| This is part two of the article on the | | | | names "Piano University") challenged the |
| incredible benefits of learning piano | | | | course too, as they started their college |
| chording patterns on the piano or keyboard.6. | | | | work.9. Music theory, which once looked like |
| Knowing chords and chord progressions will | | | | a giant puzzle to you, now gradually becomes |
| give you a confidence you've never known | | | | self-evident as you understand more and more |
| before. It's exhilarating to know that you're | | | | about music and how it all works. I recall |
| no longer "tied to the written music", but | | | | taking a music theory course in college after |
| are free to soar through the musicphere | | | | playing in a small group for a few years, and |
| unhindered by traditional limitations! If | | | | it was so easy I challenged the course after |
| you've never known such a feeling you are in | | | | a couple weeks, and easily passed it. Years |
| for the musical treat of your life.7. Knowing | | | | later many of my young private students (I |
| chords and chording techniques is | | | | used to operate a teaching school for years |
| "self-feeding". That is, the more you apply | | | | names "Piano University") challenged the |
| the techniques you know, the more new | | | | course too, as they started their college |
| techniques will gradually become apparent. | | | | work.And the more you master chords and their |
| For example, once you master left-hand chords | | | | implications, the easier music theory will |
| in a "hand-over arpeggio" form, if will some | | | | become for you as well.10. You'll just |
| day occur to you that you can do the same in | | | | plain-old have FUN once you get the hang of |
| the right-hand. That will not just double | | | | it. Many of my students have no intention of |
| your potential in that area, but multiply it | | | | ever playing in public, but want to play for |
| exponentially, because you will come to see | | | | their own relaxation after work, or just for |
| opportunity after opportunity to apply those | | | | fun with the family.That's great and as it |
| arpeggios in many different ways -- from | | | | should be. Each of us has different needs and |
| "music box" sounds to "waterfalls" to | | | | different goals, so what we do with our piano |
| "flowing river of sounds" techniques and so | | | | playing is entirely up to us. |
| on.8. As you become more and more proficient | | | | |
| with chord applications, you may discover | | | | Piano playing is one of the most satisfying |
| that other musicians want to play along with | | | | hobbies you could possibly have, and the more |
| you. Many a combo, band, worship team, etc. | | | | you "do your own thing" on the piano in the |
| has been formed simply because one musician | | | | way of arranging songs using chording |
| heard another playing, and liked what they | | | | techniques, the more fun it becomes!So what |
| heard. That not only leads to friendship and | | | | are you waiting for? Jump in and enjoy |
| opportunities to play in some public forum, | | | | it!Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 |
| but also is a wonderful way to learn even | | | | music books and music educational materials |
| more new techniques from the other members of | | | | such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for kids, |
| the group! | | | | chord charts, musical software, and piano |
| | | | lesson instructional courses for adults. His |
| 9. Music theory, which once looked like a | | | | book-CD-DVD course titled To Play Chord |
| giant puzzle to you, now gradually becomes | | | | Piano In Ten Days!" has sold over 100,000 |
| self-evident as you understand more and more | | | | copies around the world. He holds advanced |
| about music and how it all works. I recall | | | | degrees from Southern Oregon University and |
| taking a music theory course in college after | | | | was the founder of Piano University in |
| playing in a small group for a few years, and | | | | Southern Oregon. He is the author of the |
| it was so easy I challenged the course after | | | | popular free 101-week online e-mail |
| a couple weeks, and easily passed it. Years | | | | newsletter titled Secrets Of Exciting Piano |
| later many of my young private students (I | | | | Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions" with |
| used to operate a teaching school for years | | | | over 70,000 current subscribers. |