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Article by Sean M. Brown

Music is considered to be a sublime form of art, which enthralls the listeners. Only a few gifted ones are able to play on a musical instrument beautifully but for the unenlightened rest music remains a mystery even after pain staking efforts. Learning to play at the piano is no different. Beginners or intermediate level players often get frustrated by the slow pace of learning. The standard of their playing does not reflect the amount of effort and time dedicated by them to piano learning. Their learning is often hampered due to the paucity of good learning packages.

The Piano Encyclopedia has bucked this trend with their revolutionary digital piano learning course: “The Logic Behind Music”. This learning package is giant leap forward from all the conventionally available learning packages in terms of its excellent quality and comprehensive nature. This course focuses more on the logic behind composing music rather than learning from music sheets or memorization. It makes playing the piano a wonderful experience, because now the playing is more feel-oriented, rather than being a mechanical exercise. The learning of the students is accelerated because understanding the music fundamentals makes them able to compose by themselves, thereby eliminating the need for sheet music memorization.

“The Logic Behind Music” comes with a handsome array of features. The software has more than 3000 on-screen virtual interactive piano keyboards and more than 1000 pages of multimedia piano lessons. The piano simulator sounds great and can be used by both keyboard and mouse. It can be a great tool for composing new melodies as you can hear what you are playing is supposed to sound like. You can even save your compositions for future use. The software lets you adjust the tempo according to your convenience so that you can gradually become an adept at the song or the melody which you are practicing rather than rushing through the notes in order to be in sync with the original tempo of the music. For soloing over chords, the chords can be played with keyboard and the notes with a mouse. Along with the software, the product also includes hundreds of multimedia pages in several interactive digital books- The Main Lessons, The Practice Booklet One, The Practice Booklet Two, The Practice Booklet Three, The Practice Booklet Four, Fundamental Intervals Book, Fundamental Scales Book and Fundamental Chords Book. As well as this, “The Logic Behind Music” course also offers a Gold-membership account in the Piano Encyclopedia’s community. The Gold-membership account lets user create their own profile page so that they can access Premium Exclusive Areas like the piano video and audio gallery, ask questions, share your progress, participate in music contests, and interact with other musicians and pianists that are taking the same lessons as you. Interacting with players around the world can be a great step ahead in learning new techniques and clarifying queries. The users can also upload their videos, audio recordings, and join the conversations in the piano, composition, and improvisation forums.Furthermore, to make it a totally unique and unprecedented product, on the occasion of launch of “The Logic Behind Music”, the Piano Encyclopedia are giving a hundred page e-book based on music fundamentals for free as a special promotion. This book has stood the scrutiny of hundreds of pianists across the globe who have all hailed this book for its truly magnificent content and unrivalled quality. The Piano Encyclopedia Blog Page has a collection of the testimonials of such pianists.

It is beyond any doubt that the painstaking efforts of the many collaborators of “The Logic Behind Music” have led to the creation of a learning package which has all the tools required to unveil the mysteries of music.

Reveal the mysteries of music with The Piano Encyclopedia. Start your lessons from the comfort of your own home with The Piano Encyclopedia’s Digital Home-Study Course “The Logic Behind Music”: Piano Course The Logic Behind Music

About the Author

Sean M. Brown is a composer and piano teacher from Dallas, Texas. He gives classes to adults, from beginner to advanced level, teaching his students how to improvise, compose, and play by ear. For those that want to learn piano and are not in Dallas, he recommends the course he uses with his own students: The Piano Encyclopedia’s Digital Home-Study Course The Logic Behind Music: Piano Improvisation and Composition Lessons.

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It's Never Too Late to Play Piano (Tutor book with CD)

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Do you wish you?d learnt to play the piano when you were younger or that you hadn?t given up? Then this book is for you - because it?s never too late!At last a truly grown-up approach to learning the piano. Pam Wedgwood, author of many popular piano series, takes you through the rudiments of piano technique and music theory in her own friendly style that?s guaranteed to get results. The book is organized into clearly structured progressive units with a fabulous array of music to get you playing

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“Late Of The Pier” are a four-piece indie rock band from Castle Donington, London. Late Of The Pier are Samuel Eastgate (Vocals, Guitar and Synthesizers), Andrew Faley (Bass and Synthesizers), Sam Potter (Sampler) and Ross Dawson (Drums). All of them have pseudonyms and known as Samuel Dust, Francis Dudley Dance, Jack Paradise and Red Dog Consuela respectively. Late Of The Pier are very much into electronica and their music genres cover indie rock, electronica, synth pop and dance-punk.

