New Lesson Suggestion

[tm21]

This website is absolutely fantastic. What an incredible resource for piano players of all levels!!!! I'm a gold member who had to take some time away from the keys for about three or four months, and just recently came back to the site, and it has grown so much in such a short amount of time. This is amazing!!

I was going through the lessons and just had a quick suggestion I wanted to run by the rest of the forum users and Willie. I was thinking about a lesson on "How to Play Fast". I play guitar as well and have watched a ton of dvds on "shred" guitar in order to build chops and work on finger strength. I was thinking a similar thing for piano might be helpful. Perhaps Willie could break down the fundamentals of speed on the piano and provide us with some helpful exercises to get our technique up and then maybe he could show us some fast, cool-sounding runs/licks that we could work into our playing. I've been through the Hanon exercises, and they are helpful, but not really musical. They don't seem as exciting or interesting compared to what Willie himself could potentially offer us. What do you guys think? Are there any other velocity-challenged players out there?

[leadbird]

Excellent idea. I struggle myself being accurate when playing fast. Some guides on fast playing, technique and finger strength(if that matters?) I feel that my fingers are too weak, but maybe it just lack of technique?

[donnapalmari]

I definitely would be interested in a lesson on speed. I once had a teacher that told me to just look at the piano key I wanted to stop on and get there as fast as possible. Didn't work so well for me. I would love some insight on the subject.

[jazzcat]

How about lessons on introductions and endings? These are especially challenging when playing with others -- especially intros.

[williemyette]

Great ideas from all. OK, lessons on speed/accuracy and intros/endings

[jazzcat]

Hi Willie,

This is my first month as a member so maybe I just haven't found this yet...how about lessons dealing with playing in minor keys? So far everything I've seen has been in C or F major. Minor keys are rich in possible lesson subjects -- what are some common minor chord progressions; the various minor scales and when each can be used; the modes of the melodic minor scale; and on and on.

I'm having so much fun, and learning so much! Thanks, Willie!!

Jazzcat

[williemyette]

Hey Jazzcat, glad to have you here.

I would suggest taking a look at Summertime since it is in Aminor.

I'll be doing a series on scales & chord harmony soon. I'll probably be releasing the first lesson in that series for April's lesson.

[nickrees]

I get confused about when I should be thinking about the harmonic or melodic or natural minor. It would be very helpful if you could review when you use each of these some time

thanks a lot
Nick

[stjohn30]

Hiya Willie
Greetings from sunny Sheffield, Great Britain. I think you site is amazing!! i've learnt tons in the month i've been on here. I'm on it most evenings, so much so I think i might be getting a slight American twang to my accent!! In another post you talked about a rockpiano site? I'd love to see some Doors up there!!! or some Steely Dan. I also have a question about exercises to improve the left hand, especially on the Boogie Woogie stuff which seems very similar to the Doors type stuff. I've done the coupling exercises which are a big help but is there anything else you recomend. This would also help as I'm trying to get Ray Charles "What I Say" together and it sometimes drives me bonkers.
Keep up the good work!!!!
Mick

[williemyette]

@ stjohn30

have you tried the Funkadiddles exercises in the Funk site? those will get your fingers moving!

[nickrees]

Thanks for answering the question on minor scales during the radio show. Great information as always.

I had thought the show was on hiatus because I couldnt found anything more recent than December 2009 on this site and iTunes. Then I went to the blogtalkradio link from this site and found the January, February and March 2010 episodes although they were dated 2009.

Perhaps I am not going to the right place to get the latest radio podcasts.

[shev72]

the Preacher Chord lesson is excellent, I nice set of tricks on how to do something to fill space over a chord. As THis is a new lesson Suggestion thread, I have to say that I am looking forward to Preacher Chords 2,3, and more!

This website is amazing, I have been a gold member for a few months and Willie is able to generate useful and interesting lesson material much faster than I can consume it!

cheers,
shelby