Learn Holiday Songs with Digital Music Notebook

One great way to really nurture the holiday spirit is to learn and play some songs that express the sentiment and feeling of the season. And a great place to start learning those songs is holiday sheet music at Digital Music Notebook.

With Digital Music Notebook, it's easy to find sheet music for the holiday songs you want to learn or perform.  Then, you can print out the score, complete with lyrics and chords, and start learning by playing along with the printed sheet music and playback from either the Digital Music Notebook program, or from your instrument, using Keyboard Sync. Both the player and your instrument can then guide you through the learning process with their play along features.

And this time of year, the songs you learn will be great for providing entertainment after Christmas dinner or accompaniment for a carol sing-along.  But even if you don't plan on performing them for anyone but yourself, playing holiday songs is especially great to learn and improve your skills.

The selection of holiday songs on Digital Music Notebook covers over 250 different pieces. Each song is also available in a number of arrangements which, in addition to providing nuances for different versions of a song, are also suited for different skill levels.  For example, take a look at just some of the many versions available of these three annual favorites:

"White Christmas"
- Beginning Piano Solo (beginner)
- Big Note (more advanced)
- Piano Solo (most advanced)

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
- Easy Piano (beginner)
- Piano/Vocal/Guitar (more advanced)
- Piano Solo (most advanced)

"Carol of the Bells"
- Easy Piano (beginner)
- Piano/Vocal/Guitar (more advanced)
- Piano Solo (most advanced)

Also, as we mentioned earlier this week, there's a new version of the Digital Music Notebook player now available.  While still giving you access to hundreds of holiday songs to learn, Digital Music Notebook version 3.0 also lets you explore the music on your computer with a customized player view, easy to use navigation, and more.  Plus, the player is completely free.

There's still plenty of time to learn your favorite holiday songs this year, but there's no time like the present to start!

- Doug

More Premium Styles Are In! New Rock & Pop Accompaniments For Your Keyboard

We come to you again this week with an announcement about Premium Styles.  There are two new styles available this week: Stairway Rock, which offers the chance to play some of classic rocks most epic anthems, and Swedish Pop, a necessary addition to any pop fan's style library.

As always, Martin Harris was more than happy to record some demos of the new styles, to show off their versatility and give you some idea of how you can use them to add new songs and sounds to your repertoire.

Stairway Rock - Complete with four very distinct variations, this style makes it easy to recreate the unique sound of the 1970’s English rock band.



Swedish Pop - In the 1970’s the sound of Swedish pop music rose to international acclaim, producing some of the world’s best selling records and hits that are still a fixture of radio playlists today. Relive the sound and the hits with this mid-tempo style.



With these two styles, we've completed our 2009 line of Premium Styles.   We've released 30 new Premium Styles on Yamaha MusicSoft and Internet Direct Connection this year - if you've missed any of them, such as Piano Slow Shuffle, 80's Xmas Pop , and 70's Country Pop, make sure to check them out.  Then, make sure to check back in January for another year full of new styles.

- Doug

Introducing the New Digital Music Notebook Version 3.0

It's been a while since we've had much news on the Digital Music Notebook front, which is why it's especially exciting to announce the new Digital Music Notebook player, version 3.0.  With the new version of the player you can still view and playback sheet music, add accompaniments to change the style of a song, export songs to your keyboard using Keyboard Sync, and do all the other things that Digital Music Notebook has always let you do.  And as always, the player is free to download.

But with version 3.0 of Digital Music Notebook, you can now customize your player view, navigate through songs more easily, and more. Check out all the new features and improvements in the latest Digital Music Notebook player:

New instrument specific Performance Modes
Keyboardists, Guitarists and Vocalists can now customize their own player view, complete with all the features they need to perform and learn a song.  Using the "Perform As" feature, you can now choose a performance mode specifically tailored to the instrument you play, giving you all the tools you need to learn and play right at your finger tips.

Easier to use interface
Playback, recording and mixing are simpler than ever.  Plus, each performance mode includes its own set of controls that make navigating through a song a breeze.
 
Purchase directly from the Digital Music Notebook website
There's no longer any need to start up the Digital Music Notebook player when you want to new sheet music.  Now, when you purchase songs on the website, the site automatically syncs with your player for a seamless download.

Windows 7 compatible
You can now use Digital Music Notebook on Microsoft's latest and greatest operating system.

- Doug

Updates on Yamaha's Latest Groundbreaking Digital Instrument - Tenori-on For All!

