PIANO PLAYING FOR BEGINNERS

IN ONE OF the past blogs, we talked mostly about guitars. This time around, we will devote this entire blog article to basic piano rudiments for starters.

In my experience, playing the piano is way much easier than mastering the guitar because you only have to learn do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do (or CDEFGABC) -- the basic foundation or introduction to music -- on the keyboard.

The middle C (or do) is located in the centermost part of the keyboard. Go one note higher and you will hit D (re). E (mi) is next, followed by F (fa). G (so) comes in next. 
A (la) is the 6th note. B (ti) will be next. The last (8th) note is also called C (do) because the beginning and end (like bookshelves) of the scale must have the same note. The eighth C note is naturally higher than the lower C note. 

Remember that the C scale is played by using white keys all throughout the eight notes. There are no black keys in the scale.   

The C chord is played using three right fingers for beginners: the thumb is for C (do), the middle finger is for E (mi) and the pinky or the smallest finger is for G (so). A triad (three notes) forms a chord. Inverted C chords can be found in all of the C scales by trying the different three-note variations on the keyboard.

Experimentation must be done only when you have mastered the basic C scale.

The fingerings of the C scale must be followed to a T for it is the foundation of everything one must learn from the start.

The first three right fingers must play C (do), D (re), E (mi). Slide the thumb under your middle finger and hit the F (fa) with it. G (so) is played by the pointing finger. A (la) by the middle finger. B (ti) by the ring (4th) finger. And C (do) again for the eighth note using the pinky (smallest) finger. Remember to always start slow until you notice the evident efficiency of your fingers.

Maybe you're wondering what happens to the left hand. Well, here goes...   
 

All the eight notes below your middle C scale are also the same notes you play using the left hand. Only this time it will be an octave lower. You must not forget that the left hand is prominently used here.

   

Hit the C (do) note using your left hand pinky finger. Then your ring finger for D (re). The middle finger for E (mi). The pointing finger for F (fa) and the thumb for G (so). Now slide the middle finger over your thumb and hit the next note that is A (la). The pointing finger for B (ti) and use the thumb again for the eighth note that is C (do). 

  

By continuously practicing the left hand playing the scale separately, you will eventually master the task. Keep in mind (again) to always start very slow with your scaling. The dexterity of the fingers will be attained only through constant practice.

   

The next lesson will be playing the C scale using both your hands together.

Start very slow (again) until you notice that the left and right fingers start speeding up the tempo on their own. Tumatakbo na...

  

Have a professional pianist go with you when shopping for a piano. He will decide which one will be best -- a clavinova, an upright or electric piano, maybe an organ. It will all depend on your preferred taste (and budget as well).    

MGA KUWENTONG CUBAO

I HAVE been a groupie of the Circus Band during the 70’s. They were lording it over in the live circuit arena in Roxas Blvd. Reno, Flames and Wells Fargo were the leading clubs then for live band music. Ilang beses ko rin silang pinanood. Humahataw pa nga ako sa dancefloor eh. Kudos should go to Sir Atek Jacinto (we recently reconnected through FB) for his brilliance in masterminding this super group. It's a pity though that the band released three albums in their prime. Their recorded-live LP, Circus On Tour, is truly a collector's gem, it is now selling on eBay for a whopping Php29,000.00.    

Tillie Moreno, Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo, Hajji Alejandro, Pabs Dadivas, Richard Tann, Basil Valdez (later on na si Ceres Jacinto na mala-Chaka Khan ang pagka-funky) -- all lead singers par excellence who carved names for themselves as solo acts after the group disbanded. Special mention also goes to instrumentalists Boy Katindig, Paco Gamboa, Rudy Lozano, Walter Calinawan and Gerry Paraiso (he wrote "You" for Basil) –- the last three recently passed away. Gerry’s daughter, Pam, is a good friend of my son.   

It was also around this time when we launched our official mascot (in print) and tagline that goes "Your Chordian Angel." The pissing angel, with his back turned to us, had curly hair and a naughty impish smile on its face. 

We also published JINGLE Songhits, the small brother of JINGLE Music Magazine (I was already then its editor). Naglabas din kami ng JINGLE Keys (I handled this later on). This was purely for piano enthusiasts. Loaded nga yung first issue which featured So Far Away, Imagine and Your Song, to name a few classics. We also published JINGLE Organ for a while but it didn’t do well in the market. This was in the late 70’s.   

Every year, we publish a compilation magazine called the Best of JINGLE (of which I was the editor). This was a Greatest Hits issue -- pinagsasama-sama namin yung mga certified hits of the whole year. If I'm not mistaken, we were able to do 12 issues which translate to 12 years. There could have been more but, for a very private reason, I left the nest and raised a family of my own elsewhere.

The wifey and I worked with another creative group through the invitation and mediation of Val Vidad (a former staff writer of one of our publications, JINGLE Extra Hot, a movie magazine). We conceptualized and created Platinum, a music magazine. In deference to the JINGLE clan, I used a pseudonym (Frederic T. Sy) as its editor. The creative aspect can be shared but the original remains. This was in 1990s and is altogether a different story…

Rewind to the original: We also came up with an exclusive on the Beatles -- my all-time favorite band for all reasons and seasons. The JINGLE Beatles had red as its background color in the cover. "Kumpleto dapat ang LAHAT ng kanta nila," my Kuya Gilbert said.