Late Of The Pier’s Fantasy Black Channel opens with roaring guitar instrumental “Hot Tent Blues”. It seems that Late Of The Pier have been using a sampler to make this track. The guitar on this track revives the 80s rock scene where it’s filled with pitching and echoic guitar. The bass and drums provide cushion in the background as the guitar plays on. Once it reaches the remaining 13 seconds, the track gallops again but this time, with some start/stop guitar riffs. It’ll gradually bring you to the next track. Very energetic opening!

Once entering “Broken”, oh my god the guitar just brings you on. You couldn’t help it but to move your body to this crazy filler track. Very awesome guitar work i would say. Shortly after that, it’s followed by a series of music created by synthesizers and sampler. Only by the time Samuel enters with his vocals, Broken seems to slow down a bit to allow him to express himself. Broken is filled with various guitar playing, you can’t help but to love this track. Just my first listen, Broken already got me wanting for more. Very addictive!

“Space And The Woods” comes in right after Broken. If i’m not mistaken, it sounds like Late Of The Pier are playing keyboards here. Catchy keyboards playing by them. Samuel has a robotic voice-like as he sings on. When it comes to the part which i assume is the chorus, the guitar just comes in, without affecting the earlier keyboards that we first heard. In the bridge, Samuel sings in a very ignorant voice that goes, “I’m shit hot so say what you think about me, i’m not gonna cry because I don’t care…” It sounds kind of cool here. The music on Space And The Woods definitely matches the previous track. Love the keyboards!

“The Bears Are Coming” has a very cool opening. African-influenced percussion belting with the synthesizers. Once Samuel comes in, it just adds extra weight to the already really good music. After each paragraph of his singing, the music just plays on. And it’s not just some ordinary music, it’s the type of music which is going to at least make you nod your heard. The Bears Are Coming also vibrates some disco-feel to it. In the bridge, Late Of The Pier just takes a short break with the slow tempo and Samuel enters with his yell-like vocals layered with heavy-heart elements, “I saw you wading in the water, i saw you ride along the sea, shine on a nightmare, shine through the trees…” Once after that, the music again kills me on the spot. With some voice in the background, it’s like a party track in the making. Before ending, it seems that Late Of The Pier are not done with the track yet, they just play around with their synthesizers and sampler. Amazing feeling!

On “Random Firl”, the music in the beginning is just way too cute. The synthesizers-influenced guitar are very cheeky as well. If you pay attention, you would notice a slight sound of exclaimation (Like a woman’s gasp) in the background when the music are just warming up to get to the verse. It just sounds so funny to me. Slowly, Late Of The Pier seem to be adding more instruments to this track, making it sounds much better gradually. The cheeky and catchy guitar just work its way throughout the track, very sweet feeling.

“Heartbeat” begins with some 80s-like music before the real deal comes in where Late Of The Pier enter with loud guitar riffs. When it gets to the chorus, Heartbeat seems to get into another level, it gets rougher and groovier here with Samuel going, “A heartbeat, a flicker, a line…. It’s just a line…” in repetition. The best moment on Heartbeat definitely. Entering the second verse, the bass also gets groovier and louder. It just never fails to pump up my blood and the volume. It’s not a line, it’s the music!

“White Snake” has a somewhat slow beginning. But it suddenly bursts with the loud guitar of Late Of The Pier. Samuel also seems to be gasping for air when singing as it’s fast and loud here. The guitar also plays at a speedy rate. When it gets to the chorus, the whole track just loosen up slightly. Piano can be heard playing in a repetition of notes rapidly as the track goes on from here. In the bridge, Late Of The Pier add some creepy music to White Snake, it comes in as a surprise, really. But it’s still good as the track is so fast until it gets you rocking as well. Even Samuel sings and yells like a true rock star!

“VW” continues with some clever music playing. Horn can be heard here as the music goes fast and slow throughout the track. When it’s fast, the horn seems to be louder and the music sounds kind of eerie, as if something bad is bound to happen. When it gets to the slower part, Later Of The Pier seem to be getting ready for the next speedy break. Listening to VW makes you think that you’re running out of time and something bad is about to happen. Dangerously fast!

“Focker” has a very strong electronic influences to it. On the verse, Samuel sings very fast as if he’s gulping down the lyrics. However in the chorus, things get a different approach. Samuel just sings and drags on, “I wanna be you friend… Oh yeah…” With the heavy electronic music in the background, sometimes it just drowns out the voice of Samuel. Focker can be said one of the wildest tracks on Fantasy Black Channel. Even the remaining 30 seconds are filled loud guitar and synthesizers, looping and echoing to the end.

