January 2024 - Only Getting Better

Piano

Simple Tips to Have More Fun Playing Piano This Year!

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024by amandakaybradleyLeave a Comment

Are you stuck in a rut of boring piano practice?

Although learning a musical instrument is hard work, it doesn’t have to be boring.

There are simple ways that you can make piano practice fun.

And if you keep practice time entertaining, you’ll want to keep playing and will make more progress in the practice room.

If you think about it, piano fun actually means faster growth.

So don’t let stale practice sessions hold you back from your piano goals!

Keep reading to find simple tips you can use to ultimately become a better pianist.

Let’s get to it!

This post may contain affiliate links. As affiliates of the Amazon associate program, Modacity, Dr. Josh Wright ProPractice, Musicnotes, Playground Sessions, and Piano Marvel, I may receive a commission at no extra cost if you purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information and privacy policy. I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. Certain photos are courtesy of Canva. Although I am a nurse practitioner, I am not YOUR medical provider. The information in this post is for informational purposes only. It does NOT replace individualized health information from a qualified medical professional. Please see a qualified medical professional for individualized assistance with your health and wellness.

Play What You Love

I’m never more motivated in the practice room than when playing a piece I love.

In fact, my college piano professor always let me choose my own music to study each semester.

And I believe this was because, over her many years of teaching, she found that students were more motivated to play the pieces that spoke to them.

It doesn’t matter whether you play classical music, jazz, or pop.

You’ll always be infinitely more motivated to spend time at the keyboard if you play those pieces you just can’t get out of your head.

Try playing your favorite song.

Or the music from that video game you’ve played since you were 12.

It doesn’t matter what the music is as long as it motivates you to play.

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Classical music especially has a long tradition of very serious performances.

No one smiles.

There’s absolute silence during performances, and audience members are given “the look” if they clap too soon after the pianist has finished.

It’s like a PGA golf tournament where course officials have to hold up a sign before you’re permitted to clap, cough, or sneeze.

But the whole point of music is creative expression.

Making music is about expressing a wide range of emotions.

And if you’re no longer enjoying your piano sessions, you may need to focus on taking yourself less seriously.

Ease up on yourself!

Work toward releasing perfectionism and cultivating a more peaceful mindset.

Go back to why you started playing piano in the first place.

And look for ways you can infuse more fun into your piano playing!

Join a Band or Ensemble

Sometimes, having a special interest or passion can be very isolating.

You might find that others don’t share your enthusiasm for a specific topic and, therefore, don’t want to spend hours discussing it.

Although playing an instrument by yourself can have its rewards, it can also lead to a loss of motivation because there’s no one keeping you accountable.

But the great thing about playing an instrument is that there are other people out there who also play instruments.

Other people who are just as passionate as you.

And finding those people is one way to reignite your passion and love for the instrument.

I’ve played with several bands and ensembles and find it incredibly entertaining.

I love accompanying choirs and talented soloists because it’s a surefire way to improve my skills!

And even if you love playing classical music, you’ll find playing with a country or pop band is easier in some ways because of the repetitive chord progressions.

Regardless of the type of music you love, playing with others is a great way to infuse more fun into your piano music!

Perform More

If your practice sessions feel pointless, perhaps it’s because you need to regularly showcase your skills to others.

Certain personality types crave the attention that comes from performing.

Performing is an adrenaline rush, even for professional musicians.

And if it’s been a while since you’ve experienced the thrill of performing, it’s time to get yourself back out there!

You could put on a recital for your family.

Or decide to hone your skills for an exam.

The ABRSM exam has an online option where you record your performance and submit it for evaluation.

Joining a Facebook group is another way to regularly submit your performances.

Or find a local church that needs a piano player as a way to play in front of others.

If you look around, you’ll find many ways to incorporate performing into your musical experience.

Knowing that you have an upcoming performance can add a spark to an otherwise bland practice session!

Perform Less

Sometimes, performing too much can lead to burnout.

Although there are situations when you can choose what you will play for a performance, there are others when the music is selected for you.

You may be forced to play sheet music that you don’t really like.

And as a result, your practice routine may become incredibly dull.

If you’ve had many recent performances, it may be time to take things at your own pace for a while.

