DOWNLOAD La Paloma Sheet Music
If you are interested to sign up for the give-away, make sure to leave comments below. Provide the following information to qualify for the entry:
1. Why music rhythm is important to your piano learning? You may explain why you need to improve on this area? (required)
2. Tell me your name (you may abbreviate your first name) and your city (required so that we may differentiate different applicants).
3. Any questions or comments you may have on this new course (optional)
I will pick 5 best entries to award this new online piano rhythm course.
Can't wait to see you folks participate.....
162 comments:
Music Rhythm has always been my challenge. I have a hard time understanding different rhythm and how to count beats.
Your new course will be a great tool for me as I need more tutorials and exercises to guide me.
I hope I am one of the winners for the new online piano rhythm course!
I have been playing piano for many years. Somehow, I just do not have a steady rhythm. It is also hard for me to understand how to count correctly when they are 16th notes. Your first video on rhythm and pulse helps me a lot to understand what rhythm is.
I am looking forward to study and learn a lot from the new online course even if I do not win the give-away.
Please let me know when will the course be available.
Margaret Dube, Dublin
I remembered being touched by the sound of music since about 8 years old. I loved to dance and loved to sing. When I joined church I would sit close to the piano while the instructor would play the various parts, soprano, alto, tenor, bass. I loved the sound of the open piano. He would JUMP on the seat as he played. I felt the vibrations and wished I could play like that. I sung in the choir which he conducted and that was good enough at the time. Now I'm older and bought a piano and realize that it is like a new language (I'm left-handed and wanted to play everything with my left hand). Now my grandson (9 years old)is learning the piano and I see how much easier it is for him. I want to learn as much as I can while I can still see fine and have good use of my hands.... It is so calming as well as exciting to hear music from real instruments (live music)and seeing the expressions of folks doing the playing. Musicians express so much by the movement of their bodies, their expressions and usually is ALWAYS a smile when they are done (another tool to communicate deep feelings). Life is good. I love to see your graceful style and uncomplicated way in teaching....
GOOD Work!!!!! Thanks for sharing your talent with us..... :>)
If I win, I will work even harder... Hopefully, my grandson will also see/hear the difference in my playing... It all takes time.
Carolyn
Don Grissom
Mississippi
Rhythm is how the song is identified. Rhythm allows a collection of notes to be played different ways. Rhythm is the heart of the song. If you can play the rhythm then you can play the song.
thanks
don
Andiswa Crouch ( Red Deer,Canada)
Music Rhythm is what makes the song, any song come alive. I have some understanding of music rhythm but to aply it in a song is what I strugle with. Some of the songs I practise could really use some life in them, and I believe learning to aply rhythm into them will bring that. Thank you for giving five of us a chance to win this course!!!
Wow, this is great!!!!
Music rhythm is important to your piano learning because without rhythm, the song falls apart. Rhythm gives the drive to the song. It is almost like the heart beat and soul of the song.
I definitely need to improve in this area because I depend too much on my feelings when I play. It's too rubato. This means that when it comes to playing tango, or soul rhythm or Latin rhythm, or Bossa Nova, or boogie woogie I need to be more precise how to hit those syncopated notes. My style of playing is too much on the beat and I need to put more rhythmic variety into my piano playing to attract my listeners.
Also when I play at church, sometimes I miss a beat or two. I depend on the congregation to get me back into the groove. LOL!!!! Maybe I am too nervous.
I am excited about your new course. One thing I like about your videos is that you show us how to play songs in the context of a song like Tango in Paloma. I can hardly wait......... for your announcement.
Rosa from Hong Kong
Hector
Orlando, FL
Musical rhythm hasn't really been a challenge for me, but it's always been coordination & hand speed for which I'm a little stumped on. I've always had a musical ear for instruments, been involved with music for years. This piano course will take my playing up to a whole other level.
How do I learn to get my brain to play exactly what I hear with little hesation?
Hello--this is from the anonymous message July 23,2008 10:09 am)
(Carolyn Tatum from USA).
I forgot to add this required information....
:>)
My love of music started being the youngest of 7 kids listening to my brothers and sisters play their records and tapes around the house. The radio was always on at home and in the car.
I remember that I wanted to play keyboards and be the best I could be, but our family could never afford lessons.
When I was in my 20's, I decided to buy an electric keyboard and started to teach myself through chord charts. I never had a formal lesson, but I learned the chords and managed to learn how to play basic songs.
Now that I'm in my 30's, I would love to be able to take my playing to a higher level and learn rhythm and theory to become the best player I can be! I have such a hard time playing with both hands in the proper rhythm... it is frustrating, but I keep on trying because I love music so much.
Yoke, I think that you provide a lot of us 'beginners' so much hope to learn theory in a such a positive way. I would be honoured if you picked me to become a better rhythmic player and would be so very appreciative to learn from such a knowledgeable teacher.
Thank you for providing all of us hope in becoming better musicians!
Trev Andrews
Winnipeg, Canada
I am a professional songwriter -- but, believe it or not -- I'm not so great at playing the piano! I recently learned that 99% of all popular music is based upon one of a handful of rhythms. I am optimistic that your new course can help me think of music more in rhythmic terms, instead just trying to play every score note by note. Also, I think we can't underestimate the importance of rhythm in music...it's part of what moves us!
One question I have about the course is: do you cover any rhythms based on triplets? I'm learning that those triplet rhythms are vital to giving a song a swing feel and I'd like to see that in action. Thank you Yoke Wong for teaching with such a calming, sensible style.
I am a rank beginner and find I can follow what you are saying and doing quite easily. This is opening up a new world for me. I hope I am one of the winners!
Very Nice and this vidoe is very helpfull for improve piano rythems.
I think rhythm is the 'driving force' of the song and the energy.
I believe you can improvise with the right hand melody so long as there is a steady and strong left hand rhythm.
Your new course looks as if it would really help me (and everyone else of course!) to learn to hold down a good steady rhythm - this in turn would free the right hand to 'play around' with the melody.
I would love to be a winner.
Rhythm is my weakest area. A single left hand note can sound great with the right timing. I have much trouble with syncopation and ties. If you can show the notation AND perform it for several types like bossa nova, tango, reggae, swing waltz, etc. it would help me a lot. Thanks for everything so far!
The study of rhythm is EXACTLY want I most need to apply myself to at this time in order to overcome the plateau that I am stuck on. I taught my self to play keyboard many years ago in order to play in a Rock and Roll band. (Before that I played a little rhythm guitar.) Needless to say, my technique was heavy handed at best. During the following years, as job and family demanded more and more of my time, what potential I had seemed to fade away. Now that my time is once again under my command I have resolved to make up for lost time and learn to play piano properly.
I have delved into the intricacies of music theory, worked on sight reading, and finally come to actually understand chords and chord structure. The area that most seems to elude me is rhythm. Having taught my hands, those many years ago, to bang out chords with both hands, they are now reluctant to accept the fact that they should move independent of each other. Any attempt to create a sense of rhythm with my left hand falls apart as soon as I add my right hand. I really need some help in overcoming this.
The fact that this course is available completely on line is an added blessing. Although my home has always been in northern New Jersey, I am currently out of the country, in a very rural part of the Republic of Panama. Needless to say, competent piano instruction is non-existent for me here. I do have high speed internet at my house, however, so an on line course would be the answer to my prayers.
As to any questions relating to this new course, perhaps the most obvious would be, what types of rhythms will be covered? Dance rhythms, Latin rhythms, boogie woogie? Also, dare I hope that once I manage to get any one under my belt the others will come more easily?
My name is Peter Mahoney, and my city (town actually) is Vulcan, Chiriqui, Republic of Panama. My mailing/billing address is Miami.
Thank you so much, Yoke, for making your excellent level of instruction available to us all.
Jimmy
Tennessee
I really enjoyed the demo's of your course. It showed me how Music Rhythm is the heart beat of the music. Without it you have merely a lot of notes jumbled up that make little sense.
I am a self taught beginner with a new piano and your course could be a great tool to help me with handling the different rhythms and also with my left hand coordination. I feel it would help me apply life to song so that not only I could identify it, but also anyone listening could also identify the song.
J. stanley Florida
I'm 76 and have a bit of a time synchronizing my left hand melody with the right hand.
I think your new course will be very helpful in "training" my left hand accompaniment
I'd really like to be one of the winners of your new online course.
I. Rivera (Windsor/ON). I've been playing the paino for about 8 years and the hardest part has been the rhythm of my left hand. Rhythm is what make the song flow and much more appealing to the listner. Since Im in programme of Nursing, this would be an excellent tool to use and would relax my future patients/clients. I love listening to music, it really brings me to another place (especially at church). This is the best medicine. God Bless you Wonk for sharing your talent and using it for good!
P.S I really need to work on my left hand!
Great Stuff! This course is important to develop my music playing. As a retired-disable Computer Systems Engineer, I am pursuing a life-long dream to play the Piano, compose original manuscript and accompany myself onto CD disc for Copyright purposes.
I may NEVER be a piano performer but, my goal is to accomplish sufficient skills to present my work to others for possible publishing or re-arrangements. The Piano Rhythm Course by Yoke Wong seems to be the best way to upgrade my skills, expand my imagination of what I may compose, and provide more entertainment value in my work.
In the 1960's & 70's, I created over a dozen melody and lyrics. During this time, I acquired a love for many genre of music, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Western Classical and various World Music. The Piano Rhythm Course by Yoke Wong offers creative possibilities in many Music Genre. My works are not limited to any one Genre and The Piano Rhythm Course by Yoke Wong is the BEST way for me to improve my work.
I thank Yoke for the opportunities to fulfill my goals that this course affords me.
L Jackson, Baltimore, MD
During college I spent a semester in Spain, and besides learning and becoming passionate about the language, I discovered and became enamored of the music of southern Spain: Sevillanas and Flamenco. I enjoy the strong rhythms and beats, and feel such a passion for the music from the country I have come to love so much.
A popular singing group I especially enjoyed (and still do) was called Cantores de Hispalis. I am fascinated with their palmadas, or hand-clapping, and I feel such a strong connection to the intricate rhythms they create. The syncopation and well-maneuvered off-beat rhythms stir a passion in me that I’ve never experienced before. I would love to become more and more proficient at playing the piano and perhaps someday I will be able to tackle some of the songs made popular by this Spanish group that holds so many memories for me. To be able to re-create on the piano my own interpretation of their music is my inspiration and motivation. What a joy it will be to discover within myself what I discovered in Spain so many years ago!
