Q. I'm grade eight AMEBB (Australian). I started pretty late so my basics are probably not that good. Does sight reading come naturally after playing for long? Some people seem to have a gift for it.
A. Many people say that practice is the only way, and while that is mostly true, there are many techniques you should learn that you can use to make sight reading easier. Here's a link to the steps I give my students when going for exams:
http://cantabilemusic.webs.com/Sight%20Reading.pdf
I find the most beneficial element is memorization. Look for familiar patterns - you're forced to learn all the nasty technique (triads, chords, scales, intervals, arpeggios, etc!), so USE IT. Look for those patterns - recognize the fact that there may be a C major scale coming up - at this point, you shouldn't have to think about how to play that.
How do I learn what guitar chords to play in order to jam in a certain key.?
Q. I know scale positions on a guitar but how do I learn which chords can be played in a certain key? I want to be able to jam with chords, not just play solos.
A. Doing this well requires a good knowledge of music theory, but here is a basic stuff to get you started:
You first need to find the relative major scale of key you are using. For example, G is the relative major to E min because they have the same notes, just a different order. C is the relative major to A min, ect.
If you are in a major key, the distance between the notes should be as follows
I-whole-ii-whole-iii-half-IV-whole-V7-whole-vi-whole-viidim-half-I
The "wholes" represent two half steps (two frets) and the "halfs" represent one half step, or one fret. For example, F# is one half step above F. G is one whole step above F.
When counting up, remember what a piano looks like - there is no black key between B/C and between E/F. This means that F is one half step up from E.
Now that you have your scale, you find the chords. If you look at the spacing chart above, you'll notice some roman numerals are capitalized - this means they are major chords. The lower case are minor chords. The V7 means a 7th chord (you can do major or minor depending on the style of music [ie jazz uses min7]) You can also just play a major chord if you don't want to get fancy. The viidim is a tricky chord. It is REALLY hard to figure in melodically. Many people just use vii instead.
To sum it all up, let me give an example. Let's say we have the Emin scale. I'd want to find the relative major scale - G. The notes in G are G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G. The chords, therefore, are G Amin Bmin C D (or D7) Emin F#min (or F#dim) G.
There is quite a bit more to this on when to use 6th chords, and augmented chords, and more....but you need to know the basics first. Every song can be jammed to or played with basic chords. Making them more complex will add style once you get the basic chord progression down.
Where do i start if i want to learn the basics about how to play piano?
Q. i really want to learn how to play piano, and become really good... but i have no idea where to start... i know how to play scales/ and the notes from playing percussion for awhile but thats it.
A. 1st know this. The right hand is the vocal melody and the left hand is what plays the chords so keep that in mind.
2nd once you figure out what the chord progression is and how to play the vocal melody, now you just have to experiment in making your own arrangements.
With the right hand you'll play the vocal melody and with the left hand you'd play the chords. How you choose to play the chords is up to you, you can use arpeggios, play them as octave chords or triads is up to you. But just remember, there are 3 notes per chord on the piano, any 4th or 5th note will most likely be a repetition of one of the first 3.
You wont have to always use the notes in the chord but you will have to most of the time. Other times you might be able to use other notes that are not from those used in the chord.
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Title : How do you get better at sight reading for piano?
Description : Q. I'm grade eight AMEBB (Australian). I started pretty late so my basics are probably not that good. Does sight reading come naturally...