Q. I know a decent bit of music theory, but I'm far from an expert. How/what should I study to improve my ability to turn my thoughts into sound and put them on paper (I know how to read/write sheet music)? Should I just study lots of sheet music I like and take notes on the chord progressions and techniques used? Do I just need more experience playing various styles of music? I play guitar (classical and electric) and keyboard.
A. <<<books>>>
Music majors are required to take a four-year course in music theory, which consists mostly of harmony.
The textbook by Walter Piston is good, but there are others.
A course in form and analysis is important, too.
The only textbook on the subject I know is Form in Tonal Music by Douglass Green.
If you want to write for different instruments, it is important to study orchestration.
It is impossible to describe in words the sounds of the instruments and combinations of instruments, so the newer textbooks come with a CD attached.
Counterpoint is important, too.
I took a one-semester course in that, but I didn't learn much.
See if you can find a good book on fugal counterpoint.
<<<scores>>>
For the simpler forms, such as binary and ternary, I recommend Anna Magdalena Bach's Notebook and Schumann's Album for the Young. Analyzing those two books was my secret to passing the first part of Form and Analysis class.
For the sonata and rondo forms, I recommend the Mozart piano sonatas. Then see how your analysis compares with that of J. Raymond Tobin, author of Mozart and the Sonata Form or that of F. Helena Marks, author of The Sonata: Its Form and Meaning.
For counterpoint exercise, analyze some Bach fugues. I suggest the Well-Tempered Clavier, along with David Ledbetter's book on the subject.
For exercise in harmony, the Bach chorales can't be beat. You can get them all in the Riemenschneider collection.
I don't expect you to do all this in one day.
How long does it take for one to learn how to improvise on piano?
Q. Alright, I really want to make my own music on the piano and I am currently taking piano lessons. She says what I am learning will lead up to improvising. She says I am making leaps in my progress. So how long does it take to learn improv?
A. All of these answers are correct...... what style are you wanting to learn to improvise? If you are just starting out, you can improvise in one piano lesson!!! (Using C major.... no black keys to have to worry about!)
Meter: 4/4
Chord progression: C---\Am---\C---\Am---\F---\F---\G---\G---
(repeat)
For an easy left hand part, try:
CGC'--\AEA'--\CGC'--\AEA'--\FCF'--\FCF'--\GDG'--\GDG'--
Then, with your right hand, improvise your own melody. Obviously, the most beginner of improvisers will feel most comfortable starting and ending your improvisation on the "home tone" or "key" which in this case is C. Whenever you improvise, you need to have an understanding of your chord progression and what notes sound "right" or "wrong" in a certain chord. This all will come down to an understanding of music theory which you will learn as you go!!!
For this first exercise, just play whatever you want in your right hand!
Your piano teacher knows you best, but I would always recommend studying and practicing your scales, arpeggios and cadences in order to have a better understanding of how music works and how improvisation works. If you are eventually wanting to improvise jazz and blues, you'll need more than just the classical understanding of theory. The blues is the best place to start in jazz improv. There are a lot of resources out there to start you on that journey! Check out anything that is published by Jamey Abersold. (www.jazzbooks.com)
Start by learning left hand chord progressions (blues progression) and then experiment by playing blues scales and licks in your right hand over your voicings in your left!
What does it feel like to be able to play any song on the piano you want to not making any mistakes?
Q. I wanna know from all people who are professional pianists what it feels like to be able to play any song you want on the piano without making any mistakes,
I feel like I just wanna throw myself down the stairs because my brain doesn't have enough information to make me a professional pianist,what should I do.
I can play any song by ear.
A. I doubt any one in the world can play any song in the world instantly perfect. Practise is a must, and i agree with powerful...
Although i think she means scales (chromatics, arpeggios etc)...starting slowish then build up speed, accuracy and correct timing. Though you can practise chord progressions too.
Try making up exercises that work both the left and right hands, strength in both hands can be important if you want to play different styles rather than simply playing melody with the right and simple bass lines or chords with the left..
Im not a professional pianist, im still learning. I'm only 19, and have only been playing for 14 years. I still love it, i just want to keep getting better and better, I'm only playing in a band with friends doing gigs every now and then and its great, being on stage and expressing yourself through something you have dedicated alot of time and energy to, people who are listening feel it too. I dont want to be a professional pianist but piano is something i adore and when i play whether its alone or in front of a crowd im happy. That's what it should be about.
Anyway lol, im so lame haha..Good luck..
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Title : What to study to improve my music writing ability?
Description : Q. I know a decent bit of music theory, but I'm far from an expert. How/what should I study to improve my ability to turn my thoughts i...