Watching your sample video on incorporating the Tango rhythm helps me understand and realize that these rhythms don’t need to be complicated and they are not necessarily beyond my ability. The instruction clearly shows the technique, which is a step closer to learning the next technique, and then the next.
Here is a YouTube link to one of my favorite songs by this Spanish pop group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRQVdM8Axd8
Thank you for being a part of my piano successes!
Tom Quanrud
Minneapolis, MN
Modern keyboardist is supposed to play keyboard rhythmatically.
Generally the keyboardist limits himself to his slow pad style, just to accompany other players like guitarists or drummers who do the lively things.
I play in a place where I have to dominate the scene with no guitarist or proper drummer to accompany . In such a scenario, keyboardist with good rhythmic sense can act like a small band,playing bass with left hand, comping and filling with the right.
I wish to have the hand independence, where both my hands play different things,pretty easily and confidently.
This way we can make things more lively both for the player and for the listeners especially for fast songs.
The music sheets presented online seems to be starting a good foundation for keyboard rhythms. I guess this course drills the rhythmic sense into the brain, which is the actual source of music that flows out of the hands.
Will I be able to play fast walking bass lines with the left hands and fills with my right hand without much thinking and effort?
Looking forward for your course.
Name: John
City: Visakhapatnam
I am a senior who is so desperate in learning how to play piano since I was a teen. I am a depress person at present and sad at most times, couldn't focus on my daily chores to do. I didn't have any piano lessons at all but I have manage to learn how to play a simplified piano pieces by using do-re-mi slowly, no sharp nor flat notes and my tempo is not good at all. This took me years to learn the pieces. I find it difficult to learn how to read a, b, c notes nor numbered 1, 2, 3 notes maybe because I couldn't focus having scatter brain. My fingers do not have the synchronization of doing it. I was able to play at least three pieces (tempo???) and this was prior to my depression. I cannot play without looking at the piano piece which is so difficult because I cannot read notes fast enough to be able to play them. I have to read them line by line identifying which note is mi sol si re fa and fa la do mi. This slows me down in learning and gets discourage when I couldn’t do it fast enough.
I was forced to retire early at age 62 due to the depression from previous job. We moved to another State and I am still unstable, couldn't find a job due to the stress from a previous job then have to go through adjustments in our new place for the last three years.
I tried to enroll on the free piano lessons with Ruth Searles but due to the tragedies in my life loosing a best friend, favorite Aunt In-law within two years (2005-2006) and loosing my mother March 2007, nephew May 2007 and father May 2007 and my brother March of 2008 this year was too much to handle. So within those three years I have been so sad, depress and shall we say lost.
Every time I try to sit down and play, I couldn’t do it. It feels like it takes too long to learn. I almost planned of buying the piano lessons from Ms. Searles but money talks not having a job. I do not want to waste the money if I won’t be able to do it.
I am just hoping joining you with your web lessons would help me enjoy and learn how to play the piano easier. Of course it would be wonderful to win your give-away but if it was not meant to be it is okay for me also. I am just praying and hoping that one of these days I will be able to focus myself in doing things around the house and specially learning how to play the piano.
Good luck with your new on line piano rhythm course and take care always.
HB
Rhythm is a very important fundamental in playing correctly and beautifully. I rise to the challenge of teaching this to my students!
Would love to win--
Colleen Stadnick
Katy,TX
N Young Mitchell, In.
I have a lot of trouble with rhythm with my left hand.I need a lot of help using lead sheets. my right hand does pretty good, but I really get discourged trying to master the left hand..
I know this course would help me a lot. Thank you so much.
hi, I am 49 and have only recently starting taking piano lessons , at age 11 my school teacher told me I could,nt play an instrument as I was left handed and at 11 you beleive the teacher, the music had to come out of me so at 14 I started a disco and am still running it today. It is only in the last year that I have started taking piano lessons, so you course sounds fantastic.
Regards,
Noel Lackey.
The music rhythm is very important to me. I have been played pop music for several years, but still find it challenging, especially with the left hand keeping the tempo.
I really like the demo you have for the Tango. I hope the course can provide other latin rhythms, like Cha Cha, Paso, Bossanova, etc with more enhancements on the left hand.
It would be great if I can win. I cann't wait to see your course.
Again, thank you so much for all the tips you have been provided, I love it and have been using it. Thanks.
As Yoke commented that "without the heart beat your body is not alive"...so the same with music. Without Rhythm your music is not alive either.
If this Piano Rhythm course is as good as Yoke's other courses, it's something we don't want to miss.
I believe I have just about all of them and she has helped my piano playing to come alive. Even when we think we can play with rhythm there is always more to learn. Can't wait for the course to come out.
I think I posted my comments in the wrong place before so will also post it again here. Also, forgot to put in my hometown of Salem, Oregon.
July 23, 2008 10:43 AM
My mother could pick up a piece of music, play it, jazz it up and generally make the music "come alive". Unfortunately, I did not inherit those genes; in fact one of my piano teachers called me "rhythmically challenged"!
I know what and how I need to learn but so few music teachers are capable of delivering it. In fact I have searched over many years to find a teacher who could show me how to just "put things together", but generally the teachers steer me back into the classical avenue (because that's what they feel comfortable teaching).
Your program is a perfect match of teaching style and tution requirement. I know I would be able to become the piano player I have always longed to be. I would develop the skills to be more like my mother - able to pick up a piece of music, add in a rhythm and produce music that's a pleasure to listen to.
It would be a dream come true...
Cathy, Melbourne (Aus)
Dear Yoke,
I am a classical piano performance major. For a while now I have felt disappointed in myself for becoming reliant on sheet music. While I still enjoy performing classical (and will continue to do so) I have been trying to develop some skills in jazz and pop music so that I can be a valuble accompanist in any community, and with any luck, start having some more fun with music! I recently purchased you definitve piano improvisation course and it has been a most helpful tool in helping me to start this new journey. I feel the classical techniques I am learning will help me in the jazz and pop , but your course has really taught me to "feel the music" and have fun with it! I am looking foward to seeing your new course as I do struggle wth jazz rhythms after playing calssical for such a long time. It is like learning to play the piano all over again!
Many thanks
Freya
I learned that rhythm is the essence to songs as without it, a piece will not sound good even if all the notes are played correctly. I've realized that by watching and listening to someone play, its more effective than by learning from notes.
So, thank you for allowing me to watch and learn from you :)
Hi!
Ever since I started playing piano (age 11)I always had a hard time keeping rhythm with my left hand. I would realy like to improve to give glory to God and share my gift of music with others. Thank you so much for sharing yours!
I use to play as a child until my piano was destroyed in a house fire. I have now at age 44 restarted to learn and have some of your other programs. I can easily follow your instructions and am excited to learn more. I am hoping to teach my 5 year old daughter what I have learned.I would be very excited to win your program and forever indebted.
Rhythm is the heartbeat of a song that adds the pulse of life to an otherwise flat and perhaps maybe even boring melody piece, however masterful it might have been written.
With added rhythm, one can clap along, stomp one's foot along, sing-a-long and, of course, dance along with one's partner to the grace and beauty of the accompanying rhythm.
Rhythm also sets the mood of the song, and you can dance to romantic and soothing accompaniment of your favorite evergreens, or the pomposity and grandeur of a wedding march, or the amorous and passionate rhythm such as tango and Paso Doble (the Latin Bull Fight music rhythm that stirs your blood flow!), or simply rest your soul in the serenity and solemnity of a memorial hymn.
Indeed, with a skill in rhythm accompaniment, one can play almost any genre of songs to one's heart desire and enjoyment.
Yoke, can you be kind enough to include the songs "Carmen" and "Espana Cani" in your "Piano Rhythm" course. And thanks for reviving my inner desire to play the piano for my own satisfaction and enjoyment.
Ken Loke
Markham, Ontario, Canada
I LOVE playing the piano! I have many piano books, with songs I long to play, however, "I've got music...."I just have no rhythm:(
No rhythm equates to fear of even trying to attempt to play most of my music...it lacks life and I know it would sound (like it was meant to by the arranger) so much better IF my rhythm was (FAR more) accurate!!!
Quite often, I take the music I have and just make my own rhythm arrangement (nothing like it is written) 'cause at least it sounds like I know what I'm doing (I play may an offetory in my church).
Yoke, you've worked miracles on my sight reading through your course on it--I'm loving it:)
I find it easier to create my own rhythm from buying your improv. course and it has given me many tricks and fill-ins--what fun:)
I would dearly LOVE to be able to play not just the notes in my music books, but the "life" of the song the way the arranger intended.
It really does stop me in my tracks when looking at new pieces...Yoke, I NEED your help again--Please help me obtain this all so important knowledge.
Thank you for this opportunity and all the hard work you put into your courses. They truly are enjoyable and so beneficial in learning the piano.
Lindy Bacon (Stoneville, WA, Australia)
I am actually a guitarist who is trying to learn piano. For me rhythm on the guitar is absolutely essential since rhythm literally dictates what genre of music you're playing. Unfortunately, my abilities on the guitar don't translate very well. I would love to improve my "flow" when it comes to tickling the ivories.
Music rhythm is important to my piano
learning because rhythm is the backbone of the music piece. A piano
player with strong rhythm sense would
produce the drive that will make the music more forward in a very fluent way.
Henry Wong from New York
Music Rhythm is my biggest problem in my process of learning the piano. The problem with me is that I do not have the conscious effort to count every I play a piece. Even though now I am at Grade 7 in my piano, I am still struggling with rhythm. Recently, my piano teacher scolded me a lot until I started to cultivate the habit of counting while playing. It is definitely important to have a good musical rhythm. I realised that if I started counting, it really helps me greatly in my sight reading! I am able to play better compared to the past where I depend solely on feeling. I believe that your new course will be able to help me to be a better musician. Thanks for taking the effort to impart your skills to us! My email address is alant80@yahoo.com.
Alan Tan from Singapore.
Hello Yoke,
First of all I like to thank you for creating great instructional materials to help Piano Players.Internet is lack of good piano instructional materials.
You have filled that gap and I wish that you may build many more courses to help us!
