http://www.artipot.com/authors/16/duane-shinn/ Latest articles by Duane Shinn from Artipot - your one-stop resource for free articles. http://www.artipot.com/articles/355855/the-mozart-effect-piano-playing-and-you.htm The Mozart Effect refers to research that suggests that listening to Mozart's music may cause short-term improvement of spatio-temporal reasoning. This suggests that listening to Mozart before performing a task will help you perform that task better. Fri, 22 May 2009 21:51:52 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/355855/the-mozart-effect-piano-playing-and-you.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/355152/piano-practice-tips-for-adults.htm Adults often come to the point in their lives when they want to explore new hobbies. One of the most common hobbies adults pursue is learning to play the piano. Thu, 21 May 2009 23:33:38 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/355152/piano-practice-tips-for-adults.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/349329/what-does-a-nice-touch-on-the-piano-mean.htm A piano is an instrument, a piece of equipment that makes sounds when you press the keys. Anyone can take piano lessons, and with some practice and a patient piano tutor, can manage to make the piano play a tune. But there's more to playing a piano that being able to bang on the keys in the right sequence as dictated by the piece of music. Wed, 13 May 2009 17:56:49 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/349329/what-does-a-nice-touch-on-the-piano-mean.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/346610/what-are-those-funny-chord-symbols-above-a-line-of-music.htm Chord symbols are often a part of sheet music and usually appear above each line (music staff), above each individual measure. There can be as many as five or six chord symbols for the same measure. Mon, 11 May 2009 07:47:04 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/346610/what-are-those-funny-chord-symbols-above-a-line-of-music.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/345474/ten-reasons-to-get-those-ten-fingers-playing-piano.htm To those who love music, there are many reasons to play any type of instrument. The wide variety afforded us to choose from is what makes music infinitely enjoyable. Choosing any instrument to study is certainly a worthwhile endeavor. Sun, 10 May 2009 08:24:13 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/345474/ten-reasons-to-get-those-ten-fingers-playing-piano.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/345135/how-can-i-improve-my-timing-and-rhythm-in-music.htm There's really only one way by which you can improve your timing and rhythm, and that's through hours and hours of practice. You can read books about music theory, listen to masters explain how to play a waltz or samba rhythm, but unless you put in the hours of practice, you won't make the technical connection between what your head knows and how your fingers perform. Sun, 10 May 2009 00:22:46 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/345135/how-can-i-improve-my-timing-and-rhythm-in-music.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/344936/is-it-really-possible-to-learn-to-play-piano-by-ear.htm If you want to learn to play an instrument and you have no interest in learning the music theory required to sight read, then it's more than possible to learn how to play by ear. What you do need before you start however is some sensitivity for pitch and rhythm so that you can identify the intervals between notes and the speed at which you should play. Sat, 09 May 2009 21:38:04 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/344936/is-it-really-possible-to-learn-to-play-piano-by-ear.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/343046/piano-practice-is-it-normal-to-hate-to-practice.htm It's very common for musicians to say they hate to practice. One undesirable aspect of practicing is the simple fact that the musician must practice passages and techniques that are difficult for them to play. This creates frustration on the part of the musician and can make them question their abilities. Thu, 07 May 2009 08:52:59 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/343046/piano-practice-is-it-normal-to-hate-to-practice.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/328668/what-is-a-grace-note-how-does-it-work.htm A grace note should perhaps be thought of as an extra bit of flourish by the composer and player. Many call a grace note an "ornament" to be used in the ornamentation of music. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:37:28 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/328668/what-is-a-grace-note-how-does-it-work.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/328604/what-is-world-music.htm The term, "Western Music" includes genres of music originating in the Western world (which includes Europe) that are differentiated from music from the Orient or Middle East. Put simply, Western music, for the most part, is built on major, minor, and pentatonic scales. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:07:03 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/328604/what-is-world-music.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/320328/music-appreciation-101-all-about-what-music-is-what-makes-it-tick.htm The goals of a music appreciation class are many. First and foremost, music appreciation students are encouraged to explore, understand, and appreciate all types of music, not just music of their own personal taste. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:02:25 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/320328/music-appreciation-101-all-about-what-music-is-what-makes-it-tick.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/317809/sight-reading-music-how-can-i-speed-up-my-sight-reading.htm Sight reading means that after seeing it written a musician can play the music on his or her instrument with some degree of accuracy. It does not mean that one plays it perfectly, but at least adequately. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:48:27 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/317809/sight-reading-music-how-can-i-speed-up-my-sight-reading.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/317564/how-to-read-music-basics-for-beginners.htm Music is written in notation that includes a staff (five horizontal lines), ledger lines, time and key signatures, and other symbols that tell what notes are to be played and how long they are to be played. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:26:47 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/317564/how-to-read-music-basics-for-beginners.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/313775/what-is-music-theory-and-why-should-i-learn-it.htm Aside from the academic study of music theory, which explores the theories surrounding music issues, such as whether or not a piece of music fits into one category or another, music theory is really the nuts and bolts of music. It's the way that music is composed, and performed. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:42:13 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/313775/what-is-music-theory-and-why-should-i-learn-it.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/313117/piano-instruction-make-sure-it-includes-chords-music-theory.htm Proper piano instruction is an element extremely vital to learning the instrument well. Though it's very possible to be a self-taught piano player, piano lessons can really increase the speed and efficiency with which one learns the instrument. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:37:15 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/313117/piano-instruction-make-sure-it-includes-chords-music-theory.