Category Archives: Music

When Jo’s step-dad died recently her Mum asked if we wanted his “piano”.  We had an old upright and this was a £5k Yamaha all singing and dancing electric thing.  Now Jo can play and reads sheet music.  Me I tinker and remember keys but only just working out music.  Why didn’t they start with middle A instead of C? ABCD etc makes sense to me!!

Anyway this thing has a screen on which I can call up thousands of scores and it shows me where I should be and which key I should press next. There is even an “any key” set up and it plays the right note despite what I do, so I can look really good as long as no one is looking too carefully   It can talk to the Internet and the grandkids love it as it does dozens of instruments, and dozens within those. It also does choral voices and no doubt lots of things I have not discovered yet.  It really is a computer plus the musical side and the sound is amazing – especially when played properly. Had a friend stay recently and she is classical piano trained.  It was fantastic to hear it played so well and Jo is quite good.

As for music readers, I can see the appeal. I have an iPad (everything Apple) and they do it for that too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PPKfIg3CRE&hd=1 

I also found some apps for it and one -forScore, seems to be good.  

The following are screen shots of the app(lication) and a few reviews.

I learnt the piano as a child and I have never regretted it, as music is always a good escape.  I envy those who can read without music but try as I might I still need the notes in front of me if I am going to play a decent rendition of a tune.  Music books are a pain in the proverbial as they fall apart, fall over, do not stay open at the correct place etc. etc.  In short music books drive me potty. 

However, on our recent trip to Paris I spotted a very nifty piece of kit in a piano bar we visited in the Latin Quarter. 

The, (Chinese/Korean), girl was playing classical music and was an excellent pianist, (at one stage a member of the audience got up and joined her in an excellent duet and also sang an opera aria unbelievable, near the Sorbonne so I assume music students).  What I spotted was that the girl was using a small computer with all her music on and it looked brilliant, no silly books that will not stay open etc but everything to hand. 

So have a look at -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOR3E3RM5Es  

Needless to say I want one! (also needless to say my wife doesn’t).