PRACTICE: MAJOR SCALE (KEY C)

PIANO/KEYBOARD SCALE PRACTICE
The first thing we are going to learn, which is the basic is to practice the major scale (this is the scale upon which most music/songs are written).
This is one of the best ways to train your fingers to move across the keyboard with ease.


It’s always best to use the proper fingering technique so that you don’t put too much stress on your hands. I use the SPIDER TECHNIQUE where your hand hovers over the keys and your finger press the notes. This way your hand is lined up over each note before you press down to play it.



Spider Technique


Practice playing each of these scales in two octaves using the proper fingering at the beginning of your practice time. The purpose of this lesson is to train your fingers to move over the keyboard. No speed or technique is necessary when practising, at least for a start. But as you go along and you think you are getting efficient with the scale running, you can speed up.
Don’t rush to get there in one practice session, the idea is to be as accurate as possible. This will help you when we begin to cover other piano runs later on during this course.


Remember, practice right hand first, then left hand. And later, do both hands at the same time.




SO, WHAT IS A SCALE?
A scale is a series of tones in organized sequence. It is an eight-letter sequence of the musical alphabet. The first note of the major scale is called the tonic note, or keynote while the last note is the same as the keynote but it is preferably called the octave (musically).


The musical relationships (distance) between the tones of a major scale can be expressed by means of whole-steps and half steps:
do. . . re. . . me fa. . . so. . . la. . . te. do
W W H W W W H
(W=whole step, H=half step)


Let me explain the "WH stuff" above:
Starting from Do,
Re is a Whole step from Do,
Me is a Whole step from Re,
Fa is a Half step from Me,
So is a Whole step from Fa,
La is a Whole step from So,
Te is a Whole step from La,
Do is a Half step from Te.



Starting with the key of C, using your right hand, play the C major scale without hesitation in ascending then, descending order. Now do the same with your left hand.
When you are certain of playing the scale without a break or mistake, try playing with both hands at the same time (this is very important).


The digits represents the appropriate fingers to be used.

KEYS	LEFT HAND do re me fa so la te do	RIGHT HAND do re me fa so la te do
C	5 4 3 2 1 3 2 1	1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5





Download the video showing how to play the C major scale from our page at www.facebook.com/easypianolearning.
Videos for the other keys will be uploaded also.


Furthermore, kindly share this lesson with your facebook contacts.


Thanks and God bless you.

INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THEORY

INTRODUCTION...

Welcome to EASY PIANO LEARNING....where learning is fun because its easy.

First, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU for subscribing for this musical report. It is my prayer that it helps you as I really intended it in my heart.

Okay, a little about me – I grew up loving music, especially the piano. I never knew I would be so engrossed in it later in life. But here I am, happy that my life has been transformed by this same music. I learnt what I am about to teach you the hard way. YOU ARE LUCKY TO GET THIS ON A PLATTER...ENSURE TO USE IT!!!.

EASY PIANO LEARNING is the vehicle impressed upon me to be a avenue whereby I can help new musicians and would-be musicians. No one man knows it all, thats why I have decided to share the knowledge I have with you, even as I gain more.

This tutorial is actually all about you who has subscribed for this course. All you need for a smooth learning is just 2 things – a listening ear and a desire to learn. Everything you will receive from our course will have the purpose of training your ear, stimulating your mind and working your fingers to make music.

We are starting from the beginner's level, from where we move up to the advanced level. So I urge you to follow as accurate as you can. Soon, you will be jamming like a pro on the piano....JUST STAY WITH US

We are looking forward to being servants first and instructors second. As always you can contact us any time via www.facebook.com/EasyPianoLearning regarding the course or any music concerns.

OK! LET'S START FROM HERE;

For simplicity, I will now start to refer to ''the keyboard'' as ''the piano''.

Now, you might ask yourself this: ''with so much white and black keys everywhere, where do I begin???

Just looking at your piano can be overwhelming! You may wonder, ''How am I going to learn all these notes?''

Simple! You have come to the right place.

I am going to teach you how to ''shrink'' your piano and became familiar with all the keys.

