Minor pentatonic blues scale on A (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am often asked questions regarding various music scales, such as Major, Minor, Blues, etc.
So, I thought I would gather up some information for you. Remember this:
Scales played in the correct musical way are very exciting and rewarding James Galway - Flautist
Scale practice doesn't make playing songs better. Practicing your scales makes your scales better. Plus, your sight reading and improvisation will improve.
*How do I find time to practice?
*How can I get better at playing in different keys?
*How do I decide/recognize what the left hand chords are in a piece of music?
*How can I play and read sheet music faster?
*How do I decide on proper fingering?
The answer to these and many other piano playing questions can now be yours. Step-By-Step Piano DVD Course Helps You Become A Better Piano Player www.LearnPianoTips.com
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King
You can tremolo between the root and the b3 of the key over almost the whole blues progression.
How To Do It
In the key of F: Put you thumb on F, and your 2nd or 3rd finger on Ab. Now roll your hand back and forth between the two notes. It might seem awkward at first, but it will become more natural as you keep working at it. The key is to keep your hand relaxed. If this technique is new to you, be careful not to overdo it in the beginning. It is better to practice new techniques for a few moments frequently, rather than trying to sit down and master all at once.
Practice Trems and Fills
So, practice shaking F and Ab for 4 beats with the right hand while playing these swinging eighth notes with the left hand.
FC/, FC/
FD/, FD/
FEb/, FEb/
Another fill that you can play in the right hand, while your comping with the eighth notes above, are these r.h. single notes:
F, Ab, G then a grace note, where you slide off F# and land on GC in the r.h. That little F# is an enharmonic respelling of the b5 (Gb) in the key of C. Some people call this a crush tone.
Meanwhile, the left hand is playing this chord change:
Wikipedia says, Matt Redman is an English Christian worship leader, song-writer and author. I enjoy playing his songs and I believe Better Is One Day was written by Matt Redman in 1997. Most artists play this song in E but I've heard it in medleys starting in D and modulate to the Key of E.
VERSE 1:
E
How lovely is Your dwelling place,
AB
oh Lord Almighty
EB
My soul longs and even faints for You
E
For here my heart is satisfied,
AB
within Your presence
EB
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
CHORUS:
A
Better is one day in Your courtsB
Better is one day in Your house
A
Better is one day in Your courts
B
Than thousands elsewhere
VERSE 2:
E
One thing I ask and I would seek,
AB
to see Your beauty
EB
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
BRIDGE:
C#m7B
My heart and flesh cry out,
AB
for You the living GodC#m7BAB
Your spirit's water to my soul
C#m7B
I've tasted and I've seen,
A
come once again to me
E/G#
I will draw near to You
F#m7B
I will draw near to You
So, in the right hand, I'm playing single melody notes. Sometimes this may not be a good thing to double up and play what the singers are doing. Here it is anyways so that you can hear the notes.
E, D#, C#, E, F#, E, A, E, C# B
How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.
E, D#, C#, E, F#, E, B, B
My soul long and even faints for You.
E, D#, C#, E, E, F, E, A, G#, B
For here my heart is satisfied within Your presence.
E, D#, C#, F#, G#, B
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings.
Chorus:
G#, B, B, A
Better is one day in Your courts
G#, B, B, G#
Better is one day in Your house
G#, B, B, A/C#, B
Better is one day in Your courts Than thousands elsewhere.
Verse
Bridge
Verse
Chorus
When you change the chords just a little and add more flavor, like playing A2 or Bsus, it makes the sound fuller.
Chord Chart:
E
How lovely is Your dwelling place,
A2Bsus
oh Lord Almighty
EBsus
My soul longs and even faints for You
E
For here my heart is satisfied,
A2Bsus
within Your presence
EBsus
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
A2
Better is one day in Your courts
Bsus
Better is one day in Your house
A2
Better is one day in Your courts
Bsus
Than thousands elsewhere
E
One thing I ask and I would seek,
A2Bsus
to see Your beauty
EBsus
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
C#m7Bsus
My heart and flesh cry out,
ABsus
for You the living God
C#m7BsusABsus
Your spirit's water for my soul
C#m7Bsus
I've tasted and I've seen,
A2
come once again to me
C#m7
I will draw near to You
A2 A2/F#m
I will draw near to You
I've also played the song, Better Is One Day, in the key of D.
Key Of D:
D G A
How lovely is Your dwelling place O'Lord Almighty
D A
My soul longs and even faints for You
D G A
For here my heart is satisfied within Your presence
D A
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
G
Better is one day in Your courts
A
Better is one day in Your house
G
Better is one day in Your courts
A G
Than thousands elsewhere
D G A
One thing I ask and I would seek to see Your beauty
D A
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
D G A
One thing I ask and I would seek to see Your beauty
D A
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Bm A G A
My heart and flesh cry out for You the living God
Bm A G A
Your spirits water to my soul
Bm A G
I've tasted and I've seen come once again to me
D G A
I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You
Here's the same song, written by Matt Redman, played in the Key of G.
