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Kingsley B-Nkrumah

This course introduces you to the piano/keyboard with a unique tried and tested approach. If you are a performer, singer, or songwriter looking to learn to use the piano to enhance your craft then you are at the right place. If you have no prior knowledge of the keyboard but want to learn to perform on the keyboard and accompany yourself or other singers on the piano then this is definitely the right course for you.

You will learn to play common piano chords and progressions and easy systems needed.

Read more

This course introduces you to the piano/keyboard with a unique tried and tested approach. If you are a performer, singer, or songwriter looking to learn to use the piano to enhance your craft then you are at the right place. If you have no prior knowledge of the keyboard but want to learn to perform on the keyboard and accompany yourself or other singers on the piano then this is definitely the right course for you.

You will learn to play common piano chords and progressions and easy systems needed.

With the knowledge obtained from this course, you will be well-equipped to play in different music styles. e.g. Gospel, Rock, Pop, RnB, Jazz, Salsa, etc.

Imagine being able to play all your favorite songs without the need to read sheet music. Now you can easily achieve this within weeks not years and without wasting money, time, and effort on traditional Piano Lessons.

High-Definition Videos and Digital Piano Display

With an overhead camera and light-activated piano roll, you can easily see what fingers are used as well as the exact notes that are being played.

The course is divided into 9 easy to follow sections:

  1. Conquering the Foundations

  2. Common Chord Progressions for Performers, Singers and Song Writers

  3. Find songs online and Play with Ease.

  4. Chord Inversions (Singer/Writer's Favorite Tool)

  5. Rhythms You need to make the song pop

  6. Basic Harmony for Performers, Singers and Song Writers

  7. Embellish your sound.

  8. Passing Chords and Transitions

  9. Creating Chord Progressions

  10. Find Chord Progressions for your songs

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Course Overview
CONQUERING THE FOUNDATIONS - Skip Familiar Topics (BONUS)
Only 12 notes on the Keyboard
Read more
The most important Scale (Major Scale)
Major Scale Fingerings
Tip From Kingsley
Major Intervals
What are Chords?
The Major Chords
Minor Chords Explained
Practice with major and minor Chords
Diminished Chords Explained
Augmented Chords explained
Common Time Signatures
Basic Rhythms
Slash chords and their Applications
Finding your chord numbers in All Keys (AMAZING TRICK)
Using the Sustain Pedal
COMMON CHORD PROGRESSIONS FOR SONG WRITERS AND SINGERS
1 - 5 - 6 - 4
1 - 5 - 2 - 4
1 - 2 - 6 - 4
6 - 4 - 1 - 5
6 - 4 - 2 - 5
6 - 1 - 5 - 4
FIND SONGS ONLINE AND PLAY WITH EASE
How to search songs online for free
Reading Song Sheets
Reading Chord Charts
CHORD INVERSIONS (SINGER / WRITER's FAVOURITE TOOL)
What are chord inversions?
Smooth Voice Leading
Melodic Sounding Progressions
RHYTHMS YOU NEED TO MAKE THE SONG POP
High Octave 8th note Rhythm
6/8 Percussive Piano Rhythm
2-1 Notes Split
Quarter Note Shuffle
Quarter Note Shuffle with 1 note displaced
BASIC HARMONY FOR SINGERS AND WRITERS
3rd Harmonies (Duet)
6th Harmonies (Duet)
Triad Harmonies and the Power of inversions
RIGHT & LEFT HAND PATTERNS (EXPAND THE SOUND)
1-2-3-2 Right Hand Pattern
3-1-2-1 Right Hand Pattern
Ascending and Descending Right Hand Arpeggios
1-5-1 Left Hand Pattern
1-5-2 Left Hand Pattern
1-5-1-2-3 Left Hand Pattern
The Moving Left Hand Pattern
6-8 LH Up RH Down Pattern
SUSPENDED & ADD2 CHORDS (BONUS)
Sus2 & Sus4 Chords Explained
Practice Cycle with Add2, Sus2 & Sus4 Chords
Let’s expand our sound with Add2, Sus2 and Sus4 Chords
EMBELLISH YOUR SOUND (BONUS)
Sus2 Trill
1-2-3 Fill (Targeting the 3rd)
5-4-3 Fill (Targeting the 3rd)
Sus4 to the Major
6th Harmonic Fills- 1-7-5-3
6th Harmonic Fills - 4-3-1-6
PASSING CHORDS & TRANSITIONS
The 4th Below technique
Diminished Passing Chords
6-7-1 Transition
2-3-4 Transition
4-3-2 Transition
4/5 - 1 Transition
CREATING CHORD PROGRESSIONS
1 - x - x - 4
6 - x - x - (4 or 5 or 3)
FINDING CHORD PROGRESSIONS FOR YOUR SONGS
Finding the melody on the keyboard
3rd or 5th below Concept
Using transitions and loop chords
CONGRATULATIONS
Well done for completing this Course!

