Why do I need to learn scales and chords and music theory? Well, if you have the talent of a Mozart or Bach or Erroll Garner or Oscar Peterson or Dave Brubeck, you probably don’t. But if you’re like the rest of us — and 99.9% of us are - the more you learn about music, the better. After all, chords are formed from scales, and scales are the building-blocks of melody. And of course there would be no rhythm without the juxtapostion of note values and chord lengths. If you are at all interested in increasing your knowledge of music in any of these areas, come on over to http://www.playpianocatalog.com and browse through our 300-plus courses.

It is very easy to locate the key of a song when there are sharps in the key signature (major keys — we’ll discuss relative minor keys later) simply by locating the last sharp to the right in the key signature in a piece of music and going up one-half step. Watch this short video and your instantly understand:

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When there are flats in the key signature, how do you locate the key of the song? It’s easy. Just count down 4 scale degrees and that is the key. Another way to say it is: the next to the last flat in the key signture IS the key. Watch this short video and you’ll understand:

If you have need of learning something about music in a short, specialized format, be sure to check out our Specialized DVD’s on just one focused topic at a time. Click on Short Specialized DVD’s

Enharmonic notes are simply notes that have more than one name. Just as you might be known by not only your given name, but also by your nickname, so notes can have more than one name. The same is true for enharmonic chords — they can be known by multiple names as well. For example, the Db major chord sounds exactly the same as the C# major chord, but looks different on printed music, and has two different names: C# major and Db major.

This is a simple lesson for absolute beginners demonstrating how to create a “walk the stairs” boogie pattern in the left hand. Most boogies follow the 12-bar blues format, so we are walking the stairs on the I chord, the IV chord and the V chord in the key of C.

You can create motion in your songs by adding passing tones to your repertoire of piano techniques. Look for opportunities to add a 2nd or a 6th or a 7th under the right hand melody — non-harmonic tones that “pass through” the chords you are playing in the right hand.

For a complete course in using passing tones please go to Passing Tones To Add Motion & Interest To Your Songs

Playing the tune of a song in a “single-finger” style leaves much to be desired in terms of fullness. One way to make a stronger melody is to play it in octaves with an interval of a 3rds under the top octave note. Watch this short video:

The word “arpeggio” means broken chord, so on this video Duane demonstates how to not only put chords beneath the right hand melody, but how to break up those chords to create more motion than a block chord would provide. Notice that it is important to make the melody note stand out — you don’t want the broken chords to overpower the tune of the song. And be careful not to overdo it — use this technique sparingly and in combination with other techniques.

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Are you a mother looking to get your child piano lessons? Maybe you took them as a child as well, but stopped as you got older. Or maybe you always wanted to learn the piano and never got the chance. The good news is that helping your child learn how to play the piano can actually help you learn the instrument as well.

The most important thing to do is to participate. Passively watching your child practice or just listening while you do the laundry isn’t going to teach you anything. Though you may enjoy hearing your little one gradually progress in skill, without participation you’ll be the frustrated non-musician that you’ve always been. It’s time to step up, sit down and practice right alongside your child.

When your child’s instructor is around, ask questions. Throw your mind into the lessons as though they were your own. If you don’t understand a particular exercise, ask the teacher to explain it again. Your child might need to hear it again too, but might be afraid to ask. Ask about different composers and pieces so that you understand the theories behind the music. The piano is a huge instrument, able to reproduce an unsurpassed variety of sounds, so ask investigative questions.

Practice alongside your child. By doing exercises on the piano together, you’ll bond over the newfound skill you’ve developed. You’ll strengthen the muscles in your hands and fire up unused synapses in your brain. When you’ve gained some skill and knowledge of a few pieces, play together. It’s a joy to be able to play a piano duet besides Heart and Soul.

By participating in your child’s instrumental development, you’ll know when they’re ready to be challenged. Consult with the teacher and discuss your child’s readiness. Hopefully you’ll be ready to be challenged as well. Don’t push yourself too hard, though. If you feel pain in your hands or wrists, see a doctor.

You’ll be gaining both technical skill and musical knowledge. You might find yourself exploring the classical section of your local bookstore with a new interest. If you only know Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy, you might suddenly be interest in the rest of the Suite Bergamasgue. Warm up your hands before attempting the Menuet at full speed to avoid injury.

Maybe you’ll hear jazz pianists in a new way once you’ve begun to understand what they’re playing. Or you’ll hear the Beatles Eleanor Rigby and notice the shifts between E Aeolian and E Dorian in the melody. When you start hearing music in a different light, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without playing the piano.

Remember that your child will probably learn the instrument much easier than you. The empty vessel of childhood is a blessing in this area, so don’t feel bad. Just learn to play for your own enjoyment. Find piano pieces that interest you and play them for your ears only. Of course, if you’re a bit of a showboat, you can always sit down at the bench at a party and impress your guests. Keep participating in your child’s learning and you’ll find yourself a new avenue of expression.