Learn piano using piano notes & music notes

Learn music: Arranging & Improvising Piano Music

Course & Description

"Using Chords To Improvise"

Piano notes & keyboard music

Your right hand will usually play the improvised part using various piano notes, while your left hand plays the chord. But the improvised part is created from, and around, the chord. You'll learn how to use chords notes, neighboring notes, scale notes, and non-harmonic piano notes in your improvisations, and how each type functions in the overall scheme.

To learn more about "Using Chords To Improvise" please click here.

Combo #10:

"Using Chords To Improvise

Everything -- Audio CD, DVD video, & Summary Sheet

$97.

Piano Improvising -- The Exciting
7-Month Home Study Course!

Please go to www.pianoplayingwithchords.com to learn all about this massive course! Way too much to cover here!

"12 Right Hand Arranging Techniques on CD"

Right hand

Here are one-dozen arranging techniques for your right hand: Melodrama-melody; off-beat arps; cross-hands; reversed register piano notes; stuffed octaves; color-tone undernotes; octave-6ths; chord notes undernotes; octave-3rds; double your pleasure double your fun; who's on 3rd; 3rds on their head. If you've ever envied the pianist who can switch from one style to another effortlessly, envy no more!

Click here for more info on"Right Hand Arranging Techniques"

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Arrange Songs Right At The Piano -- Instantly!

Piano notes with piano player

Learn over 72 styles you can use to arrange any song at the keyboard! Learn piano styles!

"Keyboard Arranging: How To Do It On The Spot!"

Learn music using music notes

Have you ever seen a piano player who could play most any piano music style right on the spot? To do that, you have to have a big bag of tricks in your hip pocket, and this course gives you over 72 ways to pull that musical rabbit out of your hat.

You get 72 arranging techniques that you can apply to almost any song. Each technique is demonstrated two ways: on a printed card so you can see how to do it, and on an audio CD so you can hear how to do it.

The entire course comes in a big binder with six instructional audio CD's and 72 printed cards -- one style on each card. That way you have all your arranging techniques in one place -- in a concise "deck of cards" (the cards are much larger than playing cards -- actually 8 1/2" by 3 1/2").

Plus you get a bonus "Summary DVD" at no extra charge so you can see each style in action!

KA-1: " Keyboard Arranging: How To Do It On The Spot!" -- 6 instructional audio CD's & 72 cards in a big binder plus a bonus "Summary DVD" -- $197.

Man playing the piano

"Basic Improvising: How to Make Up Piano Music As You Play"

In our lab at Piano University, students learned how to improvise -- make up piano music as they played. We started by having them break up chords into various rhythm patterns. Then we had them use neighboring tones, passing tones, and "blue notes". When they had a mastery of these elements, we had them use chord substitutions and extended chords. They improvised on pop tunes, jazz tunes, gospel songs, Broadway hits, standards -- most everything except heavy classical pieces.

Now that Piano University is just a wonderful memory, we have put the exact same courses on instructional audio CD's, along with a crystal-clear summary sheet, so you can save the cost of a trip to Oregon while you learn music. Our course in Basic Improvising (WC-1-CD) covers the five basic concepts of improvisation, then the other courses take it from there.

The DVD course covers some of the same material, but from a different angle -- and of course, you can SEE what Duane is playing and teaching. So if you're serious about wanting to learn to improvise, get the entire package -- Combo #30, which includes all four CD's plus the DVD course!

"Basic Improvising: How to Make Up Piano Music As You Play"

For more info, click here.

"Piano Improvisation From Ragtime to Contemporary"

Music keyboard

This is a sensational CD that traces the development of piano music improvisation from ragtime to the present. You'll hear everything from honky-tonk to boogie to swing to cool to bop to fusion. Not an instructional CD, but a great CD for listening and learning about how improvised jazz developed since about the turn of the century to the present era. If you like jazz, you'll LOVE this CD. (This is the only CD in the catalog where Duane doesn't play -- instead, he interviews a friend of his who is a recording artist and great jazz pianist).

