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Learn to Play the Piano the Easy Way
Carlos Semilla
Here are some pointers to help you on your journey in learning to play the piano:
1. Take some lessons with a good classical teacher.
2. Use the Hanon exercises (especially the scales and arpeggios) to gain finger dexterity and to know the correct piano fingering of the scales and arpeggios. Always use a metronome when you're doing these exercises to develop your sense of timing. If you don't have a metronome try putting an accent on the "one" count of every sixteenth note (e.g. ONE,two,three,four; ONE,two,three,four...etc...).
3. After learning the basics/rudiments of playing the instrument, find another teacher who can teach you how to play the chords (a good jazz piano improvisation teacher will do!) and how to improvise.
4. Master the five qualities of chords (major seventh, dominant seventh, minor seventh, half-diminished, and the diminished seventh) their inversions, arpeggios and scales.
5. Try to apply what you are learning to your favorite songs especially jazz standard songs even to some classical music pieces. You can use songbooks, fake books, real books and music sheets, which are readily available at your local music stores or online.
6. Listen to all types of music and try to transcribe phrases/passages/riffs/licks or songs that interests you. Listen to piano players - the way they play, improvise and learn from them. Try to read their biography to learn how they study, practice, who influenced them and their achievements. I believe these can help to make you a well-rounded piano player.
7. Play with other musicians or join a band in your school or in your neighborhood.
8. Try to sing the melody of the song you are playing (you might have a hidden talent in singing) or if you are improvising, sing (scat) what you are playing.
9. Buy some piano lesson books, magazines, piano lesson videos, piano lesson software or CD-ROM.
10. Practice, practice and practice!
About the Author
Carlos Semilla got more piano tips for you and free piano lessons at http://www.learn-to-play-piano-online.com. A website with free sheet music, jazz improvisation lessons, tips, and music resources.
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