The Best Thing I Ever Did!

The absolute best thing I did when God told me to start learning the piano was to get online and hunt for information on music theory. I found many different resources, but one stood out to me more than others. It was Jermaine Griggs course: Hear and Play. No matter what genre of music you play this book will help you learn basic theory that is practical. It is presented in a very easy to understand manner that will encourage you to continue. I had some previous background in music so I found it a very quick study for the first 6 chapters. Check out his website if you are serious about learning to play and really learning your craft. If you already play this will help you understand more about what you are already playing as well as be able to communicate with others like your band members.

Understanding what you are doing and why is so freeing! I remember the first time I applied the progressions I learned from this book. I was listening to the radio to a group singing a song and I sat down at my keyboard to pick out the melody. All I can say is it just clicked and I started to play a 1-6-2-5-1 and it worked!!! I am going to be posting more about scales, chords and progressions in the days to come. Do you want to take your playing to another level? Or just be able to play a hymn like you like to hear it. Then the first thing I will tell you is to learn your scales. Everything is built on them. I did not understand why I needed to learn them until I did. Remember this order: SCALES, CHORDS, PROGRESSIONS, then SONGS. The major scales are the ones you need to know first. Look here for the scales in all 12 keys. Take one scale a week and learn it in both hands. Here is a link to the major scales and their proper fingering. Please take the time to learn them because your thorough understanding depends upon you knowing them. I will be posting more theory soon. I know not everyone has a teacher, but remember that when you apply your self and pray God will give you understanding.