Friday, March 23, 2018 by Mary O'Connor | piano

An insight into the Yamaha factory in Japan where a large range of pianos are handcrafted and completed to be ready for sale.

The grand piano in the O'Connor Music Studio is a Yamaha.  I have had it for many years and it has served me and my students well.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018 by Mary O'Connor | holiday

1685 ~ Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer birthday (Old Style)
Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in d minor was featured in the Walt Disney movie Fantasia and the new Fantasia 2000
Read quotes by and about Bach
More information about Bach
  Grammy winner

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018 by Mary O'Connor | theory

As all my students know, I teach theory with all piano and organ lessons.  Sometimes, it's from a theory book that matches a lesson book, sometimes on the fly on an "as needed" basis.

This book looks like it would be interesting to use as a review or to look ahead and see what's coming.  I have just ordered a copy for the studio if you want to check it out at the next lesson.

From amazon.com:

 If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to help you understand the fundamentals of music, then this is it. Whether it's learning to read music, understanding chords and scales, musical forms, or improvising and composing, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start understanding the structure and design of music.

This fun-filled, easy-to-use guide includes:
 * Music notation
 * Scales and modes
 * Melody harmonization and counterpoint
 * Chord progressions
 * Song form and structure

Listen and learn with the CD that has 90 tracks, including over 50 popular songs such as:
 * Beauty and the Beast
 * Candle in the Wind
 * Imagine
 * In the Air Tonight
 * Killing Me Softly with His Song
 * Let It Be
 * Message in a Bottle
 * Misty
 * Satin Doll
 * Take the 'A' Train
 * Unchained Melody
 * What'd I Say
 * and more!

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