Piano Diana Blog

How To Play Hold On

2020-07-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hold On

Songwriters: Carnie Wilson, Glen Ballard, and Chynna Phillips

Hello Readers!

How are you doing and what are you listening to through this most challenging time? I have been thinking of how I could encourage someone and this song came to mind... Hold On! Things will change... Just Hold On! Do you remember this one? It's from the 90s!

Key of F

Tempo: 4/4 Moderate Rock

Intro

F C/F Bb(add9)F (2x)

Verse 1

F C/F

I know there's pain

F F/E Dm7 Bb Bb/C
Why do you lock yourself up in these chains?

F C/F Bb/F
No one can change your life except for you

C/F F C/F Bb/F C
Don't ever let anyone step all over you

F C/F Bb/F C/E
Just open your heart and your mind

Dm F(add9)/A Bb Bb/C
Is it really fair to feel this way inside?

Chorus

F Bb/F

Some day somebody's gonna make you want to

C/F F
Turn around and say goodbye

Bb/F
Until then baby are you going to let them

C/F F
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?

Bb/F
Don't you know things can change

C/F F
Things'll go your way

Bb F/A Gm7
If you hold on for one more day

Gm7/C Bb F/A Gm7
Can you hold on for one more day

Gm7/C
Things'll go your way

F C/F Bb(add9)/F (2xs)
Hold on for one more day

Verse 2

You could sustain
Or are you comfortable with the pain?
You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness
You got yourself into your own mess
Lettin' your worries pass you by
Don't you think it's worth your time
To change your mind?

Chorus... then,

F C/F

I know that there is pain

Bb/F C/F
But you hold on for one more day and ya

F C/F Bb/F
Break free from the chains

F C/F
Yeah I know that there is pain

Bb/F C/F
But you hold on for one more day and you

Break free, break from the chains

Some day somebody's gonna make you want to
Turn around and say goodbye
Until then baby are you going to let them
Hold you down and make you cry
Don't you know?
Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way

Bb F/A Gm7 Gm7/C
If you hold on for one more day yeah

F Bb/F C/F F C/F F
If you hold on

Bb/F

Don't you know things can change

Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
If you hold on
Can you hold on
Hold on baby
Won't you tell me now
Hold on for one more day 'cause
It's gonna go your way

Don't you know things can change
Things'll go your way
If you hold on for one more day
Can't you change it this time

Make up your mind
Hold on
Hold on
Baby hold on

Chords Played in the Song:

Intro: F = F/CFAC and C/F= F/CEGC and F/DFBbC

F(add9)/A = A/FGC

Gm7/C = C/FBbC

Bb(add9)/F = F/CDFBb

Have fun playing it on the piano or guitar with your awesome vocals!

Take good care!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

How To Manage Musical Performance Anxiety

2019-10-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

I wanted to follow up on an older post, Music Therapy and talk about Performance Anxiety.
I recently read that over 80% of us experience a bit of anxiety when we become the center of attention. So we know that some butterflies are a good thing before we perform. However, anxiety should not take over and debilitate the performer.

Over the years I have been made aware of students experiencing these feelings:

The anticipation of failure and fear of humiliation or exposure
Intense anxiety and, sometimes, panic attacks
Awareness that the fear is excessive
Avoidance of performance situations or enduring performances with intense distress
Impaired performance
Shyness, sensitivity to criticism, increased anxiety in situations other than performing and lowered self-esteem

I was reading a very informative article by Joann Kirchner elaborating on several basic techniques to alleviate mild performance anxiety. I'll touch upon a few of them.

Memory Stations
Video/Audio Tape
Realistic Expectations
Performance Rehearsals
Perform Frequently
Attend to Non-Musical Matters in Advance
Focus on the Present
Avoid Inner Dialogue
Replace Negative Thoughts
Visualization
Alexander technique
Autogenic Therapy
Beta-Blockers
Biofeedback
Deep Breathing
Eastern Disciplines
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Systematic Desensitization

I find that some of my students can memorize phrase structures and without looking at their sheet music can memorize 8-16 measures of music. Many find it challenging to memorize, so I never insist that students performing in recitals memorize their songs. I think the balance is not to be completely dependent on your chord charts but to be familiar with the song and play it comfortably in front of others.

My students love performing 2-3 times a year in front of an audience. They also perform for their family gatherings, also school talent shows. Their confidence level increases with familiarity. I highly recommend performing in comfortable shoes! Some of my younger girls couldn't control the damper pedal with ease wearing Uggs and boots. Their slurs were quite blurry sounding.

Focus on the present is the best advice any teacher can give to their students. I like to talk with them about staying within this imaginary bubble you've created. Others refer to it as "having a focused state of mind with a total absorption in an activity as being in a state of 'flow.'"

I'm a huge fan of not only seeing with your eyes but also with your ears as one performs. I hope you will put on a fresh new perspective when performing. Ruth Soukup said, "If all else fails, then 'Do It Scared!'"

There seems to be a popular book regarding performance anxiety you may want to check out, Performance Anxiety Strategies.

Blessings,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

2 More Adele Songs

2019-08-13T14:25:00.002-07:00

If you do a Google search regarding popular Adele songs, here's a pretty good start!
You'll find some chord charts of her songs from previous posts of mine. Let's continue with more!

#1 Rolling In The Deep

#2 Someone Like You

#3 Set Fire To The Rain

#4 Skyfall

#5 Hello

#6 Rumor Has It

#7 Turning Tables

#8 Chasing Pavements

#9 When We Were Young

#10 Don't You Remember

Rumour Has It

Key of Dm
4/4 (With energy and soul)

Dsus Dm            Dsus Dm
She,     she ain't real, 
                Dsus       Dm              Dsus Dm
She ain't gonna be able to love you like I will,
Dsus Dm      Dsus Dm
She     is a stranger,
Dsus      Dm               Dsus        Dm
You and I have history, or don't you remember?
Dsus Dm               Dsus Dm
Sure,    she's got it all,
     D5
But, baby, is that really what you want?

Dm
Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds,
           Gm7
She made a fool out of you, and, boy, she's bringing you down,
              Bb                     Dm/A
She made your heart melt, but you're cold to the core,
    Gm7 
Now rumour has it she ain't got your love anymore,

Dsus   Dm      Dm       
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm             | drums | drums |
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)

D5  Dm               Dsus Dm
She      is half your age,
        Dsus            Dm                     Dsus Dm
But I'm guessing that's the reason that you've stayed,
Dsus Dm             Dsus       Dm
I heard you've been missing me,
            Dsus           Dm                        Dsus   Dm
You've been telling people things that you shouldn't be,
Dm (8ths)
Like when we creep out and she ain't around,
                      n/c
Haven't you heard the rumours?


     Dm
Yes, bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds,
           Gm7
You made a fool out of me, and, boy, you're bringing me down,
            Bb                  Dm/A
You made my heart melt, yet I'm cold to the core,
    Gm7 
But rumour has it I'm the one you're leaving her for,

Dsus   Dm      Dm              | Dm | Dm | Dm | Dm |
Rumour has it, ru---mour (x8)             rit.


(Much slower)
Dm  A+/C#          F     Gm              Dm
All------ of these words whispered in my ear,
       A+/C#        F      Gm      Dm
Tell a story that I cannot bear to hear,
                    Am            F    C/E       Dm
Just 'cause I said it don't me---an that I meant it,
G
People say crazy things,
                                      E7sus
Just 'cause I said it, don't mean that I meant it,

Just 'cause you heard it,

| 6/4 drums   |
  . . . . . .              
Dsus   Dm      Dm       
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm       
----           ru-mour
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x4)
Dsus   Dm      Dm        
Rumour has it, ru-mour (x2)

Gm                                                    Dm7
Well, rumour has it he's the one I'm leaving you for. 


