Piano Practice Tips


 Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best.

An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Mahatma Gandhi

Here are a few simple steps to learn easy and fast ways to practice the piano. The most important step is not the amount of time spent on practicing but the quality of time (how well you use your practice time).

Remember to visit your piano everyday! A little bit of daily practice is much better than none at all!
Ready to get started?

* All of It versus Some of It
* Chunk It
* Bag It
* Chain It
* Record It and Play It Back

WHOLE VERSUS PART PRACTICE: A song may be practiced as a whole or it may be practiced in pieces. When you are first learning a song, often practicing one part is more effective. Later on, when mastering a piece, whole practice situations come into play more often. Don't try to learn a piece all at once; take it in sections and practice a section until you can do it without mistakes three times through. Then move on to the next section. Remember the value of taking a section slowly, making sure that you play all the notes correctly and that you count through difficult sections. Playing to tempo comes later when you have the notes and the rhythm right.

CHUNKING: Chunking practice is essentially "part practice" - taking chunks of a piece & working them out individually. Determine the chunks or parts to practice before combining chunks into the whole. Take chunks of a piece of music and work them out methodically. You will not get it right if you start out too fast. Slow down and work at your own pace. After you play it smoothly and evenly, then push your speed!

SANDWICH PRACTICE: This practice technique is used when one wants to definitely master a certain difficult section in a piece. One might chunk it many times in a single practice session, sandwiching it between compositions or practice segments. The chunk to be learned is reinforced over and over within a single day of practice, similar to looping. Remember that repetition is a good thing because you are working out all the mistakes. So, keep playing it over and over!

BACKWARDS CHAINING: Practice from the end to the beginning. Take the last step to the first in a progressive manner but in reverse order. Learn the last "chunk" or part of a song first, & then learn the next "chunk" followed by combining those two parts. Learn the third to the last section, and then combine the three sections. And so on. Many times music is written in an A B A Form or Verse Chorus Verse. A very valuable way of knowing whether you have learned a piece, is to learn it well enough that you can play either hand independently starting at any place in the music.

RECORD/PLAYBACK PRACTICE: One of the best ways for you to objectively hear where you are & what you need to do next is to tape-record & play back your performance. Then listen to the music just played and practice from the tape recording. You will discern what needs to come next in the practice from objectively listening to your own playing.
Learning a new piece of music is real hard work. I have shared info on how to practice playing written music and how to overcome being unable play a piece at first attempt
I listed 5 easy steps for a beginner just starting out and who is wondering how to go about practicing in a way that will make it more interesting and fun, especially when learning songs like O' Susannah and Camp Town Races! Piano practice was never meant to be boring! I hope these steps spice up and add flavor to your piano practice!







"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey
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Monday Music Quote: Pirates of the Caribbean



 Here are the chords to Pirates of the Caribbean 


Dm Bb Am Dm
Bb F C Dm
Dm Gm Am Dm
Bb Dm A A7

Dm Bb Am Dm
Bb F C Dm
Dm Gm Am Dm
Bb Dm A
Dm C Bb A
Gm A

Dm C Dm 
Dm C D

Dm C F Bb
F Am Dm Dm
Dm C F Bb
Gm Am A

Dm Bb F C 
Gm Am Am Dm 


 http://ladydpiano.blogspot.com/2011/08/circle-of-minor-keys.html



The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can’t do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man or you can’t. But pirate is in your blood, boy, so you’ll have to square with that some day. – 

Pirates of the Caribbean



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"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey
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Monday Music Quote: Irving Mills

Monday Music Quote


 It don't mean a thing If it ain't got that swing.
Irving Mills


  

When My Sugar Walks Down The Street is a 1920s jazz standard, written by Gene Austin, Jimmie McHugh and Irving Mills in 1924.

Free Piano Chords: When My Sugar Walks Down the Street
From My Big Band Songs Ever

G7        C             Cm

I know a thing or two 
G  G7    A7     Bbdim
And I'm telling you, 
G              Am7          D9
I've got a wonderful gal! 
 
