pdfaze asked:


I’m starting to learn how to play jazz piano and need some intermediate music with some solos in it. I am a medium high skill level so sight reading shouldn’t be much of a problem as long as it’s not crazy. Also I’m looking for a piece with a sort of fast and upbeat tempo.

Also if anyone knows a good sight that teaches you the basics of soloing then please suggest them to me.

Thanks

Sight Reading Music

Crystal asked:


I am 14. I have been playing piano for about 7 months. I live in the United States and I herd of this grading system, the ABRSM, and I would like to follow it. I have looked at the requirements for each level and I am around a level 6/7. I am wondering, is it possible to move this quickly because mose people say you move up one level per year, or am I just mistaken. I can do 4 octaves worth of scales, and when it says do scales a third apart does that mean, for instance, a C scale a third apart would be play the notes C,E,G in that order as the scale, or woud this be legato scales in thirds, both of which are requirements? I can do 2 octaves worth of contrary motion scales. Are cromatic scales EVERY NOTE, if not, what are they? And Dominant and Diminished Svenths, what are they? And where/how can you buy the sheet music for the songs you want to play for that level? Are they on the website? I would really like to get into the Royal College of Music, which I know is highly unlikely, but if I get through grade 8 by the end of my freshmen year, would that give me an advantage. What do I need to do to get into the RCM school?! I play very well by ear, but my sight reading could use some work. Please be understanding!No one has been (except for my dad ) and I am being 100% serious. Thank You!
Thank you so much Bliss Junkie! You have really helped me! I should add more details as to wear I am hoping to go to college. Yes I am hoping to go to RMC, but I dont know if this will be possible with only 4 years of piano experience

Learn How to Read Music

nspire25 asked:


Do you think I can get into Berklee school of music?
I’ve asked this questions before, but I didn’t get many answers.
So here it is:
I want to get into Berklee school of Music.
I just don’t think I’m good enough.
I’ve been playing for around 11 years (I’m 16 turning 17 right now so i start applying this year…) but I don’t practice that much. I don’t have that much time to, but I’m very very very into music. Last few years, I practiced about 3 times a week during the school year. During winter break, maybe like, 10 hours a week and took two lessons a week this winter break.
I’m not the best in my town… (theres a lot of good musicians here… one got accepted to Julliard), but I’m in the top 10 pianists. it’s a pretty small town though.
Anyways… I’m from michigan, and we have SAT for piano. I’ve done pretty well on those (we get tested on theory, sight reading and transposition, aural awareness, performance, and technique.)
So if you do well enough, you go to semifinals. And out of about 12 people, 4 go to finals. i went to finals last year. (final year of testing. There are 10 levels.)
i’m hoping that I can win some competitions this year. (i’m doing three).
Im currently playing Liszt Liebenstraum No. 3 (Nocturne of love), Haydn Sonata Hob XVI No. 50 1st movement, a bach which doenst really matter… and Ginestra Danzas Argentinas.
My jazz isn’t good at all… I haven’t done any before. And my improv isn’t either.
I’m a classical musician (see above lol), but only because all of the competitions here are classical requirements. I love playing new age and pop music.
How does this sound? What are my chances?
Also, my GPA isn’t too shabby (3.6 ish.) and my psat scores were pretty good. (197 i think).

how to sight read music

[[DominicanGurl™]] asked:


tomorrow i’m auditioning for Juilliards music advancement program. its for like kids who dont get to play on real pianos or practice privatley. like inner city kids. and i am auditioning for piano. im playing C.P.E Bach’s solfeggietto . i started practicing last year, 2 hours a week in school. but most of the classes were canceled due to testing, holidays etc. and i practice all the time at home and in school during lunch and after school. i barley even eat food, i basically eat sheet-music. that’s how much i love it. i know i haven’t been practicing for a long time like kids who have been playing for 6 years etc. but my music teacher at school says her daughter never got up to my level until her 4th year of music lessons. and i didn’t even start dedicating my self to the piano until last summer before school started. so technically i’ve only been REALLY playing for a year now.

so what do you think? for the requirments they said it was 2 octave scales, 1 piece involving both left and right hands, easy sight reading, and a theory placement test. another question, i’ve never taken music theory. only like the basics. will that be hard? im only in 8th grade and there are kids i know who have been playing since they were like 3. but still i think im sorta advanced. so what do you think?

how to sight read music

Grace:) asked:


I’m 14 and I’ve been playing the piano for almost 8 years. However recently (in the last year or so) I’ve become increasingly passionate in playing the piano. Throughout my time playing the piano I’ve found it easier to play by ear, I’d rather listen to pieces on CDs or Youtube and figure them out with a little help from my sheet music. But I’ve come to a point where if I want to continue to learn complicated pieces on my own without the assistance of my piano teacher then I really have to bring my sight reading up to scratch. Has anyone got any tips on how to improve (without using those tedious, tuneless “Improve your sight reading” books) Cheers x

How to Sight Read Music