Unlocking Piano by Ear - Intermediate Hymn Playing

Daniel welcomes students to the intermediate hymn playing course, explaining its purpose of learning to play hymns by ear without sheet music. He emphasizes that the course will build skills, confidence, and creativity to play music directly from the heart.

In this lesson, students will explore chord structures and inversions, beginning with the key of C. The lesson explains how to build a C major triad (C, E, G) and introduces the concepts of root inversion, first inversion, and second inversion. Students will learn how these inversions apply to different chords in the C scale and practice identifying major, minor, and diminished chords, including the diminished 7th.

By the end of the lesson, students will understand how to play chord inversions and recognize chords in any key, providing a solid foundation for mastering piano chord progressions.

Questions from Lesson 1

In this lesson, we delve into the foundational concepts of chord inversions and progressions, essential for developing your piano skills. We begin with a review of root, first, and second inversions across all 12 major keys, emphasizing the importance of practicing with bass octaves to enhance coordination.

You will also learn the Nashville Number System, which allows musicians to identify chord structures using numbers, making it easier to play unfamiliar songs in a studio setting.

As we explore chord progressions, we use "Amazing Grace" as a practical example, identifying the I, IV, and V chords in the key of G and demonstrating their inversions within the context of the song.

By the end of this lesson, you'll have a solid understanding of how to construct and recognize chord progressions, laying the groundwork for more complex musical concepts in future lessons. Join us as we build your confidence and proficiency in piano playing!

10-question quiz to assess understanding of chord inversions and progressions, based on the lesson content.

In Lecture 4 of the Intermediate Piano Course, we revisited chord progressions, specifically in the key of G major, with a focus on "Amazing Grace." We reinforced our understanding of the I (one), IV (four), and V (five) chords as the foundational elements of this piece. The lesson introduced the concept of leading into chords, where players can prepare for a transition by incorporating bass notes from the upcoming chord. We also explored the importance of maintaining harmonization when playing for groups, ensuring that our chords complement one another. Additionally, we discussed the E minor chord and its relationship to the G major scale, highlighting the concept of chord alterations, such as the major II (five of five) chord. The lesson concluded with an ear training exercise, demonstrating how seventh chords lead to their respective tonic chords, which can enrich our chord progressions and enhance our musical ear.

Application of Basic Chord Progressions

In Lesson 5 of the Intermediate Hand Playing Course, we emphasized the importance of enjoying the learning process, even as we progress through the material at a fast pace. Building on the previous lesson, we delved deeper into the concept of the "five of five" chord in the key of C. We started with the C major chord and explored how to identify the five of five by recognizing the major II chord, particularly useful when transposing pieces like "Amazing Grace" into different keys.

We practiced transposing "Amazing Grace" into the key of C while retaining the fundamental chord relationships (I, IV, V) to train our ears. The lesson also introduced a more upbeat gospel song, "Victory in Jesus," in the key of A flat, highlighting the use of passing chords and various inversions.

We reinforced the significance of the number system in music, focusing on chord progressions and relationships rather than letter names. The lesson concluded with a review of all seven chords in the A flat scale and an introduction to walking bass notes, encouraging students to create their own chord progressions for "Victory in Jesus." The overall goal was to enhance students' ability to play by ear, harmonize melodies, and build foundational skills for future lessons.

This lesson reinforces the importance of understanding scale numbers, chord types, and progressions, setting a strong foundation for further learning in piano playing by ear.

Learn how to hear and identify intervals between notes on a major scale.

Building on the concepts learned in the previous lesson, this session focuses on identifying and playing common hymn chord progressions. Students will explore the I-IV-V and ii-V-I progressions, learning to recognize these patterns by ear. Through practice exercises in multiple keys, students will enhance their ability to play hymns confidently and fluently without relying on sheet music.

Common Chord Progressions

This lesson dives into the process of harmonizing hymn melodies. Students will learn how to select appropriate chords that complement a melody, using the I-IV-V and ii-V-I progressions as a foundation. The instructor will demonstrate techniques for adding depth to melodies, including the use of passing chords, encouraging students to experiment with harmonization in their favorite hymns.

Harmonizing Hymn Melodies by Ear

In this session, students will take their harmonization skills to the next level by incorporating advanced harmonies and variations. The instructor will introduce seventh chords, suspended chords, and harmonic substitutions, showcasing how these elements can enhance hymn playing. Students will practice integrating these techniques into their arrangements, fostering creativity and expression in their music.

Advanced Harmonies and Variations

Focusing on the importance of rhythm and dynamics, this lesson will teach students how to add energy and expressiveness to their hymn accompaniments. The instructor will demonstrate various rhythmic patterns and dynamics to elevate the overall performance. Through guided exercises, students will learn to apply these concepts to their playing, enhancing their ability to engage an audience during worship.

Rhythm Techniques for Gospel Hymn Playing

In the final lesson of the section, students will learn to integrate all the techniques covered throughout the program into complete hymn arrangements. The instructor will guide students in creating dynamic and varied accompaniments using chord progressions, harmonization, rhythmic variations, and advanced techniques. Students will be encouraged to experiment with their unique interpretations, preparing them for real-world applications in church settings.

Integrating Rhythm and Melody for Hymn Arrangements

In this lecture, we explore advanced harmonic techniques to enhance gospel hymn arrangements, using the song "Because He Lives" as our primary example. The focus is on creating richer, more dynamic accompaniments that are suitable for solo or prelude performances. Key concepts include the introduction of the minor 2 chord (B♭ minor), how to use the Circle of Fifths to create smooth harmonic transitions, and how to incorporate passing chords and chord substitutions to add variety and color to your playing.

