| How to Practice the Piano Without a Piano Posted: 04 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT It might seem counterintuitive, but it's actually beneficial to practice piano away from your instrument. Exercise your fingers by tapping them on a tabletop as if you were striking keys. When you tap away, do rhythm finger drills or play through an entire song. If you need to memorize a piece, study the score 1 bar at a time and tap each hand's part on the tabletop. Gradually build up parts and bars until you've worked through the entire song. Whether you play at an advanced level or are just starting out, you could also try using a number of helpful practice apps. EditExercising Your Fingers - Practice proper hand shape. When you play the piano, your hands need to be rounded and relaxed. Try holding a ball or placing your hands on your kneecaps. Notice how your fingers gently curve, and practice keeping your fingers in that shape.[1]
- When your fingers curve in a proper hand shape for piano, they shouldn't be bent or tense. You should be able to see all 3 knuckles on each finger.
- Practice scales on a tabletop. Work on your finger coordination by playing scales on a table as if it were an actual piano. As you ascend a scale with your right hand, practice crossing your thumb to play a scale's fourth note. Then descend the scale and practice crossing your middle finger to play the sixth note.[2]
- As you ascend a scale with your left hand, cross your middle finger to play the sixth note. When descending with your left hand, play the third note with your thumb.
- Do finger rhythm drills. Starting with your thumb and ending with your pinky, tap all 5 fingers as if you were tapping the keys from middle C to G. Tap extra hard every third tap to create an accent rhythm.[3]
- Ascend and descend, or tap from your thumb to your pinky, then from your pink to your thumb. Tap as fast as you can while keeping the accent rhythm. Switch up the intervals you accent and add combinations, such as accenting every second and fourth taps.
- Try combination taps. Number your fingers 1 through 5 from your thumb to your pinky. Pick a combination of numbers, such as 1, 2, and 5. Practice tapping with your thumb, index finger, and pinky in that order.[4]
- Switch up your combinations and make them more complex. Try tapping as fast as you without making any mistakes.
- Spend extra time practicing with your non-dominant hand. Practicing scales and drills with your non-dominant hand can help you improve your coordination and dexterity. In addition to practicing, you could try brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and performing other tasks with your non-dominant hand.[5]
- Play a full piece on a tabletop as if the table were a piano. You can practice playing a piece on a tabletop either from a score or by memory. Try to imagine playing it as vividly as possible. Do your best to hear every note and feel your fingers strike the piano keys.[6]
- Playing on a tabletop is great for your muscle memory. Even though you're not at the piano, you'll still help train your fingers to follow a piece's rhythm.
- Practice using online video guides. When you're away from the piano, watch and practice along with video lessons. You can work on your fingers' dexterity, brush up on notes, scales, and other basics, or get expert instruction on more advanced techniques.[7]
EditMemorizing a Score - Study sheet music 1 hand and 1 bar at a time. Start by reading the right hand melody for the piece's first bar. Study it closely, then proceed to playing it on a tabletop when you believe you have it memorized.[8]
- If you need sheet music, a quick online search will yield websites and apps that provide scores for tens of thousands of songs. You can also purchase print or digital books online or at a music store.
- Play the bar's right hand melody. After studying the first bar's right hand part, start playing it on a tabletop as if it were a piano. Try to play the part 4 or 5 times without looking at the score. As you practice, do your best to vividly imagine the sound of the melody and the feeling of your fingers striking the keys.[9]
- Practice the bar's left hand part. Move on to the left hand chords or melody when you're confident that you have the first bar's right hand part memorized. Study the score carefully, then practice playing with your left hand from memory.[10]
- Combine both hands and add more bars gradually. When you're comfortable with the left hand, practice playing both hands together. Repeat the process to memorize the next bar, then gradually build parts and bars until you've worked through the entire piece.[11]
- Check the score to make sure you're playing the right notes. Every now and then, read the score as you play the piece to ensure you're memorizing the tune correctly. You wouldn't want to accidentally get the wrong notes stuck in your mind.[12]
EditUsing Piano Practice Apps - Try using an app that teaches basic piano skills. If you're just starting out, try using a free beginner's app, such as JoyTunes Piano Maestro. It includes interactive exercises and games, and it tracks your progress and gives you feedback based on your playing.[13]
- Download a sight reading app. Sight reading, or reading and playing a score at first sight, is an essential skill, but it can be tough to master. Try apps like Read Ahead and SightRead4Piano to drill your sight reading abilities. Both apps have free demo practices, but you'll need to pay to access more levels.[14]
- Watch a virtual piano play a score note by note. For unfamiliar or complex pieces, it can be helpful to see what the keys should look like as they're struck during tricky rhythms. The Plern Piano app allows you to upload music and creates a representation of keys being struck as the music scrolls across the page.[15]
- Plern Piano also allows you to compose and virtually play pieces from scratch.