More info: "Piano Improvisation From Ragtime to Contemporary"

"How To Dress UP

"NAKED MUSIC"

On The Piano"

I have had several people tell me that they believe this is the greatest book and DVD/CD course ever produced on the subject of making your piano playing sound fuller and more exciting. It should cost hundreds of dollars, since it teaches over 101 ways to "dress up naked music". If you read music to some degree, but don't know how to add to the written piano music, this is the course for you. Big book of 101 techniques along with 2 instructional audio CD's and a fantastic 2-hour DVD (so you can see) where Duane demonstrates every technique he covers in the book to help you learn music. Fantastic! Tremendous value. This much instruction at a music school or conservatory would require a tuition of many times the cost of this course.

Here are a few of the 101 "dress-up styles" taught in the course:

Locked hands style
Tremelo-fired runs
Stacked chords
Voicing in 4ths
Inside Blues Move
And 95 More

"How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano!"

(For more complete & exciting information on the course, click here)

"I have the course How to Dress Up Naked Music and it is soooo WONDERFUL!" (E-mail Nov. 13, 2002)

Piano arranging: How to dress up "naked music" on the piano

"How To Transpose & Modulate"

Learn piano music

There are only 12 major keys in which you can play, and each of these keys has 3 chords which occur more often than any others. Each key is mathematically the same as any other key, so by knowing scale degrees and the primary chords in each key (and later the secondary chords), you can transpose into any other key after your fingers get used to the configurations of that particular key. You'll also learn to modulate smoothly by finding the V7 chord in the new key, leading to the tonic chord. If all this sounds like Greek to you now, it won't after you take this most important course to help you learn piano transposing and modulation.

"How To Transpose & Modulate"

"How To Add Fills & Runs To Your Piano Playing!"

Have you ever wanted to be able to put runs, echoes, and fillers in your piano playing to give it a full, professional sound. On this CD Duane shows you how to do just that. Using the song "Greensleeves" as a model, you'll learn how to "fill up the empty spaces" with scale fragments, chords, broken chords, and so on. You'll hear Duane create 8th note runs (and explain how as he is doing it), 16th note runs, 32nd note runs, triplet fills, and many combinations thereof. Learn how to "fill it up".

If you love those fantastic runs and fills you hear the pros use, this is the course that will teach you how to do it!

"How To Add Fills & Runs"

Combo #21:

Everything - Instructional Audio & Summary Sheet, & DVD on "Runs Galore!"

(The DVD titled "Runs Galore!" covers runs, straddles, waterfall, lightning-runs and others. Not identical to the CD.)

$97.

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"How To Create Intros & Endings"

A good intro sets the stage and prepares the audience for the song. It gets people in the precise mood you want them to be in as you play your song.

A good ending will leave your audience with a "good taste in their mouth".

On this course you will hear how to create a "camouflage intro", a "music-box intro", and others. You'll learn a standard ending, a half-step slide ending, and others.

If you start strong and end strong, you've got a strong song!

"How To Create Intros & Endings"

Combo #22:

"How To Create Intros & Endings"

Everything -- Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet & DVD so you can SEE.

$97.

"How To "Comp" In a Combo"

"Comp" is short for "accompany", but comping in a combo is different than playing for a soloist. If you play in a group, or want to, this very specialized audio CD course is a must! Most piano lessons never touch on this subject! Learn how to do it right.

"How To "Comp" In a Combo"

"How To Memorize Music"

You'll learn that the key to memorizing music is understanding -- and the key to understanding is analysis -- figuring out what's going on in the music. You'll learn how to analyze the form of a song -- ABA, AABA, ABAC, or whatever, then you'll learn to practice by phrases to stimulate muscle memory to go along with brain cell memory.

"How To Memorize Music"

**"Funny Stuff You Can Do On The Piano"**

Want to learn things you can play on the piano to get a laugh? Here are 14 different things you can do with piano notes -- like "Shave & a Haircut, Six Bit", the Dragnet theme, a wolf whistle, a haunted house tune, the Lone Ranger theme, and 9 other themes you can use to create a laugh whenever the occasion calls for it. Piano lessons were never this much fun!