Rythem is the very fundamental aspect of music.Many teachers pay their attention to teach the correct notes rather than correct rythem.I am not making that it is wrong.Notes bounding techniques are very good.But I am making the point that it isn't powerful along.
This course is really a killer one.
Thanks again for creating it.
I hope to develop my rythem understanig and playing with your course.
It is a huge lottery If I win to get your course
Thank you Yoke
To Answer your questions:
1. Why music rhythm is important to your piano learning?
Answer: I am of the opinion that rhythm plays a crucial and significant role in music. In Modern day musical genres, rhythm is the sole basis of the style!
Rhythm is what makes you excited and makes you to get up and dance or tap the steering wheel when you're listening to the radio in the car. Everyone, musician or otherwise, is affected by rhythm. At the most basic level, rhythm keeps us alive. Our own heartbeat is the first rhythm that we know - the rhythm of life, to take advantage of the words from the song!
I heard someone say that “Rhythm has an equally important part in music as melody…perhaps even more important, as rhythm can exist without melody, but a melody must always have a rhythm.” A statement of truth indeed.
2. My Identity:
M. Zulkifli Nazim.
No. ½, Madangahawatte Lane,
Colombo 06. Sri Lanka.
3. Any comments on the new course.
I am quite certain that viewing – Audio-Visual – especially in Piano Playing will help the students much more than what they would read and then refer to them all the time while learning to play. I am of opinion this is a very practical way of teaching.
The piano is an unusual instrument - it is a string instrument, but also a rhythm instrument. Without rhythm, music made with it is incomplete. I have been trialling your free lessons for a couple of months now and I'm amazed at how easily you've taught me things I struggled to understand on my own, with books or other dvd's. I know any of your courses will help my piano playing immensely as I am a beginner-intermediate who is self-taught.
One question: Is there an order in which I should be working through your courses? Is your new rhythm one a good place to start? I have no idea.
Michelle Edwards, Brisbane
Guess how I am able to start playing piano? I have totally no background in piano previously. All I am able to do is play the melody of a song by using single finger. Until I following this course, I start getting to know what is rhythm, and how a melody can be accompanied by chords to enrich the whole harmony. Now I learn how I can play piano by fully ultilize my ten fingers instead of one.
Afterall, I always feel uneasy with the rhythm. The error of rhythmic playing makes my songs sound wierd. I think I should brush up more in rhythm. I hope that the course could help me more in mastering rhythm.
Rhythm is the most important thing in playing piano. Rhythm can be played in many different ways. Currently this is my biggest obstacle and being one of the winners will help me overcome my counting\rhythm problem.
I can play rhythm in guitar but not very good and no new rhythm in Piano at all. So, I'll be very intimate to play for fellowship or for church music. I would love to improve it thru your course for my left hand enhancement to make a regular song go alive and feel new again.
Rhythmic beat can really energize the songs and the player as well as the audience.
I did have a look at the video on rhythm, fabulous - no doubt as good
as the other courses that I have purchased from you.
Rhythm is a vital ingredient to piano playing as I have found out many times, if the rhythm is incorrect than the song sounds like a totally different song than what you intend to play. I only started learning to play the piano a few years ago and rhythm is still my weakness even counting out loud does not seem to work all the time. I absolutely love
this whole journey and every spare minute of my time is spent behind my beautiful piano. If I can get the rhythm right then the journey will be even better and your course will help me to get there.
Lydia Crewe - Melbourne - Australia
yes i like very much your examples. I wonder if your full lessons will have any WRITTEN text for instructions. It would be a lot of help for not english mother tongue people.
The Rhythm is the heart bit of the song.Got the rhythm then absolute you're in with the song.
Thanks a lot for your guidance.Going through your tips have helped me a lot and i hope i be able to be in this new course and grasp the best out of it.
Love your lesson,your improvisation,just too great!!!!
Hi Yoke Wong.
Rhythm is not only the heartbeat, it is the soul of the song, as we can feel it. Even deaf people can dance to a song, because they feel the beat. Without rhythm a song wouldn't be a song and would be boring.
I love to play exciting rhythms, allthough they are not always easy to play and is sometimes hard work to get it right, so I look forward to your lessons, how you explain things in a very practical way, that is easy to follow.
Music rhythm is very, very important when playing the piano.
Timing is Everything in music.
I'm going to piano lessons now for 1 year in total and I just could'nt my rhythm right right so six months ago, i changed to do just the theory part and leave the playing out for now.
I know my theory well and it gets frustrating sometimes that I can't play and feel the music :-(
I love music and I hope I come good.
Probably the hardest thing to do in keyboard playing is to get the coordination between the hand correct. Your new course is very clear and easy to understand and it progresses seamlessly to ensure competence in the shortest possible time.
Bill Goulding. Dublin Ireland
I am in hopes of qualifying for the piano rhythm course as I take your improvisational course at the same time. I am sure it will aid me as I work toward better music interpretation. After all, rhythm is not only the heartbeat of music it becomes its very soul as you use your skills to be listened to by yourself and others.
Hi Yoke (if I may call you that) :))
Thank you so much for all the piano tips that you've provided. I hired a teacher and started learning piano when I was in my mid 20s. It lasted for a year or two, then I started buying books and sort of self-taught myself. I could play easy pieces with easy chords, but I have always desired to improve on my skills and techniques!
IMHO, music rhythm is important because it's really the "heartbeat" of muisc (you said so yourslf. Hee). Music rhythm helps us to maintain the "flow" of the melody we are playing with our right hand. Without music rhythm, the melody sometimes does not know where to begin... nor where to stop...
Your piano lessons rock! And I hope to see more! Thanks again and God bless...
Chris Sim (Singapore)
i love songs that played in piano.rhythm is the root that build a great song so if i wanna play a good song i need to learn the rhythm above all. these course going to teach me all about rhythm until someday i would success to play just any songs that i love.and the bonus... i might even forward these great tips to anyone that has the same interest like me.
Hi Yoke
I have a 8 year old son who is taking piano lessons. A few weeks ago we tried a few of the piano rhythm worksheets and went through them just as described on the video. My son had so much fun with these exercises that he did not want to stop! In one week his teacher noticed not only a huge difference in his sense of rhythm, but also that his sight reading had improve. I was so impressed that I started doing the exercises myself and I have noticed my playing improve too! Many time I have heard that rhythm is the most important element in music. I now have proof that when it improves everything improves!
Kathy Mohr
Los Gatos California
Wow ! It's great to see you have a blog here!! This rhythm lesson definitely what I willing to do since it's my weakness when playing using both hand~ *sometimes it got carried away*
Now it's been 3 months *if I'm not mistaken" since I'm playing+learning piano. I'm looking forward to the lesson. This is my opportunity to improve.
I'm too excited about this~ new hope XD
Thanks.
Yuchi@zim , brunei
(firstly i must say in this comment there will be grammar mistakes because iam a sri lankan)I think the heart of the piano learning is the tythem.because when we changing rythem in to various styles the melody will be more amphosize by the feelings.we says music is a global language.because inthe piano we can create many kinds of feelings like the feelings of fear,happy,horror,surprice.to play this kind of feelings the rythem will take a main character.
fear:a speed and loud rythem
happy:a normal beat with chords of major
horror:a slow and smooth rythem.
surprice:a rythem filled with 7'th chords by a speed motion.
When we playing specially piano classicals of mozart,chopin,beethoven the player must know well about rythem.because the classics like chopin"s etudes the rythem is changing in unbelieveble manner.
and some times we have senn some piano players playing the piano the expressions they are having in their mind they shows it by shaking(its akind of dance).the reason to this thing is also rythem .so the rythem of a music is a key of opening human minds.
so when we reading those reasens i have written up wecan understand the rythem is a most piano technique of piano learning.
I joined with you because sri lanka is not a place for learn piano playing,because they teachs for eat money,when i got your first tutorial i understood you are the sutable teacher for me.because you are teaching lessons in a honast mind.so when we feeling a teacher is teachs in that manner the student will be very happy.
my name is
TUAN ANOSH ISMAIL
my address is
661/c4 podikumbura,st"annes rd
Ragama
colombo
srilanka
I want help with different rhythms because I'd like to be able to recognize and duplicate styles through rhythm.
I have been playing piano on and off for several years but am not proficient with rhythms yet. Of course, rhythm is absolutely necessary for playing with other people, which I thoroughly enjoy.
I hope to win a copy of this course, but hope to be in a position to buy it if I'm not a winner. All of Yoke's courses look wonderful and I have been waiting for the opportunity to order them.
Yoke:
Rhythm is paramount for one primary reason in piano music, more specifically, without it one's music has little character, is not pleasant to the ears and lacks the capacity to touch the inner most part of the players and listerners emotions
Daniel
Geary, New Brunswick, Canada
I have a metronome contained in my keyboard which I find impossible! to follow. When there are notes between notes while reading both treble & bass clef, I'm lost.
Of course I'd like to own this instruction about rhythm. Who wouldn't?
I have a metronome contained within my keyboard which I find impossible to follow.
When reading music that has notes between notes on treble & bass, I'm lost.
Of course I'd like to own this rhythm instruction! Who wouldn't?
Vivian
Music functions according to a recipe, the primary ingredients being melody, harmony and, perhaps most important, rhythm. One cannot execute the "recipe" without all the ingredients. A teacher once said to me that it is better to play the wrong notes at the right time than the right notes at the wrong time. This would especially be true for a band or orchestra player. I would hope to iron out many of my own difficulties and frustrations (such as with cut time!) through your course. My name is Robert and I live in Chicago, USA.
Thank you for your introductory Tango rhythm video. I enjoyed watching it and lost no time to apply the tricks in my today’s practice.
To be sure, rhythm is important; I really feel it because of my recent experiences and daily practices. Rhythm is one of the most important elements in life to learn. It applies to dancing; it applies to piano playing as well.
Yes, several months ago I started learning dancing at the ripe age for the first time in life. I went to a local dancing school, of course together with my wife. There we were instructed by a much younger female teacher so that we could get used to the various rhythms of such dances as slow Waltz, Wiener Waltz, Cha Cha Cha, Disco Fox and so on. It was not easy at all at the beginning to get to the new rhythms so quickly, but it was worth trying them together and we enjoyed them very much. We did not learn Tango yet, which will come in the fall this year.