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| How to Wear a Lapel Pin Posted: 04 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT Lapel pins are a fun way to add personality and interest to a boring old suit. Whether you wear lapel pins often or are just beginning to experiment with them, you can craft a polished look that stands out from the crowd. By choosing a lapel pin and putting it on properly, you can wear a lapel pin with confidence. You can also learn how to style your pin for the most impact. EditChoosing a Lapel Pin - Try a stickpin if you're starting out with lapel pins. Choose a stickpin for a classic look that's secure and easy to wear. These pins have a pinhead with a design, a thin needle, and a collar that slides up and down the needle to secure it. This is the most common lapel pin, so wearing it ensures a timeless look.[1]
- Use a magnetic-clasp pin to protect a nice suit. Choose a pin with a magnetic clasp to keep from putting a small hole in a cherished suit. These closures use 2 magnetic clasps to hold your pin in place through your lapel fabric. Unfortunately, these tend to be less secure than other types of pins.[2]
- Use a screw-and-nut pin if you're going to be active. Choose a screw-and-nut pin if you'll be playing lawn games at a wedding or moving around a lot. These pins use threaded screws to hold the ends of the pin in place. They are considered the most secure clasp out of all the lapel pins.[3]
- Experiment with butterfly-clasp pins to show off your cheeky side. Choose a butterfly clasp if you'll be wearing a novelty pin. These pins have a sharp needle on one side and a cupped closure that grasps the needle on the other. Typically these pins are small and best suited to school emblems, flags, or other novelty shapes.[4]
EditPutting on a Lapel Pin - Position the pin on your left lapel. Plan to pin your lapel pin on the left side of your suit above the pocket. Unscrew or unclip any backings, and place them in a small dish in front of you so you don't lose them. If you'll be wearing a pocket square, choose a pin that won't be covered by your handkerchief.[5]
- Lapel pins are traditionally worn on the left hand side to be over the wearer's heart.
- Stick your pin through the buttonhole on your left lapel. Thread the needle of your pin through your lapel's buttonhole. The face of the pin should be sticking out of the hole facing forward, while the needle remains on the backside. Take care not to stick yourself while the backing of the pin is off.[6]
- Pierce the pin straight through the lapel if you don't have a buttonhole. If your suit doesn't have a buttonhole, push your lapel pin gently through the fabric of your suit at a subtle angle that matches that of your lapel. Secure the backing. If you're feeling nervous about doing this, ask a more experienced dresser or your tailor to do it for you.[7]
- Pierce the bottom of a stickpin back through the front of your lapel. If you have a stickpin, look for the spot on the back of the lapel that will allow the fabric on the front of the lapel to lay flat between both ends of the pin. The pin should sit at the same subtle angle as your lapel. Push the needle through that spot to the front of the fabric.[8]
- Attach the bottom of the stickpin so it shows on the front side of your lapel.
- It's considered more modern to pierce the end of a stickpin back through the front of your lapel. If you want a more traditional or conservative look, leave the back of the pin on the backside of your lapel. You can simply reattach the back of the pin on that side of the lapel.
- If opting for the more conservative look, ask a tailor to sew an inconspicuous loop on the back of your lapel to hold your stickpin in place.
- Attach the backing if you have a butterfly, magnetic, or screw-and-nut clasp. Screw or clip the backing of your pin onto the needle to secure your pin. The backing should be hidden by the front of your lapel, while the head of the pin sticks out of the button hole.[9]
- Adjust the pin as needed so it rests at the same angle as your lapel.[10]
EditStyling a Lapel Pin - Match the metal of your pin to your other accessories. Wear uniform metals on your belt buckle, cufflinks, watch, and pin for a cohesive look. This will help you look polished and effortless. For example, match a gold- or bronze-tone pin with gold and bronze accessories.[11]
- Silver can provide a more casual alternative to warmer tone metals.