D/CD and D/FA  

Chord Breakdown

Dm = F/ADG
Dsus = D/ADG
Gm = GBbD/D
Gm7 = GDF/GBF
Bb = BbG/BbDF
A+/C# = C#/AC#F
C/E = C/CEG
F = F/CFA
Am = A/CEA
E7sus = EE/AD
G = G/GBD

Get the Piano/Vocal sheet music, Rumour Has It





Turning Tables


Key of Cm
4/4 (Moderate Ballad)

Buy Turning Tables


Cm7 Ab(add2) Fm9 Ab                                                        
                                                                             

                      
Cm7                        Ab(add2)                               
    Close enough to start a war
        Fm9                Ab 
All that I have is on the floor
Cm7                                   Ab(add2) 
    God only knows what we're fighting for
        Fm9                     Ab 
All that I say, you always say more



Ab                         Fm      Fm7 
I can't keep up with your turning tables
      Ab                   Bb 
Under your thumb, I can't breathe



  Cm7      Abmaj7       Eb             Fm7 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Abmaj7       Eb             Fm7 
No, I won't rescue you, to just desert me
         Cm7   Abmaj7  Ab         Eb/G       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables


Ab(add2) Fm9 Ab (repeat intro again)


Cm7                         Ab(add2) 
     Under haunted skies I see, oooh
Fm9                                      Ab 
      Where love is lost, your ghost is found
Cm7                           Ab(add2) 
     I braved a hundred storms to leave you
               Fm9                              Ab 
As hard as you try, no I will never be knocked down



Ab                         Fm      Fm7 
I can't keep up with your turning tables
      Ab                   Bb 
Under your thumb, I can't breathe



  Cm7      Ab       Eb             Fm 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Ab       Eb             Fm 
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
         Cm7   Ab           Eb       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables

Ab(add2)    Fm9  Ab
To turning tables
Cm7                  Ab(add2)
Under haunted skies I see, ooh
Fm9                              Ab
Where love is lost your ghost is found
Cm7                           Ab(add2)
I braved a hundred storms to leave you,
                         Fm9                    Ab
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down.


Cm7                       Abmaj7 
Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own saviour
Eb                           Fm 
When the thunder calls for me
Cm7                       Abmaj7 
Next time I'll be braver, I'll be my own saviour
Eb                      Bb 
Standing on my own two feet



  Cm7      Abm7       Eb             Fm7 
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
   Cm7      Abm7       Eb             Fm7 
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me
         Cm7   Abmaj7           Eb/G       Bb 
I can't give you, what you think you gave me
             Fm  Eb   Ab               Cm7    
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables


Ab Fm Ab Cm 
(repeat intro till fade)


Chord Breakdown


Fm7 = F/CEFA
Eb = Eb/BbEbG
Cm7 = C/CEBG
Abmaj7 = Ab/CEbBb)
Bb = Bb/BbDF

If you're interested in the Hal Leonard songbook I use, shop Adele 21 for 
Piano / Vocal / Guitar

Thankful for you!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Two Mary Blige Songs

2019-08-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

As I was cleaning out my music library, I came across a very special book of sheet music I've had on hand for quite some time. I think I know which piano student will love it! Some cool chords here!

Take Me As I Am

Key of A
4/4 Time (Moderately slow)

She's been down and out
She's been wrote about
She's been talked about constantly
She's been up and down
She's been pushed around
But they held her down, NYC
She has no regrets
She accepts the past
All these things they
Helped make to make she

She's been lost and found

And she's still around

There's a reason for everything

Dmaj9

You know I've been holdin' on

Bm11
Tried to make me weak
But I still stay strong

F#m(add9)
Put my life all up in these songs
Just so you can feel me

Dmaj9
So you can get the real me

So take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)

Dmaj9 Bm11
Just take me as I am

F#m(add9)

Or have nothing at all (at all)

Now she's older now
Yes, she's wiser now
Can't disguise her now
She don't need
No one tellin' her
What to do and say
No one tellin' her
Who to be
She's on solid ground
She's been lost and found
Now she answers to G-O-D
And she's confident
This is not the end
Ask me how I know
'Cause she is me

You know I've been holdin' on
Try to make me weak
But I still stay strong
Put my life all up in these songs
Just so you can feel me
So you can get the real me

So take me as I am
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)
Just take me as I am
Or have nothing at all (at all)

Dmaj9

So it's all or nothing at all

Bm11
All or nothing at all

F#m(add9)
Don't you know I can only be me
(I can only be me, yeah)

Dmaj9

So it's all or nothing at all

Bm11
All or nothing at all

F#m(add9)
Don't you know I can only be me
(I can only be me, yeah)

Dmaj9 Bm11

So take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (nothing at all)

Bm11
Just take me as I am

F#m(add9)
Or have nothing at all (at all)

This is me!

Dmaj9 = D/EF#AC#

Bm11 = B/DF#AC#

F#m(add9) = D/C#EA and F#/C#G#B

BAGGAGE

Key of Dm
4/4 Relaxed

Dm9 Em7/A Dm9 Em7/A

Dm9 Em7/A
I know I do some things that make you so confused
Dm9 Em7/A One minute I'm so in love and the next I can't stand you
Dm9 Em7/A But if you may ask it's just the things that you do
Dm9 Em7/A that reminds me of all of the mess that I've been through Dm9

I got this baggage with me
Em7/A Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
Dm9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Dm9 Every time I hurt your feelings it's what someone's done to me
Em7/A I don't mean to hurt you
Dm9 Em7/A
Heartache and pain I just can't do it again
Dm9 Em7/A So I look for the worst and brace myself for the hurt Dm9 Em7/A
But nobody has ever treated me this way
Dm9 Em7/A Please be patient with me coz I want you to stay but I got all Dm9 This baggage with me
Em7/A Dm9 Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
Dm9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Dm9 Every time I hurt your feelings it's what someone's done to me I don't mean to hurt you [x2]

Fmaj7/G It's no way to be livin' my life

D7/F# But I can't get it out of my mind
Fmaj7 Em7 G/A You know I love you yes I do

Em7 C/Bb Bbmaj7 Dm7/G em7/A
So don't, don't go and get it confused
Dm9 Em7/A
Don't be confused cause boy you know I really do love you
Dm9 Em7/A Want you to stay with me I never meant to hurt you, baby,
Dm9 Em7/A It won't be easy getting rid of all this baggage baby Dm9
I got all of this baggage with me
Em7/A Dm9 Don't wanna make you pay for what somebody else has done to me
Em7/A I don't know what to do
DM9 With all this baggage in me
Em7/A Every time I hurt your feelings
DM9 It's what someone's done to me
Em7/A Dm9 I don't mean to hurt you [x2]

Another Mary Blige post with chord charts to "Be Without You" is found here. You can purchase her tunes, here. Thanks!

Blessings,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

What Do Kids Like?

2018-10-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

Reflection

As I approach our Fall Recital coming up in the next few weeks, I like to reflect on my role as a piano teacher. Taking the time to examine my approach to lessons in a fast, changing world is good for the soul. Most importantly, I like to take a look at my students growing as musicians and are they having fun in piano class!

Through the internet, I am able to glean rich advice from other piano teachers. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you're desiring a change in your piano studio approach.

What do kids like?
How does this work?
Will students like this?
How can I use this to teach?
Why do kids like this?
How would changing this part of things change the process?
Why is this not fun?
Why does this work?

Creativity

I learned from other bloggers that creativity is not creating something new. Creativity is recombining elements that already exist in a new way.

I would say that improvising is for independent thinkers. Many of my piano students enjoy making a song fancier and some kids love to jazz up a song! These are the young people who like to memorize music, practice daily and are totally immersed in music reading and learning the language of music.

They are confident to practice. They are reading notes rapidly and choosing songs with strong melodies.

So, what do you want to change in your studio?

Side Note

Oh, my goodness! Creating our scarecrow Fred was a hilarious event, filled with great memories. We just used all the free materials we could find and soon we were standing Fred up in our yard.

If you're looking for another creative format inside your piano studio, how about making a Baroque wig? For the Fall, some of my students have participated in playing Bach's Minuets while wearing a composer wig!

By the way, what are you working on in learning the language of music?

All the best,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn I'm Still Standing

2017-10-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

My granddaughter (7-years-old) and I saw the movie Sing! Did you see it? This is the song she's most impressed with... It's one of her favorites!

I'm Still Standing

Words and Music by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Time: 4/4 Lively Rock

Intro

  Am - Dm/A - E/A - F/A - G/A (2xs)

Verse 1

        
A                     D/A
You could never know what it's like
      E/A                        A
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
               Bm7/A                             E
And there's a cold lonely light that shines from you
        F#m                         D              A    Bm/A A 
You'll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use 

Verse 2

A     D/A
And did you think this fool could never win?
       E/A                    A
Well look at me, I'm coming back again
         Bm7/A                    E
I got a taste of love in a simple way
      F#m           D                            A           Bm7/A   A
And if you need to know while I'm still standing you just fade a-way

Chorus                      
               Am7          Am                  Em/G    
Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did 
                Dm7                          Fmaj7   G
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid 
Am7          Am          Em/G
I'm still standing after all this time 
                 Dm7                         E7
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind 
          Am         Dm7        E
I'm still standing...yeah yeah yeah!
          Am         Dm7        E7    F/E - G/E
I'm still standing...yeah yeah yeah!

