Recommendations needed to improve keyboard skill

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Junjie on January 7, 2010 at 1:27am

I'm not sure what you mean by your question. Are you looking to know more chord progressions? Or to have a firmer grasp of the chords, so you can play them off the fly and improvise?

If you want more chord progressions, go grab some bossanovas by Jobin. And after you get the hang of one of them in the original key, transpose the whole 1 semitone up and down, 2 semitones up and down, then a 4th and 5th away from the original key. After you are done with that you repeat the entire process with the next... Are you good at taking pain? this is one of the most painful ways I know! :D

Permalink Reply by Larry Reed on January 7, 2010 at 3:35am

These are great suggestions. A long time ago I spent time learning one song (You are the Sunshine of my Life by Stevie Wonder) in all 12 keys. After that, things got a lot easier!

But don't limit yourself to Jobim (he's great, so don't ignore him either). Get a Real Book and work your way through it.

- Larry

Permalink Reply by Larry Reed on January 7, 2010 at 3:30am

An interesting question, as I have been writing a book on the subject. Unfortunately, I have not progressed enough on it where it would be a significant help to you at this point.

But I'd be interested in understanding where you are at and where you want to go. So here's some questions to focus the discussion.

First, how would you describe your understanding of chord theory? That is, would you say you are a beginner, have a basic understanding, are more experienced, or an expert?

Second, are you interested more in forms (how the notes lay out on the keyboard) or harmony (what notes to use, and whether the harmony is simple versus complex)?

Third, what is your musical background? For example, is your experience primarily with worship music or do you have secular music experience? Are you more classical, jazz, or pop oriented?

To give you my background, I've been composing and arranging music since I was in the 8th grade (I'm 56 now), so I'm quite expert at chord theory. As a jazz musician, I've learned a lot about forms and complex harmonies on the keyboard, but I've also a lot of experience as a popular musician in both secular and worship contexts, and I have a classical upbringing.

The reason why I bring this up is that worship music can be approached from all these perspectives, and they all have different things to offer for keyboardists. Hopefully I can help.

-- Larry

Permalink Reply by Mary M. Redondo on January 9, 2010 at 8:51pm

Hi Sehlin,
I've found that understanding how chords are set up withing the scales is a great way to get WHY certain chords fit into certain keys.

For instance, in the key of C, going up the scale in thirds you have the following chords: C or Cmaj7, Dm or Dm7, Em or Em7, F/Fmaj7, G/G7, Am/Am7,B/B half-diminished, and C/Cmaj7. You can apply this to any key.

And then learning some different scales like the regular minor scale [C,D,Eb,F,G,A,Bb,C] or "blues scale" [C,Eb,F,Gb,G,Bb,C and play it all keys in any which way you can is fun. Or the "hebrew scale" which is like playing a major scale but just flat the 2 and 6 notes [in C: C, Db,E,F,G,Ab,B,C].

Depending on the style of the song you can improvise using just a couple of the cool notes. The 3rd and 7th of a scale are the "flavor" notes most of the time and are cool to play when you are improvising. There's all kinds of "tricks of the trade" but I feel that learning the basics is the stepping stone to learning everything else.

I've used the Jamie Aebersold material alot; it comes with play-along cd's. It's great. You can look him up online. I've also taken a jazz improvisation class several semesters in a row at my local 2-year college. It's great to play with alot of other musicians!

I've taken alot of music/music theory/history classes, but bottom line...I find that there's nothing like pray 'n practice, pray 'n practice, pray 'n practice on your instrument for improvement. God gives skill with each new song you learn and worship Him in spirit and truth.

Have fun! Mary.

Permalink Reply by John Tussey on February 2, 2010 at 8:14pm

I wrote a book entitled "Chord Progression Ideas for the Contemporary Pianist." I use this with my piano students and base my Contemporary Music Theory Seminars around its content. It could be of great value to you.
You can contact me at keyboardhawaiiblue@yahoo.com if you are interested in more info.

Permalink Reply by Howard Francis on July 29, 2010 at 10:26am

if you are in London on 7th August I'm running a keyboard masterclass which will give you inspiration in your playing, new chords and techniques, show you how to be more confident in your playing and give you personal advice and help - if you want to come down would be GREAT to meet you! 11am til 1pm. For more info contact me at howard@howardfrancis.co.uk - we also have one on 11th September just in case you can't make the August one! thanks, Howard Francis

Permalink Reply by Acts7 on August 9, 2010 at 5:44am

I would definitely say get a scale book if you don't have one. When you know all the notes in the keys, and can play them rapidly, it becomes easier and smoother to transition between chords. Instead of just playing: G Em C D your fingers will almost naturally hit fill in notes as you transition between.

Permalink Reply by Howard Francis on September 20, 2010 at 12:41pm

Would love to help you with this Sehlin - please try and come to my keys clinic - details below - and I will help you with your playing, Howard Francis www.howardfrancis.co.uk/training

BRAND NEW KEYBOARD CLINIC JUST ANNOUNCED - FOCUS: PRAISE & WORSHIP
Saturday 23rd October
Starts: 5pm
Duration: 1.5hrs
Venue: Brookdale House Studios, 75 Brookdale Road, London, E17 6QH

Howard Francis has designed this workshop clinic to focus entirely on playing keyboards in your worship band. A great opportunity to learn more about:

- Looking at modern praise & worship songs and finding a fresh way of playing them
- Reharmonising songs without interfering with melody
- Setting an atmosphere discreetly under a speaker
- Knowing the moments to use the keyboard to add weight to the final word from speaker especially for response times, prayer etc.
- The use of strings and what moments in a song to use them.
- Q&A opportunities to get Howard's advice and tips

Tickets only £35 each! but limited places so book in advance!

Go to www.howardfrancis.co.uk/training for more details and tickets

FEEDBACK
I have been so lucky this weekend and found the inspiration overwhelming, after spending time with a keyboard legend Howard Francis! Cheers Mate :) Brennan Harvey

I was on the last masterclass with two of my friends. It was an inspirational experience.We all would Highly recommend it to any keyboard players. Steve Dawe