Around the same time I started to “teach myself playing piano”, because I found no teacher in my local area. I often surf in the Internet to get practical information to apply in my daily practices hoping to become a good player of piano “very soon”. Nowadays I begin to think seriously maybe I should take a piano course for my own purpose.
Piano playing learning with the emphasis on rhythm is a challenge, a good and exciting personal challenge I cannot resist to take for the rest of my life. Is it too much to say that that I really want to get all the rhythms of the world of music.
I wish I would be able to announce to the world in the months and years to come that at long last I had managed to play the piano rhythmically and enthusiastically to my own satisfaction and to the joy of my wife and friends and relatives, thanks to you.
Hiro, Marchtrenk, Austria
Rhythm really makes music come alive and makes you want to move with it. A melody alone can be good but without rhythm it can be a little flat.
The fantastic thing about the piano as an instrument is that it is so versatile and can sound like two instruments in one. If you have good ability and knowledge of creating rhythms it can lift your playing to an amazing level.
Exercises that concentrate on developing this skill are vital as it is difficult to co-ordinate the left and right hand anyway but when the left hand is creating a strong driving rhythm it becomes even more so.
I am trying to teach my children piano as well as learn and develop my own playing.
I feel this course would be an incredible help to me and my family.
Rhytm means being in accordance with flow of time.
When the rythm begins to flow and you play the piano and you "swim" in the flow of time, that is happiness..
Ah, I know that and I already feeled it, but as soon as I make any playing faults and as soon I must concentrate on the right hand, the left hand goes out of beat.
How to overcome this? Probably practice, practice, practice.
This cannot easily been learned from books and I hope your course will give some useful examples and advices - ah what did I say, I know your teaching style and I know, it will be helpful ;-)
English is not my 1st language, apologies, for any mistakes here..
kind regards,
P.Heckert, Grossbottwar, Germany
Rhythm is important because it is what generates the pulse of the music, the heart beat of the music,and it is a key component for engaging listener attention by creating dynamics, change, and variety. In addition it is often what aids the piece of music in appearing to have its own unique soul, spirit, emotion, and personality.
Your Rhythm course would be a great tool for me because I have a neurological learning disability known as developmental coordination disorder (also known as Developmental Dyspraxia), which makes rhythm and timing difficult for mr brain to master. A well developed course like yours would provide me with the exercises that I can practice so that I can improve my rhythmic ability. I think that your rhythm course would make a great addition to the wonderful How to Accompany course that I ordered from you.
Name: Matthew Dodd
City: Paso Robles, California
Thankyou for your insight into some of the various rhythms that are available.I've taken some of these ideas on board and I'll certainly apply these concepts into my own playing.
Why is rhythm important? It is at the core of all music,and is as integral as the notes themselves.Altering it allows you to express varied musical themes.
I like to play around with the rhythm of songs,such as playing a funeral march in a bossa nova style (yes I have a lot of time on my hands)What I'm saying is that the rhythm conveys the essence of the music regardless of what the notes suggest.
I'm sure your new course will be a success.I'd have liked to have had a teacher like yourself to guide me through the musical minefield when I started playing.
I was able to improvise after using your Improvisation Course, but whenever I try to play a song I don't know, I have trouble with rhythm. I'm always just playing songs I know the way I want to hear them, but not as they are rhythmically notated. I dearly want to be able to play the rhythm as it's supposed to sound. I've tried counting and using a metronome, but cannot do it well. All too often, my left hand wants to play the same beat as my right hand is playing rather than playing correctly. Your Improvisation Course was so good, I'm sure after completing our rhythm course, I'll be much closer to my goal. Thanks, Dan Whitney, San Diego.
I am a musician. I do not only play the slide trombone but also sing tenor. I value music so much that I consider it a part of my life. Music is the most ancient of the arts. Even before life started on this earth, it was here - among the winds and the waves of the seas. It was created by God long before the creation of mankind. When men were little better than beasts, rhythm was already present among them without their knowing it. A pattern of their movements when they crawled, walked, and ran constituted a rhythm. It can be fast or slow.
In music, it is synonymous with tempo and meter - the velocity of music. It is the fuel of music. Now, I want to explore deeper into the wisdom of this art by way of the piano. Playing piano is very challenging because I have to use all of my ten fingers plus my extra sense which is common sense. With them, I can appreciate more the value of rhythm and apply it more easily. The sound of music that comes out of my slide trom-
bone cannot equate the quality of heavenly music that comes out of my piano, but I have yet to learn many more things from Yoke. I hope that she will continue to share with us her musical virtuosity. As we are all aware of, education is a continuous learning process that starts from the womb and ends in the tomb. To me, this is just the beginning. Yoke, we all love you. Carry on.
Music rhythm is very important in piano learning because it defines the style of a song. Rhythm provides motion to a song, and gives direction where the melody is going.
Sorz Peralta
1. Without rhythm music would be black and white. The rhythm gives it the colour that brings it to life. You can play exactly the same notes, but give them a different rhythm and it sounds different. You can change the mood of a piece by changing the rhythm. Adding swing to a piece immediately makes it sound jazzy.
Rhythm is important because without the right rhythm pieces can sound completely different to what they are supposed to.
The course would help me as it would open my eyes to a whole new section of music. I used to think rhythm didn't matter, but it does. I feel I would be a better pianist if I really understood rhythm. I would be able to change a piece of music so it sounded how I wanted it to sound.
The Tango video you did meant I could use the chords to a piece I knew well as a Lullaby and change it to a tango. It would mean I could a sort of Variations on one piece using all the rhythms I am not aware of.
2. My name is Andrew Westripp (Alex is my e-mail name) and I live i the village of St.Osyth which is near Clacton-on-Sea. I am at 1 The Bury.
The reason I find music playing important is that I am almost 60 and I am hoping that this will fend off arthritis and altzheimers. I started playing when I turned 50 after my husband surprised me with a piano. Since I grew up in Hawaii - all I learned was the hukalele so only knew 4 chords. Since it was also during the Tiny Tim era, I felt rather stupid playing so gave that up. I have loved learning but find it extremely difficult at this age but my dogs enjoy my playing. I tried a recital and wanted to play Try to Remember but I forgot and had to go sit down. Very embarrassing especially when the little ones did so well. My ego was crushed. I need all the help I can get.
Meredith Stacy
It gives structure to the music I am playing and with rhythm the music just flows. I am sure this course will help me learn the different patterns of rhythm
Merilla Isaacs - Manama - Bahrain
Music rhythm is key to becoming a good pianist. I dream of being a pianist who can play many beautiful songs off by heart well. By well I mean, smoothly with no pauses, which obviously comes from understanding and being able to play the rhythm correctly.
When playing the piano, i often believe that my rhythm is fine. However if i listen back over it i hear pauses and sections where I accellerado and rallentando unnecessarily.
I try playing with the metronome in the background, however i become tense and feel under pressure and often go wrong.
I have also tried your rhythmic exercises again and again and are now part of my regular practise. Although i believe that this has helped my rhythm, i still don't think i've grasped it completely.
This course will help me greatly to build my confidence in playing the piano. The course is also essential for my dream to come true. However, being a university student living away from home means that money is tight. The money that i do have spare is going towards being able to practise the piano, as i cannot afford my own and have to use the university's.
At the moment i rarely play the piano in front of people because of my lack of confidence in being able to play well, and nerves. However, this course my help me to become confident enough to join a musical group at my university, so that more people can benefit from my playing.
Thank you for how much you have helped me so far, but i just feel like i haven't reached my full potential.
Kim Williams from Leeds, England
I love music. However, my rhythm is quite weak. I usually depend on my feeling, so it is inaccurate. I am sitting for ABRSM exam next year. I hope that by watching the course, i can improve on my rhythm.
Angeline Low, Malaysia.
Yoke is a wonderful rhythm teacher, still my heart skips a beat when I watch her on You Tube.
Hey, check this metronome out: Dr. Betotte. This metronome subdivides rhythm and pulse - VERY COOL tool. *****
Hi Yoke,
Rhythm gives life and interpretation to music. It creates an interdependence between each hand. Whilst the melody is important, playing tunes in the right hand can leave the left hand technique less developed. On modern keyboards with built in rhythm sounds too much emphasis can be placed on playing tunes and chords. A good left hand rhythm technique makes for a more rounded
and accomplished player which is my aim.
FYip, SacramentoCA
I definitely love playing the piano. I have played for years, maybe over 50 years! But I do not have a sense of rhythm. I am taking your Improvisation course and have learned so much from it. I am accompanying my husband on his harmonica using the techniques I have learned. I am also composing and arranging many of the worship & praise music that is out there for our church. It is exciting and so refreshing to be able to take a piece and make it your own. I would just love to get a better hand hold on my rhythm to make the music even more moving and energetic. I hope to be a winner for the online course.
Dear yoke, I hope to win the contest because of my passion
for music, I can play the piano
very well from sheet music once I learn the song, at late intermediate level, but my weak points
are: improvising,
LH figure bass techniquics,
playing by ear,
and stage fright
if you can help me in thoughs areas
I would be a great pianist.
sincerely yours Earl.
P.S. I hope I win the contest,
email me at, efbell@live.com
Your net teaching is really awesome!Great way of reaching to the whole world who has interest in learning and playing piano.I love your style. This has really interests me and encourage me as I am eager to learn again how to play piano. I boughta keyboard as a reward for myself and bought few workbooks. But it gives me more enthusiasm when I found you in youtube and straight away register with the website.
I personally find that rhythm is important in playing piano as it gives a good interaction between the music you're playing and with your hands.It gives an aroma on the music you're playing.
It would help me with learning more easily, as I am a beginner yet, to be in harmony with every note played. I like singing and going with the rhythm is important as it gives me the power to express my singing, and I believe that it is like rhythm in piano too.
Hope I will win and I will give extra time to practice. I hope to be one day playing at the same time singing as I love it!
N. Camcam, New Zealand
Rhythm simplified - that would be great as no teacher throughout my 10+ years of piano tuition has been able to teach me. I would love to surprise the congregation I accompany at my church and prove to many others how their piano playing can be transformed as well so I don't need to be the sole pianist at my church! Many have 8+ years of piano tuition, just need confidence and guidance to prove they can be competent accompanists, I hope I can be a testament to that!