Back down from performing and focus on playing any piece of music that makes you happy.

It doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t have to play the entire piece.

Focus on playing only what makes you happy.

You might just find that your enthusiasm for practicing skyrockets!

Find a Teacher

If you aren’t having much fun in your practice sessions, it might be because you’ve reached a plateau.

You may have piano goals but are unsure how to attain them.

Getting a piano teacher can help you bring focus back to your practice sessions.

And for many people, having a sense of focus also adds an element of enjoyment to the process.

The best teachers can help you achieve your goals and infuse fun into practice sessions and playing.

Sometimes, you can find a teacher willing to give lessons on an occasional basis.

In other situations, committing to weekly piano lessons might be your best option.

Ready to find a teacher? Read this post for advice on finding the perfect teacher for you!

Commit to Practice

Practice can become boring if you don’t do it enough.

For example, relearning the same thing repeatedly because you don’t practice frequently enough is boring and unmotivating.

Regular practice puts you closer to your goals and makes the practice experience more fun.

Although the grunt work (scales, memorizing, and working with the metronome) can be tedious, the end result of playing a piece flawlessly is so worth it!

And regular practice doesn’t mean hours a day.

In fact, I make more progress with 10-20 minutes a day than I ever made with 1-2 hours.

Keep your sessions short and commit to a schedule that works for you.

Check out this post for more information on my secret weapon for efficient practice!

Save the Best for Last

The best way to get through a practice session is to save that song you’ve been longing to play for last.

Get through everything you need to play first, but always end with something you love playing.

This technique will leave you wanting to come back to the piano again tomorrow and is a reward for putting in the work.

It’s a bit like dessert at the end of the meal.

And it keeps you grounded in why you keep coming back day after day … because you love the instrument!

Find a New Genre

If playing has become dull, it’s time to branch out.

I’m not saying you have to completely abandon your repertoire.

It may be time to incorporate something new into your practice.

If you generally play classical, try incorporating some jazz into your sessions.

Or work on ear training by playing the songs you hear on the radio.

Open your mind to all the different possibilities out there and push the limits of your current musical boundaries!

Get Inspired

A couple years ago, I attended a wedding at a large hotel.

The music consisted of a 10-person band, and the music was awful.

It was way too loud and incredibly obnoxious.

But in a different part of the hotel, a musician played guitar and sang covers of all kinds of songs.

He was absolutely incredible!

Needless to say, I spent most of the night listening to him singing various songs.

The experience inspired me to incorporate more singing into my own practice sessions because I was so awed by his talent.

It also encouraged me to find ways to be more spontaneous with my playing.

Look for ways you can be inspired to stretch the limits of your musicianship.

And thanks to the internet, inspiration is everywhere!

You might be surprised at where inspiration will strike.

Teach

One of the best ways to keep your love for the piano alive is to share it with others.

And a great way to do that is through teaching others.

I’ve taught off and on through the years and find it incredibly inspiring.

Helping students through sticky spots and teaching them about practice fuels my own excitement for the instrument.

You don’t need a master’s in music to get started.

As long as you are even a little farther along in your musical journey than someone else, you can be a source of guidance.

And thanks to technology, you can even share your knowledge through online courses or lessons.

Teaching is one of the most gratifying ways to share your passion!

It’s Your Turn

I hope this post has sparked joy and given you ideas for making piano playing more fun this year!

Now is the best time to examine your routines and attitudes about practice and to find ways to infuse excitement into the process.

When it comes to learning a musical instrument, there will always be an element of hard work involved.

But there should also be fun.

After all, what’s the point if you’re not enjoying the time you spend playing?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

How are you planning to make your piano playing more fun this year?

If you love this post, check out my other fantastic piano-inspired content!

Piano

Learn These 4 Chords to Play (Almost) Any Song Ever Written!

January 18, 2024January 28, 2024by amandakaybradleyLeave a Comment

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and felt the immediate urge to play it on the piano?

Whether the song gave you a peaceful, easy feeling or was a party anthem, being able to play something you love is arguably one of the best benefits of learning an instrument!

And learning to play by ear is a great way to hone your musical creativity.

Although there are any number of places where you can easily access the sheet music for basically any song ever written, there’s something incredibly satisfying about figuring it out yourself.

