My practice routine was very simple (I think it's simple, lol):
1)
Major Scalesa. 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.html2)
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.htmlBasic Chords Practice:
http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,80924.0.htmlBasic Chords Practice Part 2:
http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,47886.0.html3)
Progressionsa. 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.htmlProgressions Practice Routine:
http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/topic,81363.0.htmlProgressions Practice Routine #2:
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.html4)
Songsa. 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
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.