Verse 3

A                  D/A
Once I never could hope to win
       E/A                         A
You starting down the road leaving me again 
      Bm7/A                              E
The threats you made were meant to cut me down 
            F#m              D                 A     Bm7/A    A
And if our love was just a circus you'd be a clown by now

Chorus                      
               Am7          Am                  Em/G    
Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did 
                Dm7                          Fmaj7   G
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid 
Am7          Am          Em/G
I'm still standing after all this time 
                 Dm7                         E7
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind 
          Am         Dm7        E
I'm still standing...yeah yeah yeah!
          Am         Dm7        E7    F/E - G/E
I'm still standing...yeah yeah yeah!

Am                               Em/G

I'm still standing better than I ever did,

               Dm7                           Fmaj7

lookin' like a true survivor, feelin' like a little kid.

      Am                     Em/G

And I'm still standin' after all this time

Dm7 E
pickin' up the pieces of my life without you on my mind.
Am Dm7 E7
I'm still standing... yeah, yeah, yeah
Am Dm7 E7 F/E G/E Am
I'm still standing... yeah, yeah, yeah.

Intro Chords

L.H. / R.H.

Am = A/ACE
Dm = A/ADF
E/A = A/G#BE
F/A = A/ACF
G/A = A/BDG

Verse Chords

L.H. / R.H.

A = A/EAC#

D/A = A/F#AD

E/A = A/EG#B

Bm7/A = A/BDF#

E = E/EG#B

F#m = F#/C#F#A

D = D/DF#A

Chorus Chords

Am = AA/ACE

Em/G = GG/GBE

Dm7 = DD/ACF

Fmaj7 = FF/FACE

G = GG/BDG

Am = AA/ACE

E = EE/G#BE

E7 = EE/DG#B

F/E = EE/G#BE

G/E = EE/BDG

Am = AA/ACEA

Have fun!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Everybody Loves A Lover: Doris Day

2017-09-30T15:38:00.002-07:00

Everybody Loves A Lover

Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous quote, "All mankind loves a lover," Adler and Ross wrote their No. 1 hit for Doris Day in 1958. The Shirelles came out with their very successful recording in 1962.

Key: G
Time: 4/4
Songwriters: Richard Adler and Robert Allen
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Charlie Deitcher Prod Inc

Intro:

There's a bass walk up that you do a few times, It's D-F#-G. Then with the right hand, you play a cool grace note first, F# to E-G, then B-D, then C-E to B-D.

Chorus:

F# G G# D7 G#

Everybody loves a lover

D7 G
I'm a lover, everybody loves me

G#dim D
Anyhow, that's how I feel

A7 D D7 F#
Wow, I feel just like a Pollyanna

G G# D7 G#

I should worry, not for nothin

D7 G Gmaj7 G7
Everybody loves me, yes they do

C G
And I love everybody

G#dim D7 G F# G
Since I fell in love with you

Who's the most popular personality
I can't help thinkin' it's no one else but me
Gee, I feel just about ten feet tall, havin' a ball
Guess ya might call me a Pollyanna

Everybody loves a lover

Everybody loves a lover
I'm a lover, everybody loves me
Anyhow, that's how I feel
Wow, I feel just like a Pollyanna

I should worry, not for nothin
Everybody loves me, yes they do
And I love everybody
Since I fell in love with
Fell in love with
Fell in love with you

The outro is the same as the Intro.

The G#dim chord will look like this: G#/FBD

The single hit, Everybody Loves A Lover is available on Amazon... Along with The Shirelles.

A free ukelele chord chart to the song can be found, here. Guitar chords in Key of D, here.

A fun way to get those fingers flying, besides practicing your scales, is a nice resource called Hanon Exercises.

Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

How To Improve Your Piano Playing

2017-08-17T17:57:00.001-07:00

Dear Musicians,

I think if you're like most musicians, you're probably struggling to learn music theory. I'm talking about how melodies, songs, and chords are formed. Especially, how to use music theory to your advantage when it comes to playing piano by ear. Maybe you've wrestled with self-help books, "how-to" videos, and music training manuals - or you are taking piano lessons and getting a little stuck.

Having taught over 200+ students, I know learning the piano is not an easy task. It requires a great level of understanding, application, and commitment. I believe a musician can always seek to learn new things, like an unused chord progression and explore different genres of music.

With over 20+ years of teaching piano, I have helped students with sight reading. It means having the ability to read songs from sheet music. This is a wonderful skill to have and more importantly is knowing the theory behind what you are playing. When you improvise, you'll be adding style with chords.

My sight readers love to memorize songs, and that's a good thing. Another approach is simply recognizing why chords are played at certain points in a song. It's so important to play what you feel.

Playing Piano By Ear (Advantages)

Being able to instantly recognize chords that are played in songs even without being at a piano.
Not required to memorize chord progressions (pattern of chords played one after the other) because understanding them will automatically incline you to know what chord to play next.
Will allow you to use the same methods to play virtually any song you want.

How Does This Help You?

You are able to learn songs faster and easier because you understand why chords are played at certain points in a song.
Allows you to improvise and add your own "flavor" to the song. This is especially advantageous when playing in a church as you can never predict how long a song will be sung or what key the singer might resolve to. In a band, this might be helpful if the leader simply instructs everyone to surprisingly repeat a part of the song or change the key in which the song is currently being played in.
Saves you the money and time of having to go out and buy the sheet music to a song that you've already learned how to play by using the ability of your ear to recognize melodies, chords, and progressions. However, buying the sheet music isn't a bad idea if you want to learn specific parts to songs that have high levels of complexity.

Here are some simple, easy-to-understand principles that every musician should know and utilize.

Learning How Melodies Are Constructed

It's important to understand how melodies are created. Because if you understand where melodies come from, you will be more apt to predict where the notes of the melody are going.

If you knew that a melody was being played in the Key of C, you would first assess whether this melody sounds like it is created from a major, natural minor, melodic minor, harmonic minor, blues or any other scale.
By knowing all of these scales and being able to recognize them with your ear, you can then eliminate notes that are less likely to be a part of the melody (unless they are used for other purposes, "accidental notes, leading notes.")

Here's An Example:

Know the notes of the C Major Scale
Know what notes are most likely to be played.
Know what notes are not likely to be played. You should be able to predict what notes will be played (or for that matter, what notes have already been played.)

The notes of the C Major Scale is the easiest to memorize because it's all the white notes.

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C

You'll start seeing what notes are immediately eliminated or less likely to occur throughout the sequence of the melody and what notes are most likely to be repeated.

1. Major, Minor, and Modal Scales

Major scales make up melodies and chords. With the knowledge of scales, one can use a simple technique to locate any chord. For example, If you know that a C Major Scale consists of eight notes, C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C, and that three of its notes make up a major chord, all you would have to know is which three notes out of the scale make up the chord.

2. Major, Minor, Dominant, Diminished Chords

Do you know how to form the major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords? How about sixth, ninth, eleventh or thirteenth chords? For sure, chords come from scales. There are various ways of constructing chords. The Secrets to Playing Piano by Ear course covers lessons on half step, whole step and interval relationships. Plus, Scale degree studies on "subtonic," " the subdominant," "mediant," and "dominant" scale tones.

Here are some examples:

Major Triads = Major Third + Perfect Fifth
Minor Triads = Select the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the minor scale. Add the interval of a major third on top of a minor 3rd. Lower the major third of a major chord a half step.
Major Seventh = Major Third + Minor Third + Major Third
Minor Seventh = Minor Third + Major Third + Minor Third
Dominant Seventh = Major Third + Minor Third + Minor Third

I'm excited to introduce you to the best theory book I personally have in my library, the Secrets to Playing Piano by Ear. Next time, let's explore some altered chords and more music theory.

Blessings,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

5 Casting Crowns Songs to Learn

2017-08-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

I've played a lot of songs from Casting Crowns mostly in C Major, E, F, and Ab. If you like the band and you're familiar with the melody/harmony lines, then stop by some of their songs for chord charts.