Chord Chart:
Intro:
GCadd9Dsus4
Verse:
GCadd9
How lovely is Your dwelling place,
Dsus4
Oh Lord Almighty
GDsus4
My soul longs and even faints for You
GCadd9
For here my heart is satisfied,
Dsus4
within Your presence
GDsus4
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/k/kutless/228563.html ]
Chorus:
Cadd9
Better is one day in Your courts
Dsus4
Better is one day in Your house
Cadd9
Better is one day in Your courts
Dsus4
Than thousands elsewhere
(X2)
Lead Break: GCadd9Dsus4
(Repeat Verse & Chorus)
Bridge:
Em7Dsus4
My heart and flesh cry out
Cadd9
To you the living God
Em7Dsus4Cadd9
Your spirit’s water to my soul
Em7Dsus4
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Cadd9
Come once again to me
Em7Dsus4Cadd9
I will draw near to you
Em7Dsus4Cadd9Dsus4
I will draw near to you
(End Chorus)
Scripture Reference: Psalm 84:10 and Psalm 42:1
Also, Sheet Music Plus has their own blog now, called Take Note
A Thousand Miles was written by Vanessa Carlton, an American singer-song writer in 2002. My piano students enjoyed playing this song, from the easy version to advanced. Let's take a look at some arrangements to the song, A Thousand Miles.
1. Chords by Joan’s Genius 2002
INTRO: CFG // CFG // AmG // AmG
(this pattern corresponds to the piano riff she plays throughout the song)
VERSE 1:
CG
Making my way downtown
FGCFGCFG
Walking fast, faces pass and I'm home bound
CG
Staring blankly ahead
FGAm
Just making my way, making my way through the crowd
[ Tab from: http://www.guitaretab.com/v/vanessa-carlton/214023.html ]BRIDGE:
AmFG
And I need you
CFG
And I miss you
AmFGF
And now I wonder
AmGAmF
If I could fall into the sky
AmGAmF
Do you think time would pass me by
AmGF
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
CFGCFGCFGAmGAmG
If I could just see you tonight
VERSE 1:
CG
It's always times like these
FGCFGCFG
When I think of you and I wonder if you ever think of me
CG
Cause everything's so wrong
FGAm
And I don't belong living in your precious memories
(repeat Bridge)
CODA:
AmG
And I, I don't want to let you know
AmF
I, I drown in your memory
AmG
I, I don't want to let this go
AmF
I, I don't....
(repeat Verse 1 & Bridge)
OUTRO:
AmGAmF
If I could fall into the sky
AmGAF
Do you think time would pass me by
AmGF
Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
CFG
If I could just see you
CFG
If I could just hold you
C
Tonight
Intro: E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D#
E5 F# B/D# F#7sus
E5 F# B/D# E5
Making my way downtown walking fast
F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D#
Faces passed and I'm home bound
E5 F# B/D# E5
Staring blankly ahead just making my way
F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5
Making my way through the crowd
E2F#7susB(9)/D#
And I need you
E2F#7susB(9)/D#
and I miss you
E2F#7susB(9)/D# E2 F#
and now I wonder....
E2 F# B/D# E2
If I could fall into the sky
F# B/D# E2
Do you think time would pass me by
F# B/D# E2
'Cause you know I'd walk thousand miles
G#m7 F# A# F# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5
If I could Just see you tonight
E5 F# B/D# E5
It's always times like these when I think of you
F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D#
And I wonder if you ever think of me
E5 F# B/D# E5
'Cause everything's so wrong
F# B/D# E5F#B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5
And I don't belong living in your Precious memories
E2F#7susB(9)/D#
And I need you
F#7susB(9)/D#
and I miss you
E2F#7susB(9)/D# E2 F#
and now I wonder....
E2 F# B/D# E2
If I could fall into the sky
F# B/D# E2
Do you think time would pass me by
F# B/D# E2
'Cause you know I'd walk thousand miles
G#m7 F# A# F# E5 F# B/D# E5
If I could Just see you tonight
G#m11 F#/A# Bmaj9F/C#
And I, I don't want to let you know
G#m11 F#/A# Bmaj9 F#/C#
I, I drown in your memory
G#m11 F#/A# Bmaj9F#/C#
I, I don't want to let this go
G#m11 F#/A# F#sus
I, I don't....
E5 F# B/D# E5
Making my way downtown walking fast
F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D#
Faces passed and I'm home bound
E5 F# B/D# E5
Staring blankly ahead just making my way
F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5 F# B/D# E5
Making my way through the crowd
E2F#7susB(9)/D#
And I need you
E2F#7susB(9)/D#
and I miss you
E2F#7susB(9)/D#E2 F#
and now I wonder....
