Duane Shinn (that would be me) has good news for you if you want to play the piano. He (me) has little fat hands & stubby little fingers - not at all suited for playing the piano - more suited to making mud pies or some such. I am also fairly uncoordinated with just average musical ability - certainly not a great piano player. But I've learned a ton about music over the years and people tell me I'm pretty decent at explaining how music works & how to progress more rapidly on the piano. Over the years I have developed about 150 techniques for conquering the piano. Most professional pianists can do these techniques, but very few can explain them in a way people can understand. I specialize in making complex techniques simple. I invite you to watch a few of my free videos and see some of these for yourself before making any decision about taking any of my courses.
Chord Progressions Part Three: “How To Tell What Key You Are InWhen You Have Flats (b) In The Key Signature!” If you’re going to be able to know what chord progressions are likely in each key, you obviously need to know how … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part 15: “How To Create Unlimited Original Chord Progressions Using Chord Substitutions” Chord Subs Technique #1: The “What Other Chord?” Technique The “What Other Chord?” technique is one of the best ways to create a fresh harmonization of a familiar melody. … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part 16: “How To Create Unlimited Original Chord Progressions Using Chord Substitutions” Chord Sub Technique #2: The “m7 down a 4th for 7th” Chord Substitution Technique The “m7 down a 4th for 7th” technique is another of the best ways to create a … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part 17: “How To Create Unlimited Original Chord Progressions Using Chord Substitutions” Chord Sub Technique #3: The “Half-Step Slide” Chord Substitution Technique The “half-step slide” technique is another of the best ways to create a fresh harmonization of a familiar melody. Here’s how … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part 18: The “Get On That Church!” Gospel Progression(Also known as “4 of the 4” chord progression) When I was a young piano player in Los Angeles I used to love to go to a jazz club out on the Sunset Strip … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part Eight: “The ‘VI – II – V7 – I’ Chord Progression” Last issue we were introduced to “cousin II” — the next most likely chord to occur in any given key after the primary chords I, IV, … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part Eight: “The ‘II – V7 – I’ Chord Progression” In a previous issue we established the foundation for chord prediction by learning the primary chords for each key. I hope you internalized that and committed each “family … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part Seven “The ‘Creep’ Chord Progression” A couple lessons ago we learned the most obvious chord progression of all: The “Oh Duh” Chord Progression1. If there are 3 primary chords in a key — I, IV, and V … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part Six “What You Need To Know About Musical Form” Chord progressions come in sections, like one room in a house. You can put several different rooms together to make a big house, or you can live in … Continue reading →
Chord Progressions Part Five: “The ‘Oh Duh!’ Chord Progression” I think we have laid the foundation for understanding chord progressions now. We have covered chords from basic triads to extended, altered, suspended, and slash chords. We have learned how the … Continue reading →
