Monday 25 December 2023

Ludwig van Beethoven: A Musical Revolutionary



Ludwig van Beethoven, a titan of classical music, stands as a towering figure whose compositions and life story continue to inspire generations. Born in Bonn, Germany, in 1770, Beethoven's life was marked by both triumph and adversity, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. 




Early Life and Musical Prodigy 
Beethoven demonstrated his musical prowess at a young age, being taught by his father Johann van Beethoven, himself a singer and musician. His talent flourished, and by his early teens, Beethoven was supporting his family as a court musician. Recognizing his potential, he moved to Vienna in his early twenties, a city that would become the center of his creative life.  


Musical Evolution and Innovation 
Beethoven's compositions spanned various musical forms of his time, from symphonies and piano sonatas to chamber music and concertos. His early works echo the styles of Haydn and Mozart, yet as his career progressed, Beethoven's compositions underwent a revolutionary transformation. His music embraced innovation, defied conventions, and pushed the boundaries of what was deemed possible in classical music. His compositions were marked by intense emotions, daring harmonies, and unprecedented structural innovations, leading to the Romantic era in music. 

Deafness and Triumph Over Adversity 
One of the most poignant aspects of Beethoven's life was his battle with deafness. This affliction, which began in his late twenties and worsened over time, posed a profound challenge to the composer. Despite this adversity, Beethoven continued to compose, pouring his innermost thoughts and emotions into his music. His famous "Heiligenstadt Testament," a letter written to his brothers, revealed his struggles with hearing loss and the torment it brought him. Yet, Beethoven's determination to overcome these obstacles is evident in his late masterpieces, including the Ninth Symphony and the Missa Solemnis, where he communicated through music what words could not express. 

Legacy and Impact 
Beethoven's impact on music cannot be overstated. His compositions have become iconic and continue to influence musicians across genres. His Ninth Symphony, especially its final movement featuring "Ode to Joy," remains a universal anthem of joy, freedom, and unity. Beyond his music, Beethoven's life and character continue to inspire. His unwavering dedication, resilience in the face of adversity, and commitment to artistic expression serve as a testament to the human spirit. Ludwig van Beethoven's legacy endures not only through his compositions but also through the timeless message of perseverance, innovation, and the boundless power of music. His life serves as a beacon of inspiration for artists and individuals alike, reminding us that true greatness often emerges from the depths of struggle and adversity. Ludwig van Beethoven's life and music are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of artistic expression. His legacy continues to captivate audiences worldwide, ensuring his place as one of the most influential composers in the history of music.

Monday 12 October 2015

Keyboard Instruments | Piano History

All keyboard instruments in my opinion are very unique and must be appreciated by all musicians.
Today I would like you to join me in this piano history reflection and how sweet each keyboard instruments sound. Listen carefully to the sound of the instruments in this video.

All credit goes to the individuals who have put this video together. I find it very interesting and informative.



I know you have enjoyed this video.

You can also visit these websites with information about the history of the piano.

http://www.choose-piano-lessons.com/history-of-the-piano.html

http://pianonet.com/all-about-pianos/history-of-the-piano/

 

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Two of Bob Marley's Most Popular Songs

Bob Marley whose real name is Robert Nesta Marley is a Jamaican reggae artiste. His songs have place Jamaica on the global scene and have cause a number of tourist visit the island.

Bob Marley was born in a community named Nine Mile in the parish of Saint Ann. Even though Marley died in 1981, his music still touch the hearts of many individuals across the world. He is still viewed as the number one artiste in Jamaica and is the greatest reggae artiste of all time.

Below are two of Bob Marley's most popular songs that many individuals love to listen to.

ONE LOVE





REDEMPTION SONG



Which Bob Marley song is your favourite? Please leave your answers in the comment box!





Saturday 18 May 2013

Benefits of Music Lessons | Can it boost brain development?

Can music lessons boost brain development?


A large number of parents from different countries across the globe, are now allowing their children to take music lessons from an early age. Some children start from as early as four years old.

This great interest by parents may be influenced by the positive results of researches done on the benefits of music lessons on young children. As a matter of fact, some researchers indicate that students who participates in learning a musical instrument performs well in their academics.

Today I want to share an article with you on how music lessons can boost brain development in children.

Let me know what you think about the article. I personally find it to be very interesting and support most of the views of the author. Click on the link below to view the article.