Sophie, Sydney
I think rythem is the most important in my piano learning.Because rythem is like heart beat in my body.It is the life air of music.
Rythem is having many kinds of feelings.Some of them are happyness,sadness,fear and surprice.
To happyness:A speed and full of major chords rythem.
To sadness:slow,smooth and full of minor chords rythem.
To fear:a loudy speed rythem.
To surprice:a normal full of 7"th chords rythem.
If we dont learn the rythem well it will effect to our piano playing straightly.(yoke wong in your rythem lesson rythem was explainend clearly)This is a example from my life "when i am playing piano in school the piano master always scolding me that i am not playing piano into metronome and rythem.how ever i made those mistakes by my self.And now somehow i can play piano clearly.
And other thing is you know the well known pianist's like Mozart,Beethoven,Chopin,Bach.Those players classics are beautiful.But if we didn't play those in to rythem it wont be a classic any more.Because they created on rythem.As example 'Etudes' of Chopin those classics must play in speed rythems and the rythem is changing in unbelieveble manner.
We have seen when some are playing the piano there expressions showen by shaking their their body(it is kind of small dance).The main reason for this is the feeling.The reason for feeling is rythem.So we can say rythem is a key of opening humans feelings.In sri lankan Folk music there are two kinds of tastes. There are
1.Meaning taste
2.Rythem taste
From these two rythem is the main.Because if their no rythem the melody will be just a single music.
So to play classics,pop songs or folk first I must learn rythem well.Or the piano playing will be very week.If someones heart beat stopped we says he is dead.SO it is same to the piano playing also.So first we must learn rythem and feel the rythem well.Then only we can play piano sucsesfully
Dear teacher I was searching a best teacher for me.For my luck I met you.So if i won this i will learn piano well with you.
I am TUAN ANOSH from SRI LANKA
my address is
661/c4 St.Annes road,
podikumbura,
Ragama,
Colombo,
Sri lanka.
Without rhythm, there would be no music. Knowing rhythm is the heart of a piece of music. I would love to master rhythm, and after I saw the videos from Yoke,
I know this course will help me master my problems with rhythm.
Rhythm is important because it is essential to capturing a song. You have to know how to play each note. Each note tells you how long the tone should be played. And each note has a specific name which corresponds to a certain
value which is measured in beats. Musical rhythm are not just described by note lengths. Rhythm is also used in terms of measure. Without rhythm, you wouldn't be able to feel the song you are playing. The reason for taking this
course, is to learn how to play with both hands. My left hand, is my weak hand. I find it so hard to play with the left.
I'm hoping, that by taking your course, I can learn to play like I see you play. I aslo want to learn to play by ear without music sheet.
Evangelist Dee Thomas, Bronx, NY
Rhythm is important in my study of piano because if I can't feel the rhythm of the song that I am trying learn, then I don't feel like playing it. If I keep skipping songs, I will never learn to play piano. These video lessons you have made available on your web site help me to recognize rhythm of music It is not easy, especially for songs I have never heard before. But your exercises and worksheets allow me to have more practices on rhythm. Learning to recognize rhythm also forces me to do the counting of the beats in each measure more often than I used to.
My name: Megan Le Kha
City: San Jose
State: California
I have enjoyed your piano teachings. The lessons are awesome. so smooth and beautiful and I have gotten some of your sheet music and saved the video to listen to over and over again. thank you for sharing with each of us and imparting your talents into each of us by example of how it should be played, each song. I would love to receive brand new piano rhythm course
Hi, Yoke
I enjoy very much your teaching: I took some piano lessons and I am studying some books now. Your tutorials are great, I hope that soon I can play better, and also I will be happy to win the new online piano rhythm course!
Thank you very much!
Mag, Cornelius, OR
July 28,2008 10:25 PM
I have started Piano Lessons about ten (10) months ago and have been taught by my Music Teacher, and other well Accomplished Piano Players, that rythym is the pulse (heart beat) of music. In that regard, the study of Music Rythym is important to my piano playing because it would assist me in becoming a well rounded pianist, who would be able to entertain an enthusiastic audience, rather than play music that lacks life and is starved for rythym. The study of music rythym is also an important factor and crucial ingredient in the success of my music examinations (Theory and Practical). If I am one of the successful winners, this new course would be an asset and enhancement in the development of my piano skills.
First rhythm for me is the the heartbeat of the song. It is that beat that we tend to tap to, or shake our heads to.
I am a music teacher who have just completed the diploma course in music and I will honestly say I have a far way to go . I have always loved music but never get the chance to be a part of music the way I want to. I sing very well but need serious voice training to perform the way I plan to.
However my main goal now is to play by air and most importantly drastically improve my sight reading skills. I would love to purchase the sight reading course but will do so as soon as I can. I therfore beleive that having that total sense of rhythm will make me the 'by air' player that I know I can be. My counts are slow and dragging behind the rhythm . I Know this course would be perfect for me inmoving my playing to the next level.
Thanks for the tips on sight reading , and thanks for your time . I wish you could be my teacher,I know I would do well with you.All the best and all my love.I think you make a great teacher.
online name: Sue Ling.
I'm sure I'm a terrible pianist , but I Do not give up .I'll try play weel til the end of my life .Be sure !
mhotz@uol.com.br
Rhythm -God is my Rhythm
Harmony -The Holy Sprit
Melody - Jesus
The Rhythm is what brings it all together without Rhythm it just does'nt work well and I need work on my Rhythm playing on the piano
I am praying to be 1 of the winners
thanks glenda[blackie]
Dear Yoke, thanks God we have a dedicated teacher like you. Your teaching is really awesome. I find your piano teaching style incredible - especially the improvisation and rhythm lessons.
Rhythm (in piano) is essential because it defines the style of a song and it gives it a unique flavor.
Dear Yoke, your efforts and dedication in reaching out to help people like me have really refuelled my passion for learning to play piano - thank you so much.
May God bless you abundantly.
Weza
From United Kingdom.
I have been playing piano with pattern rhythm for a couple of years, but getting the right rhythm for a certain piece is always a challenge for me and after viewing some of piano demos on http://www.pianorhythm.com, I feel like "this is it, this is what I have been missing". This course would be very benificial for me, as the playing style of miss Yoke is very elegant to the listener.
Vu T, Austin, TX USA
Dear Yoke, thanks God we have a dedicated teacher like you. Your teaching is really awesome. I find your piano teaching style incredible - especially the improvisation and rhythm lessons.
Rhythm (in piano) is essential because it defines the style of a song and it gives it a unique flavour.
Dear Yoke, your efforts and dedication in reaching out to help people like me have really refuelled my passion for learning to play piano - thank you so much.
May God bless you abundantly.
Weza
From United Kingdom.
Rhythm is the life of any song. Without rhythm a song may not live or accomplish what it was intended to accomplish. Music touches all of our hearts in ways that can not be expressed in words. Music is and will always be universal.
It is my desire, (and all I can think about!)to improve every aspects of my piano playing. Sadly, I spent 17 years not playing the piano or touching a piece of sheet music. Since I started playing piano again, two years ago, I feel (and others will tell you the same thing about me) a renewed spirit in my existence.
I now sense a calling upon my life to use my piano playing to touch the hearts of people, (for what ever reason it may be), that need to have their spirits lifted. I take this calling very seriously and I am always looking for ways to improve my playing.
Tanya Spade
Dunbar, WV
Rhythem is so important,and my reason is because I know how much this course would help me with my piano playing,because I very much want to play my own melodys,that I write for my songs,I am studying the sight reading course,which has helped me so much,I find the tip about how to train your eyes to read left and right hand notes at the same time amazing,I find that I am getting used to it already.Thank You Yoke.
Without rhythm there would be no music! Rhythm is what drives the music; it is what makes the music what it is. You can play a simple tune and vary the rhythm and it becomes a totally different piece of music. If you jazz-up a piece of music it changes its character, it becomes something else. Think of the blues, salsa music, reggae, gospel music or swing, they all have their individual characteristics, but the most outstanding is the rhythm.
What grabs your attention when you listen to music? Most times it’s the rhythm; it gets your toes tapping, it makes you want to dance or move. The rhythm is the soul of the music, it is the heartbeat. Without it music is dead!
But it’s not just a case of getting the rhythm played correctly; you have to feel the rhythm. The first rhythm we hear is our heartbeat it’s what keeps us alive. In the same way rhythm keeps music alive. A rhythm can exist by itself, but a melody cannot exist without rhythm.
Even though I have been playing the piano for 36 years I still struggle with some rhythms. I love jazz music and often pick up some music to play, only to put it back to the bottom of the pile when the rhythm eludes me once again! It’s all very fine playing the notes, but without the rhythm being right the music just doesn’t live as it should.
Your piano improvisation course has already helped me so much, I am hoping this course will help me once again.
Linda Hammond, Mielan, France
New Brunswick, Canada
The best way to define rhythm is give a 2 or 3 yr old a piece of music to listen to. Now watch the reactions. Their body movements usually tells it all.
Beats are often felt by little ones who really enjoy listening to music. Now try giving them a piece of music with no rhythm, they'd probably get distracted and go onto something else.
How important is rhythm? Have you ever tried playing in a band or accompany someone, its impossible without good rhythm.
Thank you for putting out a course on Rhythm!
Rhythm is the lifeblood of a song. It's what gets the foot tapping and body swaying. As the keyboardist in a worship band and also a contmporary choir accompanist, I MUST play printed rhythms correctly as well as improvise style on the spot. The choir depends on me as do the other instruments in the band. I would like to step up from being the "weak link" who has to go home and "work things out" to being able to sightread more difficult rhthyms without brain overload and panic attacks. This online course, with its progressive exercises should help me do just that.
Thank you, Yoke, for breaking music instruction into manageable pieces.
A. Timm from Waukesha, Wisconsin
Rythm is the basic for all music. It defines style of music that is being played. I have a natural feeling for rythm but it can always be improved. This course is interesting because it shows the different patterns for playing. Too me it would be very interesting if it did cover the Latin styles like salsa, bolero and son. These are Cuban styles music.
Yoke, you are so increadibly AWESOME...I started taking piano lessons at the age of 52. I never took any form of music lessons as a child...and I must admit...it is a huge challenge. I'd love to be selected as one of the winners of your new online rhythm course...that would provide me an opportunity to prove that YES...you can teach an older person new tricks...keep up the great work!!!
