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Jackson’s recent passing had created a frenzy of everything Michael. His albums are selling like crazy, t-shirts are everywhere and the world can finally contemplate his genius, leaving all the sordid stories in the past. You can watch the Michael Jackson thriller video here.

This is why for just three days, Londoners will be able to appreciate a Warhol piece depicting the singer. Done in the style through which the artist-extraordinaire gained fame, the image is a simple but beautifully colourful take on the music icon.

Andy Warhol’s 1984 portrait will be arriving from the U.S. exclusively to be displayed at the British Music Experience. The picture is available to view at the 02 arena where Jackson was due to perform before his death.

Never before shown in Europe, the famous work of art will be exhibited on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August. The artwork will then go straight under the hammer in New York where an auction is planned upon its return.

The portrait was commissioned in 1984 to celebrate the gigantic success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller rocketing to the top of the charts and in the process becoming the greatest selling album of all time. In fact, Jackson is portrayed in the Thriller hair and clothing style, now so symbolic of the singer.

Piano students need to have knowledge and understanding of musical concepts in a way that they can apply to their playing. For example, students often have difficulty understanding the musical term syncopation. They can memorize the definition, but don’t know what it sounds like or how to do it. Here’s an easy way to explain this to kids taking piano lessons.

Rock music follows a strict 4/4 tempo, or four beats to every measure. The first beat of the measure is emphasized. Similarly, cheerleaders follow a 4/4 beat to scream their cheers. Try this count a steady 4 beats and keep repeating.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 1 - 2 - 3 4…

Clap on each beat emphasizing the first beats. This is a steady rock beat or an “Indian” beat that cheerleaders and the marching band might use during half-time at a football game. It doesn’t have a rhythm really, just a steady single beats.

Now create a syncopated rhythm. Clap the beats out, but hold out beat 4 and don’t clap on the next, or first, beat. Instead emphasize the 2nd beats. Like this:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4…hold - 2 - 3 - 4….hold - 2 - 3 - 4….hold 2 - 3 - 4….hold - 2 - 3 - 4….

Syncopation means to emphasize what would normally be a “weak” beat. Not playing on the first beat creates a sense of anticipation gives music a jazzy feeling that makes your want to tap your toe.

The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin, which was popularized by the 1973 movie, The Sting, has a syncopated rhythm common to ragtime music. Ragtime music has a steady 4/4 bass beat that supports a “ragged,” syncopated melody that keeps trying to interrupt the bass.

Have your child in piano lessons try the exercise above. Then get a CD or the sheet music of The Entertainer. You can find a simplified arrangement for children taking piano lessons online or at your local music store. It would make a nice Birthday or Christmas gift and you’ll love hearing them play this syncopated, ragtime music written by Scott Joplin (1868-1917).

For great home piano activities parents can use to help children ages 5 to 11 develop their musical talent, visit Piano Adventure Bears Music Education Resources You’ll find a treasure box filled with piano resources to create an exciting musical adventure for your child - right in your own home! Visit their website and subscribe to their f’ree internet newsletter so you can download f’ree piano sheet music and mp3s of original piano compositions.

These exciting stories, games, piano lessons, and inspirational gifts feature the Piano Adventure Bears, Mrs. Treble Beary and her new piano student, Albeart Littlebud. Young students follow along with Albeart to learn what piano lessons are all about in a fun way that kids readily understand appreciate. Click here to visit PianoAdventureBears.com For a wealth of information about piano lessons, visit tallypiano.com

There are 88 keys on the piano keyboard. Most pianists use about 1/3 of this number most of the time. Why?

Well, if you’re playing sheet music, the answer lies in how the composer used the piano. If you’re creating your own music, the answer lies in experimenting with the possibilities.

Now, most of my own music is played near the middle of the keyboard. It’s not planned that way but this is the area of the piano I naturally gravitate towards when sitting down to play. Of course, I do and have used most notes available on the piano and it would be a shame not to. But I allow the music to tell me where it wants to go. If I sit down with a predetermined agenda to play high notes, then I am not listening to my intuition.

Although I have to admit that in Lesson 5: “Winter Scene” I wanted to create a crisp wintry sound so I started further up the keyboard with the left hand and played higher register notes in my right. But most times, I will let my intuition guide me and 9 times out of 10 begin at the middle of the keyboard.

There is nothing wrong or uncreative about this at all. In fact, it doesn’t really matter where you begin because once started, the heart and mind work together as one bringing you the ideal music. It is the only true music that could come out of you because you listen to what your heart wants to play. If you play a few bass notes to begin with fine. Want to start at the high end of the piano, OK.

The key here is authenticity. Some compositions and improvisations sound contrived because they were - that is they were thought up. There really is nothing wrong per se with this approach - as long as you let the music guide you. For example, you may decide you want to do as I did and create a certain mood piece. However, once you get the general idea for the music, let it guide you to where it wants to go - that is, listen, listen, listen for what is coming next. This approach never fails and will most always yield good results.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

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