Early music lessons boost brain development 

 

Thank you for visiting.

Remember to leave your comment.

 

 

Choose-piano-lessons.com is one of the fastest growing piano lesson websites online, visit them today. Go to choose-piano-lessons.com for free beginner piano lessons.

Saturday 9 March 2013

Free Printable Sheet Music on the Internet


Free Printable Sheet Music on the Internet
by Carlinton Singh



Many individuals are in search of free printable sheet music online. However, there are only few websites that will allow you to download some of their music for free.

I do not want to disappoint you, but most of the sheet music that you are searching for online are not for free. This is because of the penalties that an individual or company can face for breaking the copyright law. You should also realise that the sheet music that you are able to download for free on the internet are mostly for music students at the beginner’s level.

For me though, I do not see anything wrong with spending 0.99cents up to $2.00 for sheet music that I really need. However, I have created this post so that you will be aware of websites to visit for free sheet music.

Here are two websites that you can visit and find free printable sheet music.



This website has been on the internet since 2001 and has a large collection of sheet music for almost any instrument you can think of. And guess what, you can find several free sheet music that are shared by the members of their website. This website is safe to visit and you have the option of becoming a member which is very easy to do. When you are a member, you have more access to all the resources that they have online. However, you also need to know that not all the music sheets there are for free.



A couple of weeks ago I was browsing online for some sheet music for some of my piano students and I was directed to this website. Music-For-Music-Teachers.com is a resourceful website. They have sheet music for vocals, piano, guitar, recorders and so on. I have downloaded a few of their music without paying a penny. All the music sheets that I have printed from their website are PDF files, so I was able to download them on my computer and print them. I was done in a short time.

I am sure that there are more websites that offers free printable sheet music. If you know about any please let me know so that I can spread the word.






Friday 4 January 2013

basic guitar chords for beginners

Today's guitar lessons for beginners!

Hi guys! Today I want to share a video on basic guitar chords for beginners.
Thanks to Beefcakejcc for sharing this video on his channel.

The video is clear for students who are just learning to play basic major and minor chords on the guitar.



Please let me know what you think about this video by leaving your comments below.


Have great time practicing!

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Today’s Featured Keyboard Instrument – Roland Jupiter 50



Today’s Featured Keyboard Instrument – Roland Jupiter 50
by Carlinton Singh

Hi friends, today I want to feature one of the newest keyboard instrument that will catch the attention of many keyboard players in 2013.

It is the Roland Jupiter 50 (the smaller version of the Roland Jupiter 80).  For the pass four decades Roland has built a number of electronic keyboards and synthesizers that are loved by many musicians across the world.

 
Some of Roland’s popular keyboards/synthesizers are as follow;

JUPITER-8
JUNO-60 
 JUPITER-6
JUNO-106
D-50
JV-80 
V-SYNTH 
XP-50 
XP-80 
FANTOM X
FANTOM G
JUNO D 
JUNO G 
RD 700 
JUPITER 80 
JUPITER 50

Since the 21st century, Roland has put out some great electronic keyboards on the market. The Jupiter 80 and Jupiter 50 are among them.

Here is a demo video of the Jupiter 50. It really sounds great and has a lot of features.

Thanks to Sonic-State on YouTube for sharing this video on their channel.



Please remember to leave your comments!
Thank you for visiting!

 

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Trumpet Lessons | Trumpet Fingering Chart for Beginners


Trumpet Lessons | Trumpet Fingering Chart for Beginners

Today I want to take a shift from my piano lessons and do a brief trumpet lesson. 

The trumpet is a brass wind instrument. It is very loud and has a bright tone color. It is played in the treble staff so therefore we can say that its pitch is high. The mouth piece and the valves are the main part of the instrument that is used to change the pitch of each note.

Like many string and woodwind instruments, the seven letters of the musical alphabet are located on the trumpet. As a matter of fact all 12 keys or tones in music can be played on the trumpet at more than one octave.

While the trumpet may be smaller than other brass instruments, it is used to play the lead role within the brass section of a band or ensemble.

Let take a look at the different fingering position for each note on the trumpet. I have provided a trumpet fingering chat for you. Many beginner trumpet players will find this trumpet fingering chart to be useful.

All credits go to Yamaha.com for preparing this accurate trumpet fingering chart for us.


Go to Yamaha.com for more information on musical instruments and software.
Thank you for reading this article. 
Please leave your comments!