I WANT MORE THAN JUST CHORDS

[chitownorgan]

I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE FACT THAT I CAN LOG ON AND ASK FOR CHORDS TO A SONG, AND GET THEM.  BUT I WANT MORE THAN JUST CHORDS, I WANNA BE ABLE TO PLAY JUST AS WELL AS THE ARTISTS' MUSICIANS.  I GUESS IM TRYIN TO SAY THAT I WANT TO BE THE ONE WHOS CHORDS YOU ARE ASKIN FOR..LOL..( I KNOW THAT IM AIMING HIGH)  BUT THATS WHAT I WANT..SO IS THERE ANY ADVICE YALL CAN GIVE ME. LIKE CLASSES I CAN TAKE, BOOKS I SHOULD BUY OR SOMETHING..I JUST WANT BETTER...THANKS IN ADVANCE..........GOD BLESS








BE CAREFUL HOW U MISTREAT STRANGERS, YOU COULD BE MISTREATING  ONE OF GODS ANGELS UNAWARE!!!

[musmin7]

chitownorgan,

A couple of suggestions,
first thing is to listen to all the music you can from all the types, styles and sources you have available to you the music you listen to can really help to mold your playing from traditional gospel to contemp to classical to jazz and even r&b (I am not promoting r&b just speaking of the music).

The number one thing you can do is to get an understanding of chord structure and theory learn the correct way to voice a chord. That's as easy as picking up a chord dictionary and going through it page by page.

Next learn everything that you play in as many Keys as posible. the song may not be singable in all keys but you can become more fluent in remembering chords.

next what ever you learn to do with your right hand learn to do with your left and in reverse.
learn as many scales as you can this is the foundation of the melodies you will be playing
play the melody that is written in the music books that you have as close as you can.
and next you must spend time experimenting recording your self listening and evaluating what you've done and how it sounds to you.

there really is not much new it's all just pete and repeat with a personal twist if you learn the basics and how to manipulate them then you to can be the man with the chords that everyone wants

bottom line it all comes down to how much you want to play well.
get under a good teacher and take advantage of all the resources that are availible to you like this site.

sign up for some magazine subscriptions like Keyboard mag, they always have great pointers on improving your licks.

It sounds like you have the hunger to be a great musician so just keep that ambition I pray that God will bless your music and if I can be of any assitance please let me know.

[Rashad]

The goal you have set is high brother and many musicians aim for that goal. That is a good thing. However, the answer will not be in a book, a video or even more so a teacher. It takes the applications of studying -learning theory such as relative majors, and minors, parallel keys and things of that nature so you can play "out of the box," so to speak.   You will need to practice those hands and make them fast such as practicing your scales( major, minor, blues, etc.) , and perhaps purchasing the book of Hanon.  It has some great hand excercises. Even more so, there are many other things that go along in becoming a skilled musician. I would also suggest learning to sightread also. That will help along the way.  There is nothing more dangerous than a musician that just knows how to play and does not know what they are playing.  If you really want to learn to play--and play anything you will need to PRACTICE , STUDY, and PRAY. Practice does not make perfect--Perfect practice makes perfect.  :wink:

[Wash]

I AGREE WITH YOU TOTALLY.  FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.

GOD BLESS

[c3hamby]

Think about this-you listen to great players, and when they are soloing, eveybody's looking at them and saying that's great, wow, etc.  Now that same player can be playing chords(comping)under someone else's solo, and you might think that other soloist is good, not really thinking about the comping.

But the comping is important. If it's good, you won't notice, and that's the point.  

Additionally, a mastering of chords will help you in your soloing, your composition work, your desire to be 'one of those people that people look to'.

[Freddy229]

God gives every good and perfect gift!!!  I wasn't even an organist when I started playing for a church, but I prayed and I put my desire b4 the Lord.(PS. 37:4)   Do the same and you will have good success!!

There are a few things you can do in the natural that will help also:
1. Listen to people that can run circles around you!!!! (It will build your drive, open your mind, and keep you humble)
2. Get around other people that want to play just as much as you do(shed together)
3. Listen to everybody!!(Find organists that have made their mark on music like Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Joey D, the recently, dearly departed Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, Twinkie Clark just to name a few!)
4. Learn music(You have to be able to play the organ without sitting in front of it!! Learn all 12 keys major and minor and all progressions)
5.Listen to other genres(stretch your mind by playing another genre one day in practice!
Develop your ear, the reason why the great musicians are great where you are and where I am is because they can sit behind anybody!! Imagine having a church service and somebody walks in to sing a solo...I have seen it where the musicians literally walk away from the organ!! If you can pick them up(in whatever key) and accompany them you will gain respect around town.

[leader]

chitownorgan also try:  http://samsmuziko.com

[leader]

http://samsmuzikco.com/education2.htm

[BBoy]

If you can read music, you will also want to order a wonderful book called "Teach Yourself Chords and Progressions." It teaches the theory behind the chords you are forming.

Also, you will want to check out material by David Sprunger on his website www.playpianotoday.com  . He is a wonderful teacher and teaches you how to make your own arrangements of songs.

Be Blessed . . .   :lol:

BBoy