- Select a pin that's proportional to the rest of your outfit. Avoid overly large pins that look comical, or worse, as if they might be a clown's gag boutonniere. Your pin should enhance your overall appearance rather than being the focus of your outfit.[12]
- If you're just starting out, select a smaller pin until you get more comfortable crafting a complete look with a lapel pin.
- An associate at the department store can help you select a pin that's the right proportion for your suit.
- Stick with tonal colors for a cohesive look. Choose a lapel pin that picks up colors in your tie or suit. This will add texture to your look without so much contrast that your pin is distracting.[13]
- If you're feeling bold, try choosing colors from the same part of the color wheel as your suit. A purple or green lapel pin could provide nice depth to a blue suit, whereas a red or orange pin might look gaudy.
- Neutral colors such as beige, gray, and black tend to go with everything, especially gray and black suits. Choosing pins in these colors will ensure your pin always matches your look.
- Try a personalized lapel pin. Create your own lapel pin at an online store, such as The Studio or Pin Depot. You can design a custom image that holds significance for you. For example, create a pin with your initials or a family seal for a personal touch.[14]
- Choose a red or white floral pin for a tuxedo. Give a nod to the classic boutonniere by choosing a floral pin in red or white to wear with a tuxedo. The pin should be worn normally on the left lapel.
- Some floral pins even look like real flowers. Choose formal fabrics, such as silk or satin, with elegant accents, like pearl, for a sophisticated twist on the traditional boutonniere.[15]
- Choose a design appropriate to your workplace. Wear lapel pins that are professional and office-appropriate for your job. While a nude woman or a knife on your lapel might be interesting for an art benefit, it's not appropriate for work.[16]
- A typewriter lapel pin might be an office-appropriate choice for a newspaper job, for example.
- When in doubt, stick with classic symbols, such as a fleur de lis or a feather, that aren't apt to offend anyone.
- Wear only 1 pin at a time. Unless you're in a special club, such as a military organization, wearing multiple pins at once can look cluttered and distracting. Choose just 1 pin at a time to keep the focus on you rather than your accessories.[17]
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| How to Photograph Fireworks Posted: 04 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT Fireworks look beautiful in photographs, full of light and color. You may wonder how you can best capture fireworks in an image without issues like over or underexposure, blurriness, and graininess. To photograph fireworks well, start by picking a good shooting location. You can also use camera settings that will help you achieve a high quality image. Then, set up the camera on a tripod to keep it steady and frame the fireworks with landmarks, a skyline, or even people to capture interesting photos. EditSelecting the Shooting Location - Look for a high spot in an open area. Try to position yourself on a spot that is high up, such as a ledge in a field or a high slope by a main road. Check that you can see the spot where the fireworks are supposed to be in the sky from your vantage point and that you are at a 45 degree angle from the ground when you look up.[1]
- Keep in mind if you want to include people in some of your shots, you may pick a high spot that you can move down from easily so you can be closer to crowds.
- Check that the spot is upwind from the fireworks so you get a clear short. Shooting downwind from the fireworks can cause smoke to get into your images as the fireworks go off. Prevent this by making sure your shooting location is upwind from where the fireworks are set to go off.[2]
- To determine the wind conditions, check the weather beforehand. Note if it is going to be a windy night and plan accordingly.
- Pick a spot that has a view of the skyline or a landmark for a unique shot. You may want to include a beautiful city skyline or a historic landmark in the area where the fireworks are set to go off. Find a shooting location that allows you to see the skyline clearly below the fireworks. Or go for a spot where a landmark or building appears in one side of the frame or in the foreground.[3]
- You can always shift your shooting location slightly while the fireworks are going off to get different objects in the foreground, as well as no objects at all in the shot. Try to find a spot where you can move around and play with different compositions.
EditSetting up the Camera - Switch your camera to manual mode. You do not need an expensive camera with a lot of different settings to photograph fireworks well. In fact, you can use a film camera or a digital camera to get a great image as long as it can be switched to manual mode.[4]#*Make sure the focus mode reverts to manual when you switch to manual mode, as this will allow you to focus the camera as needed during the fireworks show.
- If you are shooting with the camera on your smartphone, download an app that allows you to have a slower shutter speed on the camera, such as Slow Shutter Cam.
- Some digital cameras will have a "Fireworks Mode" on the settings dial or in the menu options on the camera. Use this mode, if available, as this allows the camera to adjust the settings for you so you do not need to do it yourself.