E2F#7susB(9) D# E2
and now I wonder....
E2 F# B/D# E2
If I could fall into the sky
F# B/D# E2
Do you think time would pass me by
F# B/D# E2
'Cause you know I'd walk thousand miles
G#m7 F# A# F#
If I could Just see you
E2 F# B/D# E2
If I could fall into the sky
F# B/D# E2
Do you think time would pass me by
F# B/D# E2
'Cause you know I'd walk thousand miles
G#m7 F# A# F#
If I could Just see you
E/G# F#/A# F# E5 F# B/D# E5
If I could just hold you tonight____________
F# B/D# E5 F#/B B E5 F# B F#7sus
Verse Chords:
EB/B
F#C#/A#
D#B/F#
EB/E
EB/B
F#C/#A#
D#B/F#
EB/E
Solo Break
EB/BB
F#C#/A#A#
D#B/F#F#
EB/EE
EB/B
F#C#/A#
D#B/F#
EB/E .....
EE/EF#B
F#F#/EF#BD#
D#D#/C#F#C#
EE/EF#B
F#F#/EF#BD#
D#D#/C#F#C#
EE/EF#B
F#F#/EF#BD#
D#D#/C#F#C#
E/BF#
F#/A#
Chorus:
E/A#
F#/A#
D#/A#
E/A#
EE/A#
F#F#/A#
D#D#/A#
E/A#
F#F#/F#A#
D#D#/f#A#
EE/F#A#
G#/BF#B
A#/C#F#C#
F#/A#F#A#...
Bridge
G#G#/C#F#A#C#
A#A#/C#F#A#C#
BB/C#F#A#C#
C#C#/F#A#C#
G#G#/C#F#A#C#
A#A#/C#F#A#C#
BB/C#F#A#C#
C#C#/F#A#C#
G#G#/C#F#A#C#
A#A#/C#F#A#C#
BB/C#F#A#C#
C#C#/F#A#C#
G#G#/A#F#A#
A#A#/A#F#C#
F#F#/C#F#BC#... D.S. al Coda
Coda:
EE/EF#B
F#F#/EF#BD#
D#D#/C#F#C#
E/BF#D#
F#/A#F#A#
E/F#A#
F#/A#
D#/A#
E/A#
F#/A#
D#/A#
E/A#
F#F#/F#A#
D#D#/F#A#
EE/F#A#
G#/BF#B
A#/C#F#C#
F#F#/A#F#A#
EE/A#
F#F#/A#
D#D#/A#
EE/A#
F#F#/A#
D#D#/A#
EE/A#
F#F#/F#A#
D#D#/F#A#
EE/F#A#
G#/BF#B
A#/C#F#C#
F#/A#F#A#
G#/F#B
A#/F#C#
F#C#/F#A#
E/B... outro solo.
Hope you enjoy playing the song. If interested in buying the sheet music, visit
verse:
DAEG
Come on, oh my star is fading
DAEG
And I swerve out of control
DAEG
If I, if I'd only waited
DAEG
I'd not be stuck here in this hole.
*play intro and repeat verse*
chorus:
EG
But time is on your side
DA
It's on your side now
E7G
Not pushing you down and all around
DA
It's no cause for concern
*intro again and verse*
*chorus till end*
verse:
EbBbFsus4Ab
Come on, oh my star is fading
EbBbFsus4Ab
And I swerve out of control
EbBbFsus4Ab
If I, if I'd only waited
EbBbFAb
I'd not be stuck here in this hole.
*play intro and repeat verse*
chorus:
Fadd9Abmaj7
But time is on your side
EbBb
It's on your side now
Fadd9Abmaj7
Not pushing you down and all around
EbBb
It's no cause for concern
*intro again and verse*
*chorus till end*
What is your favorite key that you are confident to play on the keys?
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Musician Israel Houghton, winner of the Best Gospel Performance award for 'You Hold My World' poses in the press room at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
I have always enjoyed the sounds from Israel Houghton singer. Why just read through some Israel Houghton lyrics and you get a feel for his worship songs. I know you can purchase some of Israel Houghton's accompaniment cd's for the church vocalists and musicians. Have you been to an Israel Houghton concert or have some of his albums?