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Piano for Performers, Singers & Song Writers with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Solidify your understanding of music theory fundamentals to better grasp chord progressions and harmony concepts taught in the course.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review scales, chords, and key signatures.
  • Practice identifying intervals and rhythms.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition
Use this book to provide background knowledge on music theory.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on scales and chords.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course
Supplement the course with a structured piano method book to reinforce fundamental skills and provide additional practice material.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Work through the first few chapters of the book.
  • Focus on exercises that reinforce concepts from the course.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Chord Progression Practice
Reinforce your ability to play common chord progressions by practicing them repeatedly in different keys.
Show steps
  • Select a few common chord progressions from the course.
  • Practice playing them in all 12 keys.
  • Focus on smooth transitions between chords.
Create a Chord Chart Compilation
Deepen your understanding of chord progressions by creating a compilation of chord charts for popular songs.
Show steps
  • Find chord charts for songs you enjoy.
  • Organize the charts by key and genre.
  • Practice playing the songs using the chord charts.
Compose a Simple Song
Apply the knowledge gained in the course by composing a simple song using the chord progressions and techniques learned.
Show steps
  • Choose a chord progression from the course.
  • Write a melody over the chord progression.
  • Add a simple rhythm and accompaniment.
  • Record yourself playing the song.

Career center

Learners who complete Piano for Performers, Singers & Song Writers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Songwriter
A songwriter crafts original musical compositions, typically including both lyrics and melodies. This course is designed for songwriters looking to enhance their craft using the piano. The course content on chord progressions and creating chord progressions will provide a solid foundation for writing compelling songs. Learning to play common piano chords and progressions and easy systems will be invaluable for composing original music, and the section on finding chord progressions for songs will also be very helpful. The course's instruction on basic harmony provides another avenue for songwriters to add depth and complexity to their musical ideas. A songwriter who wants to learn to use the piano to enhance their craft should take this course.
Accompanist
An accompanist provides musical support for soloists or groups, typically on piano or keyboard. This course is designed for singers looking to learn to use the piano to enhance their craft. This course will equip you with basic piano skills and the ability to play common piano chords, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the keyboard but want to learn to perform on the keyboard and accompany yourself or other singers on the piano. The practical focus on chord progressions and accompanying techniques will enable accompanists to provide effective and supportive musical accompaniment. Learning to play common piano chords and progressions will be invaluable for providing support to singers.
Music Producer
A music producer oversees the recording and production of a song or album; they're often involved in the arrangement, instrumentation, and overall sound. This course is designed for musicians who want to learn to use the piano to enhance their craft. The course explores common piano chords and progressions, which may be useful for experimenting with different musical ideas and arrangements. The sections on rhythms, transitions, and embellishments offer techniques to enhance the musical texture. A music producer who wishes to use the piano to enhance their craft should consider this course.
Jingle Writer
A jingle writer creates catchy and memorable musical pieces for advertising or promotional purposes. This course is designed for songwriters looking to enhance their craft using the piano. If you want to learn to use the piano to enhance your craft then you are at the right place, especially when generating short, attention-grabbing tunes. The lessons on chord progressions, rhythms, and transitions will allow one to create effective jingles that capture the attention of listeners. A jingle writer who wants to enhance their piano skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Pianist
A pianist plays the piano as a soloist, in ensembles, or as an accompanist. This course introduces you to the piano or keyboard with a unique, tried and tested approach, and can help build a foundation in playing various musical styles. The instruction on rhythms, transitions, and embellishments can add depth and interest to piano performances. The approach of learning to play without the need to read sheet music is a method that may be helpful for some pianists. A pianist who wants to learn how to perform on the keyboard should consider this course.
Arranger
An arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different instruments, voices, or ensembles, often re-harmonizing or re-voicing the music. This course is designed for songwriters looking to enhance their craft using the piano. The exploration of chord progressions, inversions, and harmonic techniques may provide arrangers with the tools to create interesting and effective arrangements. This course, where you will learn to play common piano chords and progressions and easy systems, will enable arrangers to adapt music for piano or keyboard effectively. An arranger who wants to enhance their piano skills may find this course helpful.
Music Teacher
