Play Piano - How to Improvise Using the ii-V7-I Chord Progression!
posted by Ron Worthy at
4:48 PM
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Play Piano - You Can Only Play Piano as Fast as You Can Play SLOW!
Here's the reason why people quit playing the piano...
The main reason students, young or old, quit studying piano is because of RHYTHM challenges.
Yes, maintaining a CONSISTENT tempo... a BEAT! And it doesn't have to be FAST.
I hear it all the time on "gigs," when I take breaks and audience members come over to talk with me!
90% of all adults, that "took piano lessons" when they were children, QUIT because they could never get to the point where they could play ONE simple SONG (from beginning to end), in time!
Perhaps, they couldn't play with both hands... they could play the melody in the right, but when it came time to play the left hand, it was a "TRAIN WRECK!"
OR
They didn't like the literature they were being taught!
OR
They hated to practice scales... they were TOO boring!
But as quiet as it is kept, the MAJOR impediment was RHYTHM!
YES... it's an age-old problem... timing!
Any child that was able to play a song completely, in time, continued their studies - Those that didn't, QUIT!
Why I Included Accompaniment Tracks in ALL of my Play Piano Multimedia eBooks...
An easy and fun way to develop the skill to play "in time" is to play along with a consistent rhythmic pattern. Preferably a "drum machine!"
You can practice your scales, arpeggios, etc. with it, and it won't sound too sterile. It forces you to play in time!
Now, if the tempo is too fast, just slow it down.
If you don't have access to a drum machine, use a METRONOME.
But here's the trick: practice with the "click" sounding on beats 2 and 4.
Imagine the the CLICK on beats 2 and 4 is the back beat of the snare drum!
Here's an example: Count 1 and turn the metronome when you say 2, so that it clicks on 2; No click on count 3, click on count 4.
You'll just have to play around with it, but you must COUNT OUT LOUD, to see what I'm talking about! THIS ALSO HELPS IN DEVELOPING YOUR FEEL to learn piano!
You Can Only Play As FAST As You Can Play SLOW!
That's right... Anytime you admire a piano player that's performing a song at "warp" speed, BELIEVE ME, they can also play it must as SLOW!
When you practice, remember there is a PRACTICE tempo. It's almost like YOGA.
Practice, like you're playing in "slow motion" to give YOUR muscles and mind enough time to MEMORIZE THE MOVEMENTS AND THE NOTES!
Now that was a Million DOLLARS worth of information... that's why I gave it away, cause' you couldn't afford it!... (smile)
Professional performers practice slowly ALL THE TIME. It does require discipline. I guess that's why everybody can't do it!
But, I guarantee if you apply the tips you've just read, you will indeed see results in your playing and enjoy your study.
Ron Worthy is a Pianist/Songwriter/Educator. He offers online piano instruction at:
http://www.MrRonsMusic.com http://www.PlayPianoTonight.com http://www.PlaySmoothJazzPiano.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Worthy
The main reason students, young or old, quit studying piano is because of RHYTHM challenges.
Yes, maintaining a CONSISTENT tempo... a BEAT! And it doesn't have to be FAST.
I hear it all the time on "gigs," when I take breaks and audience members come over to talk with me!
90% of all adults, that "took piano lessons" when they were children, QUIT because they could never get to the point where they could play ONE simple SONG (from beginning to end), in time!
Perhaps, they couldn't play with both hands... they could play the melody in the right, but when it came time to play the left hand, it was a "TRAIN WRECK!"
OR
They didn't like the literature they were being taught!
OR
They hated to practice scales... they were TOO boring!
But as quiet as it is kept, the MAJOR impediment was RHYTHM!
YES... it's an age-old problem... timing!
Any child that was able to play a song completely, in time, continued their studies - Those that didn't, QUIT!
Why I Included Accompaniment Tracks in ALL of my Play Piano Multimedia eBooks...
An easy and fun way to develop the skill to play "in time" is to play along with a consistent rhythmic pattern. Preferably a "drum machine!"
You can practice your scales, arpeggios, etc. with it, and it won't sound too sterile. It forces you to play in time!
Now, if the tempo is too fast, just slow it down.
If you don't have access to a drum machine, use a METRONOME.
But here's the trick: practice with the "click" sounding on beats 2 and 4.
Imagine the the CLICK on beats 2 and 4 is the back beat of the snare drum!
Here's an example: Count 1 and turn the metronome when you say 2, so that it clicks on 2; No click on count 3, click on count 4.
You'll just have to play around with it, but you must COUNT OUT LOUD, to see what I'm talking about! THIS ALSO HELPS IN DEVELOPING YOUR FEEL to learn piano!
You Can Only Play As FAST As You Can Play SLOW!
That's right... Anytime you admire a piano player that's performing a song at "warp" speed, BELIEVE ME, they can also play it must as SLOW!
When you practice, remember there is a PRACTICE tempo. It's almost like YOGA.
Practice, like you're playing in "slow motion" to give YOUR muscles and mind enough time to MEMORIZE THE MOVEMENTS AND THE NOTES!
Now that was a Million DOLLARS worth of information... that's why I gave it away, cause' you couldn't afford it!... (smile)
Professional performers practice slowly ALL THE TIME. It does require discipline. I guess that's why everybody can't do it!
But, I guarantee if you apply the tips you've just read, you will indeed see results in your playing and enjoy your study.
Ron Worthy is a Pianist/Songwriter/Educator. He offers online piano instruction at:
http://www.MrRonsMusic.com http://www.PlayPianoTonight.com http://www.PlaySmoothJazzPiano.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Worthy
posted by Ron Worthy at
6:10 PM