Some of you may already be familiar with Yamaha's groundbreaking Tenori-on. For those who aren't, the Tenori-on is a digital instrument from which entire songs can be created in real time in a simple, intuitive and visually dazzling way. Using a pad of 256 led lights, a Tenori-on player can quickly edit any aspect of song or sound, as well as control multiple loops and samples.

If this sounds confusing that's because the Tenori-on is the sort of thing that needs to be seen to be believed - a video might be the best way to introduce it.



More specific details, including more videos and interviews with artists who use the Tenori-On, please visit the official Tenori-on site.

While there is a lot to say about the Tenori-on, there has been even more to say over the past few weeks, with notable performances, recognitions from the art world, and an exciting announcement for aspiring owners all hitting the news wires.

Keep reading for the full scoop on the Tenori-on.

First, the Tenori-on has recently been selected for inclusion in the collection of the Architecture and Design Department of New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). With this recognition of the Tenori-on's revolutionary design, it joins some other Yamaha products (the WX7 wind MIDI controller, YST-SD90 speakers) in the museum as examples of musical tools whose forms are as intriguing as their functions. This development is especially exciting to us at Yamaha Music Interactive, since MoMA is only about two blocks away from our office!

There have also been a number of high profile uses of the Tenori-on recently.  Most notably, Marc01's Tenori-on Orchestra performance of a digital altered Beethoven's Fifth, which opened this year's BT Visit London Awards ceremony. On a completely different note, Britain's Little Boots has also continued to use the Tenori-on in her live performances as she tours the world. The creator of one of the most viewed Tenori-on performances, a cover of Hot Chip's "Ready for the Floor", Little Boots has also recently granted Yamaha an interview discussing her use of and fondness for the Tenori-on as well.

Unfortunately for many musicians desirous of creating such performances with Tenori-on, it's also been hard to get a hold of.  Limited regional releases account for part of this of this difficulty, but part of the reason has also been the relatively high price tag. That's why the biggest news is that with the impending release of the Tenori-on Orange model, some of the concerns that kept this fascinating instrument out of the hands of eager musicians may quickly be a thing of the past.

The Tenori-on Orange, which will be released in Europe before the end of 2009 and in North America sometime in early 2010, maintains all the main features of the original Tenori-on, while managing to cut the cost down to a level most musicians should be able to afford. Though details are still forthcoming, more information about the Tenori-on Orange is available here.

If I'm lucky, maybe you'll be hearing some first hand comments from me about the new Tenori-on Orange sometime next year...

- Doug

New Holiday PianoSoft - Peaceful Piano Music to Soundtrack Your Holiday

Today we're happy to announce the release of two new holiday themed PianoSoft albums featuring performances from Sue Downs and Bryan Pezzone.  Both albums feature the artists' own stirring interpretations of familiar holiday songs and carols, which have a soft, reflective mood that's makes for a perfect soundtrack to a relaxing holiday.

Between these two albums and the Holiday Favorites channel on Piano Radio which launched yesterday, your yamaha keyboard should now be fully equipped to provide warm, comforting music throughout the sometimes cold, often stressful, holiday season.

Peaceful Christmas



The name of this album really says it all.  Pianist Bryan Pezzone's brings an open, airy playing style and an improvisational approach to these songs which highlights the tranquility and peaceful message of the season.  The song selection here, which is heavy on jazz inspired Christmas ballads like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Christmas Time Is Here", also sets a warm, contemplative mood that's a perfect fit for a quiet winter's night.  Overall, this is one of the best holiday albums we've released in quite some time - a wonderful blend of Pezzone's artistic interpretation and heartwarming holiday feeling.

Silent Night, Holy Night



As the title suggests "Silent Night, Holy Night", is a collection of hymns and Christmas carols, but the tone of the album certainly is not as still as "silent" would imply.  Pianist Sue Downs has adds some jazzy touches and sections of embellishment and improvisation to songs as varied as the 16th century "Coventry Carol", and the Appalachian carol "I Wonder as I Wander". While largely staying faithful to the melodies and harmonies of these songs, Downs also plays around with phrasing, adds dramatic flourishes and broadens the dynamics.  The rendition of "Gesu Bambino" captured here moves smoothly between aggressive passages and delicate ornamentation, and in Downs' hands "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" becomes a jaunty and elegant waltz.

