To inform, empower, and entertain – PianoLessons.com is a free resource for pianists that are interested in expanding their musical abilities. It will soon be the largest source of free video piano lessons available on the Internet.

Pianists will soon be able to explore video lessons covering beginner, intermediate, and advanced topics for both classical piano and keyboard piano! No matter what your skill level, you will find helpful advice and detailed training on the PianoLessons.com website!

Begin by browsing through the lessons we have available below. Remember to check back frequently for added free piano lessons or sign up for the ‘Secret-Lessons’ in the sidebar!

Learn to play songs using a musical keyboard connected to your computer.
Keep track of your progress in every song with per-song scoreboards.
Slow, fast-forward, and rewind songs while learning new parts.
Practice left and right hand parts together or separately.
Try out any MIDI file you can find more.

For Elementary educators this is a fun and useful way to introduce a form of graphic music notation to the classroom. If you would like to pay a little bit in support of the author you will be able to read the music in western notation as well.

If you are ever in need of some drum equipment or drum lessons while in the Toronto area you might want to try Drumland in Toronto.  They provide a large selection of drums and equipment along with private drum lessons for all ages.  Check it out at Drumland.

8 Things Leaders Can Learn from Symphony Conductors

Saturday night, Gail and I went to the Nashville Symphony with our daughter, Mary, and her husband, Chris. Mary had bought tickets for Gail’s birthday. It was a magnificent evening.

The orchestra was conducted by the renowned Hugh Wolff. He and the orchestra performed Beethovan’s Concerto No. 4 in G major for Piano and Orchestra. Horacio Guitiérrez played the piano. After the intermission, the orchestra performed Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Op. 45.

We are privileged to have seats on the second row. I was less than 20 feet from Hugh Wolff. I was fascinated just watching him lead the orchestra. Toward the end of the evening, it occurred to me that conducting and leading have a lot in common:

1. The conductor starts with a great score. Conductors have a plan. They start with a musical score and a clear idea of how it should sound. Only then do they attempt to recreate in real time their musical “vision.”
2. The conductor recruits the very best players. Great conductors attract great players. Mediocre conductors attract mediocre players. The very best players want to work for the very best conductors. Like attracts like.

Catch lets you keep your notes private or invite friends and fellow students and/or teachers to contribute.

In the classroom it is great for getting students to prepare study notes and prepare for a test.  Catch makes a wonderful review module.

And as a music teacher being able to include audio files is a wonderful and welcome addition.  Catch

ZipLesson’s unique scheduling and payment system allows you to find a teacher whose schedule fits yours. All lesson times are displayed in your time zone, so even if your teacher is halfway around the world, you’ll know exactly when to meet.
How does it work?
Find a time on your teacher’s calendar that works for you. Once your teacher confirms she’s still available, you can pay for your lesson with a credit card or PayPal account. Then, when it’s time for your lesson, just click the Skype button associated with your lesson to call your teacher.
How much does ZipLesson cost?
Student accounts on ZipLesson are free. All you pay is your teacher’s lesson fee. It’s also free for teachers to sign up and start teaching. Teachers pay a small service charge for each lesson they teach.

Another similar app is called OpenStudy. This one is very insteresting as it allows students to join other students they don’t know to work together is study groups. Students can search by subject and find other OpenStudy students online.