By using the Alberti bass high on the keyboard to make a light, airy-like sound in the first part of the song, then using octave bass runs in the left hand in the 2nd part of the song, we can … Continue reading →
Knowing musical form can give a huge boost to learning songs, playing an instrument, and just understanding music. Form is the skeleton of music on which the flesh and the nerves and ligaments hang. Watch this short video on how … Continue reading →
Playing “Away In a Manger” On The Piano is easy, since it only uses three chords — the primary chords of I, IV and V. By using just two techniques – an Alberti bass and an ostinato — we can … Continue reading →
In this piano video I demonstrate a couple fairly unusual chord progressions for the old Christmas Carol “Jingle Bells”. The chord progression makes use of both a different rhythm and a different chord sequence. Watch: Then click here: Christmas Carols … Continue reading →
“What Child Is This?” is a very popular Christmas song written about 150 years ago to the tune of “Greensleeves”. It uses a chord progression similar to chord sequnces I used to play as a small child – maybe you … Continue reading →
Here’s a fun way to play “Joy To The World” by Handel. He wrote it using only the 8 notes of the diatonic scale – nothing higher, nothing lower. It was written in the key of D, but let’s play … Continue reading →
I still remember the feeling I got when I was a little boy listening to my folks sing Silent Night in the church choir at Pioneer Methodist Church in Auburn California. There was something mystical about it — like a … Continue reading →
Sometimes if you voice chords in 4ths instead of 3rds you create a more contemporary sound. But it’s not real easy — you have to make sure to get the critical notes of a triad included, and that is often … Continue reading →
If you wanted to play “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” without depending on the sheet music, what would you do? Here are a few ideas: Click here: O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Continue reading →Like any song, there are countless variations you can use on “Auld Lang Syne”,
Continue reading →