All I want you to do is follow me as I go... Soon, you will be jamming like a pro on the piano.

Ok! Let's learn....

INTRODUCTION to the PIANO/KEYBOARD

The keyboard is made up of white keys with repeating patterns of black keys in groups of two and three.

We use the first seven letters of the alphabet to make music; A,B,C,D,E,F, and G. After G, we start over again with A.

From these groups of two and three black keys, we can name all the 12 keys.

Look at the group of two black keys. C will always be to the left of the two black keys. E will always be to the right of the two black keys. And D is right in the middle of the two black keys.

Now look at the group of three black keys. F will always be to the left of the three black keys. B will always be to the right of the three black keys.

Each key on the keyboard has a particular tone or pitch, and a certain place on the music staff.

The image below will show you all the keys. (Do get familiar with them)

SHARPS AND FLATS

We can raise and lower pitches by putting a sign in front of the note, or by putting sharps or flats in the key signature which appears at the beginning of each music staff.

A sharp (#), raises a note by one-half step (the very next key to the right). The raised note may be a black key, or it may be a white key, but the sharp will be to the right of the original pitch.

A flat (b), lowers a note by one-half step (the very next key to the left). It may be a black or a white key.

A natural () restores the note to its original pitch without the sharp or flat.

PIANO CHORD THEORY (for intermediates)

Hi guys. I have a question using the image below, and this question is for the intermediate keyboardists. Looking at the image below, what is the name of the chord? (CLUE: the blue dotted key)

 

If you know the answer, post it in the comment box of this blog. And for you who does not know, I have packaged a lesson on PIANO CHORD THEORY that will teach you what chords are made up of. With this lesson at your finger-tip, you wont be dazzled about some chords.

 Get your copy of PIANO CHORD THEORY for FREE by clicking HERE

This lesson is available for free download at easypianolearning.blogspot.com

Also, find us at facebook.com/easypianolearning for updates

PIANO LESSON FOR BEGINNERS

This is a new lesson for the beginners level. It is poised to teach you the very basic foundation required to learn how to play the piano. If you really want to learn to play the piano, then this ebook is a must-have. I implore that you download it, the beautiful part of it is this:...it's absolutely FREE.

Download this ebook here by clicking this link: HERE or simply click on the title below to get your free copy.

FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC THEORY

(Piano lessons for beginners)

This lesson is available for free download at easypianolearning.blogspot.com

Also, find us at facebook.com/easypianolearning for updates

ACCOMPANIMENT TIPS

Piano Accompaniment Tutorial (for the intermediate)

The purpose of a pianist when accompanying a singer is to provide support and a foundation to the soloist. Unlike playing in an orchestra where the piano is usually predominant, the piano is the background and is there to make the soloist sound as beautiful as possible. This may seem like a menial task, but in reality it is important and rewarding. In order to learn how to accompany, there are a few basic steps to master.

Do Not Play the Melody
The soloist is already singing the melody. Consequently, if you're playing the melody as well, you will compete with the singer, rather than accompany. Since the voice can sing only one note at a time, it's your job as the pianist to provide the harmonies. In this way youre decorating the melody rather than duplicating and perhaps bogging down what is being sung.

Provide the Harmonies
Most likely, your piano teacher will include basic theory into your lessons. While it may not be the most interesting part, it is essential. From theory you will learn about the basic piano chords in a key I, IV and V7  as well as simple chord inversions. This is your groundwork in creating a piano accompaniment. Chords will harmonize with the melody, giving fullness and depth to the song. Practice to become easily familiar with the chords, switching from one to another and inverting them. Train your ear to hear when you need to switch chords to best go with the melody. Practice by humming the song while just playing the chords. Experiment until you get the best sound. The majority of songs both start and end with the I chord and progress next to the IV chord. If neither of those sound good as you're playing, progress to a V7. At first, this trial and error experiment can get frustrating, but persistent practice and more training will get you easily accustomed, and putting the right chords together will be simple.

Your left hand will provide the bass, while your right hand will be predominately piano chords. The left hand bass can be one bass note, or it can be added to by creating octaves. Look at your chord. The bass note you play in your chord will work as your left hand bass note. You can also split the chord up into both hands, or play broken piano chords. A broken chord is just what it sounds like; each note is played separately (or broken up) instead of together. 