American Dream

Praise You in this Storm

Voice of Truth

Word of God Speak

Today, I'm introducing a popular song that was introduced in 2005. It is very easy to play and I like to introduce my students to this so they can practice Chord Voicings in a simple key. Here's one to work on today, Lifesong.

Lyrics and Chords: Lifesong

Words and Music by Mark Hall

Key: C

Time: 4/4 Moderately Fast

Intro

C / Am7 / G7sus / Fsus2

Empty hands held high

Am7
Such small sacrifice

F
Now joined with my life

Dm7
I sing in vain tonight

C
May the words I say

Am7
And the things I do

Gsus
Make my life song sing

F
Bring a smile to you

C G

Let my life song sing to you

Am7 F
Let my life song sing to you

I want to sign your name

G
To the end of this day

Am7 F
Knowing that my heart was true

Dm7 Fsus2
Let my life song sing to you

C / Am7 / Gsus / F(add9)

Lord, I give my life

Am7
A living sacrifice

F
To reach a world in need

Dm7
To be your hands and feet

C
May the words I say

Am7
And the things I do

Gsus
Make my life song sing
F

Bring a smile to you

C G

Let my life song sing to you

Am7 F
Let my lifesong sing to you

I want to sign your name

G
To the end of this day

Am7 F
knowing that my heart was true

Dm7 Fsus2 C
Let my lifesong sing to you

F/C C Am7 G F G Am7 Gsus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you

F C Am7 G F G Am2 Gsus
Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you

F C Am7 G F G Am7 G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you

C G

Let my life song sing to you

Am7 F
Let my life song sing to you
I want to sign your name

G
To the end of this day

Am7 F
Knowing that my heart was true

Dm7 Fsus2 C
Let my life song sing to you

Let my life song sing to you
Let my life song sing to you
I want to sign your name
To the end of this day
Lord led my heart was true
Let my life song sing to you

C / Am7 / Gsus / F(add9) / C

How To Play Lifesong

I think the song was recorded a half step higher but I found the chords to the song from Casting Crowns Songbook. Getting familiar with Chord Inversions is so necessary to the listening ear.

L.H. / R.H. Chords

C = C/GCE and C/EGC
Am7 = A/GCE and A/GCD and A/EGD
F = F/CFA and F/ACF
Dm7 = D/FACD
Gsus = G/GCD and G/CDG
G = G/GBD and G/BDG
Fsus2 = F/FGC
F(add9) = F/ACG

It's so important to know your chords! I wrote an article on how to form chords, here.

I like listening to these audio tapes for refreshing my mind on chord vocabulary and playing the chord structure on the keys. Visit, Chords 101 & 102.

All the best,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

How To Play Parking Lot

2017-07-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

In 2013 Sara Bareilles wrote a moderately fast song called Parking Lot.

“'Parking Lot' is a decidedly dark departure from the rest of the Blessed Unrest collection, as we hear Sara Bareilles sing directly to herself in a moment of frustration and desperation. The album’s recurring theme of battling creative and emotional immobility is fully present here, as Bareilles likens her current state to being stuck in a parking lot, wasting her resources without any sign of progress."

Lately, I've met some young people who have learned how to get out of the pit that they once were in. This song came to my mind. Are you familiar with this one?

Key: G
Tempo: 4/4

Parking Lot (Chords and Lyrics)

Em  C  G  G/B  C  G  C


Verse 1

 G6 Bm/F#  Em    C
It's a feeling 
              G       G/B
My hands and feet held to the floor
          C
Like I'm kneeling 
      G              C
Crawl straight to
            G6  Bm/F#
Where fate sent you
Em      C         G     G/B
Holding down the only solid ground
C          G       C        C           Bm/F#     Em 
I could find cause I don't want to try the other kind
             C      G    G/B                  C                
I don't have it yet a good sense of knowing when
       G  C         G6    Bm/F# Em
What I do should be immediate
Em           C            G      G/B            C   
But all this waiting for a sign from the other side
G               C       
For gosh sake this is
       G5 F#5 Em   Em   C    G   G/B
Just a timeline
C          G       C    G5 F#5 Em
Just a timeline


Verse 2
          Em      C        G  G/B               C
Yeah Sara stop it pick out your paralysis and unlock it
             G         C               G5 F#5 Em  
And flex the fear till it builds you a rocket
Em       C
And rise and if you fall
G  G/B               C            G        C
At least you end up between where you will be
    G5 F#5 Em      Em   C      G   G/B 
And where you will have been
C     G      C     G5 F#5
Yeah


Chorus


Cmaj7           C                Cadd2               Bm/F#      G                              
I can't keep paying for the same spot in the parking lot
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
   Cmaj7          C                Cadd2               Bm/F#      G     
Oh I just keep paying for the same spot in the parking lot
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
G
Can't stay here no not anymore


Break


Em C      G     G/B        C 
   Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh
G         C      G5 F#5 Em
Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh


Verse 3
           Em    C         
Wish I was lying 
                 G     G/B       C      
My worry circles my brain like it's dying 
         G       C          G5 F#5 Em
And that redhead vulture is well fed
    Em        C              G        G/B    C
But what that mutiny used to be is no use to me now 
G              C         G5 F#5 Em     Em     C
Tell me how it all turns out
      G   G/B       C      G      C    G5 F#5
Cause I'm not sticking around


Chorus


Cmaj7            C               Cadd2               Bm/F#      G                                
I can't keep paying for the same spot in the parking lot
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
   Cmaj7          C                Cadd2               Bm/F#      G     
Oh I just keep paying for the same spot in the parking lot
G
Can't stay here no not anymore
G
Can't stay here no not anymore


Break


Em C      G     G/B        C 
   Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh
G         C      G5 F#5 Em
Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh


Bridge


C
Can't breathe in the parking lot
C
Give me divine dissatisfaction
C
Give me the heart unsettled soul
C
Give me emotion into action
C
Cause I can't take this 

Outro


   Em    C
Anymore
      G       G/B    C       G       C
Can't breathe in the parking lot (Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh)
    G5 F#5 Em  Em
Not anymore (Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh)
C             G   G/B       C
Can't breathe in the parking lot (Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh)
G      C         G5 F#5 Em
Ooh Oh Oh Oh Ooh Wuh-Uh Oh

Hear and Play offers a wonderful learning resource, Advanced Guitar 301.

Currently, I'm reading Beth Moore's Get Out Of That Pit. It reminds me of the song.

You may be interested in playing some other songs by Sara:

Brave

Little Black Dress

All the best,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn Can't We Be friends?

2017-07-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

photo credit: 藍川芥 aikawake FILM | Happy Childhood via photopin (license)

The 1929 musical revue "The Little Show" was the showcase for this song. Since that time it has been welcomed into the world of jazz as a classic and recorded by such greats as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Art Tatum, George Shearing, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra and Frank Sinatra. ASCAP rated this song among the top hits of 1929.

"Can't We Be Friends?" (Chords and Lyrics)

Music by Kay Swift
Words by Paul James

Key: Ab
Time: 4/4 Andantino

Fm Fm/Ab G7 G7-5 G7
I took each word he said as gospel truth,
C7 Db/F C7
The way a silly little child would.
Fm Fm/Ab G7 G7-5 G7
I can't excuse it on the grounds of youth,
C7 Fm Bb Fm
I was no babe in the wild wood.
Bbm Fm/Ab
He didn't mean it,
G7-5 Fm
I should have seen it,
E6/C C7+5 F C/E Ab7/Eb
Now it's too late!

Key of F (modulation)

G7/D G7 C7 C9

I thought I'd found the man of my dreams.

F Db7 Dm7/C D/A Db7/Ab C7/G

Now it seems, this is how the story ends:

C7 Dm G9 C7

He's going to turn me down and say,

F Bb7 F Dm Dm7/C

Can't we be friends?

G9 G7 C7

I thought for once it couldn't go wrong.

F Db7 Dm7/C Dm/A Db7/Ab C7/G

Not for long! I can see the way this ends:

C7 Dm G9 C7

He's goin' to turn me down and say,

F Bb7 F Dm F7

Can't we be friends?

Bb7 C Bb9

Never again!

Bb7 F

Through with love,

Fdim7 F

Through with men!

F+ Fm6 Fm6 Eb Cm/Eb Eb7 D+

They play their game without shame, and who's to blame?

D D7 A7+5 D Gb6/Db D9/C

G7 C7

I thought I'd found a man I could trust.