“The Enemy Are the Future” has a cute beginning. You would know what i mean after listening to it. It seems that this time Samuel share his vocals part with other members of Late Of The Pier. It has a deep and playful voice once it comes in. As the chorus comes, the whole track as i never expect, sounds very good with the bass going on. With Samuel going catchily in repetition, “Easy life, is it an easy life?…”, i feel obliged to sing along as well. I just don’t know why, the way Late Of The Pier play and sing is really good! Needless to say, the music is just great on The Enemy Are The Future. Deeper into the track, it just turns into another track totally. The sampler and synthesizers just hit the invisible magic button as it’s no longer a rock track, it’s a dance track. Very, very highly evolved.

“Mad Dogs and Englishmen” starts with a bell chiming from afar. Sooner than later, the bass comes in and eventually it gets louder with a certain rhythm to it. The guitar and the bass on this track seems to be working together here, layering and covering one another. When the bass goes, the guitar waits; when the guitar goes, the bass waits. The bass especially, makes me smile as it possesses some funny elements in it. In the bridge and until the end, Late Of The Pier just play their stuffs which resulting in some playful and great music. It makes you want to play…

“Bathroom Gurgle” opens with steady drum beats (That resembles “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis) and soon joined by synthesizers. The music itself is already catchy enough to make me want to get up and dance. It’s infectiously groovy! In the chorus, Samuel yells, “Find yourself a new boy…” with the music adding in some xylophone-like sound. I really enjoyed myself listening to that particular moment. Other than that, Late Of The Pier’s Samuel also plays around with his vocals on Bathroom Gurgle as he imitates the voice of females at some points of the track. Few seconds after the chorus, Bathroom Gurgle surprises us with a cheering part that goes, “So put your hands on your waistline, and move you body to the bassline, and get your hands on some cheap wine…” Late Of The Pier really show everything they have on this track. One track that covers a variety of singing and playful music.

Cheers!
Darren Tan
Indiesurf.com

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Music Review of A Mouthful by The Do

“The Do” are a French two-piece or duo indie band based in Paris. The Do were formed in 2007 and they are Dan Levy (Musician) and Olivia Merilahti (Vocals). Their music covers a wide variety of genres that include indie rock, indie pop, folk rock and a bit of electronic stuffs.

A Mouthful has an album appetizer that everyone of us will definitely give at least a thumb-up to it. In “Playground Hustle”, a group of children cover most of the singing part while Olivia just adds in some extra weights here and there. The music in this track is exceptional as well. The flute on Playground Hustle reminds me of my younger days when i had to learn flute-playing in school. The music which is mainly contributed by synthesizers also creates a very good opener impression here. Love the cheeky part where it almost sounds like the movie “Jaw” theme. Read the rest of this entry »

Annuals is a six-piece (Indie) band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Their band members consist of Adam Baker (Songwriter/Vocals), Kenny Florence (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), Mike Robinson (Bass/Backing Vocals), Anna Spence (keyboard/Piano/Backing Vocals), Zak Oden (Drums/Guitar) and Donzel Radford (Drums/Percussion). Their genre are mostly Indie rock, Alternative rock, Indie pop, Experimental rock. Their first album “Be He Me”, was released when they were just around the age of 19. And according to major music critic from Rolling Stone to NME to Pitchforkmedia, “Be He Me” received incredible positive reviews. Very impressive if you ask me. Such a young band, but already so big at such young age. What more would I ask for if I were a part of Annuals!

Such Fun contains a variety of musical arrangement and landscape, from relaxing country to orchestra ballad.

Their title track, “Confessor” starts off with Adam Baker singing “Pack up and leave…” When it comes to the chorus, everything seems so right, Adam sings in a voice that somehow sounds so soft to my ears. And with the delicious music that blend in so well with the vocals, anyone will have to confess to any mistakes/deeds that he/she committed after listening to song. The Guitar of Kenny can also be heard on and off. Wonderful opener from Such Fun!

“Hot Night Hounds” has a cheerful and fun piano sound to it. It kinda reminds me of my sister’s younger days where she played piano in our house every weekend or during her free time. This song can arguably be separated into 2 parts, where the first part is the piano-playing and the second part is the jamming and riffing of the guitar. 2 parts of this song make this song hot and cool!

“Springtime” is a slow and indie pop ballad where it starts off slow and steady. It gradually picks up in the chorus and the tempo of this song suddenly explode and all of a sudden the music background is getting richer, make this song sound so full and rich! Like Annuals are performing at an orchestra show! When Adam is not singing, the rest of the Annuals back it up with “Ba, ba, ba ba ba….” It’s beautiful, and it made me want to sing along!

“Down The Mountain” Wow! This song sounds like a song taken from a Cowboy Motion Picture. When I plugged in my earphones to my ears and listened to this song. I was imagining myself in a cowboy movie where I was riding on a horse and chasing, catching and hunting a group of cows/deers/goats/ or other wildlife. It’s such fun and cute song to listen to. You can bet to play this song when you are having a game of “getting to the seat when the music stops”! It’s just a suggestion. But this song is definitely cute and funny! It made you wanna smile and sometimes, laugh.