Pay Attention
Keeping an attentive ear is vital to accompanying well. Listen to the soloist's style, breaths and feeling. Each will dictate how you need to respond. Pause ever so slightly in appropriate places if the singer needs an extra breath. Increase or decrease dynamics when he does. Allow the singer to sing freely by being his follower, not his leader.

Be familiar with the song beforehand and be comfortable with the lyrics. Keep a copy of them in front of you to better follow the singer along. Always get together to practice before a performance, so you can interact well with each other. Each soloist has his own style of singing, so each time you accompany, the experience will be different. The basics, though, will always be the same.

PIANO PLAYING TIPS

Piano Accompaniment Tutorial (for the intermediate)
The purpose of a pianist when accompanying a singer is to provide support and a foundation to the soloist. Unlike playing in an orchestra where the piano is usually predominant, the piano is the background and is there to make the soloist sound as beautiful as possible. This may seem like a menial task, but in reality it is important and rewarding. In order to learn how to accompany, there are a few basic steps to master.

Do Not Play the Melody
The soloist is already singing the melody. Consequently, if you're playing the melody as well, you will compete with the singer, rather than accompany. Since the voice can sing only one note at a time, it's your job as the pianist to provide the harmonies. In this way youre decorating the melody rather than duplicating and perhaps bogging down what is being sung.

Provide the Harmonies
Most likely, your piano teacher will include basic theory into your lessons. While it may not be the most interesting part, it is essential. From theory you will learn about the basic piano chords in a key I, IV and V7  as well as simple chord inversions. This is your groundwork in creating a piano accompaniment. Chords will harmonize with the melody, giving fullness and depth to the song. Practice to become easily familiar with the chords, switching from one to another and inverting them. Train your ear to hear when you need to switch chords to best go with the melody. Practice by humming the song while just playing the chords. Experiment until you get the best sound. The majority of songs both start and end with the I chord and progress next to the IV chord. If neither of those sound good as you're playing, progress to a V7. At first, this trial and error experiment can get frustrating, but persistent practice and more training will get you easily accustomed, and putting the right chords together will be simple.

Your left hand will provide the bass, while your right hand will be predominately piano chords. The left hand bass can be one bass note, or it can be added to by creating octaves. Look at your chord. The bass note you play in your chord will work as your left hand bass note. You can also split the chord up into both hands, or play broken piano chords. A broken chord is just what it sounds like; each note is played separately (or broken up) instead of together. 

Pay Attention
Keeping an attentive ear is vital to accompanying well. Listen to the soloist's style, breaths and feeling. Each will dictate how you need to respond. Pause ever so slightly in appropriate places if the singer needs an extra breath. Increase or decrease dynamics when he does. Allow the singer to sing freely by being his follower, not his leader.

Be familiar with the song beforehand and be comfortable with the lyrics. Keep a copy of them in front of you to better follow the singer along. Always get together to practice before a performance, so you can interact well with each other. Each soloist has his own style of singing, so each time you accompany, the experience will be different. The basics, though, will always be the same.

2 WAYS TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF WITH PIANO PLAYING

2 Ways to Motivate Yourself With Piano Playing

Are you too hard on yourself when it comes to piano playing until you almost give up? Do you lack motivation when pieces you worked on don’t seem to progress well?
Time after time, we find ourselves getting stuck on a certain activity. Piano playing seems to be no exception. I, too find myself struggling with piano practice when certain passages do not seem to progress at a level that’s comfortable. So, how do you motivate yourself when it comes to piano playing?

Here are a few suggestions to help you:
1.    Find a piano buddy – Do you know someone who likes piano playing or is currently taking lessons. You can meet with this person on a regular basis so you can play for each other. This person doesn’t have to be your age; it can be someone older or younger as long as you support each other.

2.    Give yourself an incentive – Have you thought about buying that special “handbag” or “electronic gadget”? If you can complete a certain musical piece, it may be time to give yourself an incentive as encouragement.

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