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Main => Gospel Music Lounge => Topic started by: owel81 on October 16, 2016, 02:02:59 AM
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Hello out there. I've been trying to teach myself how to play the keys for almost 2years now and really having serious problems on improving. I think I might be doing something wrong. I know the importance of theory and really do try to read anything about music theory that I get in my hands. I practice a lot, at least 1-2hrs a day but I guess my practice routine, if I have one;-) is totally wrong because I end up nearly with "nothing" because I wander around and do lot's of things at the same time, like doing some scale exercises then jump to some songs and then start with some chord exercises then watch some YouTube videos which are at times too advanced for my playing and try to play like them and then something else, anything that comes in mind actually. All totally wrong! I don't have any mentor or anyone to teach me. Need a practice routine plan and any advice which could help me. How should I start my daily practice, what should I really learn step by step and what should be the goal of the day or should I set goals for the week or just work on one skill until I totally master it? BTW I'm from Germany and manage to play at my Presbyterian Ghanaian church but with lots of mistakes I'm aware of but I want to get rid of these in the service of the Lord. Please help. God bless you all
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yeah youtube, for me thats a big distraction. But it is a great source for ideas.
When Im practicing consistently, I search youtube for 1 lick or a 2-5-1 progression or some move and I practice that move in all keys, ie like CDubs Muscle Memory Series (I only got through 1). The move should be able to be easily applied to multiple songs, so on Sundays I throw them into my playing.
A few of My weaknesses (and what I search for/working on):
Creativity (2-5-1 piano, chord voicings, Duane Shinn, pretty simple music, stacking chords russell ferrante)
Dexterity/Finger strength/Technique (Hanon, finger exercises piano, Tausig, arpeggios from piano guys)
Playing solo lines/melodies in my right while playing rootless chords with my left (?)
I practice Dexterity Stuff 1st
Then Creativity
Then application
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My practice routine was very simple (I think it's simple, lol):
1) Major Scales
a. left hand alone 2 octaves up and back
b. right hand alone 2 octaves up and back
c. both hands together 2 octaves up and back
Major scales are very important because this lets you get a feel for what notes you're going to be using in each key. It also lets your hands get used to the different locations and fingerings for each key. Here's a link to the major scales:
Major scales: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,17060.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,17060.0.html)
2) Basic Chords (major, minor, diminished, augmented)
a. right hand alone starting with root position up through each key, then switch to first inversion up through each key, then second inversion up through each key
b. left hand alone starting with root position up through each key, then switch to first inversion up through each key, then second inversion up through each key
Basic chords are important because they are the foundation for every other chord you will play. Plus, it is possible to play entire songs using only basic chords. Here's are some links for basic chords practice:
Basic Chord Fingerings (LH): http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,42382.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,42382.0.html)
Basic Chords Practice: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,80924.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,80924.0.html)
Basic Chords Practice Part 2: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,47886.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,47886.0.html)
3) Progressions
a. Pick any progression (2-5-1, 7-3-6, etc.) and practice it through all keys. I would suggest single note octaves in the LH and chords in the RH to start off with. Example:
7-3-6 in C LH/RH
B-B / A-D-F
E-E / G#C-D-G
A-A / G-B-C-E
next key
7-3-6 in C#(or Db) LH/RH
B#-B# / A#-D#-F# or C-C / Bb-Eb-Gb
E#-E# / A-C#-D#-G# or F-F / A-Db-Eb-Ab
A#-A# / G#-B#-C#-E# or Bb-Bb / Ab-C-Db-F
next key
7-3-6 in D LH/RH
C#-C# / B-E-G
F#-F# / A#-D-E-A
B-B / A-C#-D-F#
etc.