“Always Do” made an impression on me that it is a beautiful love song. It’s a love song, but angry love song. It seems that this song recalls the old memory of the love between 2 people. Annuals made an impact by exploding in this song. Remember “Brother” from their previous album, “Be He Me”? Well this song recalls me of “Brother”. Where it started off slow, and gradually picked up and exploded near the end of the song! It’s like building the momentum of this song, or even climbing up to the top of a hill or mountain and screams at his/her peak upon reaching the peak. Those who love “Brother”, will definitely love “Always Do”.

“Talking” is a fast track where the sound of the guitar can be mostly heard throughout the whole track. The chorus is the only part of the song that made an impression on me, where Adam sings, “Don’t let your love decay…” It sounds like Adam is really tired of talking. Honestly, I really think Annuals play and perform perfectly when they are doing a ballad orchestra or in other words, a slower tempo song. “Talking” is a good effort and it ended in a sudden after the riff of the guitar, but if you asked me, I prefer Annuals on indie pop, indie ballad or even indie orchestra if there’s such a genre.

“Hardwood Floor” This song is just so awesome! And I really mean it! It’s supposed to be a sad song but I can’t help but feeling good whenever listening to this beautiful song. Adam starts off with “I’m so scared I just can’t go anymore, I keep patching my rooftop…” From the first listen, it’s like singing about a wound that hasn’t healed completely. But in reality, after listening to this song, all my wounds are gone, this song is capable of doing so. The part where Annuals sing what sounded to me like, “didn’t told dai yo”, it is one of the best moment on Such Fun. Well, if you asked me what does it mean, frankly I don’t know but it really sound like some African langauge.

“Hair Don’t Grow” From the beginning to the end of this song, Kenny’s guitar is awesome! Again, it resembles “Down The Mountain” as if it were taken from a Cowboy Motion Picture. But only this time, “Hair Don’t Grow” sounds packer, heavier and louder. It’s best when you play this song when you’re watching some Cowboy movies when the good Cowboys are fighting and shooting against the bad Cowboys. And oh yes, this song would be perfect when Annuals perform them in a gig or concert. The guitar, bass, drum, hand claps and some whistling instrument (Maybe it’s violin) just blend in and got together so well and tastefully. Don’t blame me if you find yourself nodding your head or tapping your foot away when listening to “Hair Don’t Grow”.

“The Tape” After listening to this song, I can’t help but think that this song is kinda cute and can be used to replace the old and somewhat boring “Silent Night” Christmas Song. A picture of a man playing piano in front of the Christmas tree and his family came to my mind when I listened to this song. Or is it because of the Piano-playing that made this song embraces the atmosphere of the Christmas Season. Not only that, “The Tape” is well accompanied by a number of musical instruments which can be found in a brass band. On second listen, “The Tape” can be a wonderful song for children’s brass band.

“Blue Ridge” Yet again, another beautiful song. It begins with a man talking and whispering to a baby. Reminds me of fatherly love. Forget Barney! Let your baby listen to Annuals’ “Blue Ridge”! Throughout the journey of this song, the music and vocals fit in so well. When Annuals sing together, “To be first in the Sun, to be cursed it might be fun, such fun…” The music that comes along will blow you away. It’ll melt you away like a box of chocolate. The violin is brilliant. I wish this song can be longer..

“Wake” started off somewhat in a creepy way. But it continued with a cheerful and happy note. The chorus is a very happy one and the backup vocals done by the rest of the Annuals suits in just well. It also kinda reminds me of the Arctic Monkeys’ “A Certain Romance” where it ended on a strong and powerful note! Wonderful indie pop rock song (If there’s such a genre).

Rating: Compared to their previous full length album , “Be He Me”. “Such Fun” showed that Annuals are evolving as an indie band/artist. They tried to venture into new musical landscape and sound in “Such Fun” while “Be He Me” was somewhat very consistent in their landscape and sound. Overall “Such Fun” was a really good ride. No kidding! It garnered a rating of 7.5 out of 10 from me.

Stand-Out Tracks (My Picks): Springtime, Hardwood Floor, Hair Don’t Grow and Blue Ridge.

Cheers!

Darren Tan

Avid Indie Music Fan

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Match Annual 2011: From the Makers of the UK's Bestselling Football Magazine (Annuals)

Match Annual 2011 : From the Makers of the UK's Bestselling Football Magazine Title: Match Annual 2011 : From the Makers of the UK's Bestselling Football Magazine Binding: Hardcover Publication date: 2010

List Price: £6.99 Price: £2.77