Wanda
Yoke,
Ive been a drummer for over 20 years so I know how important rhythm is to any song. I'm now learning how to play the piano to complete my dream of playing and singing. The videos you send have been a tremendous help. I purchased your Piano Accompaniment Course from my piano teacher who thinks very highly of your training courses. To be considered for your free Piano Rhythm course would be awesome!
I have learned so much from your training, I know the Piano Rhythm will serve to increase my ability to play the many songs available for the enjoyment of my wife, relatives and friends.
Thanks so very much for your guidance. relativecongreation and
Joke I am playing at the church but rythm has never been my strongest skill I need to master it, I have learned a lot with your course and your piano tips. I wish I could get this course. I hope to be the winner. Emilia
I am requesting this course for my husband. He taught himself to play the piano when he was 30+, and I really enjoy listening to his chord-based improv. He's gleaned several skill enhancing bits from watching some of your samples, but his playing, while beautiful, lacks variety. Rhythm has always been challenging for him. He tends to clap on the upbeat when everyone else is clapping on the down!
Our whole family experiments with music, and I'd love to have your rhythm course as a tool for all seven of us to use.
T.Whitlock, Sandy OR
Yoke,
Let me first say that I have been blessed by the few jewels you have made available on youtube. I have been playing piano for years now (self taught), but I can truly say that the few ideas - mostly left hand techniques such as arpeggios, etc. that I have gleaned from your lessons have taken me to a new level. I have a fingerstyle guitar background, and realize what richness rhythm can add to music. It is always been my desire to play music - both on guitar and piano - that is varied enough to sound interesting, and I think most of that tends to come from the rhythm of the song. I am good at running away with new ideas, and adopting them to various situations, but where I tend to fall short is that I don't have many rhythmic ideas of my own. Your rhythm lessons would certainly liven up my playing and make both playing (for me) and listening (for my friends and family) much more enjoyable. Thanks for the great work.
T. Budarz
Santa Ana, CA
Question: Will most of the lessons be based on videos in a step by step fashion (as on youtube), or will it be sheet music based? I really thrive off your videos since my sight reading is not superb.
Rhythm is necessary to make a song enjoyable to listen to and to play, whatever the instrument. I teach rhythm to my students and how to read the music to make the correct rhythm and still keep the steady beat in each measure.
First, I have them clap the beat of each measure and then clap the rhythm. When they play the first few measures of the rhythm, they have it in their minds and ears.
This course, I feel will give me new ideas of songs and rhythm, and how to teach to my students. Songs with interesting rhythms are great recital pieces for Moms & Dads to enjoy listening to their child/children.
I have enjoyed all the courses you have so are, Yoke Wong and I am looking forward to getting in on this on-line course.
June Summers
Trenton, Ontario
Canada
I cannot tell you how much this means to me. You can be a perfect site reader but if you aint got rhythm you aint got a tune. I sent this web link to my piano teacher and even he was amazed. I hope I could be a winner because along with my lessons I cannot afford any more tuition.
sue.butler@btinternet.com
I want to play the piano for the Lord. My husband and I both sing and lead the music in church. We occassionally go to other churches and sing but the pianist usually cannot accompany us correctly.
Piano rhythm is the only way to regain the coordination I used to have years ago as a teenager when I did play. I played during church services but now at the age of 53 it is harder to pick back up.
I have been watching your free clips for a long time now and they are very helpful. I plan to purchase the coordination dvds in the near future.
Yoke Wong, you are a real blessing to many people, God Bless You!
Wanda W.
Rhythm makes the music alive and interesting.It sets the mood, it gives it its color, its fragrance and its beauty .It is important for me as a piano player because without rhythm my music is a mess, dull and dead . Learning the different rhythms and having the ear for it will set my playing to the next level.I believe that it CAN be learned even if a player has no ear for music or have trouble setting the rhythm.It just needs practice and a good teacher who will impart her knowledge with all enthusiasm and without reservation.This is the course that I have been waiting for.When you announced that you will launch this course,right away I knew that this is what is lacking in my toolbox.Your other courses are excellent and very easy to understand but there is something that I lack to make it a piece of cake and that is for sure RHYTHM!! It will be a good thing to have my toolbox complete with this new course.So thank you Yoke for putting it all together.Thank God for people like you who is gifted enough to share what GOd has given you.
Hi Yoke,
Thank you for your videos, comments and e-mails regarding piano tips.
I am a piano teacher and love to get new ideas for teaching. Your rhythm exercises are great and your ideas for implementation will really help my students. Thank you!
I also lead (volunteer) an exercise class at my church. I often find the available music has inappropriate lyrics, so I decided to make up my own exercise music to hymns! Adding a great variety of rhythms from rock and roll to country to classic beats has been a lot of fun and we all enjoy moving to music that is uplifting. I've even arranged some of your favorites, including Abide With Me and All Things Bright and Beautiful. (aerobicworkoutmusic.com)
Keep up the good work!
Jolene
Meridian
Hi Yoke,
Thank you for your videos, comments and e-mails regarding piano tips.
I am a piano teacher and love to get new ideas for teaching. Your rhythm exercises are great and your ideas for implementation will really help my students. Thank you!
I also lead (volunteer) an exercise class at my church. I often find the available music has inappropriate lyrics, so I decided to make up my own exercise music to hymns! Adding a great variety of rhythms from rock and roll to country to classic beats has been a lot of fun and we all enjoy moving to music that is uplifting. I've even arranged some of your favorites, including Abide With Me and All Things Bright and Beautiful. (aerobicworkoutmusic.com)
Keep up the good work!
Jolene
Meridian
If you can imagine a horse at a gallop, and if you can hear the beating of his heart, it would go pa da pum, pa da pum, over and over again. If you close your eyes and feel the rhythum count, you can flow with the rythum, than suddenly, you are one with the horse, racing through the wind, free and exhilrated, a joy unsurpassed, of becoming full and complete with its destined creation. A design of power and speed, of animal muscle in coordination to manifest the speed of movement, the flight above slow ground, as time becomes still and the mind becomes free from boundaries. Rhythm is in life. Rhythm is the pulse of life, Rhythm is MUSIC. Life is Music.
Rhythm at a twist can change the character of the composition of music, speak a different language change the story of a song. Rhythm can create moods, suggest implications, lift the emotions of the song.
By the corner of you eye, if you happen to see a child caught in a musical drum beat, he/she will freely dance, as if rhythm is inborn, designated to move the the limbs and body in responce, naturally. Human beings are creatures with a resonance, a built in tuning fork. So that some day we can resonate fully with each other and be is common frequency with the creator of life.
Just having a swing.
Tim
Hi I am a mum of 2 trying to learn piano-improvisation/accompaniment on my own -- with the help of materials from Yoke Wong and others.
Well, from my observation of good and bad accompanists at churches, choosing the right rhythm and executing it correctly can make or break a song...
During my self-learning, I already found that there are some areas/tricks/effects that have HUGE pay-off vs effort ratios. Some are nice right hand runs/ effects, and using the right rhythm is another. I still remember soon after using Yoke Wong's "Mastering the Art of Piano Accompaniment" course and using pattern #2 on one of the worship songs at church. So simple -- yet the whole song came alive!!
Come on, many of us have limited time to practise, so we must spend our efforts "on the money". Personally I want to be an expert on rhythm and have the right thing to "pull out of the bag" when the occasion arises.
Learning new Rhytms are very important for me. I felt nolstagic to hear the " La Paloma". Learning new styles is what draws me to practice new and fresh ideas. As a piano player i sure need to ability to play different Rhytms to my friends who are for example Argentinian or from Mexico. Thank you for bringing this piece which i will practice to bring of the sound of my country to my life. Thanks again and may God Bless You.
Your admirer. Joe Moreno
from Simi Valley, Ca
Hi Yoke Wong, I always enjoy watching your video. The way you play seems so easy and effortless, and with all the different rhythm and decorations that you included in, it makes the song sound so rich and nice!
I have done a basic pop piano course for a couple of months. Am able to play with both hands...am familiar with two left hand accompaniment styles. Have been using the same two styles for the songs that I play. I would like to learn more music rhythm techniques so that there is variation in my playing. Would be glad if I can have access to the piano rhythm course.
I had always wanted to learn to play the piano. When I was a teen I always admired how my friends in church play and it had been my secret dream to be able to play this beautiful instrument. I am extremely glad that God made a way for me to learn to play piano now at age 30. I'm a pastor and it is my passion to serve the Lord in the music & worship ministry. I've been learning for a year now and my desire is to build the right foundation from the very start.
Rhythm to me is what gives a song its identity. A same song played with a different rhythm changes the whole feel and character of the song. A song can be likened to a chameleon, which changes its colour when a different rhythm is applied to it. A steady rhythm also provides the flow to the song (and really helps make a song singable in church!) In other words, I would say the rhythm actually carries the song.
Thank you, Yoke Wong for the tips that you're sharing. You make learning the piano look so easy. The very first thing that I needed to overcome in my mind was that learning to play the piano is too hard to attain. Keep up the good work! God bless you richly!
Theres Loh , Malaysia
Thank you Yoke for providing this Piano Rhythm lesson. I believe this is going to take me to another level in my goals to learn more about playing the piano. In the coming months, I will have to play at intervals for my church Youth Choir,which I have been involved with for 16 years. As I continue to learn about accompaniment, improvising and now rhythm which is like icing on the cake. There is no way I can keep the children interested in the choir without a strong understanding about rhythm. The children ages 5 years to 14 years enjoy up beat gospel music wth repetitive beats and sounds in a particular pattern.
I know it will take me sometime to accomplish all that is needed to play the way I want but I am willing to accept the challenge. Thank you again.
Rhythm is so very important to learning how to play the piano. Without it, the music is very mechanical and dull.
The effect of true feeling in music is incredible! Only once have I been able to play a piano piece where I was so into the music, the hair on the top of my head felt like it was full of static and I got goosbumps! The music felt like it was alive, and would carry me away. I know it was because of the heartbeat of the song.
I would so like to experience that again. I know it was because of rhythm.
I have your Christmas music lesson CD's and you have a wonderful way of teaching, I know your rhythm course will be fantastic!
