The Pentatonic Scale
As you know, there are many kinds of scales, the most familiar of which is the major scale, on which the largest percentage of songs are built. There are also 3 types of minor scale — the natural minor, the … Continue reading →
Category Archives: Chords & chord progressions
Sight reading music fast
A solid knowledge of music theory is absolutely crucial to a musician who wants to become proficient in sight reading. Besides acting as the basis for understanding the notes, a music theory education provides the ability to see patterns within … Continue reading →
Would you like to Tango? It takes 2 (hands, that is)…
The tango is an incredibly sensual genre of music and dance that originated in Argentina. It is always played by a tango orchestra consisting of strings, bandoneon, bass and sometimes piano, though various other Latin-based instruments are found outside of … Continue reading →
How to harmonize any melody with appropriate chords
A harmony is a series of notes in combination, played simultaneously. Listen to your favorite songs, and pay close attention to the back-up vocals when they’re being sung along with the lead. Can you hear how the two vocal melodies … Continue reading →
What in the world is a “tritone”?
A musical tritone is an interval of three whole tones (whole steps) or six half tones (half steps). Simply put, a tritone is an augmented fourth or diminished fifth, depending on the key. A tritone is typically created by adding … Continue reading →
How to play jazz piano…even if you can’t
Most of us will never come close to creating the sounds we hear the great jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck and many others make, but it sure is fun trying. I’ve played jazz piano all my adult … Continue reading →
Piano sight reading tips
When sight reading a piece of sheet music it is easy to lose your place in the score if you need to look down at your hands. Try to not look down, but if you must, don’t move your head … Continue reading →
And tone color makes it four…
Do you remember the great jazz tune titled “Four” by Jon Henricks? It told a story about what Jon considered as the 4 important aspects of life: truth, honor, happiness and love. Music has 4 basic components too. We’ve already … Continue reading →
Harmony — The 3rd aspect of music
In previous posts we have discussed two of the elements that comprise what music is all about; namely melody and rhythm. The 3rd element of music is harmony. Without these 3 elements working together, music is “bare-bones” and incomplete. Oh … Continue reading →
Short video clips on piano jazz
Jermaine is releasing a new course on jazz piano on Oct. 2nd, which some of you might be interested in. But even if you aren’t, go to “Jazz piano video clips” and watch a few of the short videos. Pretty … Continue reading →