Sometimes, learning a written piece of music can take away from the simple experience of playing something you love.

Luckily for you (and me!), most well-known songs follow the same basic chord progression. Learn this chord progression; you can play (almost) any song ever written!

But before we dive into the chords, let’s explore a few basic music theory concepts.

I promise to keep it VERY brief because I’m sure you can’t wait to impress your friends and family with your new-found musical improv skills!

The Backbone of Your Favorite Songs

Chords

When you break it down, all of the famous songs you hear on the radio have two basic components: melody (the part you can’t stop singing in your head) and harmony (all the rest of the music you hear that supports the melody).

Broadly speaking, the melody and harmony fit together to form chords.

The easiest way to understand chords is to think of them as a collection of notes that sound good together.

There are always exceptions to the rule (especially in jazz!), but most chords are built on a foundation of 3 notes.

The chord’s name is the first note, and the remaining two are generally a third and a fifth away from the first.

For example, an A chord would contain an A, a C#, and an E.

And a C chord would be comprised of C, E, and G.

Major and Minor

Chords can have different qualities, meaning they sound slightly different based on the individual notes they contain.

Many people think a major chord sounds “happy,” while minor chords sound “sad.”

Chords can be built on a major or minor interval, giving you the “happy” or “sad” feeling.

For example, an A major chord is built on an A and C#, a major third.

If you built the chord on an A and a C, the chord would transform into a minor chord.

The same goes for the C chord.

Combine a C, E, and G for the major.

Taking the middle note down a half step (C, E-flat, and G) results in the C minor chord.

Although the popular songs you hear on the radio have a decidedly “happy” or “sad” sound, they are generally a mix of major and minor chords.

Chord Progressions

In Western music, songs are built up of a series of repeating chords.

And the majority of pop songs have the same simple chords, repeated over and over again.

The chord progressions used most often in popular music are built on the major scale and are chords I, V, vi, and IV.

For example, in the key of C major, those chords would be C (the first tone), G (the fifth tone), a minor (the sixth tone), and F (the fourth tone).

You can play those chord tones in any key signature; however, the chords would contain different notes depending on the key signature.

If you played this chord progression in the key of G, the chords would be G (the first tone), D (the fifth tone), e minor (the sixth tone), and C (the fourth tone).

Roman numerals indicate basic chords from any given key signature in music notation.

Capitalized Roman numerals indicate a major chord, while lowercase ones indicate a minor chord.

Key Signatures

Music may be written in different key signatures depending on the singer’s vocal range.

Key signatures may also be adjusted to make it easier for the band, as lots of flats or sharps can be challenging to play.

The chords within the standard chord progression would change based on the key signature.

Chord names are based on the individual tones within a scale.

Starting with the first tone in the scale (and the name of the key signature), each subsequent tone represents a number.

Follow the notes up the scale, and you will find the correct chord for any given key signature.

Sticking with our most common progression found in pop music: I, V, vi, and IV, the chords in several common key signatures would be:

C Major: C, G, a minor, F

F Major: F, C, d minor, B-flat

G Major: G, D, e minor, C

A Major: A, E, f-sharp minor, D

B Major: B, F-sharp, g-sharp minor, E

You can play any song in any key signature if you know the chord progressions.

Songs Featuring the Most Popular Chord Progression of all Time

Now it’s time for the fun part … playing music!

This list is only a tiny sampling of all the songs based on the I, V, vi, and IV chord progression.

But if you listen closely enough, you’ll quickly be able to identify others.

Take Me Home Country Roads (John Denver)
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John)
Torn (Natalie Imbruglia)
Wannabe (Spice Girls)
Right Here Waiting (Richard Marx)
Save Tonight (Eagle Eye Cherry)
Complicated (Avril Lavigne)
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
I Remember Everything (Zach Bryan)
White Horse (Chris Stapleton)
No One (Alicia Keys)
Shivers (Ed Sheeran)
Hey Soul Sister (Train)

Tips for Success

If you’ve been playing piano by reading music, switching to playing music based on a handful of chords can take some practice.

But even beginner pianists can learn to play a recognizable version of these songs relatively quickly.