Just in case you missed it, here a few of my favorite Israel Houghton songs
with chord charts from previous posts:
Key: C
Verse 1:
C5
Your love is everlasting; it's an everlasting love
C5
Your mercy is as new as every rising of the sun
Bb2
And Your loving kindness,
F/A C5 F5 C5 Bb2
loving kindness is better than life
C5
Your grace is all-sufficient; it's an all-sufficient grace
C5
Your power and Your glory are forever on display
Bb2
And Your loving kindness,
F/A C5 F5 C5 Bb2
loving kindness is better than life
Chorus:
G F C G F C
Oh it's better, Oh, better than life
G F Am D7
Oh so much better, Jesus,
F Bb2 C5
Your loving kindness is better than life
Verse 2:
Fairest of ten thousand, of ten thousand you are fair
And nothing in this world could ever measure or compare
To Your loving kindness,
Your loving kindness is better than life
All Your ways are just, oh Lord, You're just in all Your ways
And I will lift my hands, oh Lord, in gratitude and praise
For Your loving kindness,
Your loving kindness is better than life
Bridge:
C Dm C/E Am Dm
Jesus, Your loving kindness is better than itself
F G
Better than life itself
Intro:
Am11 Dm11 G/A
Only You take my breath away
Am11 Dm11 G/A
Only You take my breath away
Am7 Dm11 Em7 Am7
Only You take my breath away
Dm C/E D/F#
Then You breathe new life into me
Verse:
A Em11 Bm11
Only You take my breath away
Em11 Bm11
Nobody else but You take my breath away
Em11 F#m7 Bm7
Only You, Jesus, take my breath away
Em D/F# E/G# C
Then You breathe new life into me
Chorus:
Gmaj7 Bm11
So breathe into me
Gmaj7 Bm11 C#m9
Just breathe into me
Gmaj7 Gmaj9/A
Just breathe into me
Em11
Once again
Tag:
Gmaj7 Bm11
So breathe into me
Gmaj7 Bm11 C#m9
Just breathe into me
Gmaj7 Gmaj9/A
Just breathe into me
G/A A D Em7 D/F# E2/G#
Once again (en) (en)
Intro:
Bm7(4) D2/F# Bm7(4) D2/F# Em7(4) C
N.C. C G/B D N.C. (4x)
Verse 1:
D C/D G/D
Let me be an instrument
C9 D
To exalt and to extend
C/D G/D
Jesus' name globally
C9 Em7
As the waters cover the sea
D/F# G2
Open the heavens O Lord
Am7
Pour out Your Spirit
Chorus 1:
D
Cover the earth with Your glory
Gmaj9
Cover the earth with Your glory
D/F# G2/B Bm/A A G/A
Cover the earth with the sound of heaven
D
Cover the earth with Your glory (back to verse)
Am7
Cover the earth with Your glory
D/F# G2/B D/C C Asus
Cover the earth with the sound of heaven
N.C. C G/B D N.C. C G/B
Cover the earth
Verse 2:
Let me speak what You say
Let the sound prepare the way
Kingdom come globally
As the waters cover the sea
Open the heavens O Lord
Pour out Your Spirit
Chorus 2:
D
Cover the earth with Your glory
Gmaj9
Cover the earth with Your glory
D/F# G2/B Bm/A A G/A
Cover the earth with the sound of heaven
D
All of the earth is Yours
Am7
All of the nations adore You
D/F# G2/B D/C C Asus
Cover the earth with the sound of heaven
N.C. C G/B D N.C.
Cover the earth
Bridge:
N.C. C G/B D
Open up the heavenlies
Em7 Fdim7 D/F# C G/B D
Let a new sound be released
C G/B D
As the waters cover the sea
C G/B D
Cover the earth
E E/G# AM7 B7sus B
Everything, everything, Lord, YOu are everything to me;
E E/G# AM7 A/B B E
Everything, everything, Lord, You are everything to me.
B A/C# B/D# E F#m7 B
My treasure, my pri - or- i- ty, Who can compare to You;
E/G# A E B A/C# B/D# E
Great is the measure of Your roy al ty,
F#m7 Am E EM7 E EM7
Oh Morning Star, You truly are everything.
(C)2001 Champions For Christ Publishing
Artist: Israel Houghton
Copyright Credits: W&M Israel Houghton
There's so many more great songs from this gospel artist that I will be posting soon. Do you have a favorite? Check out these iTunes, if you want.
Learn about Finale SongBook here. I'm just starting to play with this but a blogger friend and piano teacher has lots of experience with this App. Read about it here.
Are you looking for free sheet music? Here's a few for this week:
In many styles of music including Country, it is common to play the bottom note of the chord, followed by the upper notes of the chord and keep alternating between them. This is known as a broken chord style of playing.
C Chord played in the l.h. would be C then play EG together.
Once you're comfortable playing C as a broken chord, try moving between the chords C, F, and G.
I love teaching beginners, young children, and adults. I offer piano lessons for ages 3-103 and all levels from primer to advanced. We have a blast with piano games, playing duets, learning songs and theory.
I offer private and group lessons. I am a WunderKeys piano teacher for preschoolers, 3-years-old to Kindergarten. We have 2 recitals, Fall and Spring.
Thank You!
I've Been Mentioned!
Billie
“If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all.” – Billie Holiday
Have fun practicing Trems and Fills! 
and the mp3 at
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