"Funny Stuff You Can Do On The Piano"

**"MORE Funny Stuff You Can Do!"**

The NS-8-CD was such a hit that lots of people asked "what else can I do on the piano to create laughs?" So Duane created this course, this time giving you material from famous commercials and TV and radio themes. He also gives you the first few bars of several classical themes, such as Beethoven's Fifth, and so on. You'll learn how to get your listeners expectations up, then throw them a curve to create laughs galore.

"MORE Funny Stuff You Can Do!"

Order safely & securely by clicking on the courses you want!
(Don't be afraid to click--you can modify your order as needed after you select the courses you want.)

Styles Galore
Course & Description
"Boogie Patterns: Two-Dozen Boogies You Can Lay Down With Your Left Hand" Need we say more? You get each pattern in printed format and demonstrated on the Instructional Audio CD that comes with it. Become a boogie-man (or boogie-lady)! "Boogie Patterns: Two-Dozen Boogies You Can Lay Down With Your Left Hand"	CP-17-CD: "Boogie Patterns: Two-Dozen Boogies You Can Lay Down With Your Left Hand" Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet $39.	0(No DVD video available -- but please see the next item...
"Boogie For Beginners!" If you play the piano a little bit, but not much, and would like to get started playing boogie because its so much fun, this DVD video course is perfect for you. Duane teaches just 4 left-hand boogie patterns and just 3 right-hand boogie patterns, but together they will keep you boogying for a long time. You get a laminated "cheat-sheet" of the patterns along with the DVD video. "Boogie For Beginners!"		DVD-42: "Boogie For Beginners!" DVD Video & Laminated Cheat-Sheet $67.
"How To Put Undernotes Under Your Right-Hand Melody" You wouldn't think of leaving home without your underwear, so why play a thin right-hand melody without undernotes? This course teaches you how to put harmonizing notes in your right hand, under the melody. Adds a great deal to the sound produced by your right hand, making the harmony much fuller, and applies to any and all styles. "How To Put Undernotes Under Your Right-Hand Melody"	CP-18-CD: "How To Put Undernotes Under Your Right-Hand Melody"
	Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet $39.

"How To Voice a Chord For a 'Pro Sound' " To "voice" means to arrange the notes of a chord on the keyboard so you get the sound you want. Since there are scores of ways to voice a chord, you need to know the principles involved. For example, you can imply any 7th chord by using just 2 notes -- do you know which 2? You can play extended chords such as 11ths and 13ths all in one hand, even if your hand is small, if you know how. Learn all about voicing. "How To Voice a Chord For a 'Pro Sound' "			Combo #18: "How To Voice a Chord For a 'Pro Sound' "
			Everything -- Instructional Audio CD & DVD & Summary Sheet $97.

How To Use The Circle of 4ths To Create Great Chord Progressions! The circle of 4th progresses through all 12 keys, and in it lies the secret of chord progressions. You'll learn how to move from major 7ths to minor 7ths; from suspensions to resolutions; an you'll learn how easy it is to develop your improvisations simply by breaking up the notes of the chord progressions within the circle. A printed copy of the circle of 4ths is included with this course, naturally. "How To Use The Circle of 4ths To Create Great Chord Progressions!"			Combo #19: "How To Use The Circle of 4ths To Create Great Chord Progressions!"
			Everything -- Instructional Audio CD & DVD & Printed Circle of 4ths $97.

Special Effects: "How To Make Your Piano Sound Latin, Oriental, Russian...And Also Make It Sound Like Big Ben Chimes, A Drum Cadence, a Music Box, and More!" You'll learn how to imitate the sound of a drum cadence so accurately that someone in the next room will swear it's a drum. You'll learn to create a tinkly music box effect. You'll learn to play chimes so authentically people will think you have chimes inside your piano. You'll learn to sound like a bell; you'll create an oriental sound, and other special effects. A ton of skills creating sounds out of piano notes for a tiny tuition! "How To Get Special Effects On The Piano (Drums, Chimes, Bells, Music Box, etc)"			Combo #23: Piano Tricks! "How To Get Special Effects On The Piano (Drums, Chimes, Bells, Music Box, etc)"
			Everything -- Instructional Audio CD on "Special Effects" & DVD on "Piano Tricks" & Summary Sheet $97.