Keep it Simple

Keep it as simple as possible when you’re first starting out with playing songs based on chords.

In general, the left hand plays the harmony of the song; this is the part that supports the melody.

The easiest way to start is with 5th chords.

For example, in the key of C, start by playing a C chord consisting of a C and the note a 5th about the C, which would be a G.

After playing the C and G fifth, play a G and the note a fifth above it, which would be a D.

This note combination represents the V in the chord progression.

You would then play an A and an E, making up the vi in the progression.

Lastly, play an F and a C to finish up the progression with the IV chord.

Once you can quickly move between the chords, add your middle finger to form the 3rd note of the chord.

Sticking with our example of the progression in the key of C major:

I: C, E, G

V: G, B, D

vi: A, C, E

IV: F, A, C

Root Position vs. Inversions

You might hear the terms “root position” and “inversions.”

Root position simply means playing the chord with the name of the chord forming the bottom note and the others stacked on top.

For example, playing a C chord in the root position would mean playing the C with your left hand pinky, the E with your middle finger, and the G with your thumb.

Playing chords in root positions is always right, but sometimes, transitioning between chords in root positions can be awkward.

Adding inversions eases the line and makes it more interesting.

Inverting a chord means that a note other than the root note would be on the very bottom of the chord.

Sticking with the C major chord example, inverting the chord would mean playing a G with the pinky, C with the middle finger, and E with the thumb of the left hand.

You can also play the E on the bottom with the G and C stacked on top.

Practice playing chords in both root position and inversions to build muscle memory and to make it easier to play from a chord chart versus written music.

It’s easiest to start practicing chords in major keys and then move to playing minor keys.

Need More Help with Chords?

Playing music based on chords instead of music that has been completely written out can be confusing!

If all this talk of I and V chords, roots and inverting has you confused, don’t worry.

There are a ton of resources out there to help.

If you are a visual person, check out this colored chord chart. It’s easy to hang up by your piano and is a handy reference when you’re learning chords.

And if you’re more of a book person, this book called Playing Piano with Chords: Tunes, Chords, and Techniques in all Styles is a really helpful resource.

Lastly, if you’re confused by key signatures as well, this book is incredibly useful to have on your shelf.

What About the Melody?

If you really want to improve your ear, the best way is to spend time listening to and then playing back music.

Start simple.

If there’s a great song on the radio, start with the melody.

Listen carefully and try to figure out which note the melody starts with.

The next step is to figure out the following note.

Continue until you have worked out the entire melody.

Once you have the melody figured out, you can use your simple chord progressions with the left hand.

Some of the best songs to learn this way are the ones that use the I, V, vi, and IV chord progression repeatedly throughout the song.

Not all songs use the chord progression as faithfully throughout the song as others.

But some, including “Save Tonight” and “Right Here Waiting,” are essentially the chord progression over and over and over.

Other songs have the chord progression scattered occasionally but are also based on other chords.

It’s Your Turn

Learning to play music by ear takes time and practice.

But it’s a skill that can help round out your overall musicianship and make you a better pianist.

Hearing and playing something back on the keyboard is also incredibly rewarding!

Even if you love classical, pushing yourself in other realms is always good.

And developing a good ear can help with memorization, sight reading, and other aspects of playing the instrument.

Plus, it’s fun to learn to play your favorite Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars song on the piano!

I hope you’ve found this post useful and spend some time putting it into practice.

If you love this post, check out my other posts geared toward motivating you in the practice room and in life.

And until next time, happy practicing!

Month: January 2024

Simple Tips to Have More Fun Playing Piano This Year!

Play What You Love

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Join a Band or Ensemble

5 Day Piano Challenge

Perform More

Perform Less

Find a Teacher

Commit to Practice

Save the Best for Last

Find a New Genre

Get Inspired

Teach

It’s Your Turn

Learn These 4 Chords to Play (Almost) Any Song Ever Written!

The Backbone of Your Favorite Songs

Chords

Major and Minor

Chord Progressions

Key Signatures

5 Day Piano Challenge

Songs Featuring the Most Popular Chord Progression of all Time

Tips for Success

Keep it Simple

Root Position vs. Inversions

Need More Help with Chords?

What About the Melody?

It’s Your Turn

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