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Piano Foundation Course - Introduction

08:18

Piano Foundation Course - Introduction

Here’s an introduction to Jason Zac’s Piano course for Beginners which you can learn Virtually with detailed live lessons as well as right here on YouTube (Members Only). You will gain access to ALL lessons from the beginner Piano program for just 33$ (INR 2399) a month

1. Notes on the Piano (White)

09:08

1. Notes on the Piano (White)

Learn all the 12 Notes on the Piano which are incidentally all the 12 notes in music! We use the shape of the instrument to remember our notes for life!

2. Notes on the Piano (Black)

05:00

2. Notes on the Piano (Black)

Learn the sharps (#) and flats (b) on the Piano (Twins & Triplets)

3. Note Recognition Exercise

12:18

3. Note Recognition Exercise

* Use 4 notes and play them with octaves in both hands * Playing with a steady pulse * Doubling the Pulse with Eighth Notes

4. Rhythm Blocks

11:27

4. Rhythm Blocks

* Bars, Beats, Notes (Definition & Visualisation) * Practicing Rhythm by Clapping the Notes * Creating Percussive Grooves with “Kick” & “Snare”

5. Five Finger Drills (Part 1)

10:16

5. Five Finger Drills (Part 1)

Using both hands along with a steady pulse, we play finger exercises using all the 5 fingers. We focus on keeping steady time and also play the exercises in both the Major & Minor versions. Left Hand can change the Bass notes to create a “story” with a lot of dynamics.

6. Five Finger Drills (Part 2)

08:16

6. Five Finger Drills (Part 2)

Three more exercises to focus on different aspects of Piano technique - Thirds (alternate fingers), accents (Sets of 3) & Playing together. Our ears are also trained by singing the Melody with “Swaras”. These are also great exercises to practice away from the Piano, like on your thigh or the dining table!

7. Posture

09:17

7. Posture

* How to use all our Piano muscles effectively - Back, Core, Shoulder, Hand, Wrist & Fingers * Adjusting your stand, piano and how to sit * Proper Wrist Position

8. Playing Melodies on Multiple Scales (using Intervals)

09:43

8. Playing Melodies on Multiple Scales (using Intervals)

Using scale degrees, we can play any melody on all 12 keys. Let’s learn how to do that with all our favourite tunes!

9. Expansion-Compression Exercise

08:43

9. Expansion-Compression Exercise

Learn how to stretch your hand and get used to multiple positions using an inspiring exercise. Also, train your ear and work on a solid sense of timing with both hands. We play this exercise in both Major & Minor scales along with a steady left hand Pulse.

10. Fifth Chord Exercise (Your first chord!)

11:28

10. Fifth Chord Exercise (Your first chord!)

Build the fifth chord from using the Major scale and play it in two easy shapes. Use that shape in the Right Hand and explore a popular bass progression in the Left Hand (6 4 1 5 // 1 5 6 4). We practice this with Piano Ratios, starting with 1:4 and move on from there. We practice this exercise along with our voice singing your own improvised melody as well as familiar pop songs. We also practice on Multiple scales.

11. Hit the Road Jack (Block chords & Arpeggios)

07:30

11. Hit the Road Jack (Block chords & Arpeggios)

Use the popular “Oom-Pah” marching technique and play the Ray Charles Classic, “Hit the road jack”. Left Hand plays the bass notes and right hand plays the static minor chord. We also focus on dynamics with staccato & legato in different hands. You will also learn how to feel the music and accompany your voice with singing. We use 2 rhythm patterns at the end of the lesson - Blocks & “Swing” Arpeggios.

12. Left Hand Patterns (Root + Octave) PART 1

11:11

12. Left Hand Patterns (Root + Octave) PART 1

Using the Root & Octave of the scale, train your Left Hand with various piano rhythms which can be used along with any melody in the Right Hand - Pulse, Toggle, “We will Rock you” & Tresillo are the rhythms used in this lesson with just your Pinky playing the Root and the Thumb playing the Octave. This will grow forward in the future!

13. Tonic, Pre-Dominant and Dominant Chords

13:04

13. Tonic, Pre-Dominant and Dominant Chords

Learn the 3 “Go-to” chords in music, which can be used for almost any popular melody & rhyme. We build the Tonic, Sub Dominant & Dominant chords using the degrees of the Major Scale. These chords have different energy states or levels of stability and they take our music on an interesting journey! We conclude the lesson by playing our favourite song with both the Melody & Harmony.

