Music Tools Selection

The working place for learning piano consists of a computer connected to an electric piano keyboard or digital piano. If you are short of space, the portable piano keyboard has an advantage in being smaller, and easily movable to be installed before a lesson, and put away after practice to save some space. However, if you can afford it, it is much better to organize a permanent place. Our experience shows that your children or you will practice more often if the piano keyboard is always available without any additional hustle.
A learning place with a portable piano keyboard

Computer
To run the Soft Way to Mozart software, you may use any modern, the cheapest on the market, computer, or even 5-year-old one, if it has a decent graphics card and enough memory. We recommend using a good computer monitor for piano practice. It will add enjoyment to the practice, and spare student's eyes.

Piano
You may use any electronic piano keyboard or digital piano that has MIDI functionality (nowadays, most of them do). The main criteria of choosing a piano are the price and the quality of its sound.

Piano to computer connection
To use the interactivity of our software, you must connect your electric piano to your computer. Basically, there are two kinds of connections - the MIDI cable and MIDI interface, depending on your computer.


Tables and stands
You may put the piano and computer monitor on the same table, use a special table or a stand for the piano keyboard, or put the computer monitor or laptop on the top of the digital piano. Be sure that the foundation for the piano and monitor is stable. Many keyboard stands, especially folding ones, lack this quality. Such stands have the ability to fall down after any accidental move, which is inevitable when working with children. For a piano keyboard, we recommend using an adjustable table or stand, that is lower than the monitor table.
A learning place with a digital piano

Chair
It is very important to match the height of the keyboard with the height of the chair to achieve a correct posture of a student. If the student puts her palms on the piano keyboard, her relaxed forearms must be parallel to the floor. It is helpful if you can adjust the height of the chair, the piano, or both.

Placing the monitor
During the piano practice, the monitor will play the role of the music sheet, so put it behind the piano keyboard, or on the top of the digital piano. If it is not possible to place it in the center of the piano because of a sheet stand, you may shift the monitor to one side of the piano. It doesn't matter if the student must turn his head a little while reading and playing.

Computer keyboard
We usually place the computer keyboard right on the top of the piano keyboard or digital piano.

To connect the computer to an electronic piano keyboard or digital piano, most common is one of the three configurations:



Connections of piano keyboard to computer

1. A computer with 15-pin MIDI connector (is provided with a sound card on many desktop computers, and usually called as "Game/MIDI" port) and a cable to connect this port with 5-pin MIDI output/input sockets of a piano/keyboard. This cable is usually called as Sound card to MIDI cable.
Or
2. A USB MIDI Interface to connect the USB computer port with 5-pin MIDI output/input sockets of a piano/keyboard. You will need to install on your computer a device driver on a CD supplied with this MIDI Interface.
Or
3. Some of the digital pianos and electric piano keyboards can be directly connected to the USB port of the computer using a USB cable, but you still have to install a device driver from a special CD coming together with this piano keyboard.

The piano keyboard has to be General MIDI compatible! To find it out, read the piano keyboard manual. Check for the word "MIDI" on the piano keyboard front, or look for a pair of round 5-pin sockets, "MIDI In" and "MIDI Out", at the back of the keyboard.

Order Sound card to MIDI cable
Order USB MIDI Interface

Attention: M-Audio Uno MIDI interface is not compatible with Yamaha piano keyboards!

* Connection Tips: If not directly specified, connect cable In plug to the Out MIDI socket of the piano keyboard. Connect cable Out plug to the In MIDI socket of the piano keyboard
* For a stable MIDI connection, we recommend to connect all MIDI cables and devices before you switch on your computer and piano keyboard. Also, we recommend to switch your computer on at first, and then the piano keyboard.
* If your desktop doesn't have a MIDI port, you can install an inexpensive sound card which includes a MIDI port. It is a little bit less expensive than buying a MIDI Interface. For laptops this will not work, so USB MIDI Interface may be the best solution to connect the computer to a MIDI keyboard.

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The Soft Way to Mozart software will work with, practically, any electric piano existing on the market - digital pianos, electronic piano keyboards or MIDI keyboard controllers. The only condition is that this digital piano or piano keyboard has to be General MIDI compatible, which is true for most of the modern electric pianos. To find out if a particular keyboard is MIDI compatible, check for the word "MIDI" or "General MIDI"on the piano keyboard front, or look for a pair of round 5-pin connectors, "MIDI In" and "MIDI Out", at the back of the keyboard (or at the bottom for some digital pianos), or, the most challenging, read its manual.MIDI connectors of an electric piano

To fully use the advantage of the "Soft way to Mozart" interactive teaching software, you need to connect your electronic piano keyboard to your computer. Please read more in Computer to piano MIDI connection. Any solution is good till the digital piano, piano keyboard, or MIDI controller may be connected to the computer, and you can start practicing to acquire basic piano skills.

