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Learn all 12 Major & all 12 Maj7 Chords by Pattern (not by rote)

Hey! Today I’m happy to present the next lesson in my ongoing course, Piano Chords 108:

The video is below. It’s about learning all the major chords, and how to “permanently memorize” them, without resorting to rote memorization.

Audience: Keyboard players and curious musicians of all persuasions who are struggling with learning the individual notes to all those dang chords on piano. In other words, tons of people!

Description: Learn how to immediately call up the notes to any of the twelve major chords — without having to rely on rote memory.  This lesson applies to the twelve major seventh chords as well.

Continue reading “Learn all 12 Major & all 12 Maj7 Chords by Pattern (not by rote)”

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“Claire De Lune” Sheet Music with Letter-Notes Added

Dear Supporting Members and Visitors,

Here’s a brand new sheet music offering from Kent. This one is another custom job for piano and keyboard players who read music “a little bit,” but who may have trouble remembering the details about key signatures, or may sometimes be unsure about which piano key belongs to which line or space on the staff.

Perhaps you’re an adult who had lessons many years ago, for example.

Continue reading ““Claire De Lune” Sheet Music with Letter-Notes Added”

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Trouble Playing Certain Chords? Some Notes can be Omitted!

UPDATED: Feb. 9, 2019.

Good day! Good evening! Today I’m sharing my answer to the following student question:

“Sometimes I can play the C7 Chord, lots of time I am hitting the G# because I have to move my hand higher on the keys to sound the chord. Any hints on fingering or practicing this? Thanks much!“

 

My answer: Continue reading “Trouble Playing Certain Chords? Some Notes can be Omitted!”

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New! Optional Sheet Music for “A Study in Blues Piano” (Blues Licks)

Hey!

In response to student requests for sheet music illustrating licks from my video course, A Study in Blues Piano: Focusing on 12 Licks, I have so far created notation for several of the licks.

Today, I have another sheet for you, which I hope will also be helpful.

Remember, sheet music materials are completely OPTIONAL for this class. Blues is an improvisational art form!

Continue reading “New! Optional Sheet Music for “A Study in Blues Piano” (Blues Licks)”

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Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Sparks “Third Beat” Questions

In the film Bohemian Rhapsody, there’s a scene where Queen’s guitarist Brian May is pitching his song We Will Rock You to the band (film clip is below).

He says, “…now, I want you to clap on the third beat.”  Of course, this is a movie, and I have no idea if he really said it like that.

Regardless, I’m using this scene as a fun starting point to talk briefly about counting rhythm.

Fact is, when We Will Rock You is counted in the regular way, the beat looks like this:

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Eastern Scales, Relative Minor, and The Educated Guess

Dear “Theory Geeks,”

Even among some good musicians, music theory is occasionally regarded as more of a “nice to know” thing.  Interesting place to visit, but they don’t want to hang around too long.

By contrast, I am shameless enough – dare I say, proud enough – to put forth that I am a music theory GEEK. I like staying “all up in theory land,” and often.

Music theory teaches us WHAT works, and also what CAN WORK.  And, if it AIN’T WORKING, it’s usually easier to know WHY, because you possess a systematic command of how rhythm, melody, and harmony work together.

Notice I put rhythm first. Too often neglected — but I put it first in my musical thinking. More on that in other posts.

OK…If you’ve read this far, I guess we have a quorum! Two geeks is always a quorum in my experience. Partly because it’s so hard to find a third geek, on short notice. Anyway welcome, can I get you some coffee? Orange Julius?*

Continue reading “Eastern Scales, Relative Minor, and The Educated Guess”

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Music Theory “Trivia” Time!

Which interval is pictured above?

(a) Diminished Seventh.

(b) Minor Sixth.

(c) Augmented Fifth.

(d) Both A and C are correct, with name depending on the implied key center. They sound the same, by either name.

(e) Both B and C are correct, with name depending on the implied key center. They sound the same, by either name.

(f) The famous “Lost Interval of Egypt.”

THE CORRECT ANSWER  is….

Continue reading “Music Theory “Trivia” Time!”