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/312399/what-would-i-learn-if-i-took-music-101-in-college.htm Most major college Music 101 courses are specialized and designed for a specific program. In other words, you'll find a Music 101 class for classical music, dance and theater, performance, or theory (among many others). Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:15:37 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/312399/what-would-i-learn-if-i-took-music-101-in-college.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/310927/music-and-medicine-why-do-so-many-medical-people-play-the-piano.htm Playing piano isn't just good for the soul. It's good for the mind too. Playing piano has many applications in daily life, including work/career. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:45:51 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/310927/music-and-medicine-why-do-so-many-medical-people-play-the-piano.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/307533/learn-to-play-the-keyboard-for-fun-satisfaction.htm Aside from learning to play the keyboard just for fun, students often choose to play the keyboard because it is said to be easier than learning to play a piano. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:55:01 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/307533/learn-to-play-the-keyboard-for-fun-satisfaction.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/307532/learn-to-play-music-add-a-new-dimension-to-your-life.htm So you want to learn to play music? You've never had a lesson on an instrument and don't even know where to start? Learning to play music can be as simple or challenging as you want. Whether you want to learn the guitar, the piano or the tuba doesn't matter. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:54:23 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/307532/learn-to-play-music-add-a-new-dimension-to-your-life.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/301335/vince-guaraldi-the-pianist-behind-the-charlie-brown-sound.htm Vince Guaraldi's music will forever stand as the sound of Charlie Brown. His jazz riffs that are part of the Peanuts musical oeuvre are instantly recognizable. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:00:53 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/301335/vince-guaraldi-the-pianist-behind-the-charlie-brown-sound.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/300437/the-triple-threat-of-steve-allen-pianist-writer-and-comedian.htm One of the most legendary musical satirists of the 20th century, pianist and comedian was Steve Allen. He was extremely prolific, having once bet another songwriter he could pen 50 songs a day for a week. He won the bet. He even won a Grammy award in 1963 for Best Jazz Composition. Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:45:04 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/300437/the-triple-threat-of-steve-allen-pianist-writer-and-comedian.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/298175/what-is-music-how-did-music-begin.htm Where did music come from? When and where did it begin? If you think of music as communication, perhaps it started with all creatures, including humans, communicating. It is referred to today as "the universal language." Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:03:12 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/298175/what-is-music-how-did-music-begin.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/297373/three-things-every-piano-student-should-know-about-metronomes.htm Piano students, even beginners, are probably familiar with the metronome. Using a metronome during practice can help students play more proficiently and consistently. A metronome should be a basic tool for every person learning to play. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:03:41 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/297373/three-things-every-piano-student-should-know-about-metronomes.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/296413/benny-goodman-the-king-of-swing-and-his-band.htm Known throughout the years as "The King of Swing," Benny Goodman was the ninth of 12 children. He was born in the Maxwell Street neighborhood of Chicago on May 30, 1909 to poor Jewish immigrants from Russia. At 10 years old, Benny Goodman was enrolled in music lessons at the Kehelah Jacob Synagogue. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:51:32 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/296413/benny-goodman-the-king-of-swing-and-his-band.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/292724/what-is-the-difference-between-perfect-pitch-and-relative-pitch.htm Whether or not someone has "perfect pitch" (sometimes called "absolute pitch") is a debatable issue as this talent has to be tested in a number of ways. Most musicians have good relative pitch, but only a few have perfect pitch. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:48:59 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/292724/what-is-the-difference-between-perfect-pitch-and-relative-pitch.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/291912/the-great-piano-players-of-country-western-music.htm It may be hard to imagine, but the piano wasn't always accepted into country and western music. There were many pianists who persevered and brought an entirely new dimension to the music. These musicians brought other playing styles into a very rigid musical genre, allowing it to expand into the force it is today. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:55:17 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/291912/the-great-piano-players-of-country-western-music.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/290960/whats-the-difference-between-an-orchestra-a-band.htm What's the difference between an orchestra & a band, an ensemble and a choir, a combo, and so on? Different combinations of musicians are given different names, based mostly on personnel, instrumentation, and the style of music played. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:59:56 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/290960/whats-the-difference-between-an-orchestra-a-band.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/290229/modern-breakthroughs-in-transportation-a-brief-history.htm The mid nineteenth to the present has seen unprecedented advancement in transportation, from a world with no motor car to one where supersonic flight and landings on the moon were possible. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:12:01 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/290229/modern-breakthroughs-in-transportation-a-brief-history.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/290154/what-piano-players-should-know-about-woodwinds.htm Woodwinds (clarinet, oboe, bassoon, etc.) are different from piano in that they require wind (created by the player) to create a tone (using a reed or reeds to create the vibrations needed for sound). Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:55:02 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/290154/what-piano-players-should-know-about-woodwinds.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/289878/what-piano-players-should-know-about-percussion-instruments.htm Percussion instruments include the snare drum (and all drums in general), cymbals, tympanis (sometimes called kettle drums as they are shaped as such), and exotic instruments such as the guiro, claves, and maracas. These instruments, and the way they are played, go a long way in determining the feel and style of the music. Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:43:21 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/289878/what-piano-players-should-know-about-percussion-instruments.htm