D+   G  G7  C         Cm 
She's got the cutest smile, 
G  G7     C6
A million dollar style, 
A7                                  D7  Am7 D7
She's such a wonderful pal. 
B7                  Em
I just feel so happy 
D7                         G
'Cause I love her so, 
           G7       C        Cm
When she is by my side 
G  G7  C6
I'm so filled with pride, 
A7                                        D7  Am7  D7
I want the whole world to know: 
 
G            Dm6      E7     A7       
When my Sugar walks down the street, 
D7                                    G    C6       G
All the little birdies go "tweet tweet tweet!" 
                                 Gdim       D7
And in the ev'ning when the sun goes down, 
                 D+              G
It's never dark when she's around 
G              Dm6       E7         A7
She's so affectionate and I'll say this, 
D7                                       G       C6    G  G7
That when she kisses me I sure stay kissed! 
E7                                   Am  E7  Am
When my Sugar walks down the street 
                G          E7  A9  D7           G
The little birdies go "tweet tweet tweet!" 

I like my coffee sweet, 
Everything I eat 
Must have some sugar on top 

I'm telling you the truth 
I've got the sweetest tooth 
I love a sweet lollipop. 
Tell me what is sweeter 
Than a sweet, sweet kiss, 
From someone who can be 
Oh, so sweet to me, 
I want you all to know this:

When my Sugar walks down the street, 
All the little birdies go "tweet tweet tweet!" 
And in the ev'ning when the sun goes down, 
It's never dark when she's around 

She's so affectionate and I'll say this, 
That when she kisses me I sure stay kissed! 
When my Sugar walks down the street 
The little birdies go "tweet tweet tweet!" 

 x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x


 Here are some chords that I play in the song.

Bbdim = A#G/CE

Am7 = AG/CE

D9 = DF#/CE

D+ = D/CF#A#D

B7 = F#/D#AB

C6 = CE/CA 

Dm6 = FF/DAD 

E7 = EE/DG#D

A7 = A/C#GC# 

Gdim = BbBb/GC#E 

D7 = AA/F#CE

Best, 


"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey
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Ten Years Later: 9/11-11

Flowers by the Sea

 9/11 is a very personal memory for me. You see, my friend, Tom McGuinness, was the Co-Pilot on that day, the first plane to hit the tower. He and his wife & their two kids, Tommy and Jennifer went to our church. Many times I saw their smiles out in the lobby or at a friend's home fellowship group. All that changed on 9/11, as you know. They had 2 Memorial services for Tom, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast at my church. I played the keyboard, along with the worship team, as my best friend sang "God Bless America," while watching a very brave wife, Cheryl and her son & daughter, sit in the front row. 

The military were there, along with the news media and after our song, Cheryl (a very brave woman) made her way for the stage to share her thoughts to a crowd that overflowed from the church, out over the lawn, to the parking lot.  Tom's wife shared that it was a normal morning of having breakfast, sharing devotions,  hugging one another, saying goodbye with a  tender, "I love you."

You know the rest of the story. Where were you when the towers were hit? It is indeed a time for solemn reflection and prayer today. You know, everyone knew someone that was in this terrible tragedy. I thank you for listening to my story. Please say a prayer for the Mc Guinness family and for all, especially the United States of America.

 In honor of Tom McGuinness

Hopefully, you'll be able to hear us on the music file.





Download this file (right click and "save target as")
 

Irving Berlin
God Bless America lyrics

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:

God bless america
, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless america,
My home sweet home.

-- irving berlin

I think my favorite clip that touches my heart is the song from Alan Jackson. How about you?

 
Chords to God Bless The U.S.A

(Words and Music by Lee Greenwood)

Intro:  D    F#m7    Em7    A    D    F#m7    Em7    A

     D              F#m7
If tomorrow all the things were gone
    Em
I'd worked for all my life,
      C
And I had to start again
             Em              A
with just my children and my wife,
    D              F#m7
I'd thank my lucky stars
      Em7           Bm
to be livin' here today.
          Em                    C
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
         Bm                      G
And they can't take that away.

