...
A: There is no need to call me Mr! I'm just a normal guy trying to help. We all make mistakes, and I ...
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| Chord Progressions and Piano Harmony | 12/10/2006 |
Q: I have disparetly been looking for a complete book about chord progressions exercises for piano but ...
A: First of all, my name is not Ahmad; it is Mohamad. With regards to chord progression excercises I ...
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| I have a question... | 11/11/2006 |
Q: I have an opportunity to buy an Heintzman Nordheimer piano for 2 000 $. It is restored 10 years ago ...
A: Shelly, Thanks for your question. Although this is not my area of expertise, you will need to find ...
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| Lavine | 11/10/2006 |
Q: I am just starting to learn how to play "General Lavine" eccentric by Debussy and I realized that I ...
A: Joe! I've never heard of General Lavine before but I assume you would pronounce it as La-Vine. "La" ...
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| Barry manilow | 11/2/2006 |
Q: I was just asking, because I thought that since you played piano, you might have met him, since he ...
A: Connie, Thanks for your response. Interesting question! Actually I have met many many pianists, but ...
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| stretching hands | 10/6/2006 |
Q: Please can you give me some advice as to whether there are exercises that I can do to increase the ...
A: I saw a Japanese friend of mine while at university play Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto all by ...
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| Advanced piano playing | 9/18/2006 |
Q: apart from the technical side of playing which I agree can be trained on a digital, my real concern ...
A: Glad you found the reply useful. Thanks for your comments on the website! I am definitely NOT ...
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| Advanced piano playing | 9/12/2006 |
Q: Would be grateful if you could cast your opinion on the subject of more advanced piano playing ...
A: it's probably the most relevant question I've had in almost the 5 yrs I been on this website! i ...
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| Chord Structure | 9/9/2006 |
Q: I am a training jazz pianist who is very interested in songwriting and music theory in general. ...
A: I have listened to the clip but I am afraid there's little I can do. I find converting music into ...
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| Wheelock Baby Grand Piano | 8/19/2006 |
Q: I have a Wheelock BabY Grand Piano that I have inherited and would like to have it refurnished and ...
A: I am not a piano restoration expert, and I would think that if you have a body and a frame you can ...
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| Piano compositions | 8/17/2006 |
Q: Mohammad: I am a fireworks choreographer and am looking for a special piano piece. It needs to be ...
A: David, You raise the bar too high! The only piece to fit the bill (ever so barely) is Franz Liszt's ...
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| Third bar of Fantaisie Impromptu. That half-note on the bass line. | 7/10/2006 |
Q: I beleive that my question was inaccurate. (as I said, my music reading skills are not very good) ...
A: now that i've seen this music i know what you're talking about. basically the note squeezed in there ...
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| Third bar of Fantaisie Impromptu. That half-note on the bass line. | 7/7/2006 |
Q: First off thank you for reading my question. My question involves Chopin's "Fantaisie Impromptu", ...
A: . thanks for your question.. sorry for the delay as i was on holiday.. basically you're in luck ...
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| Best upright piano | 6/22/2006 |
Q: My husband and I are looking to buy an upgright piano and are overwhelmed by the choices. We want ...
A: . there isn't one best piano as such.. but I am quite fond of Petrof's and to some extent Yamaha's. ...
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| fur elise | 6/9/2006 |
Q: I am learning Fur Elise by Beethoven. I am unsure of the hand movements in bar 21-25 for both the ...
A: i'm afraid ur question is a bit confusing.. but fur elise is one of the simpler works.. what u need ...
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| Just doesnt sound the same to me | 3/22/2006 |
Q: I have recently become interested in playing the piano and have an electronic casio keyboard. Bit by ...
A: Unfortunately electronic keyboard is not exactly my forte, and I am not exactly sure what kind of ...
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| Music is my LIFE!!! | 2/22/2006 |
Q: Mohamad Al-Dah. I'm going to be 13 this year and i love music a lot. I've been playng the piano ...
A: You're in a tough position but it's not as bad as you make it. So what if you're in Malaysia? It's a ...
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| Would I be able to play Fantasie Impromptu or Revolutionary Etude | 2/6/2006 |
Q: Mohamad. I've officially mastered Debussy Arabesque and Clair de Lune, as well as several other ...
A: I'm not sure what do you exactly mean by "officially" mastered these Debussy works, but assuming you ...
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| buying a piano | 1/8/2006 |
Q: i am looking to buy a piano for my 8 year old daughter who has been learning on keyboard so far. ...
A: digital keyboard pros: - cheaper than acoustic. - lighter to carry - less noisy (can use ...
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| Piano Question | 12/30/2005 |
Q: I am considering the purchase of a Baby Grand Kranich & Bach piano. The serial # is 36300. Do you ...
A: Unfortunately I have not heard of this piano brand, and since I don't know the age as well then it's ...
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| moonlight sonata | 11/26/2005 |
Q: I am learning to play the piano and to read music simultaneously. I have some sheet music called ...
A: The Moonlight sonata (op 27 n 2) by Beethoven was originally written in C-sharp minor and that's a ...
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| tunings | 11/24/2005 |
Q: I hope that these are easy questions. I have a Yamaha p-120 and I am teaching myself to play it. ...
A: here are some answers. i hope you find them helpful. 1- piano 1 and piano 2 are just different ...
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| Trip It Lightly? | 10/3/2005 |
Q: Mohamad! My family has recently been able to move a piano back into the house for my mother, and ...