F Db7 Dm7/C Dm/A Db7/Ab C7/G

What a bust! This is how the story ends:

C7 Dm G9 C7

He's going to turn me down and say,

F Bb7 F F6 F

Can't we be friends?

Rainy Night In Georgia is a popular song from the 60s. I have posted the chord progressions to Tony Joe White's piece. Also, Billy Vera's At This Moment is from the best of the 80s music!

Two great resources you may want to have and use in your music library are Jazz 101 and Jazz 201.

All the best,

-- LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Mack The Knife: Lenny Dee

2017-06-01T05:05:00.000-07:00

Mack The Knife

English words by Marc Blitzstein
Original German words by Bert Brecht
Music by Kurt Weill

Key: C Major, Modulates to Eb
Time: 4/4 Brightly

Lenny Dee has written an arrangement that is real nice. You can read more about him, here.

Mack The Knife Lyrics

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white;
Just a jack-knife has Macheath, dear,
And he keeps it out of sight!

When the shark bites with his teeth, dear,
Scarlet billows start to spread;
Fancy gloves, though, wears Macheath, dear,
So there's not a trace of red!

On the sidewalk Sunday morning
Lies a body oozing life;
Someone sneaking 'round the corner;
Is the someone Mack the Knife?

From a tugboat by the river,
A cement bag's dropping down;
The cement's just for the weight, dear;
Bet ya Mackie's back in town!

Louie Miller disappeared, dear,
After drawing out his cash,
And Macheath spends like a sailor;
Did our boy do something rash?

Suky Tawdry, Jenny Diver,
Polly Peachum, Lucy Brown;
Oh, the line forms on the right, dears,
Now that Mackie's back in town!

Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear,
And he shows them pearly white;
Just a jack-knife has Macheath, dear,
And he keeps it out of sight!

Just a jack-knife has Macheath, dear,
And he keeps it out of sight!

Here's Lisa Stansfield singing Mac The Knife on YouTube. So many artists like, Bobby Darin and Louis Armstrong has done this song. Do you have a favorite song from this era?

Mack The Knife Chords

C6 = GACE/A

G7 = GBDF/A

C = GCE/B

Ebdim = GbACEB

Dm7 = FACD/D

G7 = GBDF/B

C6 = GACE/A

repeat

G9 = FABE/E

C = GCE/C

B7 = F#ABD#/B

Bb7 = FAbBbD/Bb

modulation

Eb6 = GBbCEb/Eb

Edim = EGBbDb/C#EGC

Bb7 = FAbBbD/DFAbC

Bbaug = F#BbD/DF#AbC

Eb6 = GBbCEb/EbGBbC

Cm = GCEb/F

F#dim = F#ACEb/C

Fm = FAbC/F

Bb7 = FAbBbD/D

Eb6 = GBbCEb/C

Bb7 = FAbBbD/DFAbCEb

Bbaug = F#BbD/Ab

Eb = GBbEb/G

F#dim = F#ACEb/C

Fm = FAbC/F

E7 = EG#BD/AbCbDG

Eb = GBbEb/Eb

Eb7 = G/GBbD

Ab = Ab/EbAbC

Cb = A/EbGbBb

Bb7 = Bb/FAbBb

Eb6 = GBbCEb/GBbCEb

Enjoy playing this famous song. It has a glissando in it, along with triplets in the melody line.

Have fun jamming along with this software product from HearandPlay, Backpocket Band.

All the best,

-- LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn Love Will Keep Us Together

2017-05-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Grammy award winning songs is a huge hit from the 70s, Love Will Keep Us Together! It's pretty straight forward and you'll be jamming in no time at all!

Love Will Keep Us Together

Words & Music by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield

Key: C
Time: 4/4 Moderately

12 chords used in this song

C Gm6/Bb

Love ... love will keep us together

A7
Think of me, babe, whenever

F
Some sweet-talking	guy comes along, singing his song

Don't mess around, you got to be strong

C Caug

Just stop... cause I really love you.

C6 C7

Stop - I'll be thinking of you

F C G7sus4 C

Look in my heart and let love keep us together

C C9

You... you belong to me now

A7
ain't gonna set you free now

When those guys start hanging around, taking me down

Hear with your heart and you won't hear a sound
C Caug

Just stop... cause I really love you

C Caug

Stop - I'll be thinking of you

F C G7sus4 C

Look in my heart and let love keep us together

Whatever

Eb Bb F G# C
Young and beautiful someday your looks will be gone;

Eb Bb F G# G7sus4

When the others turn you off who'll be turning you on?

G7sus4

I will, I will, I will

C C9
I will be there to share forever

Love will keep us together

Said it before and I'll say it again, while others pretend

I need you now and I'll need you then
C6 Caug Just stop... cause I really love you C6 C7 Stop - I'll be thinking of you F C G7sus4 C Look in my heart and let love keep us together C7 Whatever

Repeat from "I will"

Here's a video of this popular song that was sung by The Captain and Tenille.

Chord Breakdown from the above chord chart with lyrics:

C = C/EGAD

Gm6/Bb = Bb/EGBbD

A7 = A/EGAC#

F = F/FAC

Fm = F/FAbC

C = C/EGC

Caug = C/EG#C

C6 = C/EAC

C7 = C/EBbC

Dm7 = D/FAC

C = C/EGBD

Gaug = G/FAbBEb

Here's a free pdf of the song in D, Love Will Keep Us Together.

All the best,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Free Chords: You Raise Me Up

2017-05-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

Many of my piano students (children and adults) love the popular song by Josh Groban.

The words and music by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham, was recorded in 2002.

You Raise Me Up

Key: Eb
Time: 4/4 Freely, with expression

Intro

Eb Eb/G Ab Bbsus Ab/C Eb/Bb Ab2
Ab(9)/C Eb/Bb Bb7sus

Verse

Eb Bbsus/Eb Eb
When I am down and oh, my soul, so weary;

Eb/G Ab Bbsus
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Bb Ab(9) Eb2/G
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Eb/Bb Bb7 Eb
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

Chorus

Cm Bb/Ab Ab Eb/G
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains

Bb/D Cm Bb/Ab Ab Eb/G
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

Bb Eb Ab(9)/C Eb/Bb Eb/Gb
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;

Ab(9) Eb/Bb Bb7sus Bb7 Eb
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Instrumental: (Key Change)

F Bb/F F F/A Bb Csus C Bb(9)/D F/C C7sus F

Chorus 2:

F Dm C/Bb Bb F/A
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;

C(9)/E Dm C/Bb Bb F/C Csus
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

C F Bb(9)/D F/C F/A
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;

Bb(9) F/C C7sus C7 F Bb/F
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Chorus 3 (Key Change)

Ebm Db/Cb Cb Gb/Bb Db(9)
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;

Ebm Db/Cb Cb Gb/Db Dbsus
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

Db Gb Cb Gb
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;

Ebm7 Gb/Db Db7sus Db7 Gb
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

(Repeat Chorus 3)

Cm G# D# Bb Db/Cb Cb Gb/Bb
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;

Db(9) Ebm Db/Cb Cb Gb/Db Dbsus
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

Db Gb Cb Gb Ebm7
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;

Gb/Db Db7sus Db7 Ebm Cb
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Gb/Db Db7 Cb(9)/Gb Gb
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You Raise Me Up Sheet Music

You Raise me Up Easy Sheet Music

Best,

-- LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

10 Love Songs for Piano

2017-02-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

A cool song, Happy Together that was sung by The Turtles in the late 60s is still a very popular one. The lyrics and chords are simple and easy to play and sing along with. Have fun with this one!

Happy Together

Words and Music by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon

Key: Em

Time: 4/4 steady, solid beat

     Em           
Imagine me and you, I do; 
                  D
I think about you day and night, 

It's only right 
                   C       
To think about the girl you love, 

and hold her tight; 
           B7
so happy together 

            Em
If I should call you up,

invest a dime 
                  D
And you say you belong to me, 

and ease my mind 
                C
Imagine how the world could be, 

so very fine; 
           B7
so happy together 
[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/t/turtles/289086.html ]
E              Bm7                E
I can't see me loving nobody but you, 
           G
for all my life 
E         
When you're with me,
Bm7                     E
baby the skies will be blue; 
           G
for all my life 

Em
Me and you, 

and you and me; 
                   D
no matter how they tossed the dice, 

it had to be 
                 C
The only one for me is you, 

and you for me; 
           B7
so happy together 

E              Bm                E
I can't see me loving nobody but you,
           G
for all my life 
E         
When you're with me,
Bm                     E
baby the skies will be blue, 
           G
for all my life 

Em
Me and you, 

and you and me;
                   D
no matter how they tossed the dice, 

it had to be 
                 C
The only one for me is you,

and you for me; 
           B7    Em
so happy together 
           B7    Em
So happy together 
           B7    Em
So happy together 
           B7     Em
How is the weather? 
           B7    Em
So happy together 
           B7    Em
So happy together 
           B7    E
So happy together

Chords in the Song

L.H. / R.H.