A music teacher educates students on musical concepts, techniques, and appreciation, often specializing in a particular instrument or vocal style. This course may be useful for music teachers who want to expand their own skills on the piano. With the knowledge obtained from this course, you will be well-equipped to play in different music styles. e.g. Gospel, Rock, Pop, RnB, Jazz, and Salsa. The course's instruction on chord inversions, rhythms, and basic harmony provide a foundation for teaching these concepts to students. A music teacher who wants to expand their piano skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Musical Director
A musical director is responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, show, or recording, including selecting music, rehearsing musicians, and conducting performances. This course is for performers looking to learn to use the piano to enhance their craft. The sections on chord progressions, rhythms, harmony, and transitions will give one the tools to create musical arrangements and lead ensembles effectively. The ability to find chord progressions for songs quickly and efficiently may be useful for arranging and adapting music. A musical director who wants to enhance their understanding of the piano may find this course helpful.
Session Musician
A session musician is a freelance musician who is hired to play on recordings or in live performances. In this course, you will learn to play common piano chords and progressions and easy systems needed. The course's focus on playing in different music styles, such as Gospel, Rock, Pop, RnB, Jazz, and Salsa, may be useful for a session musician who needs to play in different genres. The instruction on rhythms, transitions, and embellishments may allow session musicians to add depth and texture to their playing. A session musician who wants to expand their piano skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Choir Director
A choir director leads and trains a choir, selecting repertoire, conducting rehearsals, and leading performances. If one is a performer, this course can enable one to enhance their craft using the piano, which may be useful for choir directors who accompany their choirs or create arrangements. The instruction on chord progressions and basic harmony may allow choir directors to develop interesting and supportive accompaniments. A choir director who wants to enhance their piano skills may find this course helpful.
Music Therapist
A music therapist uses music to address clients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs, often working in healthcare or educational settings (requires a master's degree). This course may be useful for music therapists who wish to expand their understanding of piano and keyboard techniques. The exploration of different musical styles may enable music therapists to use the piano to facilitate therapeutic interventions catered to individual clients. The course's instruction on creating chord progressions may allow them to create original musical content for therapeutic purposes. A music therapist who wants to enhance their piano skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Sound Designer
A sound designer creates and manipulates audio elements for films, video games, or other media. This course may be useful for sound designers who want to create musical sound effects or arrangements using piano or keyboard. In this course, you will learn to play common piano chords and progressions which will equip you to work with different musical styles. The course's instruction on rhythms, transitions, and embellishments may allow sound designers to create interesting and engaging audio experiences. A sound designer who wants to expand their musical skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Podcaster
A podcaster creates and hosts audio programs that are available online. Some podcasters add music to their podcast production and this course on basic harmony for singers and writers, rhythms and transitions may allow a podcaster add musical depth to their broadcasts. The course's instruction on creating chord progressions may allow them to create original musical content to use for these purposes. This course may be useful for podcasters who want to create their own intro and outro music. A podcaster who wants to enhance their musical skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Multimedia Artist
A multimedia artist creates art using a variety of media, including visual, audio, and interactive elements. This course may be useful for multimedia artists who want to incorporate piano or keyboard music into their art projects. This course introduces you to the piano or keyboard with a unique tried and tested approach. If you are a performer, singer, or songwriter looking to learn to use the piano to enhance your craft then you are at the right place. The course's instruction on different musical styles may allow multimedia artists to create diverse and engaging art experiences. A multimedia artist who wants to expand their musical skills may find this course a helpful resource.
Audio Engineer
An audio engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering audio. This course may be useful for audio engineers who want to understand how to record piano or keyboard properly. This course will equip you with basic piano skills and the ability to play common piano chords, especially if you have no prior knowledge of the keyboard but want to learn to perform on the keyboard and accompany yourself or other singers on the piano. The course's exploration of different sounds will allow audio engineers to optimize recordings. An audio engineer who wants to enhance their music skills may find this course a helpful resource.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Piano for Performers, Singers & Song Writers.
Provides a clear and accessible introduction to music theory concepts. It covers topics such as scales, chords, harmony, and rhythm in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. It is particularly helpful for students who need a refresher on music theory fundamentals or who want to deepen their understanding of the subject. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

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