Posts Tagged ‘Chords’

Did You Know That Music Is Based On Natural “Laws”?

Did you know that music is based on natural “laws” — like gravity — and by learning to understand how those natural laws work we can actually understand what we are doing when we play — we don’t have to be at the mercy of what someone else has written on a piece of music?
How many of these facts do you know about music & piano playing? Test yourself and then check the answers at the bottom of the page:
Did you know that by learning just 3 chords you can play hundreds of songs?
Did you know that there are only 12 major keys you can play in, but you only really have to master one key to play most popular songs?
Did you know that it is possible to easily match any melody note (tune) to a chord, so you can harmonize any note?
Did you know that Beethoven’s Fur Elise and the blues song “Summertime” uses the exact same chords for the theme of the song?
Did you know that it is quite possible to predict what chord comes next in a song with accuracy approaching 85%?
Did you know you can use the same chords to play boogie, blues, new age, gospel, pop, rock, jazz, country – anything except classical music? (And even some classics!)
Did you know that guitar chords are the same as piano chords — the only thing different is the instrument and the resulting sound?
Did you know that hundreds of songs use exactly the same form, so by learning that form you can know what’s coming next in a song?
Did you know that by coming in through the backdoor of piano playing — chords — you can start making wonderful and satisfying sounds on the piano in just a few days instead of a few years — even if you don’t know Middle C from Tweedle Dee?
Answers to piano playing music questions:
True. That’s because there are just 3 primary chords in any key — like family members: Mom, Dad, Child. Get to know those 3 and you’ve got it.
True. It’s like languages. It’s great to be able to speak several, but you can get by with just one. I’d love to speak other languages, but I can get by with just English.
True. Every note is part of several different chords. So it is easy to harmonize any song once you know the secret.
True. Yep. They both use the A minor chord and the E7 chord in their themes.
True. I know that’s hard to believe, but remember that music is based on math. Once you understand a thing called the “Circle of 4ths” it’s a piece of cake. In fact, I can tell you right now that 85% of the time the G chord comes directly after the D7 chord. So next time you run into the D7 chord, you have an educated guess of 85% that the next chord will be some form of the G chord. (G, G7 etc.) If you’re into amazing your friends, that’ll do it!
True. Apply different rhythms to the same chords, and you have many styles of music! With the very same chords I can play boogie, jazz, rock, pop, gospel, new age, ragtime.
True. Chords are chords. Once you know them, you can apply them to any instrument.
True. Musical forms such as “AABA” and “ABA” are the basis of thousands and thousands of songs.
True. Understanding chords and how them form the skeleton of music accelerates the learning curve exponentially.
The bottom line is this: music is based on natural law and is mathematical in nature. Understanding is the key to both rapid learning and getting more enjoyment out of the process.

A series or free lessons from Duane on the various aspects of piano chords & music theory is available: “Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions!”
rhinestones

Improvising On The Piano: Jazz Musicians Do It — Why Not Other Styles?

Why jazz piano improvisation?

Why not gospel piano improvisation?

Is it not possible to improvise classical music, or sacred music, or any other kind of music?

Bach improvised many of his fugues and inventions while playing organ in church. Many others in all musical styles have improvised within the context of their own persuasion. So why study improvised jazz? Why not study improvised classical music, or improvised gospel music?

The answer is access.

Jazz piano improvisation is so much more accessible than is improvisation in other areas. Some classical pianists do improvise, but at performances they are generally expected to play Chopin or Debussy or Mozart, rather than to make up their own music. There are gospel pianists who do improvise, but the expectation of their listeners is not primarily to hear music created on the spot.

But the expectations of a audience of jazz fans is expressly to hear music created extemporaneously, without benefit of written score. And so jazz, far more than any other musical style to date, has become the music of improvisation. Not because there is anything inherent in the tunes jazz musicians play that calls for improvisation, but because of the expectation of improvisation that has built up over the years.

This fact makes it possible for an interested observer to study jazz improvisation like he could study no other kind of improvisation. He has easy access to concerts, recordings, transcriptions of jazz recordings, and even local jam sessions. When can he attend a classical concert and be sure of hearing music improvised? When can he attend church with assurance that the pianist will improvise? But with jazz, his sources are many and are readily available.

Can the principles derived from jazz improvisation be applied to other musical styles?

Of course.

So improvisation can be studied by the student of classical music, the church pianist, the worship team keyboardist, the new-age pianist, the country-western piano player, and any other style of music. The benefits and rewards of learning to improvise on the piano are enormous.

So next time you see or hear a jazz pianist play, pay close attention to what she or he is doing. Ask yourself what’s going on musically—what chords and chord progressions are being used, what rhythms are in play, and how the tune of a song is being altered as the pianist improvises the melody line.

Then go home and apply what you’ve learned to your style of music. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn by simply observing and then applying what you’ve seen and heard to your own playing

Tips on How to Play Classical Guitar

If you are aware what a classical musical instrument the classical guitar is, you would always love to play on it. Even if you do not know much about it, you can always learn to play classical guitar that has a glorious history. It is truly intimidating to see masters back in 16th century play the instrument with such an ease and elegance! It is really a challenge and a person like you must accept it to learn and enjoy the music on classical guitar.

You can try out numerous online sites that are available for you to learn classical guitar. Right from instruction manuals they provide everything needed to play the classic instrument. There are free classes as well. You can enroll in one of them online or if you want in-depth study of the classical guitar, you can enroll for paid versions. For beginners, the initial information is definitely available free of charge on internet. How to begin, proper posture to be maintained, and good playing positions are among some of the information available online.

Well, classical music is not like easier sheet music. No doubt, learning classical music is a great challenge. Many special notations and marks can take away your breath initially. But don’t worry. There are some free websites that offer ample information regarding these notations and marks free of charge that can be of great help to you.

In your strumming hand, you are advised to grow your fingernail little while playing classical guitar. The fingernail is very crucial for playing the instrument. Therefore, care or grooming of your fingernail becomes a part of your routine to play classical guitar. You can also seek more information online regarding the care of fingernails because you don’t want to lose your fingernail in an attempt to learn classical guitar. Have patience, you can do it!

The classical music is never-withering through generations. After the death of original composer’s death, music can seek a public domain in most cases and doesn’t abide by copyright law. It is possible for you to find much of classical guitar music for free. You may also get music online that can be available in easily downloadable format. For complex pieces of music however, the companies usually charge some fees. Many MP3 and Midi files are available that can give you correct idea of classical music played on guitar.

Well, it is obvious that patience and practice form the crux of any drive for learning music in any form. Classical guitar may fill your void and help you secure your new hobby or even a new profession if you are serious about it. Internet can be of great help for you to help your hobby bear fruits. Buy the classical guitar and you may find lot of info absolutely free on net!