Joyce Cass, Ridgecrest CA
Tara Dolan Wright, New York City - I am turning 54 on the 30th of July and I just began playing the piano this past February. Aside from being an appreciative audience member, I had no musical background. I am particularly interested in jazz and blues and I am far from deft at the syncopations required. I thought I had learned to count pre school, but I am finding now that counting to four is a struggle! While I love every minute I get to spend at my piano, I look forward to the day when every song I play doesn't sound like a dirge. I've done pretty well if I have a "midi" drum and bass line with which to play along and if I am really familiar with the song, but I am lost when I pick up a piece of sheet music. Your course will translate the heart and soul of the music into identifiable/usable skills. With it and time, my fingers will play what my heart and soul feel!
Tara Dolan Wright, New York City - I am turning 54 on the 30th of July and I just began playing the piano this past February. Aside from being an appreciative audience member, I had no musical background. I am particularly interested in jazz and blues and I am far from deft at the syncopations required. I thought I had learned to count pre school, but I am finding now that counting to four is a struggle! While I love every minute I get to spend at my piano, I look forward to the day when every song I play doesn't sound like a dirge. I've done pretty well if I have a "midi" drum and bass line with which to play along and if I am really familiar with the song, but I am lost when I pick up a piece of sheet music. Your course will translate the heart and soul of the music into identifiable/usable skills. With it and time, my fingers will play what my heart and soul feel!
Daniel Fiala, Velka Dobra.
Rhythm of a tune is an essential part - there´s no song without a rhythm. One can understand it, but still, to make the song alive, the rhythm has to be felt. That is why I consider the rhythm course to be so important. Young musicians start to express themselves by simple melodies, usually played by right hand. Give them (and us all) the chance to add a colorful rhythm feel and they (we) may unfold even more. Isn´t that the key of it?
The presenatation of the course is very interesting. Congrats in advance to all the winners - I would wish to be one of them, of course - this will definitely improve our skills. Thanks, Yoke Wong.
I have been playing hymns in the church for the past 5 years, but I didn't imporve much in my playing skill until one day, I went to the piano rhythm websites, and I was very happy to watch the videos and learnt many things. I believe that the new course for piano rhythm will benefits all. May God bless you.
Immanuel (Malaysia)
"Without rhythm there is no song" That is what I always tell my students. It just a bunch of sounds (or noise) that don't make much sense. How I show this concept to the children is by singing a really familiar song with the children with proper rhythm and without any sense of rhythm at all. I have been developing my student's sense of rhythm and beat through a lot of singing. After a while, I will then teach them how to play such songs on the piano with ease. However, there is always room for more learning and I can't wait to learn more about rhythm teaching from you
Music is the spice of life, and thankyou for being one of the special people who are happy to share your ideas and help people to play piano.
I always look foward to your e-mails, and your positive attitude has been a very strong influence in my attempts at playing piano.
Thank you Yoke for everything.
Thank you Yoke Wong for updating me the forthcoming rhythm course that you have in the pipeline. Music has always been a part of my life. No matter what country one comes from there is always the music that brings each and every individual together. Through music we communicate and interact with one another. Rhythm is music and music is rhythm, it is the heartbeat that is created to a beautiful piece of song. I am continously practising the paino lessons which I have purchased from you. You a great instructor with very detailed explanations to each lessons that I am going through at my own time. Keep up the good work of helping and sharing your knowledge of great piano playing to individual like me. I always like to watch and listen to your CDs. Thank you once again for sharing. GOD bless you always.
Music rhythm.. Maybe, it's the hardest thing i had ever done..
so many practice, but, i still can't make my left hand to play with hard rhythm.. But, when i saw your video, i'm starting to understand how to play it.. but, i still can't play with tango style rhythm well.. i hope, i can be your best student, ever..
Thanks a lot..
George, Jakarta, Indonesia
PITCH is scattered all over the keyboard.For the sighted that's black or white ,for the blind shorter and higher longer and lower.So far so good but no music as yet.For music to happen MESSAGES encoded in PITCHES OF SOUND has to TIME-TRAVEL sometimes across land and sea from one HEART to as many HEARTS as possible.RHYTHM is the veichle of this Voyage called MUSIC.From your heart to mine please teach me RHYTHM so i can hear your SWEET MUSIC and others may hear mine.DUM DA DA DUM DUM-DUM DUM
I've just started to self-study pianoeing this month. I want to relearn the basics of piano playing though I've been playing piano for 5 years now (I'm 15 years old at present). I believe that this piano course will help meimprove my piano playing, especially if I include it in my self-taught piano lessons.
I know that one element that gives life and color to music is rhythm. Studying rhythm and perfecting it will greatly enhance the interpretation conveyed on a piano piece. There are different kinds of rhythm in music (just like what is said in the video bout the tango) and each gives different meaning to a piece. Having the fundamental knowledge about rhythm will help you improvise a piece so that you can freely convey you're own interpretation.
I know that if I win this piano rhythm course, my piano skills would greatly improve! I hope that I will win this.
Other than that, I really appreciate that you give out the free piano improvisation lessons. The lesson about the suspended chord mailed to me weeks ago helped me alot in piece that I was going to play. Those who heard me play the piece incorporating the lessons I learned from your video said that the ending was very pleasing to the ears! I hope I'll hear and see more about you and bout the piano courses. May God bless you for your kindness in helping out other people who play the piano.
I'm Jodel, from the Philippines.
God is the inventor of music and rhythm and He exhorts us to use music to give praise to Him. Learning more about rhythm will help me to help others give glory to God in music. Playing music for congregational singing requires a great sense of rhythm so any improvement I can make in this area will have great benefits for many.
Rhythm is about the emotion of the music. Many people can master the technical skill of playing the right notes and even playing to gain the right "feel" of the notes. BUT if you can't feel the rhythm, then you are not playing music.
I want to be able to express how the music affects me and hopefully manage to pass that emotion on to the listener.
Share it with all!
Steve McNally
Sydney Australia
PS I hope I win!!!
I am looking forward to receiving my new piano course. I have been playing for many years both in church as well as for a couple of Senior Singing Groups.
I look forward to this new challenge in my life.
Mary Bittner
Hobart, Indiana
music without proper rhythm, timing, beat etc will fall flat even with all the fancy chords and tricks. I struggle with this, although I am have taken about 2 years of adult contemporary piano lessons.
From the tango video, I see that you display skill AND the ability to transmit / impart the how-to. Praise God for both gifts. I know of skilled pianists who have skill but unfortunately are unable to transmit the how-to. I am able to catch what you say and of course with a little practice, hopefully I can get the timing and beat right!
I have always wanted to take piano lessons as a child, but my parents could not afford them. As an adult, I took lessons for 1 yr and struggled with hand coordination. I bought your Piano Improvisations Series 2 Hand Coordination, Runs & Fillers and am now on my way to training my hands to do what they are to do together, THANK YOU!!! Now I would like to improve my rhythme and other technics. I have learned so much from you and I need to continue learning, I'm excited every time I open my e-mail and see I recieved something from you. As an adult it's not easy learning, but you make it easy and make the challenge fun! My husband enjoys listening to me practice, he says he can know pick out the names of some of the songs I am playing! To me that is exciting! I can't wait to be able to purchase another one of your CDs.
Without Rhythm, the song sounds like boring and no life.
I'm weak in Rhythm, so with this course, it's really-really help me to improve my music rhythm.
I hope I will be chosen for these offering complete online video course.
Thanks Yoke. God Bless You always.
I have been playing the piano since I was 8 years old and was only taught the basics. Till now(I'm 15), I taught myself how to read notes and sight read and play by ear. I play for our church specials alot and I live in the Philippines. We are missionaries here and I have been living here since I was 3. I would love to be the winner if the new online piano rhythm course. Because I want to learn to be super good at the piano and inspire others to play the piano!
Life without music rhythm, is like a fish tank without water; as a piano player and tap dancer, rhythm is my tool to communicate and to express my emotions. Unfortunately, I'm a slow learner & still not good in manipulating this tool. Certainly would like to learn more.
O.Choi (Hong Kong)
N. Watson Tulsa
I am consumed with passion for learning the piano. I'm in my latter years of life and want to master as much as I can of the techniques of music. When I am at the piano, I'm in a different world..one of hope, promise, love, beauty, worship. Hands are beginning to take over with chords and sounds, but rhythm ties it all together and brings out the rich meaning of music. This is where I need the most help.
First, I play for a church and sometimes have difficulty with the newer praise music. The folks at my church are not music majors so we all struggle with rhythm at times. I just want to have confidence when I look at a piece I am learning, that I will have the correct rhythm while I work on the piece. Music is such an important part of worship and the piano is the main instrument in our church. I want to be sure I am doing things correctly.
Rhythm is something I have always struggled with and it would be a great help to my ministry in music at the church if I had a better understanding of rhythm.
Second, I teach piano and my students often struggle with counting and rhythm. I would like to have more of a foundation and understanding of rhythm in order to help my students with their music.
Thanks for taking time to put this course together. It is much needed!
Sincerely,
Cindy Adams, AL
Rhythm is the heart beat and soul of a song ...
Music has always been playing a great part in my life. Particularly
singing.
During my childhood I have listened to the tunes sang by my mother to us boys.
She attracted me to follow her path.
Later I joyned the church choir where I learned how important it is to be in pace with the ohter voices.
I bought a hammond organ to accompain myself in singing.
I soon found out that I needed professional help.
So I found piano online with Yoke and within 3 years I have been
working nearly all the courses through where I learned a lot about music in general.
I am now able to play in all keys and different rythms. I is a joy to
change whenever I like and improvise to the songs I am singing.
Of course there is still a large field to cover.
Thank you Yoke for sharing the piano with me.
It has changed my life completely and gives me confidence when I am
feeling down.
Yoke follows a call by the Lord to help people to play the piano in an
easy way.
Vee Tolmi,Chilliwack,Canada
Music is like the hidden language to our hearts.I have always loved piano and songs.I hear the music but to have my fingers,brain work together to bring forth the rhythm of a piece has been challenging.Studying your course will ease my frustrations opening a window of joy!
Music Rhythm is to music the way clock is the a computer or heart beat is to a human.
So to understand music we need to understand the rhythm of the music.
George, Cochin,kerala,india
Rhythm is the real support for moving music. My quest is to feel the rhythm as the basis for this movement and direction in whatever I am playing.
