Becoming the Piano Man
Taught by: Michael Anderson, performing musician for over 40 years
For: Beginning to intermediate piano students; best for beginners, as teaches you a certain way to approach music
Style(s) taught: Solo piano—applies to all styles
No. of free lessons: 5
Membership includes: 13 hours of video, discussion, and demonstration; access to 50 additional videos on a range of topics; piano chord finder; access to student forum, where you can ask questions, meet other members, and share music
What you'll learn: Chord variations; progressions; playing melody and harmony; the circle of 5ths; how to quickly pick out the melodies of songs you know and harmonize them, making up new arrangements; how to improvise and compose on the fly; and more. You start off with 27 lessons, which you go through in order. At the end of each lesson you are given an assignment to work on
New lessons added: Monthly
Multimedia offered: Downloadable videos and/or audio samples (download the free Flip4Mac program to access the video files)
Quality of A/V: Fair
Cost: $189/yr.
Taught by: Pianist/composer Edward Weiss, piano teacher for 15 years
For: Beginning to advanced piano students who don’t know how to improvise
Style(s) taught: New age (think George Winston)
Free lessons: 1, plus 5-day e-course “Play New Age Piano Now”
Membership includes: Over 100 lessons, downloadable 56-pg workbook, booklets on how to compose and get gigs, access to 250+ article Lesson Archive, piano course certificate, message board for comments and questions
What you'll learn: Open chord positions in all 12 keys, followed by a set of exercises for each key; ostinatos; modes and scales; improvisation
New lessons added: Monthly
Multimedia offered: Audio and video examples in Flash format
Quality of A/V: Good; including clear fingering diagrams
Additional: Full refund within 10 days if not satisfied. Students who stay with the program for 3 months get a free month of additional lessons
Cost: $19.97/mo.
CREATIVE MUSIC ADVENTURES ONLINE
Taught by: Jazz musician/performer Michael Stegner, graduate of the University of Miami jazz program
For: Adult beginning piano students
Style(s) taught: Solo, blues
No. of free lessons: 4
Membership includes: Lessons, practice tips and key concepts, short-term and long-term exercises, play-along recordings with band accompaniment
What you'll learn: Ear training and music theory, playing by ear, improvisation and popular stylings
New lessons added: N/A
Multimedia offered: QuickTime video; slow and fast play-along arrangements
Quality of A/V: Good
Cost: $19.95/mo.—limited-time offer
Dano
May 09, 2008 at 8:18am
Check out http://truefire.com/index2.html. Great site for guitarists of all levels. Broad, relevant and plentiful content with instruction and video that is easy to follow and understand. Don't think though, based on that last statement, that this is a beginners only site - they really have some amazing stuff on here for players of all levels and interests.
Anonymous
May 08, 2008 at 5:54am
I would suggest checking out "next level guitar". you can find samples lesson on youtube, along with many other teachers.
I also check out some guys at guitar player TV.
you can learn something from any teacher but you get the most from one that can relate the material to you. for me David is the best "video" or live teacher I have used.
and it's really a personal choice.
Anonymous
May 08, 2008 at 5:51am
www.licklibrary.com. Don't waste your time with the sites listed here. If you have a little guitar experience want to play some great guitar songs right away head over to this site.
Anonymous
May 07, 2008 at 8:41pm
I'd really like it if you could tell us who's writing stuff here because we may know your editors but when someone else shows up we have no idea whether or not they have any expert experience or anything.
Roberto Baldwin
May 08, 2008 at 9:05am
Hi,
Here is some info about Carolyn;
Carolyn Keating is a freelance editor/writer and musician. She compiled the first edition of Digital Home Recording (Backbeat Books) and has written for Electronic Musician, Home Recording, and Music Alive! magazines, among others.
-Robbie
