Practice tips

[hayat]

For years, I had given up playing the piano and recently God directed me to this website, I believe, to revive my interest in playing again.  I have downloaded a lot of helpful material from this website.  In addition, I purchased Jerome Grigg's "Hear and Play" book.  Now I have so much material that I don't know where to start or even how to practice.  I usually practice scales and chords (all major, all minor, diminished, etc.).  Lately, all I have been doing is playing the same songs over and over (because they were songs they I had wanted to play for decades and then I found them on this website and I am so thrilled that I can play them).  But I really need to improve my playing skills plus I want to be able to play by ear.  Unfortunately I don't have a definitive schedule.  I'm all over the place and I need to have some structure (and goals) when it comes to practicing.  I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have.  God bless you all.

[JoyCH]

Hayat;

When I first came to this site, I was in the same boat. I felt I was really improving then all of a sudden, I became busy with other things. What worked for me - I signed up for Lisa music ready class, Hammondman video and bought the 300 page hearandplay book. If you can get into the free lesson class, print out the material and practice reading music. You will be surprised at what you will learn. I just order the Hearandplay dvd's so I'm hoping to gain even more experience from those videos. I think for me I just need something to keep me going and when I reach that point I reward myself by buying another video or tape. Don't forget to practice, even when you don't feel up to it.

Joy

[B3Wannabe]

Thanks to a spanking from ddw4e, I'm starting to practice my scales. Although I know them, I usually don't practice them, so I'm can't play all of them fluently. Anyway, I still like to keep a balance. Here are the goals that I've set for myself:

W1 (Week1): C and G major scales (2 octaves, both hands independant and together)
7-3-6: All twelve

W2: D and A ....
5-1-4: All twelve

W3: E and B ....
2-5-1: All twelve

W4: Gb and Db ....
3-6-2: All twelve

W5: Break (Free play)

W6: Ab and Eb ...
3-6-2-5-1: All twelve

W7: Bb and F ...
Gmin and Dmin scales (natural)

My goal is to run up and down two octaves within 2 seconds. First with both hands then with each doing independently different scales. Every four weeks I plan to take a break and just play.

[ipodnation]

Thanks to a spanking from ddw4e, I'm starting to practice my scales. Although I know them, I usually don't practice them, so I'm can't play all of them fluently. Anyway, I still like to keep a balance. Here are the goals that I've set for myself:

W1 (Week1): C and G major scales (2 octaves, both hands independant and together)
7-3-6: All twelve

W2: D and A ....
5-1-4: All twelve

W3: E and B ....
2-5-1: All twelve

W4: Gb and Db ....
3-6-2: All twelve

W5: Break (Free play)

W6: Ab and Eb ...
3-6-2-5-1: All twelve

W7: Bb and F ...
Gmin and Dmin scales (natural)

My goal is to run up and down two octaves within 2 seconds. First with both hands then with each doing independently different scales. Every four weeks I plan to take a break and just play.

I dont understand the meaning of 3-6-2-5-1 etc.. i know they are chord progressions like in key of C, its Em - Am -Dm- G- C. but how would you practice them in scales?

[ddw4e]

Thanks to a spanking from ddw4e, I'm starting to practice my scales. Although I know them, I usually don't practice them, so I'm can't play all of them fluently. Anyway, I still like to keep a balance. Here are the goals that I've set for myself:

That's right....I bet you still feel the pain    

I dont understand the meaning of 3-6-2-5-1 etc.. i know they are chord progressions like in key of C, its Em - Am -Dm- G- C. but how would you practice them in scales?

What he mean was that for example on week 1....
Do the C and G scales (2 octaves, both hands independant and together)
I am thinkin he's talkin about
Major
Minor
Harmonic Minor
Major Pentatonic
Minor Pentatonic
Blues

If u not familiar with these types of scales go here...
http://www.learngospelmusic.com/ebooks/scale_book.pdf

Then do your 7-3-6 progressions in every key...like
In C (my way but are many more ways)
B / A C# E
E / Ab C D F
A / G C E

In C#
C / Bb D F
F / A C# Eb F#
Bb / Ab C# F

And u do that to the other 10 keys

He may also just be talkin about the 7-3-6 this way....this helps your speed as well....

In C

B - 7
E - 3
A - 6

And do them both hands independant and together on the other 11 keys..so in other words how u did the scales u do the same with the 7-3-6 and etc. no chords involved.....but it never hurt to do chords either

Hopefully that's what B3wannabe is talkin about...I mean he's still hurt from that brutal beating I gave him..N_A_U_G_H_T_Y B_O_Y!!!    

[key-wiz]

ddw4e  You Crazy :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[thapreacha]

B3Wannabe could you explain, more in depth, what your practice consists of?

Thanks !!!