Introduction to Piano 1

Course Flow:

Every lesson has video and charts embedded in the page.  Read the materials and watch the videos.  When you are done you can click the MARK COMPLETE button to keep track of your progress and you can also click on the NEXT LESSON link at the bottom of the page to go to the next lesson.  You can also skip around by clicking on the lesson list in the right side bar. There are a few downloads and you will see links to “RIGHT CLICK” and download these as you go along.

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Additional Course Materials:

In this digital course flow I provide you with all the charts needed to compete each lesson but some students do want the complete Ebook Download.

 

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Lesson 1 Download:

Lesson 1 Download – mwpl-introduction-learndash  “RIGHT CLICK” to download (Excerpt from the Modern Worship Guitar Lesson Book)

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Course Introduction:

Most people approach the piano by starting to learn notes on the staff.  If you desire to play songs on the piano quickly and play modern popular music, you will need to learn to play by chords.  Your ear will begin to develop along the way and you will be able to play melody as well.

Once you learn a few piano chords and open your mind to playing songs without traditional notation, a whole new world will be opened to you!  When you see your worship leader on stage singing and playing the piano, he is most likely reading a simple chord chart and playing chord style piano.  It is a great skill to be able to read music, but it is not necessary to play great songs on the piano.

How to get started:

First, learn your basic chords and get familiar with switching chords using the pedal.  Then, learn techniques to embellish your songs.  Once you know a few chords, you can start playing songs

A new day for you!

Believe in yourself and begin to think about the music coming from your heart, not the page.  When you do this, you will begin to rely on your ear and your instinct as a musician.  I have taught many piano players this method and, even for a trained pianist, it can be a struggle in the beginning.  You have to begin to THINK differently about how you approach the piano and songs.

It doesn’t matter if you are just beginning or if you have been taking piano lessons since you were 6 years old.  Playing piano by chord and ear is a whole new world.  But remember, all of the pop performers and worship leaders who play from a chord chart have achieved mastery of this method.  Now, it’s your turn!

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Practice Goals

Psalm 33:2-4 (NIV)

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

When seriously studying the guitar, you need to practice daily.  The students that I have seen learn very rapidly and become great guitar players have been those with a desire and a drive to practice and succeed.  Playing guitar well requires a deep love for music and a hunger for mastering the instrument.  I remember my early days as a guitar player; I played constantly!  Nothing could stop me from learning more and more about music and the guitar.  You may not be at this point yet, but you need to commit to a regular practice schedule.  The goals that I am going to set for you here are very important.  Tailor these goals to fit your lifestyle.

Consistency is important: 15 minutes each day is better than 2 hours one day each week. 

Goal #1          Play for at least 15 minutes every day.  You may take one day off each week.

Goal #2          Memorize important chords, scales and patterns.

Goal #3          Learn new songs each week.

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BONUS:  Music Theory Glossary

The terms below were used throughout the music theory lessons.

Enharmonic spelling – the same note spelled differently

Example: C# = Db

Flat – take the note one half step lower

Half Step – distance between two notes     Example: C – C#

Harmonization – add one or more notes to an existing note

Harmony – two notes sounding at once

Interval – the distance between two notes

Key – a family of chords grouped with a scale.

a group of notes within an octave that sing Do Re Mi….

Key Signature – the number of sharps or flats in any given key

Major – a happy sound     Minor – a sad, dark sound

Natural – cancels out the sharp or flat symbols and takes the note back to normal

Octave – the distance between the C and C note makes an octave (12 half steps)

Scale – a group of notes in a particular order

Sharp – take the note one half step higher

Transposition – take a song to a different key

Triad/Chord – three notes grouped together to make a chord

Whole Step – two half steps make a whole step

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