- Doug

Enjoy the Sounds of the Season On Your Yamaha Instrument With the Holiday Favorites Channel For Piano Radio

Though the weather outside may not be frightful quite yet, the holiday season is definitely upon us, which means it's time once again for the Holiday Favorites channel on Yamaha's Piano Radio. As of today, and throughout the holidays, Piano Radio subscribers can enjoy around the clock access to holiday piano music on their instrument.

The holiday season is a special time which calls for special music and there is nothing like the sound of a piano playing "Silent Night" or "The Christmas Song" to capture the warm, nostalgic mood of the holidays.  With Piano Radio, getting into the holiday spirit with piano music is as easy as turning on the Holiday Favorites channel.

Of course, the idea of "holiday music" covers a lot of ground between "The Dreidl Song" and "Jingle Bell Rock" and Holiday Favorites recognizes this diversity, drawing on the extensive catalog of holiday PianoSoft music to provide a wide selection of songs.  For example, with Holiday Favorites you can expect to hear traditional hymns like "Adeste Fidelis", modern Christmas classics like "Blue Christmas", seasonal songs like "Winter Wonderland" and everything in between.

The Holiday Favorites channel is now online and accessible to all Internet Direct Connection compatible keyboards and pianos. CLP and MODUS users will find it under channel 15.

If you've never tried Piano Radio before, now's the perfect time. Two free channels are available right now - all you need to do is get your keyboard online and you can be enjoying streaming music within seconds. Subscribers get access to the new Live Performances channel, seasonal and holiday channels throughout the year, and over a dozen other channels of piano music.

Follow this guide for help with connecting to the internet, or head here if you're ready to subscribe. For more information on Yamaha's Piano Radio, visit our Online Services site.

- Doug

Get an Early Jump on Holiday Music

Whether the holiday season brings to mind images of fun, family and togetherness or crowded shopping malls, overpriced gifts and stress (hopefully the former), there's no doubt that this special time of year is quickly approaching.  And though Halloween is still fresh in our memories and Thanksgiving is still weeks away, why not get an early start on thinking about the holidays?  If you're the type who looks forward to December all year, you can start cultivating the warm feeling of the holidays now, and if you're worried about the stress of holiday shopping, you can beat the rush and leave some time to enjoy all the good things about the season.

Either way, if you find yourself moved to start up your holiday music early this year, we're happy to provide suggestions to help you find a great gift for the music lover on your list, learn and perform your favorite holiday songs, or just enjoy the music of the season with your Yamaha instrument.

Keep reading for links to great holiday music and gift ideas.

PianoSoft - Bring the Songs of the Season to Your Piano

Piano music is perfectly suited to the holidays, and Yamaha's PianoSoft software brings professional, original piano performances of holiday music directly to your instrument.

Every season, the Christmas Carols album proves to be our most popular collection of holiday songs, featuring performances of "Silent Night", "Joy to the World" and other well known carols.  Disklavier owners can save a bundle on holiday PianoSoft with the Disklavier Christmas pack, which features 10 albums of carols and seasonal favorites for 20% off our usual price.

Plus, our extensive catalog of holiday PianoSoft is still growing - make sure to watch for two new holiday PianoSoft albums, which we'll be introducing next week!

MIDI Songs - Learn and Play Along on Your Keyboard

Whether you're looking for realistic, customizable backing tracks to accompany a holiday performance, a full audio guide for learning your favorite seasonal song, or just some great holiday music to play around with on your keyboard, look no further than our collection of holiday MIDI songs.

Also available are holiday themed Clavisoft book and disk packs, which give you the sheet music and MIDI files for songs so you can quickly and easily learn and perform them using allof your keyboards features such as Guide Lamps and the Guide Mode.

Take a look at our catalog of holiday songs, and start playing today.

Sheet Music - The Key to Breathtaking Holiday Performances

When learning or playing your favorite Christmas carols, there's nothing like having a good book of sheet music by your side.  Sheet music is available for all kinds of players at all skill levels - choose from EZ Play song books, fake books, as well as book and CD packs, all full of classic holiday songs.

We also have tons of holiday songs at Digital Music Notebook. With Digital Music Notebook it's easy to find the song you want to learn, print out the music for it, and then transfer a MIDI version of the song to your keyboard so you can listen and play along as you figure out the parts.  You'll be ready to put on a Christmas concert in no time.

Styles - Set Your Keyboard Up for a Festive Holiday

There's certainly not just one sound of the holiday season - the feeling of the holidays has been expressed well in jazz, rock and pop music as it has in classical music.  Whatever genre you choose to use to accompany your holiday season, we have style files that will help you and your keyboard achieve the perfect pitch.