Em = E/BEG

D = D/ADF#

C = C/GCE

B = B/GBD#

E = E/EG#BE

Bm7 = B/DF#AC#

G = G/DGB

9 More Love Songs

Love Me Tender (Elvis)

Eternal Flame (The Bangles)

My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion) (Beginner)

My Heart Will Go On (Chords)

The Glory of Love (Peter Cetera)

Dreaming With A Broken Heart (John Mayer)

This Can't Be Love (Diana Krall)

I Left My Heart in San Francisco (Tony Bennett)

Love Said Good Bye (Godfather Part ll)

Some of the songs sound great on the guitar, too. You may be interested in, Advanced Guitar 301

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Valentine Music Worksheets and Songs

2017-02-06T15:31:00.002-08:00

With Valentine's Day approaching, if you are a piano teacher, you will want to look at a plethora of Valentine's Day Worksheets to print out for the kids. I use many of Kristin's Music Theory Worksheets with my beginner and intermediate students. Teachers Playground has so many fun resources for piano teachers, too. Many of my piano students play by ear. I wanted to share myfunpianostudio.com with you because I personally recommend the improv resources on this website. Have fun printing off many excellent resources on Kristin's beautiful website!

Here's an example from her site:

For the church musician who is gathering a song list for the days and weeks ahead in preparation for the worship team, here's one song that comes to my mind. You may be familiar with "Your Love Never Fails."

Chords and Lyrics to Your Love Never Fails

By Chris McClarney & Anthony Skinner

[INTRO]

Em   C   G   D
Em   C   G   D
Em   C   G   D
C   Em   D
C   Em   D


[VERSE]
Em           C   
Nothing can separate
G         D/F#
Even if I ran away
Em                C     G   D
Your love never fails

Em            C   
I know I still make mistakes
       G                       D/F#
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Em                C     G   D
Your love never fails


[CHORUS]

C                G                 D/F#
You stay the same through the ages
Am          G/B      C
Your love never changes
             G                     D/F#               Am
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

C       G             D/F#
And when the oceans rage
        Am           G/B    C
I don't have to be afraid
          G                     D/F#
Because I know that You love me
Am
Your love never fails

C   Em   D


[VERSE 2]

Em                        C   
The wind is strong and the water's deep
       G                        D/F#
But I'm not alone here in these open seas
      Em                C     G   D
Cause Your love never fails
Em           C   
The chasm is far too wide
G                             D/F#
I never thought I'd reach the other side
    Em                C     G   D
But Your love never fails


[BRIDGE]

         C            Em                  D
You make  all things  work together for my good.

If you remember The Righteous Brothers from the 60s, then you'll want to check out the chord progression to the song, You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'.

Looking for a jazz arrangement to Love Letters with the lovely Diana Krall? You'll find slash chords, here.

Of course, my students love, Maroon 5 She Will Be Loved and adult students like My Funny Valentine.

Do you have a favorite Heart song?

Warmly,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

What Is a Fake Book?

2017-01-24T10:38:00.002-08:00

I wanted to share this brief intro with you... It's written by Michael Esterowitz.

What Is a Fake Book?

A "fake book" is a collection of music - usually popular, traditional, ethnic and semi-classical tunes - arranged in a skeletal form providing just the melody and the symbols for the accompanying chords. (They are presented in as abbreviated form as possible, with repetitions of sections and even slight variations not written out in full.) The actual playing of the song with full accompaniment is meant to be improvised or "faked" by the performer.

For years, fake books were used mostly by professional musicians, such as cocktail pianists or those in wedding or society bands. These books were invaluable to them because the condensed manner in which music was presented allowed a lot of songs (up to 1,000 or more!) to be published in one volume. Also, sightreading a song for the first time is usually a lot easier from a fake chart than from a full piano score, the latter having many more notes to read and pages to turn. They also give "pros" the freedom to stylize a song their own way, rather than to play it as arranged in a sheet music version.

The older "pro" fake books were usually not available to the general public. They could not be sold "over the counter" in music stores because they were illegal. (Their publisher did not pay royalties or secure permission to reprint the tunes from the rightful owners; hence, they broke copyright laws designed to protect composers.) Probably because of their underground or "bootleg" status, these illegal fake books often tended to be sloppily edited, mistake-ridden and difficult to read.

In recent years, however, "legal" fake books intended for amateur and professional musicians alike have become available. Players attracted to the obvious economy of these fake books have been buying them, but unless one knows how to use them, the results will not be satisfying.

Just what does one need to know to play from a fake book? For one thing, how to read simple music notation. This ability is assumed here. Although fake books only print music in the treble clef, our musical examples of how such renditions might be carried out are written in full piano scores.

There are two other things we need to learn to play successfully from a fake book. One is how to interpret chord symbols - that is, how to actually play all the various types of chords you will run across. This is not such difficult information to learn. Music tends to be fairly logical and consistent, and a chord type in one key will work the same way in another key. There are, in addition, common chord progressions (chord "changes," in musicians' jargon) which will help us make sense of most of the music we encounter.

The other main thing we need to learn is how to make the accompaniment interesting - how to give some character to the chords and rhythms in order to add flavor and motion to our playing. Merely fingering the correct notes of each chord is often not really satisfying - the total effect may be dull and amateurish. Yet it doesn't take all the skill and dexterity of an advanced pianist to sound professional. It's amazing how pleasing the results can be using quite easy-to-play patterns.

Accompanying a Singer from a Fake Book

Almost everyone who plays the piano has had the experience of being at a party where someone wants to sing, and of being asked to performing it solo. However, the playing that sounds best when someone else is singing or playing the melody can be quite different.

Generally, the accompaniment does not double the melody, except where specifically desired for emphasis. This does not mean that you do not have to look at the melody line and only have to pay attention to the chords. It is important to be aware of the rhythmic character of the melody to support it properly. Knowing where the melody is busy and where it is not is essential in order to put fills and accents in good spots. You may wish to play a line in harmony with the melody, or one that creates a counterpoint to it. You must know where the dramatic "peaks" and "valleys" of the song are. Although an accompanist doesn't necessarily play the melody, he or she must always listen to it and anticipate where it is going.

Now you are no longer responsible for the melody, which greatly expands your possibilities. For example, you can play full block chords in the right hand over a left-hand bass line, or arpeggiated chords.

Example:

4/4 G Am7 // Bm7 C // G Am7 // Bm7 C //

L.H. / R.H.

G = G, B, D/DGBD, GBDG

Am7 = A, C, E/EACE, ACEA

Bm7 = B, D, F#/F#ADF#, BDF#AD

C = C, E, G/GCEG

And...

G = G, F#, E, D/BDG

Am7 = E, G, F#, E/CEG

Bm7 = F#, A, B/BDF#

C = E, D, C, D/CEG

Or...

G = GBDG/G, B, D, G

Am7 = ACEG/A, C, E, G

Bm7 = BDF#A/B, D, F#, A

C = CEGC/C, E, G, E

Do you have a Fake Book? Here are a few recommendations:

The Real Book: Sixth Edition

The Ultimate Fake Book (For C Instruments)

Scott The Piano Guy's Favorite Piano Fake Book

(affiliate links in this post)

Warmly,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Piano Diana Blog in Feedspot Top 40 Piano Blogs

2017-01-23T05:29:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled and honored to receive this beautiful reward!

Wow... Piano Diana has been selected by Feedspot panelist as one of the Top 40 Piano Blogs on the web! Why did I receive this award? Based on the following criteria:

Google reputation and Google search ranking
Influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites
Quality and consistency of posts.
Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review

I believe I'm 21st on the list! I hold my colleagues in high regard. I recognize many piano teachers here and visit their sites often. For more information, visit http://blog.feedspot.com/piano _blogs/

Thanks so much, Anji!

