Thursday 17 July 2014

Attending Keyboard Classes: The Trend Redefined

A keyboard is one of the most popular musical instruments in the contemporary times. This particular instrument goes perfectly in sync with various genres of music like classical, jazz, blues, pop and rock, etc. As such, there is a huge craze for attending a keyboard class in India. Learning the keyboard is quite challenging; although, it is neither rocket science.

In fact, age never stands as a bar in picking up this skill set. Thus, one can enrol into a musical keyboard course at any point of life. However, the bulk of the responsibility that lies with the learner is to invest extensive time span with the favourite instrument. The more one practises, better and faster one picks up the skills involved with playing the keyboard. There are is a string of competent music academy in Kolkata that provide excellent training on the particular instrument.

However, before one starts with the lessons, it is all the more important to learn how to sit at the instrument.

Sitting at the Keyboard

  • One should always sit at the keyboard with one’s back straight and shoulders relaxed.
  • It is ideal to sit right in the middle of the instrument.
  • An adjustable tool is the best sitting option with a keyboard. With an adjustable tool, one can adjust the convenient height, which makes playing the instrument easier.
  • Both feet should rest firmly on ground, while playing the instrument.
  • The fingers should be kept rounded over the instrument’s keys.

If one notices carefully, keyboardists hold their fingers slightly curved and their wrists level with the forearm. This is the ideal posture to play the instrument. In other words, it is more like holding a ball under each palm.  

Group vs. Individual Training

As such, lot of learners get confused whether to opt for individual training or undergo training in group, while learning this popular instrument. Ideally, one should initially avail group training. This form of training has an important aspect. It provides the chance of interacting with one’s peers and thus, is effective in developing social skills.

As and when a learner advances in the course, the individual can smoothly opt for personal, one-on-one training on the instrument.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

A Few Basics of Guitar Classes

Attending a music school is certainly advantageous to a learner. The schools help students acquire formal musical training, which is almost impossible otherwise.  This explains the high volume of enrolment into guitar classes across Kolkata. Attending these institutes help one to interact with peers. Although, learning traits differ from individual to individual; in majority of instances it has been observed group learning proves beneficial for the learners across varying ages.

However, the first lesson that one requires learning while playing the guitar is holding the instrument properly. Considering one is right-handed, one has to

  • Get down to sitting position with the instrument resting on the right leg
  • Left hand will provide support in holding the chords
  • While, the right hand is supposed to strum the strings

For the left-handers the reverse is applicable.

Holding the Instrument Effectively

Beginners are often found to remain conscious about how one is holding the chords with the left hand. This consciousness is often termed as a serious impediment in learning to play the instrument. Therefore, one should be as care freak as possible about how one’s left hand is functioning, if one wants to pick up the skill fast and correctly.  

The Chords

The fret is the space on a guitar body that encompasses the raised metal strips along with the space in between them. The instrument has six strings, placed horizontally to each other. These are numbered from 1 to 6, starting from the bottom. The fingers of the fretting hand also require to be numbered. Starting from the index finger, these are numbered from 1 to 3. However, one also requires using the baby finger, as well, at a somewhat advanced stage and this one is numbered as 4.

Learning any musical instrument requires optimum practise. In fact,

  • Time
  • Effort and
  • Patience

are the three fundamental elements that one needs to pick up musical lessons. There are several premier musical institutes across the city providing quality training on various avenues of western music. Some of the popular musical instruments include piano, synthesizer, violin, electronic keyboard, viola, flute, mouth organ and drum, etc.