14. Left Hand Patterns (Chords) PART 2

07:05

14. Left Hand Patterns (Chords) PART 2

We now use chords in the left hand with the right hand playing the Melody line. The left hand focusses on the Tonic, Sub-Dominant & Dominant chords. We use the following rhythms in this tutorial - Pulse, Ooo-Pah!, Tresillo & Arpeggios (LHMH). We also cover songs which follow 3 beats per bar (3/4), popularly known as “Waltz”

15. Accompany Your Vocals with Chords (Hand Ratios)

08:42

15. Accompany Your Vocals with Chords (Hand Ratios)

Using a simple hand ratio (1:4) we look at our first 4-chord progression, vi IV I V on the G major scale. In this step by step process, you go from a Ballad pattern to a variety of piano rhythm patterns using “Hand Ratios”

16. Basic Arpeggio Patterns

10:03

16. Basic Arpeggio Patterns

Learn how to play a variety of Arpeggio Patterns on the Piano with a lot of dynamics along with the left hand supporting with the roots of each chord. We use the chord progression Em - C - G - D

17. Percussive Grooving & following your Bandmates

07:28

17. Percussive Grooving & following your Bandmates

Using the most natural approach possible, we develop a variety of rhythm patterns using genres and grooves which we are already familiar with. Create rhythms on the body or any percussion instrument (like the Bongo) and then translate them to the Piano with chord patterns. We also use other great instruments like the Guitar & Drums and get inspired by patterns from those instruments.

1. Music Theory - The Major Scale

18:17

1. Music Theory - The Major Scale

* What is Music Theory? * Form all the 12 notes in music in a neat circle * Build the Major Scale using two intervals * Use the formula for all keys

2. Music Theory - Scale Degrees & Building Melodies

05:56

2. Music Theory - Scale Degrees & Building Melodies

* Using Scale degrees along with “Swaras” * Playing the melody on a particular scale (A major) * Transposition of a Melody * Playing the Melody with a Steady Pulse More melodies for you to work on are attached in the Theory book which can be downloaded Remember to transpose to Multiple Keys

3. Music Theory - Minor, Pentatonic & Blues Scales

08:01

3. Music Theory - Minor, Pentatonic & Blues Scales

* Natural Minor and “Flattening” * Harmonic Minor * Major Pentatonic * Minor Pentatonic * Blues Scale

4. Music Theory - Convert Major to Minor & vice-versa

05:34

4. Music Theory - Convert Major to Minor & vice-versa

* Changing from Major to Minor with Popular tunes * Accompanying in your Left Hand with the Major & Minor chord

5. Music Theory - Chord Theory

13:11

5. Music Theory - Chord Theory

* Building Triads * Classifying Triads by Emotion * General Chord Formulae

6. Music Theory - Piano Worm

02:47

6. Music Theory - Piano Worm

Use “Piano Worm” for an easy visual understanding of any scale in music. Moving further, you can also use this concept for building chords, intervals and many more scales and patterns.

7. Music Theory - Remembering Intervals (Part 1)

21:11

7. Music Theory - Remembering Intervals (Part 1)

In this lesson, you will understand all about the Theory of Intervals. Topics covered include: * How can we define Intervals? * Melodic vs Harmonic intervals * Resolutions vs Anticipations vs Tensions * How to remember the sound of intervals

8. Music Theory - Theory of Intervals (Part 2)

14:00

8. Music Theory - Theory of Intervals (Part 2)

1. Swara Variations Exercise - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

12:17

1. Swara Variations Exercise - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

In this Piano finger exercise, we take 5 notes (swaras) and use them in all their possible permutations keeping the root (Sa) & fifth (Pa) constant. In addition to the Right Hand going through the exercise ascending & descending scale, we can transpose the drill keeping the pattern (order of intervals) the same. Also, develop a thematic sound in the Left Hand with your bass notes.

2. Mixolydian Improv Exercise

14:19

2. Mixolydian Improv Exercise

Using chords from the Mixolydian Scale (VIIb IV I) we develop various improvisation techniques in the Right Hand using 3 scales - Mixolydian, Major Blues & Minor Blues scales. Essential Theory like Scale formation, Chord progressions, Plagal cadence and Inversions are also covered. We play the chords in the Left hand with an exciting rhythm pattern and use our voice and various Piano scale patterns to create inspiring music!

3. Twinkle Twinkle - Left Hand Bass

09:51

3. Twinkle Twinkle - Left Hand Bass

Using bass notes which are chord roots in the Left Hand we support the Right hand with some simple but beautiful harmony. Also, learn how to stack up the root or fifth to embellish or “thicken” the melody line.

4. Twinkle Twinkle - Left Hand Arpeggios

05:47

4. Twinkle Twinkle - Left Hand Arpeggios

Using a traditional Left hand arpeggio piano pattern, we harmonise Twinkle Twinkle using tonic, pre-dominant and dominant chords from the scale

5. Twinkle Twinkle - Melodic Chord Inversions

06:28

5. Twinkle Twinkle - Melodic Chord Inversions

Using chord inversions and always getting the melody note to ring at the top, we harmonise Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the Piano using chords in the Right Hand and Bass notes in the Left Hand

6. Left Hand Oom-Pah

10:21

6. Left Hand Oom-Pah

Learn the groovy and popular “Oom-Pah!” Left Hand Rhythm pattern on the Piano with 3 major & minor chords (I IV V). Using this pattern, you can play any jumpy melody on the Right Hand.