Anuj Agarwal

Founder, Feedspot
Email: anujagarwal@feedspot.com
Linkedin . Twitter

Looking back in 2016, the top 10 posts are here.

Don Moen-Arise has over 1500 views.

Here's a bit on Passing Chords.

Two of my piano students loved playing In The Mood.

Chords to Don't-leave-me-now-chords-by-supertramp. (over 3800 hits)

Finally, here are some Jazz Piano Books that I recommend.

Just in case you didn't know... You can find tons of chord charts to Christian Contemporary songs on my other blog, LadyDpiano.com

Kicking off the new year, I sincerely hope you are setting aside time to play the keys for at least 1/2 hour per day. I will be doing more ear training with my students and especially work with them on improvising. Plus, using the iPad more in their lessons will cut down printing costs. As a piano teacher, I use various method books for each individual needs. What I'm finding from the youngest to the oldest student is that they all want to play a song that they know! Is that true for you as well?

Warmly,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Lord, You Have My Heart: Delirious

2017-01-14T03:44:00.000-08:00

Lord, You Have My Heart

Words and Music by Martin Smith
Key: C#m
Time: 4/4 Worshipfully

Verse

C#m                  A
Lord you have my heart
                  E/G#   Bsus
And I will search for yours
C#m            A        B   E     B/D#
Jesus take my life and lead me on

C#m                  A
Lord you have my heart
              E/G#   Bsus
And I will search for yours
C#m           A     B      E     
Let me be to you a sacrifice


Chorus

        E       Esus  A       E/G#  B E/B B
(men)   And I will    praise you   Lord
                
(ladies)        I will praise you Lord
        E    Esus    A       E/G#     B E/B
(men)   And I will    sing of love come down
                 
(ladies)        I will sing of love come down
           E  Esus   A    E/G#   Bsus E/G
(men)   And as you    show your face
                            
(ladies)        Show your face
        B     A   E/G#    Bsus  E
(all)   We'll see your glory   here

Free pdf, here. (Key of Bm)

Other Delirious songs:

Message Of The Cross

I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Find Me In The River

You may be interested in the 300pg Piano By Ear Home Study Course

Blessings,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn Rejoice with Trembling

2017-01-05T04:26:00.000-08:00

Rejoice with Trembling

Psalm 2:11

Leviticus 9:24

Words and Music by Matt Redman

Key: G

Time: 4/4 With Joy

E Em

We could watch You from afar

D/F# G

And forever be amazed

A7/C# D
At how glorious You are

Bm7(b5) E Am
Yet You've drawn us close to You

D/F# G
Where the wonder's greater still

A7/C# D
And You overwhelm us, God

C G D/F# Bm7(b5)
And we rejoice with trembling in our hearts

C/E Am G/B
Bring You a song of reverence and love

C G D/F# Bm7(b5)
Jesus, how good, how great You are

C Am G/B
And we rejoice with trembling
C G

Before Your throne

E Am
Who could fully voice the praise

D/F# G
Of the God of endless days

A7/C# D
Tell a fraction of Your worth?

Bm7(b5) F Am
For we only see in part

D/F# G
Of the grace of who You are

A7/C# D
Just an echo, just a glimpse

C G D/F# Bm7(b5)
And we rejoice with trembling in our hearts

C/E Am G/B
Bring You a song of reverence and love

C G D/F# Bm7(b5)
Jesus, how good, how great You are

C Am G/B
And we rejoice with trembling

C G
Before Your throne

Chords Used in The Song

L.H. / R.H.

E = EBD/G#
Am = AEA/EAC
D/F# = F#/ADG
G = GDG/DGB
A7/C# = C#G/AEB
D = D/ADF#
Bm7(b5) = BFA/B

C = CG/CDE
C/E = EGC/GD
Am = A/CEB
G/B = BG/D
G = G/GBD
D/F# = F#/DAD

It's really an easy slow song to learn for beginners. I have other Matt Redman songs:

Wonderful Maker

Blessed Be Your Name

Better Is One Day

Amazing

Heart of Worship

You may be interested in this music resource Dvd, Advanced Guitar 301

Kind Regards,

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn Again I Say Rejoice

2017-01-02T07:27:00.001-08:00

To kick-off the new year, here is Israel Houghton and his new bride, Adrienne Bailon.

I hope this new year fills your heart with rejoicing in the goodness of God as you count your many blessings. Especially to be given the gift of music!

In 2004 Israel wrote this fantastic song and I remember our worship team playing it many times in 2005. I love his tenor voice and I know lots of worship leaders sing a set in the Key of E. Remember all the sharps while navigating through the chord chart.

Key: E


Chorus 1


E                   A2/C# C#m7
Rejoice in the Lord al -  ways
     Cmaj7           D
And again I say and again I say
E                   A2/C# C#m7
Rejoice in the Lord al -  ways
     Cmaj7           D
And again I say and again I say
  E
Rejoice


Verse:


E
Come bless the Lord come bless the Lord
             D       A2/C#       E
Draw near to worship Christ the Lord
                                           D     A2/C# E
And bless His name His holy name Declaring He is good


PreChorus:


Am7              Bm7
O that men would praise Him
Cmaj7             D
O that men would praise Him


Other:
(repeat Chorus, Verse, PreChorus, Chorus(2x))


Bridge:


Em11
O that men would praise His name
                                   C/D  Em11
Praise His name to the ends of the earth
Em11
O that men would praise His name
                F#7 E7sus D7sus       Bm7
Praise His name to  the   ends of the earth
Em11
O that men would praise His name.
Am9         Bm9
Again I say again I say (repeat)
 Cmaj9       Dmaj7         Am9          Bm9
Again I say, Again I say, Again I say, Again I say


Tag:

B/C#  C#m7  G/C  Am/C  G/C  D  E  B/C#  C#m7  G/C  Am7C
G/C  D  E   F#m/C#  C#m7  Cmaj7  D  E/G#  Esus/F# E  B#dim7
        rejoice         Rejoice   Rejoice
C#m7  F#m7  Cmaj7  D  Esus  E
          rejoice     Re  - joice

Artist: Israel Houghton
Copyright Credits: ©2004 Champions For Christ Music Publishing (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group) Integrity's Praise! Music Sound Of The New Breed (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.) All rights reserved. International copyright secured. CCLI song #4302823

How To Play These Chords

Cmaj7 = CEGB

Cmaj9 = CDEGB

C#m7 = C#EG#B

C# = C#FG#

D = DF#A

D7sus = CDA

Dmaj7 = DF#A

Bm7 = BDF#A

Bm9 = BDF#AC#

E = EG#B

Em11 = EGAB

Again I Say Rejoice

Words and Music by Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsay

Key: E
Time: 4/4 With Energy

            D/E
O that men would praise His name
                                   
Praise His name to the ends of the earth
   E7/G# A7                B7(#9)
O that men would praise His name
            Cmaj7         C#m7(b5)
Praise His name to  the   ends of the earth
       E7
O that men would praise His name,

                F#m7 Em7  Cmaj7             B7(#9)

Praise His name to  the   ends of the earth, oh
Em7    F#m7 Gm7 C13     B7(#9) Em7 Bm9 Am9
O that men would praise His name And a-gain
       Bm9  
I say again I say (repeat)
 Cmaj9       Dmaj7         Am9          Bm9
Again I say, Again I say, Again I say, Again I say


E                   
Rejoice in the Lord al -  ways
     
And again I say and again I say
E                   E2/G# E2(no3)/D
Rejoice in the Lord al -  ways
     Cmaj9          D6
And again I say and again I say
  E
Rejoice

You may be interested in GospelKeys 101

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn To Play Up, Up and Away

2016-12-29T17:11:00.002-08:00

This is such a cool song that was written in 1967. Here is The Fifth Dimension singing the song.