It was during this time that we hired the services of musical genius Hexel Hernando who revolutionized the chords for our featured songs. He elevated its status several notches higher for advanced guitar players to enjoy. Ang ganda nga ng pagkakasipra niya dun sa Blackbird. Parang tab. Thank you, Hexel.   

Walang tigil na reprinting ng songbook ng Fab Four ang nangyari. Kada mauubos ang stock namin, nag-iimprenta kami ng panibagong mga kopya. Hanggang ngayon nga eh marami pa rin ang nagtatanong kung makakabili pa sila.   

Among my Cubao memories, I vividly remember na palagi ngang dumadalaw sa JINGLE office (sa Annapolis) si Florante na tinutukso pa namin kung "nasaan na si Laura." He would just impishly smile. Simpleng tao lang si Florante. Hindi airhead. Minsan eh may baon pa siyang nilagang mais. No frills. Very down-to-earth. Pati nga raw si  Ka Freddie Aguilar eh pumapasyal noon sa amin. Di ko nga lang siya natyempuhan. Naging contributor din namin for a while si Joey de Leon who started his career in broadcasting as a radio disc jockey. Lumalabas na din siya sa TV noon. Joeyism ang title ng column niya na pang-stand up comedy -- so very similar to his column now in Philippine Star.  

I was assigned by my Kuya to the music department where I did part-time proofreading of manuscripts and checking of chords. Nag-enrol ako sa College of Music sa UP Diliman at nakilala ko dun sina Ryan Cayabyab (one batch ahead sa amin), violinist John Lesaca, classical guitarist (and now UP professor) Lester Demetillo, classical singer Nanette Moscardon, trumpeter Rayben Maigue (now UP professor and husband to Nanette  -- both parents to Lara who's carving her own niche in the industry), saxophonist Tots Tolentino, guitarist Johnny Alegre, flutist Rey Ama, singer-songwriters Pol Galang and Joseph Olfindo,  bassist Tony Rodriguez, music arranger Jun Latonio at marami pang iba. I also saw Nanette Inventor and Joel Navarro of the UP Concert Chorus (under the baton of Prof. Rey T. Paguio). Pati nga si Edru Abraham (of Kontra-Gapi) eh palagi kong nakikita dun sa UP pag may ethnic gigs sila.

And speaking of great big artists, JINGLE Music Magazine’s core included Ces Rodriguez (she started as a letter sender, then as a regular contributor as per my Kuya’s invitation, and eventually its editor), Pennie Azarcon-Dela Cruz (who eventually became editor of Female Forum, another publication of JINGLE), Eric Gamalinda (now a world-renowned author based in New York), Juaniyo Arcellana, Tony Maghirang, Edwin Pena-Sallan, Louie Aseoche, Manny Espinola, Eric Caruncho, Anna Leah Sarabia-De Leon, DengCoy Miel (nagkita kami sa Singapore), Roxlee, Ludwig Ilio, Lav Diaz (walang-wala), Benjie Lontoc, Jr., Butch Maniego (RIP), Bernie Bagaman, Cousin Hoagy, Didits Gonzales (RIP), Jing Garcia, James Saspa, Pocholo Concepcion, Joey Ablaza, Bert Sulat, Jr., Edwin “Sproox” Escobar, Jomar Salabit and Romy Buen -- ilan lang yan sa mga lumikha ng pangalan in their respective fields. Bale second wave of writers and artists na sila. There were many more who contributed and shared their creative side with us. Hats off to all of you who were like soldiers who kept the torch burning long before the magazine wrote 30. I can never thank you enough, guys.

    

GUITAR TIPS

Photo credit: glowroad.com

THIS segment will be devoted entirely for would-be guitar players. Guitar tips for beginners.      

Nung naimbento yang karaoke...tinamad nang maggitara ang tao. Eh bakit pa nga ba mag-aaral matutong maggitara kung meron nang accompaniment pag gusto mong kumanta? Kumpleto pa. I say now's the time to bring back our interest in guitars. Dapat di nawawala ito. Iba yung may alam tayo. Talent should be honed. Sabi nga, great things start with small beginnings.  

I strongly suggest excited parents not to buy the most expensive guitar for your child this early. Baka kasi wala naman palang hilig yung bata sa gitara. Ikaw lang pala ang may gustong maggitara. You might just want your child to live your dreams or fulfill your frustrations. Baka iba ang hilig niya...masayang lang ang pera.    

  

As a practice instrument, a non-expensive guitar will do. Pag napapansin niyong mabilis siyang matutong tumugtog at may kusa siyang mag-practice on his own, that's the time na kailangan niyo na siyang ibili ng maganda at maayos na gitara. Isama na natin yung hard case (para maalagaan at magtagal ito) kung pasok pa sa budget. A hard case is good protection for your guitar against scratches, bumps and humidity.