Our recommendations:

1) Size. We recommend to purchase a piano keyboard with at least 61 keys. Very soon you will find that a piano keyboard with less than 61 keys is just a toy, and you will be able to play only simplest songs. The full 88 keys keyboard is the best choice for more advanced students that are going to play any classical or contemporary compositions.

2) Piano keyboard against MIDI controller. We would recommend to purchase a piano keyboard that includes sound system rather than just a MIDI keyboard controller, that has no built-in sound, and that can be used only together with a computer. Usually, the sound of even the cheapest piano keyboard is better and more powerful than the computer sound, or the computer sound card and speakers must be quite expensive. Also, you can use this keyboard independently, move around, and even travel with it. The price difference between a piano keyboard and a MIDI controller is small, but, as said previously, you can use both variants.

3) Sound. One of the most important features of any piano is the quality of sound. The more closely the piano keyboard reproduces the natural piano tones, the more enjoyment you or your child will experience during your practice and piano performance. On other hand, at some level, even small improvement of sound may increase the price of a digital piano in thousand dollars. We believe that nowadays even the cheapest on the market piano keyboard has decent sound for learning and practicing the piano playing. You may select your price category, and choose a piano relying on your ear. Switch all pianos to the "Grand Piano" tone, and press piano keys, trying to understand which piano sound you like better. Usually, it will be a piano with less noticeable "electric" tones in its timbre.

4) Additional features. The touch-sensitive piano keys are a plus, as also are the loaded keys that simulate the resistance of real piano keys, though these features are not needed for beginners, and especially for small children. Also, in cheap models, these features may be bound with the decrease of sound quality.

Our piano software does not need additional built-in functionality that some of electric piano producers try to add to the modern piano keyboards, like lightning of piano keys, complicated piano teaching attachments, and multitude of music tones and effects. Keeping in mind, that any additional functionality makes the use of the piano more difficult, distract attention, and makes the whole device less reliable, we would recommend to go after a piano with better sound and less gadgets.

Again, the cheapest piano keyboard which you constantly use for improving your playing skills is much better than nothing, and better than the best piano collecting dust without any use.

http://www.doremifasoft.com

Are you searching the Internet for a piano keyboard but not sure which of the many models and features are right for you? The key to buying the right keyboard lies in understanding the 5 power piano player styles and the one that defines your playing style.

One of the 5 piano player styles will be instantly recognizable to you. It will resonate with you.. It describes you, your style of playing and evokes emotions that will urge you to yell out, "yes, yes... thats me!

Although there are a bewildering array of keyboards most can be classified into 5 pianist categories which I'll talk about throughout this site.

Once you know which of the 5 piano categories you belong to, you will be able to shop with confidence for the digital keyboard that is right for you.

If, by the way, you do know which keyboard you definitely want then I certainly recommend that you visit ZZounds because they are quite simply well...to be blunt, the best online digital piano retailer.

ZZound's customer service, free delivery on most items and lowest prices make them the most competitive keyboard retailer on the net. But don't take my word for it, just visit and read the customer reviews.

So why would you buy a keyboard online? Simply because ZZounds can supply a larger inventory of digital pianos and selection than any phsyical retail store can carry (there are no space limitations on the net) because it is online. That means lower prices on keyboards for you. Also ZZounds has been in the business for a long time and has a great reputation.
What Marketers Know About Your Buying Habits

Marketers are a savvy bunch. They know their markets and keyboard buyers. They have classified keyboard players into 5 market segments and these segments mirror exactly the 5 piano player profiles we alluded to earlier. We will explore these segments and the type of digital piano products that are designed and manufactured to meet the needs of the 5 player styles.

Where You Fit In

Once you understand the 5 distinct categories, it becomes much easier to find the right piano keyboard that meets your needs regardless of the myriad of keyboard features available. We'll help demistify the process for you. Armed with this new found knowledge you will be able to find the right keyboard that is within your budget. First of all you need to know which of the 5 categories your piano playing style fits into, this is the key to your purchase satisfaction.
So What Qualifies Me to Talk About Piano Marketing?

I've been a pianist for ove 42 years and have worked in piano sales. I also have a University degree in Marketing and have been working in International marketing and business development for large corporations and government for many years. And of course you're on my piano web site. My skill set lends itself well to help you gain insight into the piano marketing world. But before we begin talking about the 5 piano segments lets debunk a common myth that has been circulating for some time now. Which is better, an acoustic piano or digital piano?
Acoustic Piano vs Digital Piano Keyboard

Ah...the seemingly contestable debate rages on. But there really is no need for it quite frankly because both are equally good in their own right, it is a matter of which you prefer or what attributes are important to you. Without a doubt, digital pianos today perform very well but would never replace an acoustic piano. But the digital piano provides features that simply cannot be found on an acoustic piano. Features such as additional sampled instruments, midi sequencing and portability if you are on the road. Quite simply it is a matter of choice and you will need to make a decision as to which features and benefits are right for you.
Benefits of Owning a Digital Piano or Midi Keyboard

There are, of course, many piano keyboards, prices and their value to choose from but despite that, you are bound to find one that meets your needs and personal taste.

