-=- Intense Melody -=-

As I was preparing for my recent trip to Sofia, Bulgaria, I was reminded unintentionally by my voice teacher how far technology has gone for the traveling singer. He asked me if I was packing a small piano keyboard in which to practice. When I explained that I didn’t own one, he nicely offered that I borrow his for the week abroad.

Today I want to share some free alternatives to that little keyboard, that are not only light on the wallet but in the carry on bag as well.

Like many singers I travel with my laptop in order to stay in touch with friends and family through Skype, email, and Facebook. Since many bars, cafes, and hotels in Europe offer free wireless internet access to their customers; journeying with a laptop is a no brainer.

For shorter trips, I usually choose to leave the laptop behind in favor of my much lighter Palm Pilot (I can manage to not go insane without internet for 2-3 days).

If I’m going to pack my laptop/PDA (Personal Desktop Assistant not Personal Display of Affection) anyway, then I might as well get more from it… Read below about free/cheap software on using your laptop or PDA as a piano.

Electronic Piano 2.5

Notice in the picture how your computer keyboard is set up as a piano keyboard. Press Q and you hear F press 2 and you get F# and so forth. Of course you can also use your mouse. The default settings are perfect for the singer, but if you prefer to hear a harpsichord with a drum beat be my guest. Costs absolutely nothing to download and use.

http://www.pianoeletronico.com.br/index-en.html

Virtual Keyboard

Instead of downloading and installing software, why not use your web browser instead? I’ve enjoyed using this lightweight alternative when staying at a friend’s house… but I would be too nervous to rely on a hotel’s internet access to dictate if I can practice or not. My preference remains with Electronic Piano 2.5.

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/music/piano/index.htm

Palm Piano & Piano Sight Read

Though not as easy to use as playing a laptop’s keys (or as attractive a sound), these Piano Sight Read Palm Pilot programs are a more portable alternative. Who needs a tuning fork or harmonica when you have a PDA? Free to download and try, but both require a small fee to keep.

Download Piano.zip at

http://www.jawer.de

Download PianoSightread at

http://exideas.com/piano/

I would love to hear of some alternatives. Perhaps there’s a better way? Feel free to offer tips and links by clicking Comment now.