Breathing Space in Music

While most students want to know when to play certain notes and chords, it's equally important to know when not to play. For example, I had a student who knew how to improvise and play in the New Age style. What he didn't know how to do was to allow for breathing space. I tried to teach him that you don't have to play note upon note but allow for some pauses.

Eventually he got it. He learned how not to rush and that the pauses between notes are as important as the notes themselves - especially in the New Age style of piano playing. Listen to pioneer New Age piano player Steven Halpern to get an excellent idea of this. Steven literally defined "breathing space" for music. His music floats in the air. It is pure improvisation and, if you listen to him play, you'll find that' it's one of the easiest styles to play in.

He let's the spaces in between the notes work for him. There's definitely no rushing here. It's very trance inducing and calming. To play in this way, you need to be very much IN THE PRESENT and listen for what's to come. There's no planning or forethought here except maybe to choose a Key or Mode to play in. Then you just improvise.

The spaces between the music are as important as the music itself. In fact, without the spaces, you wouldn't have this style. The spaces define the style of music. A lot of New Age pianists emulated Halpern and you can't do better to learn how to master the art of silence than by listening to him. Also, check out the author's online piano lesson "Oriental Sunrise" to get another good example of "breathing space."

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_lesson s.html for a FREE piano lesson!

---

Building Your Digital Music Collection

The previous two Tech Tips took a look at eight... Read More

Facts about Betty Kresin, Eminems grandmother

Betty Kresin, Eminem's grandmother from the maternal side... Read More

The Future for Independent Record Labels

Small independent record labels are facing a different fight today... Read More

Improvisation and Musical Form

Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More

Be An Organized Church Pianist

Playing in front of a congregation each Sunday is no... Read More

Bagpipe Lessons In Your Own Home !

Bringing Bagpipe Tuition to Everyone, Everywhere.I have been teaching music... Read More

Creating Caverns - an Improvisation Exercise

In a recent post to my Yahoo group, I mentioned... Read More

An Interview with Jon Bon Jovi ? 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Cant Be Wrong

The idea originated with singer Jon Bon Jovi. Jon kept... Read More

Name That Tune - Tips For When You Can?t Remember The Song Title Or Artist

For years, you have been searching for a song lodged... Read More

What is Guitar Tablature and Can I Find It Online?

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments... Read More

How to Create Interesting Textures

A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating... Read More

Live Music!

"Live music." That common saying may contain some truth, but... Read More

A Brief History of Fender Guitars

Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of... Read More

Independent Music Promotion on the Web: 3 Steps to Success

Let's face it, the wildfire spread of web-based portals designed... Read More

Buying A Guitar - Do You Know What To Look For?

Buying a guitar is an important decision that my students... Read More

Launch Pad Introduces Subliminal

Who would have ever thought that a call out for... Read More

The Life and Music of Beatle George Harrison

Propelled into fame as one of the Beatles, along with... Read More

Interested in Improving the Sound of Your Stereo? Consider Records

Introduced in 1982, the compact disc was intended to provide... Read More

How Can You Make A Rock Vocal Sound Better?

Admit it... you were expecting a magic answer to this... Read More

Prepare for the Master (CD Mastering)

Many artists are still confused as to what goes on... Read More

Flaming Guitars! Minarik Fuels The Excitement of a New Generation of Musicians

From the Telecaster to the Flying V to the Iceman... Read More

Learn to Fiddle the Orange Blossom Special, the Most Popular Fiddle Tune in the World

Learning to fiddle the Orange Blossom Special is not easy,... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is.... Read More

Piano Playing For Adults: More Fun Than Sex And Not Nearly As Dangerous!

OK, so I lied about the fun part.Maybe piano playing... Read More

Good News for the Musically Untalented

Have you ever been told that you were good at... Read More

14 Ways Musicians Can Increase Their Tips

I was listening to NPR the other day when they... Read More

The First Step and Most Important Thing in Learning Guitar

Most of the guitar lovers playing guitar for few years... Read More

Liberate your iPod

When Akio Morita came up with the idea of the... Read More

Music: Uniting Nations, Dividing Generations

Cultures around the world since the beginning of time have... Read More

Making Music As A Lefty

Author Interview with Ryan Thomson, seacoast New Hampshire resident, and... Read More

How To Play Guitar Like a Pro!

Having taught the guitar for many years, I see the... Read More

Music Making as Spiritual Experience

If you've been playing piano for some time, you may... Read More

Music Mini Course: Learn The Basics Of Reading Music On A Keyboard Instrument

Welcome to the wonderful world of music. As you begin... Read More