When I was a young musician back in the early 1980's, choosing a keyboard was simply a matter of selecting either a Hammond organ (bulky and not very transportable), an electric piano for example, Wurlitzer and Fender Rhodes or Korg's analog synthesizer with its many varied patch cords and inputs that more resembled a telephone switch board than a keyboard.

One fine day in the mid 1980's I bought a Korg M1 workstation, which was a true revolution in digital sampling technology for its time. Today, there are a bewildering array of digital pianos, workstations, midi keyboard and samplers to choose from not to mention the range of piano keys or piano notes size formats to choose from in each product category and brand. Sizes are listed below:

*
Korg keyboards in 61, 76, 88 piano keys
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Roland keyboards 61, 76, 88 piano keys
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Kurzweil keyboards in 76, 88 piano keys
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Yamaha keyboards in 61, 76, 88 piano keys

But how do you know which is right for you? That depends on what you want to do with your keyboard. For example, if you are:

*
a pianist learning to hone your craft and require a weighted-key piano that takes little room, consider a digital piano. All digital pianos offer great sound and most offer a select group of instruments to choose from
*
if you are a studio or performing keyboard player or a one-man band playing the local scene you may want to consider a midi keyboard. Midi keyboards are great because they allow you to record an ensemble of musical instruments that make you sound like a complete band and orchestra.
*
If you are a composer then a workstation and sampler are your best bet.

Of course, these are only guidelines. Some keyboards are extremely versatile in that they combine many of the noted features (midi, workstation, sampler etc.) into one unit. There are so many keyboards out there that cater to every need not the least of which - 88 key portable pianos, mini keyboards with less than 61 notes and even an online piano keyboard that allows you to play virtually using software.

You've come to this web site because of your interest in researching digital pianos and other keyboards. I have done significant research on merchants and I highly recommend ZZounds because of the vast array of keyboards and other instruments. But you don't have to take my word for it, just go to their site and read the feedback and testimonials. ZZounds offers guaranteed lowest prices and free shipping on most piano keyboard instruments.

http://www.piano-keyboard-reviews.com/

In western music, china type cymbals are cymbals manufactured to produce a dark, crisp, trashy, and explosive tone. Their origins can be traced back to the gong in both sound and shape, and thus they are given their name 'china'.
China type cymbals from three continents

China type cymbals typically have a bell that is cylindrical or shaped like a truncated cone with its base the top of the bell, an outer rim that is turned up in the reverse direction to the main bow of the cymbal, little or no taper (change in thickness) from bell to rim, and an area including the inside of the bell that is unpolished. However some china type cymbals have only some or in some cases none of these distinguishing characteristics. The distinguishing feature of a china type cymbal is the one that is hardest to define: its sound. China cymbals are those whose sounds are derived from the Chinese, rather than the Turkish, tradition of cymbal making.

There are two or three tonal families of cymbals: Turkish, Chinese, and some would say European, although others would include the European family of tones as a development of the Turkish sounds. The best Turkish (and European) cymbals have a rich, swelling tone that some describe as "sweet". To western ears, the best china types have an abrasive, cutting sound that is described by western drummers as "trashy".
Detail of a conical bell

The families do to some extent overlap. Notably, pang and swish cymbals have some characteristics of china types, and some characteristics of traditional Turkish cymbals. On the other hand, the Sabian roctagon cymbals and some Ufip models are considered china types while having none of the physical characteristics of the normal china type, while the Paiste crystal crash is considered a European cymbal despite its squarish bell.

Cymbal making in China is claimed to predate the development of the art anywhere else in the world. The most universally acclaimed cymbal alloy, bell bronze, appears to have been independently developed in China. Today in China a wide range of cymbals are manufactured of both traditional and imported patterns. Traditional Chinese types with distinctive names and sounds include chung, jing and water cymbals and many other types. In Western music these are all referred to as china type cymbals.
China clash cymbals

China type cymbals are available in a wide range of sizes from 27" down to 6", most types singly but some in pairs. Those of 12" or smaller are normally referred to in Western music as china splash cymbals. When used in a drum kit, they are regarded as effects cymbals and are used to give colour and variety.

In a drum kit, china type cymbals are sometimes mounted bell up, similarly to other cymbals, but more often bell down. When mounted bell down, the upturned rim becomes a downturned rim, allowing a normal stick technique to be used for both ride and crash patterns. This assumes that the bell is formed in the typical direction; Some china type cymbals (e.q. the Paiste 2002 Novo china) have an inverted bell and an upturned rim, and so must be mounted bell up to achieve this downwards rim orientation.

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