        A
And I'm proud to be an American
         G                D
Where at least I know I'm free
      A
And I won't forget the men who died
    G                  D
Who gave that right to me
             Bm       D                 G                D
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
            G                D
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
    G         A D
God bless the USA

Interlude:  F#m7    Em7    A    D    F#m7    Em7    A

         D             F#m
>From the lakes of Minnesota
       Em
To the hills of Tennessee
 C
Across the plains of Texas
     Em             A
>From sea to shining sea
     D               F#m7
>From Detroit down to Houston
    Em7          Bm
And New York to LA
             Em              C
Well there's pride in every American heart
        Bm                       G
And its time we stand and say

         A
That I'm proud to be an American
         G                D
Where at least I know I'm free
      A
And I won't forget the men who died
    G                  D
Who gave that right to me
             Bm       D                 G                D
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
            G                D
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
    G         A D
God bless the USA

        A
And I'm proud to be an American
         G                D
Where at least I know I'm free
      A
And I won't forget the men who died
    G                  D
Who gave that right to me
             Bm       D                 G                D
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
            G                D
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
    G         A D
God bless the USA

+ + + + + + + + + + + + +


God Bless The USA

by Lee Greenwood

E                                       A
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
     F#m7                             D               B7
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
    E                          Abm7
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today
           F#m7                                       C#m           A
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

Chorus
        B                                A                E
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
      B                                  A                E
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
                C#m       Abm7             A                Abm7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today
             F#m7             E                   A     B     E      
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston, from New York to LA,
Well there's pride in every American heart, 
And it's time we stand and say,

         B                                 A                E
That I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,
         B                               A                  E
And I won`t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
                C#m       Abm7            A               Abm7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today,
       F#m7                   E                   A           C#m / A
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA
        B                                 A                E
And I'm Proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,
      B                                  A                 E 
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me,
                C#m       Abm7            A                Abm7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today,
             F#m7             E                    F#m7   Abm7 A  B7  E
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God  bless  the  U  S   A 


+ + + + + + + + + + + + +


God Bless The USA (This is the key I play)

by Lee Greenwood

F                                      Bb/F
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
     Gm7                            Eb7               C7
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
   F                         Am7
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today
           Gm7                                       Dm           Bb
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

Chorus
        C/E                                Bb/D                F
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
      C/E                                 Bb/D                F
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
                Dm      F/A             Bb                Am7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you, and defend her still today
             Gm7             F/A                   Bb     Gm7/C  F      
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston, from New York to LA,
Well there's pride in every American heart, 
And it's time we stand and say,

        C/E                                 Bb/D                F
That I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,
         C/E                              Bb/D                  F
And I won`t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
               Dm      F/A           Bb               Am7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today,
       Gm7                   F/A                  Bb           Gm7/C F
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA
       C/E                                 Bb/D                F
And I'm Proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free,
      C/E                                  Bb/D                 F 
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me,
                Dm       F/A           Bb                Am7
And I'll gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today,
             Gm7            F/A                    Gm7   Am7 Bb  C7  F
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God  bless  the  U  S   A 

More music resources available:

4 Free Video Lessons

Blessings,










"Jazz washes away the dust of every day life." -- Art Blakey
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Monday Music Quote: Duke Ellington

Monday Music Quote

 "By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with." Duke Ellington

 

"Don't Get Around Much Anymore," by Bob Russell/Duke Ellington


                          C Dm7 D#dim7 C/E
Missed the Saturday Dance

                             A Bm7 Cdim7 A7/C#
Heard they crowded the floor

                 D7          G7                         C   C/E Ebdim7 Dm7 C
Couldn't bear it without you,  don't get around much anymore


Other verses the same...The bar which leads into the bridge is just two
beats each of Gm7 and then C7, then we come to:

F6          Bb9          Cmaj7         C7  C7#5  D7           F#m7b5  B7
Darling, I guess, my mind's more at ease,  but   nevertheless

Em7   Ebdim7   D7    G7
   why stir up memories?


After the last verse, end on that lovely C7#9 chord.
 
If you get a chance, head on over to my other blog. After I sent 
out a newsletter, I received many questions. Answers found for
Quartal Chords





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