Because I am endeavoring to "comp" and improvise with jazz music, it is absolutely essential that I feel this rhythmic impulse without question.
Rhythm within a piece of music, is like a river, it does not stop for anyone.
MR McCants, Los Angeles
There is no doubt that the rhythm is the basis and the fundament on which the music is built. The music without rhythm is just insipid. On the other hand, the rhythm combined with melody can make one feel and experience a variety of emotions and sentiments that can pervade the person till an explosione of joy and rapture.It gives still a special and particular joy to transcribe it in playing the Piano. The thought that your Piano Rhythm Course can expose and illustrate the different kinds of rhythms to play in the Piano is very exciting and I am very interested in learning these rhythms in the piano. I look forward this course with pleasure.
Jos. Padova, Italy
That's what you use when you clap your hands or tap your feet or shake your head.When you feel the music pulsing through you, when you get in the groove is when you've got the the pulse, the beat,THE RYTHM. The heart of the music! Yoke, I am looking foward to your piano rhythm course and I am sure it will be the answers to my numerous questions!
I started piano playing and learning at age 7. I was so frustrated about not being able to read the base cleff that at age 12 my mom found a new piano teacher that taught me the octive chord method. I learned 66 chords and can pick up most music and play it. I haven't had a piano for 19 years. I now have a baby grand piano and feel so frustrated that I want to relearn how to play with two hands and read the rhythm and feel it as I play. I loved the mention of saying pea-nut in the counting. Yoke you have so many great ideas that I'm so glad that a 85 yr old women told me about you at a restrauant and told me to look you up, I have since bought the sight reading course. If I could win the Piano Rhythm one if would help ease my frustration. I had to get a baby grand as I have to have my left leg elevated due to blood clot disorder and scar tissue damage. I feel gulity with this most beautiful piano in my living room and want to improve my skills as fast as I can. I participate on line on my breaks at work doing the helps you send me. I play everyday. Hoping for improvement. Sincerely, Debbie Ball
ah sim from Singapore thinks...
Simply I feel that it will make a big difference in that environment and the thoughts/mood of the people that he is listening.
Whether it is a sad or happy song, the most important thing is to make your listener fall into your music.
Perhaps make them temporary think of something that happened in their past (whether it is a good or bad event) or make them dream of something that they are looking forward to.
hahahaha....Hope to master this music rhythm skill one day......and sure bring lots of happiness and feelings to the listeners......
cheers,
ah sim from
sosway@gmail.com
I believe rhythm is very important because it sets the tone for the music. A piece of music can sound happy or sad depending on the rhythm that is played. Also rhythm sets the heartbeat for the music, with even pulses. I am looking forward to learning more about your rhythm course because I believe your courses are excellent and are very practical.
Music Rhythm sets the pulse and gives the music piece it's 'soul'. It can change a classical piece to a pop piece or jazz it up to something quite different. Counting is always a challenge so learning to set and maintain the beat will be most helpful in sounding professional. Learning various rhythm will also expand my ability to play different types of music.
The new course with practical exercises and videos will be able to help drill these rhythm into my left hand base.
Linda
from Singapore
Dear Yoke,
Firstly I have to tell you that I've been your sercet fan for quite a while and have the greatest respect for what you have done to inspire your fellow pianists!
Secondly 2 August is my birthday and I hope that I would be so honoured to be one of your winner and receive this finest birthday gift (Music Rhythm) ever!
Thirdly, I am not really good at expressing myself, but I really want to tell you how your courses are so important to me! I have been playing piano for 8 years on and off, I lose interests in things fast and really get bored with the traditional trainings, therefore, eight years of learning had gotten me nowhere, i still suck at counting complicated beat, sight reading and i can't improvise anything at all! To be honest i'm quite disappointed at myself as i'm only able to play piano sheet music with a lot of pracitces and do nothing with the instrument creatively! Until the day I came across your website, I said to my myself that I've born to a wrong era! If I learnt from you when i was young, I must have already been such a great pianist today! However, I also believe there is never too late for anyone to learn, I hope that winning your course would be a fresh start for me to having fun while learning!
Also, although I think that all your courses have already covered pretty much every interesting and inspirng aspects of piano learing, it would be great that if you would also put together a course about music composition with piano, I think it definitely would become another great product of yours with great potential market!
Btw, your idea about putting up the course online instead of shipping the product is a very great option for us international learners!
Please keep up your great work!
Cheers,
Lee Lau
Hong Kong
(leelauyn@yahoo.com)
ah sim from Singapore thinks...
Simply I feel that it will make a big difference in that environment and the thoughts/mood of the people that he is listening.
Whether it is a sad or happy song, the most important thing is to make your listener fall into your music.
Perhaps make them temporary think of something that happened in their past (whether it is a good or bad event) or make them dream of something that they are looking forward to.
hahahaha....Hope to master this music rhythm skill one day......and sure bring lots of happiness and feelings to the listeners......
I started trying to learn piano when I was 39 so I could accompany my husband in his ministry. I have had a few lessons but am mostly self-taught. I am now 52 & have come a long way but I'm not where I'd like to be. In the beginning I needed to learn as quickly as possible so I just learned a few keys & would write the chords on the music, so I never learned to read the bass clef. In the past few years I've frequently been asked to fill in for our regular piano player at church. This means I have to play with others, in many keys & of course I need "my" hymnal with chords noted. In addition, the song leader has to choose songs I can play. I have gotten several of your courses already to learn sight reading, accompaniment & improv. I have seen much improvement but rhythm is still a big challenge to me. I desperately need this course to expand & improve my abilities. I would love to be able to play any song the song leader would like to sing & be a blessing to others.
Doug Maguire-Duluth, MN
Rhythm is the life blood key to expressing music. It gives soul and life to what the composer is saying. My playing is constantly improving as I pay close attention to rhythm and the techniques required to properly state the style, pathos, and integerty of the composition. I work on improving my ability to infuse my internal time clock and keep a balance between sections of a composition and give an overall united performance of the entire piece. You need to totally let go inorder to be free to express yourself in your playing!
Without a pulse, our music is in a cocoon. With rhythm, it finds wings and takes flight. Amateurs play "for the love of it". I hope this course creates a marriage between my love of music, and my desire to express it...
Angie Hougen
Bell Canyon, California
Tineke Wallace Australia
A course teaching rhytm is just what I need,
to add to my other - "sight reading at speed".
To win this free course, and thus save the fee,
would surely be this year's highlight for me!
Even from this you can see rhytm is not my strong point!
HI YOKE
RHYTHM IS THE HEART/BEAT TO MAKING MUSIC COME ALIVE - - AND IT'S VERY HARD TO MASTER - - DUE TO ALL THE TIME SIGNATURES/NOTE VALUES/COUNTING AND ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF "STYLES" TO PLAY FROM BALLADS TO ROCK TO LATIN,ETC - - YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW YOUR STUFF AND THEN FEEL THE PULSE IN YOUR BONES
ANTHONY IN VENICE, FL
RHYTHM IS VERY DIFFICULT AND IT IS EXTREMELY NECESSARY AND TO MAKE THE MUSIC COME ALIVE
KNOWING HOW TO READ MUSIC/NOTE VALUES & COUNTING/TIME SIGNATURES/ AND THEN TO PUT THIS ALL TOGETHER FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT "STYLES" OF MUSIC (BALLADS,WALTZS,ROCK TO LATIN)AND TO BE IN TIME IS NOT EASY
I VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE YOUR ONLINE COURSE AND HOPE I'M A WINNER
THANY YOU
Hi Yoke,
To fulfill two of my most passionate dreams would be a wonderful thing. One is to surprise my husband with being able to play the piano. He’s a musician I would like to be able to play with him in his band. To play with him I have to be able to stay on the beat with the rhythm. I treasure this thought because my husband has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. We are taking each day at a time. On the piano I just don’t have rhythm it’s like traveling with no destination and you’re trying hard to get there and it’s not happening. , I now listen to the rhythm of everyday sounds, such as the washing machine, ceiling fan and thing with a constant sound and try to work on the rhythm. I feel your rhythm course would be just what’s needed to make it all happen.
I am taking piano lessons and my teacher said there’s not too much she can do for me. She is teacher is frustrated and so am I. However, I refuse to give up. Every fiber in my body loves the playing the piano. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. She worked with me and yet I can start counting and before I end I’ve messed up.
I’m surprised I can’t play and keep steady pace because dancing has always been easy for me. I know that many times my instructor want to drop me. So mentioned she has taken me so far, and perhaps I need someone else to help me. With your rhythm course it could take me to higher grounds.
I mention there was two reasons, the second is my sister, around her house she sings, and among our many friends. She can sing like some of the well-known singers. Yoke, to have the ability to accompany her as she sings. For me that would be like the cat’s meow.
Before buying your course I research many on-line lessons, and yours far surpass many of the other programs out there. My reason for that statement is when I called I actually spoke with a live person. With your an instructional materials and DVD’s I feel as if you are at my side step-by-step instructing me.
My regret is I wish I had known about you 15 years ago. You have given us the hope of advancing to better musicians.
It’s not a easy road. And you cannot give up if you want to fulfill your dreams. Never give up on your dreams. Thanks for giving us this time to express ourselves on an area many are having a problem. This is thinking outside the box to help us.
Diana Ellison
El Sobrante, CA
As we can notice, piano, as an instrument is very loved. Not just to be listened to, but also played at.
Wow! That is a very amazing performance. I can see in the movement of the fingers of pianist that he a pro in playing piano. Everything seems so perfect. I really love the music he plays.
dear Yoko,
i love your teaching: mainly because
you are so clear in your teaching.
Teachers with a clear conception and understanding of a lesson can only be clear in their teaching too!!
Thank you once again,
Love and blessings
Gorky
I had a great love and desire to learn piano music; but our childhood was spent under dire circumstances. I had to study and come up in life by studying something professional and without involving any expenses and my sanctuary was the library.
Now I am 70 years old, could not fulfil my dream of learning or even buying a piano. I am now in possession of a Yamaha PSR-210 electronic organ (60 Keys), Trying to do some self learning on Piano mode - without a teacher or guid it is disastrous. When I saw your teaching clip, I thought I should make an attempt to see whether I would be fortunate enough - I also wonder whether it is too late.
My Name is Zulkifli Nazim, the one who made the above comment.
email - zul523@sltnet.lk
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