- Turn off the flash to limit distractions around you. Switch the flash off, as it is not strong enough to illuminate the foreground in the dark. It can also distract you when you are taking pictures and bother others around you.[5]
- Use a wide or telephoto zoom lens to capture the fireworks. Look for a telephoto zoom lens that is 70-200mm or 70-300mm, as this will allow you to capture the fireworks in full from a distance. You can also use a wide lens that is 24-70mm or 24-120mm if you are shooting a bit closer to the fireworks.[6]
- It may be good to have both lenses on hand so you can switch between them to suit your vantage point.
- Start with a slow shutter speed of 2.5-4 seconds. Using a slow shutter speed will allow the camera shutter to stay open long enough to capture the long light trails of the fireworks. Avoid going lower than 2.5 seconds, as a shutter speed that is too low can cause the fireworks to appear blown out or overexposed.[7]
- You may need to play around with the shutter speed as you photograph the fireworks, shifting between 2.5-4 seconds. Try a few different speeds once you set up your camera to vary the types of images you get.
- Set the camera to a low ISO level and a narrow aperture field. Start with an ISO that is at 100, as this will allow you to allow use a low shutter speed. You can usually leave the ISO at 100 as you shoot. The aperture, or how wide the lens opens, should be around f/5.6-f/8. This will keep the aperture just narrow enough to capture the fireworks without letting in too much light.[8]
- You can try playing around with the aperture field as you photograph the fireworks, bumping up to f/11-f/16 depending on how bright your images appear.
EditTaking the Photographs - Arrive early for the fireworks to reserve your shooting spot. If you know the fireworks show is going to be popular, you may aim to get to the location 30 minutes-1 hour early so you can set up your camera gear and be ready for the show.
- If you are not sure about the details of the location, you may visit it a day early to stake out a good location for shooting the fireworks.
- Put the camera on a tripod to get a steady image. Always use a tripod when you are shooting fireworks, as this will ensure you get a clear, high quality image. Set up the camera, or your smartphone, on a tripod in the shooting location. Make sure the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture have already been set, as you do not want to have to touch the camera too much once you start shooting.[9]
- Look for a tripod that fits your camera model at your local camera store or online.
- Get a remote shutter release to avoid touching the camera. The remote shutter release attaches to your camera and is controlled by a small remote you hold in your hand. This feature is ideal when you are shooting fireworks, as touching your camera while shooting can cause the images to appear blurry or unclear.[10]
- You can buy a remote shutter release at your local camera store or online.
- Focus the camera on a distant object near where the fireworks are going off. Look into the lense and adjust the focus manually so it is on an object that is fairly far away, just beside or in front of where the fireworks are going to explode. This will then ensure the fireworks appear in focus when they enter the frame.[11]
- You can also try zooming out or in and focusing on the fireworks to get a different perspective. Your wide or telephoto zoom lense should make doing this fairly easy.
- Frame the fireworks with people, objects, or a landscape. Use your surroundings to make the photographs more interesting and unique. Try placing a landmark in one corner of the frame and focusing on it as the fireworks go off. You can also focus on the skyline just below the fireworks to get a nice landscape in the foreground.[12]
- Including people watching the fireworks can also make the photographs more interesting. Try shooting at a lower angle to capture people in the foreground or background of the image.
- Reduce the shutter speed if the fireworks appear blurry or unclear. If you notice your images are coming out blurry or unclear, it may be because your shutter speed is not slow enough. Bump it down 1-2 speeds so the lense stays open longer and you can capture the full effect of the fireworks.[13]
- You may need to also play around with the aperture setting when you reduce the shutter speed to find the right balance.
- Use "bulb mode" to experiment with exposure. To do this, press the shutter down as the fireworks are launching. Continue to hold the shutter for several seconds until the burst fades and then slowly let it go. This allows you to create a long exposure that will capture the fireworks as it explodes.[14]
- Use a remote shutter release to do "bulb mode" as this will prevent you from touching the camera and causing it to shift or move, which can ruin the photograph.
- Shoot in RAW mode, rather than JPEG mode, if you are using a digital camera. RAW mode will make it easier for you to edit RAW images later to remove shadows or blurry area in the images.[15]
EditThings You'll Need - A digital or film camera with a manual mode
- A tripod
- A remote shutter release
- A flashlight
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