Just started improvising….what really helped was understanding of circle of fifths…I got familiar with the f major scale and its chords and was able to improvise for the first time without making odd sounds
As an older person (over 60), getting back into playing the piano, this was an EXCELLENT video. I have downloaded the content, and, will be using this to help in my practice sessions. I do most of what you have in this video already, but, I believe this will help me out in my upcoming practice sessions starting today. Your videos have helped me tremendously, and, I thank you. Keep up the great work!!!!!!
Excellent advice. With technique practice, I usually work through the scales and arpeggios first, but not necessarily in the same order (C, then working up through the sharps; F, then working up through the flats). I'll vary them, with a mixture of easier ones and harder ones. Some days, depending on time, I'll just pick 3 or 4 major scales and practice those, then the same with the minors. I'll also practice the minors in natural, harmonic and melodic forms. I like to do arpeggios using inversions. Learning the circle of 5ths is important, and once it's set in your head, and you can naturally see the relation between all the keys, it makes everything else so much easier. If I'm learning a specific piece, I'll give particular attention to practicing the scale for that piece, plus argeggios. For instance, I'm currently learning Chopin's 'Le Militaire' Polonaise - so it's a lot of focus on the A major scale as a warm-up. Sight reading and improvisation are both areas I need to improve upon - but they become easier once that essential groundwork with scales is done. One mistake I always used to make was trying to play a newly-learned piece at the correct tempo - ignoring any mistakes made. I've learned to slow it right down and focus on those 'mistake' areas to iron them out.
![Mastering Piano Jumps with Speed and Accuracy [Gershwin]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qAlODwiJ0-M/mqdefault.jpg)
![Mastering Piano Jumps with Speed and Accuracy [Gershwin]](/img/tr.png)
Just started improvising….what really helped was understanding of circle of fifths…I got familiar with the f major scale and its chords and was able to improvise for the first time without making odd sounds
As an older person (over 60), getting back into playing the piano, this was an EXCELLENT video. I have downloaded the content, and, will be using this to help in my practice sessions. I do most of what you have in this video already, but, I believe this will help me out in my upcoming practice sessions starting today. Your videos have helped me tremendously, and, I thank you. Keep up the great work!!!!!!
Excellent advice. With technique practice, I usually work through the scales and arpeggios first, but not necessarily in the same order (C, then working up through the sharps; F, then working up through the flats). I'll vary them, with a mixture of easier ones and harder ones. Some days, depending on time, I'll just pick 3 or 4 major scales and practice those, then the same with the minors. I'll also practice the minors in natural, harmonic and melodic forms. I like to do arpeggios using inversions. Learning the circle of 5ths is important, and once it's set in your head, and you can naturally see the relation between all the keys, it makes everything else so much easier. If I'm learning a specific piece, I'll give particular attention to practicing the scale for that piece, plus argeggios. For instance, I'm currently learning Chopin's 'Le Militaire' Polonaise - so it's a lot of focus on the A major scale as a warm-up. Sight reading and improvisation are both areas I need to improve upon - but they become easier once that essential groundwork with scales is done. One mistake I always used to make was trying to play a newly-learned piece at the correct tempo - ignoring any mistakes made. I've learned to slow it right down and focus on those 'mistake' areas to iron them out.
Good advice. Merci