Up, Up And Away

Words and music by Jim Webb




Key: G

Time: 4/4 Moderately

Verse 1:

	G                             F 
	Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
	Bb                           Ab         
	Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
	          Db     Dbmaj7     Db7            Ebm7 
	We could float among the stars together, you and I
	     Ab9    Db    Ebm7    Db  E7 
	For we can fly    we can fly

Modulate to Key of A


Chorus:

	A          
	Up, up and away
	   D         G
	My beautiful, my beautiful
	A  G  F    A G F
	Balloon

Modulate Down to Key of G


Verse 2:

	The world's a nicer place in my beautiful balloon
	It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon
	We can sing a song and sail along the silver sky
	For we can fly    we can fly

[repeat chorus]

Modulate to Key of C


Bridge:

	C        Em                 Dm7 G7
	Suspended under a twilight canopy
	C                                     Dm7   G7
	We'll search the clouds for a star to guide us
	Eb         Gm                       Fm7   Bb7
	If by some chance you find yourself loving me
	       Gb              Ab  
	We'll find a cloud to hide us
	     G                   F   Eb
	We'll keep the moon beside   us

Modulate to G


Verse 3:

	Love is waiting there in my beautiful balloon
	Way up in the air in my beautiful balloon
	If you'll hold my hand we'll chase your dream across the sky
	For we can fly   we can fly

[repeat chorus]

Coda:

	Gadd2   Fadd2   Ebadd2
	Balloon...
	Gadd2   Fadd2   Ebadd2
	Up, up, and away			[repeat to fade]

So, here is the chord breakdown I'm sharing with you, playing blocked chords, solid chording throughout the song. Not in any order...

L.H. / R.H.

G = G/BDG
F = F/FABC
Bb = Bb/DFBbD
Ab = Ab/AbCDEb, Eb/EbAbC
Db = Db/AbDbF
Db7 = Cb/AbDbFGb
Ebm7 = Bb/BbDbFGb
Ab9 = Ab/BEbFGbAb
E7 = DbDb/DEG#D

Chorus

A = AE/AC#E
D = DD/F#AC#D
G = G/DGB
F = F/AC

Bridge

C = C/CEG, C/EGC
Em = EE/GBE
Dm7 = DD/FACD
G7 = F/BDG
Eb = Eb/GBbEb
Gm = GG/BbDG
Fm7 = FF/CEbBb, EbEb/AbCF
Bb7 = DD/AbBb, Bb/BbDAb
Gb = GbGb/GbBbDb, GbGb/AbCEb
Ab = AbAb/AbCEb
G = GG/BDG
F = FF/CFA
Eb = EbEb/BbEbG

For more information on seventh and passing chords, check out this resource:
300 Page Play By Ear Home Study Course

Enjoy the last days of 2016. Here's to an even better 2017!

-- LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Learn To Play Three Country Sad Songs

2016-11-28T15:29:00.000-08:00

I started thinking on the abundance of the best country songs we have available to us. Many folks can relate to the heartfelt lyrics. The feelings and emotions behind a song have a universal appeal.

I wanted to share a few of these sad songs... lonely tunes if you will. I also thought of a few scriptures that can encourage someone who is going through some lonely times right now.

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you: He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deut. 31:8

1. Any Time

"Any Time" is a country song written by Herbert "Happy" Lawson. The song was published in 1921 and first recorded by Emmett Miller for OKeh Records in 1924. For more information, visit here.

Listen to the song on YouTube.

Time: 4/4 Shuffle or Swing

Chords and Lyrics

A7 D7

Anytime you're feeling lonely
G7 C
Anytime you're feeling blue
F Fm C
Anytime you feel down hearted
A7 D7 G7
That will prove your love for me is true.
A7 D7
Anytime you're thinking 'bout me
G7 E7
That's the time I'll think of you
A7 D7
Anytime you say you want me back again
G7 C
That's the time I'll come back home to you.
Anytime your world is lonely
And you'll find true friends a few
Anytime you see a rainbow
That will be a sign the storm is through.
Anytime will be the right time
Anytime at all will do
Anytime you're sure you want only my love
That's the time I'll come back home to you.
--- Instrumental ---
Anytime you're thinking 'bout me
That's the time I'll think of you
Anytime you say you want me back again
That's the time I'll come back home to you...

"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." John 14:18

2. Crying in the Chapel

"Crying in the Chapel" is a song written by Artie Glenn for his son Darrell to sing. Darrell recorded it while still in high school in 1953.

Time: 4/4 (Fox Trot or Swing)

F
You saw me crying in the chapel
C
The tears I shed were tears of joy
D7
I know the meaning of contentment
Dm7 C
Now I am happy with the Lord.

F
Just a plain and simple chapel
C
Where humble people go to pray
D7
I pray the Lord that I'll grow stronger
Dm7 C
As I live from day to day.

F Fm
I've searched and I've searched
C D7
But I couldn't find
Am7
No way on earth
D7 G7
To gain peace of mind.

F
Now I'm happy in the chapel
C
Where people are of one accord
D7
We gather in the chapel
Dm7 C
Just to sing and praise the Lord.

Verse 2

F
Every sinner looks for something
C
That will put his heart at ease
D7
There is only one true answer
Dm7 C
He must get down on his knees.
F
Meet your neighbor in the chapel
C
Join with him in tears of joy.
D7
You'll know the meaning of contentment
Dm7 C
Then you'll be happy with the Lord.

F Fm
You'll search and you'll search
C D7
But you'll never find
Am7
No way on earth
D7 G7
To gain peace of mind.

F
Take your troubles in the chapel
C
Get down on your knees and pray
D7
Your burdens will be lighter
Dm7 C
And you'll surely find your way...

Jesus said: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Read more: http://www.letssingit.com/eddy-arnold-lyrics-crying-in-the-chapel-867wfs6#ixzz4RLUnruhq
LetsSingIt - Your favorite Music Community

3. Heartaches By The Number (1959)

Words and Music by Harlan Howard

For more information, visit here.

Time: 4/4

C F

Heartache number one was when you left me

Dm G7 C
I never knew that I could hurt this way

F Dm
And heartache number two was when you came back again

G7 C
You came back and never meant to stay

Chorus

F Dm

Now I've got heartaches by the number, troubles by the score

G7
Ev'ry day you love me less

C
Each day I love you more

F Dm

Yes, I've got heartaches by the number, a love that I can't win

G7
But the day that I'll stop counting

C
That's the day my world would end

Verse 2

C F

Heartache number three was when you called me

Dm G7 C
And said that you were coming back to stay

F Dm

With hopeful heart, I waited for your knock on the door

G7 C
I waited, but you must have lost your way

Chorus

"God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

Hope your Thanksgiving with family and friends was wonderful!

Blessings,

-- LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life." -- Art Blakey

Always Something There To Remind Me

2016-09-30T14:10:00.005-07:00

The song was written in 1964.
Music by Burt Bacharach
Lyrics by Hal David

Key: C Major
Time: 4/4

With Movement

C Cmaj7 C7 F Fm6

I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me,
C         Cmaj7           C7                F
And every step I take recalls how muchin love we used to be.
            

                  C        G7            C7                    F
Oh, how can I forget you, when there is always something there to
       G7  C
remind me
C7                      F        C
Always something there to remind me
C7                      F        C
Always something there to remind me
C             Cmaj7            C7               F                 Fm6
When shadows fall, I pass the small cafe where we would dance at night
C            Cmaj7           C7            F
And I can't help recalling how it felt to kiss and hold you tight

               C           G7            C7                    F
Oh, how can I forget you, when there is always something there to
       G7
remind me

C7                     F         C
Always something there to remind me


      Em7      Am7                  Fmaj7    G
I was born to love you, and I will never be free
                    C
You'll always be a part of me



If you should find you miss the sweet
And tender love we used to share
Just come back to the places where we used to go,
And I'll be there

Oh, how can I forget you, 
When there is always something there to remind me
Always something there to remind me

       Em7     Am7                 Fmaj7     G
I was born to love you, and I will never be free

                   C
You'll always be a part of me
                 C7               F              G7 C
'Cause there is always something there to remind me

Chords within the progression:

L.H. / R.H.

C = E/EGC

Cmaj7 = C/BG

C7 = C/BbEBb and C/GBbE

F = F/ACF and F/FAE

Fm6 = F/AbCD

G7 = D/DFB

Em7 = E/EGB

Am7 = A/CEA

Fmaj7 = F/FACE

G = G/FBD

The song has 3 cool verses and basically the ending repeats and fades.

Listen to the Sandie Shaw recording. You may be interested in seeing All Saints singing this very 

famous song. Listen to the horns! :-)

When Dionne Warwick sings this beautiful song, it stays with me always. It is one of the best songs 

of the 60s.

Be sure and check out, Gospel Core Essentials.

Do you have a favorite Burt Bacharach song? I think my all-time favorite is Close To You.

All the best,

LadyD

"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey

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