A: Good news about getting a piano for your mother. Pianos are always good! As for that song, I'm ...
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| Mustiic type | 6/17/2005 |
Q: I am learning Mozart's Fantasia in d minor for a recital but my teacher said I should learn about ...
A: I have never come across what a fantasia is.. I suspect it's a form to descibe something that has no ...
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| piano | 6/11/2005 |
Q: I have a Casio keyboard CTK-330 and started piano lessons a few months ago. I've since, for a lack ...
A: The two best digital pianos that sound like an acousit are made by Casio and Yamaha. My preference ...
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| Piano Music | 5/11/2005 |
Q: I have been playing for about 3 years now (I'm 14) and am wondering what level and kind of ...
A: You're question is very general but I will try to help you. I do not know what kind of level you're ...
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| sheet music | 5/9/2005 |
Q: Where on the web would I be able to get free sheet music in standard notation for the score to the ...
A: Easy question except that you want 'free' music... Anyway, a quick search on google gave me: ...
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| Clair De Lune | 3/4/2005 |
Q: M, Thanks for your reply. So there's NO arpeggios or anything that I should try working on to help ...
A: There is no ONE correct way to practise a piece. The way I would practise will almost be different ...
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| Teaching piano composition | 2/23/2005 |
Q: I would like to ask about what is the best way to understand classical piano composition based on ...
A: however it is not very clear and I probably do not have an answer for you unfortunately. You asked ...
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| trills | 2/6/2005 |
Q: I have a problem with trills involving the 4th and 5th fingers, particularly with Chopin's Polonaise ...
A: That particular trill in the polonaise is quite difficult.. There are two ways to do it. The usual ...
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| Questions on Synocopated | 11/8/2004 |
Q: I would like to know what are synocopated notes and how these notes should be played. Do we just ...
A: Syncopated notes simply means notes which are off-beat. This is usually indicated by a tie (looks ...
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| Finding Good Chords | 11/5/2004 |
Q: I'm new to piano and I always good at composing new melodies but I'm never know how to find the ...
A: . thnx for your question.. unfortunately i don't know how to explain chords very well.. as your ...
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| Yamaha Keyboard | 10/18/2004 |
Q: Mr. Al-Dah. I have a Yamaha PSR-293 keyboard (fairly recent model). What do I need to buy so that ...
A: . Thanks for your question.. however, I am not an expert on Yamaha accesories unfortunately. I would ...
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| Debussy | 10/15/2004 |
Q: Debussy rarly put in pedal markings. Who would you consult for pedal marks for his music. There are ...
A: .. Although I'm not an expert on Debussy, but it's normal for most music not to have pedal ...
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| about piano technique... | 10/10/2004 |
Q: I'm from Spain and my english is poor, sorry.Well, my question, I play piano since 9 years ago in a ...
A: Samuel, Buenos dias, Thanks for your question. If you studied at the conservatoire for 9 years ...
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| Keyboard Exercises | 9/17/2004 |
Q: I just discovered this website today and have a question about appropriate exercises for a keyboard ...
A: which is a very interesting question! I haven't thought about this before, but personally I believe ...
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| Beethovens's Fur Elise | 8/7/2004 |
Q: Would you be able to tell me where I can get the sheet music to Fur Elise. I'd really like to learn ...
A: I've done a quick internet search for you and found the following sites. Hope you find them helpful: ...
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| whick key to press ? | 6/2/2004 |
Q: which key must i press to play the piano according to the music sheet? i only know right hand ...
A: . I think it's extremely difficult to explain to you what to do with e-mail (since your question is ...
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| Bach's fugue in A minor from WTC book I | 5/14/2004 |
Q: In regard to the A minor fugue from Bach's Well-tempered Clavier Book 1, the tied note over the last ...
A: Then answer is very simple.. The whole of the WTC was written before the invention of the piano, and ...
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| learning the keyboard | 4/22/2004 |
Q: how do i read the notes on the keyboard?and how do i know which key to hit?
A: Maria, The best way to learn to read music is to get a qualified teacher, and if you cannot manage ...
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| Chopin Etude op 10 no 11 | 4/9/2004 |
Q: My wife and I were thinking about practicing Chopin's etude op 10 no 11 in E flat. It is a rather ...
A: Please let me first apologise for the late reply, it is because I was on holiday. Your question is ...
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| Unknown song title | 3/26/2004 |
Q: We found one of the songs that was played by pianist Newell Oler (he passed away) and wonder if you ...
A: I've visited the website and heard that piano piece a few times. However, I cannot pinpoint the name ...
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| Piano, keyboard and organ. | 3/10/2004 |
Q: pls i want to know the major difference b/w a keyboard, piano and an organ and whether u can ...
A: Mike.. thnx for ur question... here is your answer: keyboard : this is where the keys are.. all ...
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| Compositions for the Sostenuto Pedal? | 2/25/2004 |
Q: Mr. Al-Dah. I have a vintage Steinway Concert Grand, 1892. It of course has the middle Sostenuto ...
A: . This piano you have sounds lovely.. I always wanted to have a Steinway.. anyway regarding your ...
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| Czerny vs. Hanon | 2/13/2004 |
Q: Limitations of Hanon that I've found: 1. Identical measures; identical hands. Bears no resemblance ...
A: Interesting obsevations there! You seem to know more than me, so I wonder why are you asking.. but ...
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