Some of the best pianists in the world started playing in the Church. The world of professional gospel musicians is incredibly demanding, but even the best had to start somewhere. Here are some of the best gospel songs, spirituals, and hymns for beginner pianists.
Major and minor scales are the backbone of modern western tonal music. We use these scales to form melodies and build diatonic chords and progressions. Understanding major and minor scales will help develop the skills you need for composition and performance.
Have you ever wondered how the pros can play along with any song they hear? Well, it takes some practice, but you might be surprised to hear that you don’t need to be a prodigy, a virtuoso, or have perfect pitch.
Chords are the building blocks of music and composition, and like many elements of music, chords aren’t as scary or complex as they may seem. There are many chord types, each with a distinct harmonic character, and the thought of learning them all can be a little daunting. But, with a few...
Music brings people together, and there’s no better time than Christmas to get friends or family around the piano for a sing-song. Christmas songs are lots of fun; the only downside is that once you play one, people will ask for another and another. So, you have to be prepared.
The circle of fifths is like a Swiss army knife for music theory; this simple tool unlocks a world of musical knowledge. Despite its potential, the circle of fifths is often ignored or presumed to be some complex puzzle that’s more hassle than it’s worth. Fortunately, that...
As a beginner, jazz music often sounds like a different language, like the musicians have notes that the rest of us don’t. But it’s not as scary as it first seems; like other genres, we can play jazz music using common patterns and progressions.
Major and minor chords are the backbone of western music. Understanding basic major and minor triads will set you on your way to playing hundreds of your favorite songs. In this article, I’ll discuss everything a beginner needs to know about major and minor chords (we’ll stick to basic...
The piano can be a little intimidating for beginners; with lots of keys that look the same, it might seem difficult to distinguish one note from another. But there are simple repeating patterns that help us make sense of it all, and I’m going to talk you through them.
Chord progressions are the key to unlocking all your favorite songs (well, lots of them, anyway). Countless songs share the same chord progressions, and in this article, I’ll discuss what they are, why they are so common, and how you can use them.