7. Highest Note Inversion Exercise

15:58

7. Highest Note Inversion Exercise

The highest note of a chord of a particular inversion brings out the melody line. In this exercise, we go through a simple ascending & descending scale exercise using the melody (soprano) supported by chords which are played as inversions. Explore various scales, both Major & Minor and different Melodic possibilities.

8. Pendulum Exercise

12:36

8. Pendulum Exercise

Using the notes of the Major & harmonic minor scale around the Root (tonic), we explore the pendulum “swings” on the Piano with different directions ascending & descending. Various permutations using eighth notes are covered in the lesson. The exercise is an important tool for scale fluency and especially “crossing-over” your fingers using the thumb

1. Ear Training - How to find the Scale of a Song (Part 1)

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1. Ear Training - How to find the Scale of a Song (Part 1)

In this Ear Training lesson, we look at a sure shot way to find the key and scale of a song using nothing but the song of interest and your ears, along with a pen and paper of course! Trial and Error and an adventurous approach will get you there eventually and in the long run prove to be a lot more effective than relying on someone else’s judgement! Part 1 uses “Big Country”, a great instrumental piece by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

2. Ear Training - How to find the Scale of a Song (Part 2)

11:47

2. Ear Training - How to find the Scale of a Song (Part 2)

In this Ear Training lesson, we look at a sure shot way to find the key and scale of a song using nothing but the song of interest and your ears, along with a pen and paper of course! Trial and Error and an adventurous approach will get you there eventually and in the long run prove to be a lot more effective than relying on someone else’s judgement! Part 2 uses a variety of songs to explore the key and scales!

3. Ear Training - How to FEEL time (Beat Division)

20:20

3. Ear Training - How to FEEL time (Beat Division)

Using a variety of music, we understand the proper way to feel time while listening to a song. First, we look at the all important PULSE, and then move the flowchart forward to beat divisions by 2, 3 & 4. We also understand the difference between Swing & Straight feel

4. Ear Training - How to hear Intervals

19:37

4. Ear Training - How to hear Intervals

In this lesson, we look at strategies to identify every single interval from a root. We have a specific approach for resolutions, anticipations, tensions, and “mysteries” which can help you locate these sounds in a song of your choice

5. Ear Training - Melodic Curves 1

44:26

5. Ear Training - Melodic Curves 1

In this lesson, we look at a simple idea to represent a melody using X and Y axes with a crude depiction of the pitch variations between notes. High, Low and Same are the only possibilities which can occur. This serves as a solid foundation for transcription of the entire melody using actual notes, intervals and staff notation. Wait till the end of the lecture for numerous ear training drills to fine tune your awareness of notes in the most natural way possible!

6. Ear Training - Melodic Curves 2

12:05

6. Ear Training - Melodic Curves 2

In this lesson, we develop a flow chart to melodic transcription, by looking at music in its crudest form, “Melodic Curves” and then moving step by step to interval recognition and bringing the absolute notes to the forefront with the Music Theory of Scales!

7. Ear Training - Listening to Chords - I IV V

25:26

7. Ear Training - Listening to Chords - I IV V

We play songs from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” which have a bunch of I, IV, V based progressions and learn how to find the chord changes with just our ear. After knowing the scale & key, we rely on our Theory to simplify the quest for chords to just a few simple permutations. We’ve notated the album for you in our book. Please go through after trying it out yourself!

8. Ear Training - Count Beat Div with song

16:20

8. Ear Training - Count Beat Div with song

1. Evolution, Advantages, Approaches & 3 Dimensions

18:18

1. Evolution, Advantages, Approaches & 3 Dimensions

In this lesson, we appreciate the evolution & advantages of Staff Notation in addition to the ways to study it. We also compare the process of staff notation with 3D graph theory and have a broad overview over Pitch, Time & Volume

2. Notes on the Treble Clef

24:13

2. Notes on the Treble Clef

Learn the lines, spaces including the notes above and beyond the 5 lines on the Treble Clef. Also, get introduced to an easy way to remember notes using alphabetical intervals of thirds. We also have a small mention of Accidentals & Key Signatures

3. Notes on the Bass Clef

05:11

3. Notes on the Bass Clef

Learn the lines, spaces including the notes above and beyond the 5 lines on the Bass Clef

4. Beats, Note Values and Rests

07:57

4. Beats, Note Values and Rests

Learn the symbols used for Notes & Rests. In addition to this, learn to count them musically with examples

5. Time Signatures & Reading Note Values

08:19

5. Time Signatures & Reading Note Values

Learn the Theory behind Time Signature and a few examples to read note values over 4/4 meter

6. Dotted Notes & Tied Notes

06:27

6. Dotted Notes & Tied Notes

Learn the concept of Dotted & Tied Notes and the maths behind them

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