You’ll learn how to:

• Integrate the minor 2 (ii) chord as a passing chord to the 5 (V) chord.

• Apply the Circle of Fifths to understand harmonic relationships.

• Use F7 (the V7 of ii chord) to resolve into B♭ minor.

• Experiment with chord substitutions, such as replacing B♭ minor with G♭ major, to add creativity to your arrangements.

By the end of this lecture, you'll be able to apply advanced harmonic techniques to enrich your hymn arrangements and move beyond basic progressions, making your playing more expressive and professional.

This quiz reinforces the key concepts from Lecture 13, helping students review advanced harmonic variations, chord functions, and creative application in gospel hymn arrangements.

The focus of this lecture is on major seventh chords, which add richness and complexity to hymn harmonies. The instructor explains how seventh chords are formed by adding the seventh note of the scale to a triad and demonstrates their effect on hymns by using practical examples. Students practice replacing regular triads with seventh chords, learning how these chords can create tension and lead to resolutions, enhancing the overall emotional depth of the music.

This quiz reinforces the concepts taught in Lecture 14, helping students review how and when to use major 7th chords in their hymn playing.

In this session, students learn about suspended chords, which replace the third of a chord with the second or fourth note of the scale. The instructor explains how "sus" chords create a sense of anticipation or unresolved tension, and students practice using them within hymns to add a touch of drama. Through exercises, students experiment with replacing regular chords with suspended chords and resolving them back, focusing on enhancing expression within the hymns.

This quiz will help reinforce the key concepts of suspension chords and how they are used in piano playing.

The topic of this lecture is harmonic substitution, a technique for replacing standard chords with alternative ones that share some notes but offer a different harmonic color. The instructor demonstrates how substituting chords, like replacing a G major (V) with a B minor (iii), can add unexpected twists to the harmonies. Students practice applying harmonic substitutions to create variations, learning how different substitutions affect the mood and character of the hymn.

Incorporating Harmonic Variations into Your Playing

This lesson explores modulation, which is the technique of changing keys within a hymn to add variety and contrast. Students learn about common modulations, such as moving from the tonic to the dominant key or to the relative minor, and practice using pivot chords for smooth transitions. The instructor guides students through exercises to modulate between keys, emphasizing how modulation can enhance the emotional impact of a performance.

Modulating Between Major Keys

The final lecture focuses on the importance of intros and endings, which frame hymns and give performances a polished and professional feel. Students learn how to create simple chordal intros, melodic intros, and various types of endings, including cadences and tag endings. The instructor demonstrates how to combine these elements for a cohesive performance, and students practice creating seamless transitions from the intro to the hymn and from the hymn to the ending.

This quiz tests key concepts about creating effective introductions and endings, helping to ensure understanding of the techniques covered in the lecture.

This lesson focuses on how rhythmic variations can transform a hymn's feel and flow. The instructor covers techniques like syncopation, arpeggiation, and altering note values to add energy and interest to familiar hymns. Students learn to shift rhythmic emphasis, break chords into arpeggios, and experiment with note lengths to create more dynamic and engaging accompaniments. Exercises encourage applying these variations to enhance the hymn’s character without overpowering the melody.

This quiz helps reinforce the key concepts learned about incorporating rhythmic variations into hymn playing.

This session introduces passing chords as a tool for creating smoother transitions between main chords in a hymn. The instructor explains how passing chords bridge the gap between two main chords, adding harmonic interest and fluidity. Students practice identifying opportunities to use passing chords, choose appropriate ones, and experiment with adding them to both hands to enhance overall harmony. Emphasis is placed on finding the right balance so passing chords feel like a natural part of the progression.

In this lecture, students learn how to add expressiveness to hymn melodies using grace notes and passing tones. The instructor demonstrates how grace notes provide quick, ornamental flourishes, while passing tones smooth out transitions between main notes. Students practice incorporating these elements into hymns to create more intricate and expressive melodies, focusing on subtle, tasteful embellishments that enhance without overwhelming the original tune.

Embellishing Melodies and Using Grace Notes

This lesson explores how to incorporate arpeggios into hymn accompaniment to add depth and texture. The instructor breaks down different arpeggio patterns, such as ascending, descending, and mixed patterns, showing how each can affect the mood and flow of a hymn. Students practice balancing arpeggios with the melody, ensuring they support rather than overshadow the main tune. Exercises encourage experimenting with various patterns to find the most effective combinations for different hymns.

This quiz is designed to test your understanding of how to use arpeggios in hymn playing, including technical execution, timing, and the purpose behind adding arpeggios to enhance musical arrangements.

This session introduces the lively, rhythmic style of Southern Gospel hymn playing. Students learn about key characteristics of the style, including rhythmic drive, embellishments like grace notes and octave jumps, and rich harmonies with extended chords. The instructor explains how to incorporate rhythmic patterns such as the 'boom-chick' and syncopated 'backbeat,' as well as how to add common embellishments to make hymns more energetic and expressive. Exercises focus on applying these techniques to create joyful, dynamic performances.

This quiz will help reinforce the "keys" of Southern Gospel piano playing!

In this lecture, students dive into the use of extended chords, such as sixths, sevenths, and ninths, to add depth and richness to hymns. The instructor demonstrates how to build these chords and apply them in simple progressions, showing how they can enhance the overall sound of the hymn. Students practice incorporating extended harmonies into their playing, focusing on creating a full, expressive sound that adds emotional impact without complicating the melody.