Progressions are important because they make up songs. Here are some links to progression practice:
More Advanced Progressions: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,80933.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,80933.0.html)
Progressions Practice Routine: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,81363.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,81363.0.html)
Progressions Practice Routine #2: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,81365.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,81365.0.html)
Progressions Practice Routine #3: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,36503.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,36503.0.html)
4) Songs
a. Pick any song and learn/practice it in it's original key first. When you get to a part that you mess up on a lot, take that part by itself and practice it slowly. Once it's learned, add it to the rest of the song.
b. Take parts of the song (chours, vamp, etc.) at a time and try to learn it in another key, 2 or 3 keys if you're feeling ambitious.
Here's a link to some songs I've chorded out that you can practice:
T-Block's Chorded Songs Collection: http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,55770.0.html (http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,55770.0.html)
I know that seems like a lot, but it's worth it to have a great foundation in music. Use a metronome (if I'm at a piano) or a beat on the keyboard varying the tempos during your practice. Start at a slow tempo to develop control over your fingers, then gradually increase the tempo.
To make the most out of any exercise/practice session/shed/etc., make it musical. Think about how it could be used in a song or music pattern and practice it that way. You will be surprised at your growth in just a short time. I look back at recordings I've had in the past and am amazed at how far I've come.
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Thanx for all the advice!!!
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I think you need to assess what your long term goals are. This will help guide you in what direction to take practicing. Are you trying to master music or a certain instruments? Are you just trying to learn songs to sing or perform? I currently and trying to build up and perform more for ministry. I also want to relearn gospel music. I am doing this all with limited time. If you want to perform you should practice performing by learning new songs and including things you learn within context of the song.
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Hello out there. I've been trying to teach myself how to play the keys for almost 2years now and really having serious problems on improving. I think I might be doing something wrong. I know the importance of theory and really do try to read anything about music theory that I get in my hands. I practice a lot, at least 1-2hrs a day but I guess my practice routine, if I have one;-) is totally wrong because I end up nearly with "nothing" because I wander around and do lot's of things at the same time, like doing some scale exercises then jump to some songs and then start with some chord exercises then watch some YouTube videos which are at times too advanced for my playing and try to play like them and then something else, anything that comes in mind actually. All totally wrong! I don't have any mentor or anyone to teach me. Need a practice routine plan and any advice which could help me. How should I start my daily practice, what should I really learn step by step and what should be the goal of the day or should I set goals for the week or just work on one skill until I totally master it? BTW I'm from Germany and manage to play at my Presbyterian Ghanaian church but with lots of mistakes I'm aware of but I want to get rid of these in the service of the Lord. Please help. God bless you all
Hello Musician ,
I've played organ/piano in over 300 church services and experienced thousands of situations. Now, let's get to your problem. As a musician you need to think about mastering your color chords. (Major 7 /Minor 7/Dominate 7/Half-Diminish 7/Diminish 7/and Minor 6 chords) Both hand 3 inversion up and down the Piano. Now, I'm talking from my perspective but when you master these chords you can play pretty much anything you hear. That's my idea of why anyone would want to play, it really create magic in your worship. You sound like me when you said "in your practice time you go through an emotional roller-coaster because your being creative''. I was you 6 years ago and just decided to make changes in my playing. Here are two courses that will taking all the guest work out.
1.(https://www.udemy.com/gospel-piano-essentials/learn/v4/overview (https://www.udemy.com/gospel-piano-essentials/learn/v4/overview)) 15$
2.(https://www.udemy.com/preacher-chords/learn/v4/overview (https://www.udemy.com/preacher-chords/learn/v4/overview)) 15$
Note : I'm not selling you anything, I just recommend these products as a great starting point ...
This will fill in the gaps in your playing...... This really change my playing and headed me in a great direction. You need to practice the right things, as a player we like to be comfortable. Learning is always a slowed down and somewhat difficult task that you master over time. This is the ((secret)) if you master one thing at a time (Scale,Chord,Arpeggio,Lick with Metronome) in every key you will grow greatly. If you want to learn more about a strategy to get better check out my website atjoneslive.com. Just Subscribe and let's strategies how to get you better faster. I hope this information helped you and can't wait to hear about your progress. ;D
ATJones