We've even got special holiday styles like 80's Xmas Pop and Sleighbell Swing that will give you the perfect background accompaniment to all of your holiday performances.

Gift Ideas For the Music Lover

Musicians of all kinds are always after that next thing that will make their or help them or take their skills to the next level. We've got the musical gifts that will help them do just that - computer software to help them record their own music, accessories to make their musical lives easier and more enjoyable, or books and instructional material to help them unlock their inner talent. 

Try the FC4 sustain pedal, which you can add to a Yamaha keyboard for enhanced expressive possibilities, Finale Songwriter 2010, with all of the recording and notating capabilities you could ask for in an affordable software package, or the Play Piano Today Beginner's Pack - everything you need to get started on the piano or keyboard with a DVD, CD and lesson book.

Don't forget to keep checking the blog throughout the holiday season for tons of deals, exciting news, new products announcements.

- Doug

New Premium Styles - Moving Ballads and Electric Blues

This week's new Premium Styles feature authentic electric blues grooves and soulful ballad backing tracks to take you back to the heydays of the boy band.

As with the our other new Premium Styles, Cool Chillout and Hot Big Band, each style comes in multiple varieties, to guarantee compatibility with your particular keyboard model.

Martin Harris is back to demonstrate the new styles, and his harmonica solo in the blues demo is truly not to be missed.  This video in particular really shows the type of amazing sounds and performances you can create with the Tyros3 and Premium Styles.

The Blues - Created at the end of the 19th century by the African-Americans in the deep South of the United States, the Blues is characterised by specific chord progressions, possibly the most well known is the twelve bar blues. This style recreates the famous sound of the Blues in the 1950's.



90's Pop Ballad - The 90's saw superstardom for a new concept – boy bands. And in the UK, it was their Pop Ballad songs which became an instant hit their with many adoring fans.



More new styles are in store in the weeks to come - so keep your eyes and ears peeled!

- Doug

Live Excitement: Yamaha and Disnelyand Announce New Interactive Music Concerts and Sweepstakes

Yamaha and Disney, who have long been partners in entertainment, have recently begun a new stage of collaboration with a series of performances from Yamaha artists taking place at the Disneyland resort. The great news for everyone outside of Southern California, though, is that the performances will be broadcast live over the Yamaha Hub website.

A series of four concerts has been planned, and the first concert, which included a Dixieland jazz band, was held last week in the French Quarter area of Disneyland. The next concert will be broadcast from Disney's California Adventure Park on at 5pm Pacific Time on December 8th, featuring the music of acclaimed trumpeter Jens Lindemann with accompaniment from a Yamaha MODUS piano. This concert will be followed by one more event in December before the series wraps up with the Grand Prize giveaway concert and simulcast on January 17, 2010. The performances will feature well known and admired Yamaha artists. For the most updated schedule, visit www.yamahahub.com.

Also, a code will be shown during each broadcast, which can be redeemed through The Hub website or through an SMS message. Prizes will be awarded during each broadcast. The Grand Prize, consisting of a Yamaha home theater system and a Disneyland vacation, will be awarded at the close of the final concert broadcast coinciding with the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, Calif. You can tune in to www.cli.gs/yamaha for all of the live broadcasts.

Keep reading for more details about the concerts, contests, and Yamaha's partnership with Disney.

Yamaha is the official supplier of musical instruments to the Disneyland Resort, and the company has launched a number of popular web initiatives, including production of several podcast episodes that have become major web hits. Recently, Yamaha and Disney named Mark Carman, of Levittown, NY, as the winner of the Celebrate Your Music Contest. Launched in September 2008, the contest sought the best performance of Disney’s “It’s a Small World” theme song. Contestants had the opportunity to upload their performances online through The Hub. The press conference announcing the winner and debuting the winning video was held on January 16, 2010 at the Winter NAMM 2009 conference in Anaheim, Calif.

In addition to this partnership, Yamaha is also proud to be the instrument provider for the prestigious Disney All-American College Band. The relationship between the Walt Disney Company, the largest employer of professional musicians in the world, and Yamaha, the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instruments, has thrived and grown in many ways over the past several years. Vacationers, visitors and guests at events held at the Disneyland Resort have long experienced a rich Yamaha musical experience whether attending weddings, corporate gatherings, concerts or the countless musical events that are integral to the Disney offerings.

For more information on the sweepstakes and Disney events, visit www.yamahahub.com, or e-mail bandandorchestra@yamaha.com.

- Doug