When buying your child’s first legit guitar, try strumming it first. Does it sound muffled? Yun bang pigil o bamban ang tunog. Do not buy one that produces this sound. Is the sound produced by the strings reason enough for you to buy it? It should be pleasing to the ears. Yung may "brillo," sabi nga ni Sir Ryan Cayabyab. Don't be attracted by its overall appearance. Don't be lured into buying a beautiful guitar that sounds awful. Sayang lang. Is there enough space between the strings and the fretboard for easier playing? Meron kasing malayo ang strings sa fretboard. Mahirap yon tipahin. Try pressing the strings all at once on the fretboard by just using your pointing finger. Pag hirap ka, huwag mo yang bilhin. There will be tension just by trying to play a simple chord. Malakas o mahina ba ang tunog? Dapat piliin natin yung malakas.    

Photo credit: fender.com

Kung type ng iyong anak ay electric guitar at magbabanda siya...go ahead. You will, of course need an amplifier for this. Buy him/her one also. Kahit yung maliit lang na madaling buhatin anywhere. Kung acoustic guitar naman na me cable at pwedeng parang electric ang trip nya, pwede rin. You also need an amp for this.  If it’s a classical guitar he/she wants, go for it!  Afterall,  isn’t it better that your child is showing interest in music other than stuff that would bring about loads of problems in the long run? Behind every great talent is a supportive family.  

Locally, there are many reputable music stores selling a whole gamut of musical instruments -- parts and accessories included. Andyan yung JB Salonga music stores na high quality pa rin ang mga merchandise -- dito ako bumibili ng guitar strings noon hanggang ngayon. There’s Perfect Pitch, a subsidiary owned by G.A. Yupangco & Co. who is also the official carrier of three world-renowned brands: Yamaha - the world’s largest manufacturer of pianos and keyboards; Roland – top global producer of electronic instruments, including drums and synthesizers; and Fender – world’s largest guitar manufacturer (also known for its amplifiers). They also carry other brands like Godin & Seagull, Washburn, Zmaitis, Sabian, Markbass, Gator, and Line 6. This isn’t surprising considering that the Yupangcos pioneered music business in the Philippines having opened its first music store in 1967. Perfect Pitch caters mostly to bands though.

For those who value the quality of fine Filipino craftsmanship at an affordable price, RJ Guitars are the obvious choice. Today, there are 24 RJ Guitar Center branches and over 100 distributors of RJ Guitars across the Philippines and around the world. Check them out.

Kung trip mong matutong magmaneho eh di mag-practice ka. Practice makes perfect. Kung gusto mong matutong magluto, then make the kitchen your workspace. Kung gitara naman ang hilig mo, mabilis ka ring matututo pag palagi kang nagpa-practice. Basta andun yung drive at desire mong matuto...walang imposible. Pwera na lang siguro kung katulad ka nung kapatid kong walang rhythm sa katawan. Bale kasi 5 beats niya binibilang yung dapat eh apat lang. Pero sa ibang field naman siya nag-i-excel na di ko kayang gawin. We all have strengths and weaknesses. We all have talents and skills that are only honed if we practice hard enough.

Marami na ngang paraan para matuto agad maggitara. There are many tutorials in YouTube catering to guitar enthusiasts of all levels -- from beginner to advance to professional. Remember to also choose the easiest possible song/piece for your first lesson. 'Wag yung madaming chord changes agad at baka mahilo at umatras kang bigla.

Mga chord pattern lang: G-C- o di kaya E-A-D-. Mga ganyang simpleng chords dapat muna. Don’t do the F chord wherein all the four fingers are used to sound off -- mahirap patunugin ng ganoon ang strings pag nag-uumpisa ka. May ngawit o ngalay factor din. We’ll go into further chord instructionals (and secret techniques in my next blogs).

GA-1 Guitar/Bass Tuner   (Photo credit: korg.com)

Tungkol naman sa tuning...may battery-operated tuner na nabibili sa market. Korg is one of the best money can buy. Noon kasi eh we tune the guitar by ear lang -- gamit ang tuning fork (pag wala nito eh pwede rin yung pitch pipe) which produces a sound when you strike it against a surface then you bring the end with the round part close to your ear.  “A” or “la” ang note na maririnig mo. Dito mo isusunod ang "A" bass string mo sa gitara. Dapat kasi standard ang tuning natin. If you have a piano you can access, there's no need to buy a tuning fork (which is way cheaper than the electronic tuner).     

You’ve got to love your guitar as if it were your buddy or best friend. And believe me, it’s gonna love you in return. You’ve got to care for it so well that before and after use, you wipe its body and strings with a clean dry flannel cloth to remove dust and to avoid rust. While scratches cannot be avoided as part of wear and tear (dahil nga laging ginagamit), try very hard to protect your guitar from bumps because a heavy one can crack its body. Make sure your hands are clean! Your buddy will surely enjoy being handled by clean hands. No to sticky fingers!!!

Make it a habit to always play your guitar whenever time permits. Your willingness and drive to learn are the key factors in mastering your guitar and guitar-playing.