"Playing Standard Ballads" On this great course Duane shows you how to create an "orchestral pad" under your melody line. You'll learn the "block chord" technique, and the secret of getting a full, lush sound. You'll play many beautiful ballads along with Duane as he demonstrates each technique. If you love the old standards, you'll love this course! "Playing Standard Ballads"	PS-2-CD: "Playing Standard Ballads" Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet $39.
"Playing Honk-Tonk & Ragtime" If you enjoy the sound of "rinky-tink" or "honky-tonk" piano -- the sound that brought cowboys pouring into the cabarets of the old West, then you will love this course. You'll learn how to "bend notes" and you'll learn the recipe for ragtime. "Playing Honk-Tonk & Ragtime"			Combo #42: "Playing Honk-Tonk & Ragtime"
			Everything -- Instructional Audio CD & DVD & Summary Sheet $97.

"Playing Blues, Boogie, & R&B" You'll learn how the 12-Bar Blues is formed. Then you'll play along with Duane as he plays a blues bass line for you. You'll learn about the old "barrel-house" styles, and work through a basis boogie pattern. Then you'll learn some specific techniques used in blues playing, and by the end of the course you'll be jamming on some blues riffs. "Playing Blues, Boogie, & R&B"			Combo #25: "Playing Blues, Boogie, & R&B"
			Everything -- DVD video & audio CD & Summary Sheet $97.

"How To Play Country-Western Style" You'll learn to create a "country twang" and other Western sounds with your piano notes, such as the "wagon-wheel bass". To add an authentic country touch to your playing, take this course! "How To Play Country-Western Style"	PS-6: "How To Play Country-Western Style" Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet $39.
*"How To Play "Southern Style"* Gospel Piano!" Southern-style gospel piano music is more rhythmic than traditional gospel music (Christian music, and uses a heavy triplet-ized beat. You can play any gospel song (or other music, for that matter) in this style once you know how to create that special "Southern sound". You will learn all the elements of this happy style -- syncopation, triplets, walk-ups, walk-downs, flairs, frills, and Amens. You'll learn how to play "Amazing Grace" in this amazing style, and then apply the same technique to most any other gospel song. This is a one-of-a-kind course that you will NOT find elsewhere. If you want to play in that wonderful rhythmic Southern Gospel style, this is the course you need! "How To Play "Southern Style" Gospel Piano!"**			Combo #26: *"How To Play "Southern Style"* Gospel Piano!"**
			Everything -- Instructional Audio CD, DVD & Booklet $97.

"How To Accompany a Soloist Or Group On The Piano!" Many pianists think that if they can play a solo on the piano, they can also accompany a singer or group. Not so! Accompanying is a different game, and that is exactly why there are so few good accompanists available. But you can be one of the chosen few if you learn the principles of accompanying as Duane demonstrates in this great CD audio course! "How To Accompany a Soloist Or Group On The Piano!"		NS-4 "How To Accompany a Soloist Or Group On The Piano!" Instructional Audio CD & Summary Sheet $39.
"How to Play 12 Christmas Carols On The Piano -- *This Christmas!"* This great course for near-beginners uses the chord system, and clear drawings show each chord in detail and which fingers play each piano note. You'll learn to play 12 of the standard Christmas Carols, including: "Silent Night", "Jingle Bells", "Joy to the World", "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", "O Come, All Ye Faithful", "Deck the Halls", "O Little Town Of Bethlehem", What Child Is This?" "Away In a Manger", etc. An extremely helpful 32-page book comes with this DVD and CD course containing all the songs and all the chords you will use, so you can see as well as hear how to play each Christmas Carol. " How to Play 12 Christmas Carols On The Piano -- This Christmas!" (Note: If you are more advanced, click here to see 3 more great Christmas Carol courses!)			Combo #31: "How to Play 12 Christmas Carols On The Piano -- This Christmas!"
			Everything --Instructional DVD video, audio CD & Carol Book $97.

Order safely & securely by clicking on the piano lesson courses you want as you learn piano! (Don't be afraid to click--you can modify your order as needed after you select the courses you want.)