Q. Where do I begin? Majors? Is there a good free site which has pictures included?
Would it be good to learn scales before chords? Or after?
Thanks in advance
A. I was taught to play piano classically and I'd say if you want to be able to sightread and play classical pieces of music then there's no substitute for learning the scales. It was boring as anything but it'll stand you in good stead when playing piano generally because you'll already know the key signatures/fingering.
However, I know some other types of piano-playing particularly jazz and blues (and to some extent I guess rock) are built more around chords. This method is also supposed to be a fast-track method to learning to play? So if you're wanting to learn more for fun - to play around with songs or maybe write your own then maybe you don't need to know the more "correct" fingerings.
There's plenty of websites out there doing this kind of stuff but be warned a lot of them are trying to sell you something.
I've just had a quick look and I think this is my favourite because it shows you all the variations and how they should sound: http://www.8notes.com/piano_chord_chart/
If you prefer videos this is kind of basic but shows you exactly what you're doing and what fingering etc.
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/464_basic-piano-lessons-chords.htm
I think the normal order would be to learn them in the order of fewest sharps and flats so starting with C, G, D, A and F majors and A and D minors. (look at the ABRSM syllabus for the order they teach the scales: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/pianoComplete0608.pdf)
I think if it was me I'd learn both at the same time, so start with a basic scale like C major, and then learn the C major chord at the same time - maybe playing around with some of the variations a bit too.
I'm sure some other people will disagree though and if you're already familiar with music theory or play another instrument pretty well you can probably skip the scales. Or if you're not too serious about piano and doing it just for fun by all means learn the chords.
Are the fingerings for piano chords the same on the organ?
Q.
A. Basically, yes. Where differences creep in it is because on the organ you have to hold a note for as long as you want it to sound. Organists use "finger substitution" to free up fingers needed for the next chord while continuing to hold the current chord. As a result, an organist's hands may "crawl" over the keyboard while a pianist may "hop" from chord to chord. Another difference in technique arises from the availability of the pedalboard on the organ. In pop music with a bass-chord rhythm pattern, the organist plays the bass with the feet, usually just the left foot, on the pedals and plays the chord with minimal hand movement. A pianist has to swing the arm to play both the bass notes and the chords with the same hand. If you have a MIDI keyboard and you'd like to get "hands on" experience with an organ, my free program, the Miditzer, will give you the chance to play a virtual Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. Download from www.VirtualOrgan.com.
P.S. Jim Riggs has some excellent videos on YouTube that will allow you to clearly see good organ technique such as this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1FSCXwbDwc
Does anyone know where I can find pictures or illustrations of chord fingerings for piano?
Q.
A. I have never heard of special chord fingerings for piano. There are plenty for guitar which are available at any good music store. Contact the closest music store and ask them what they have in stock that might be helpful.
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Title : Learning Piano Chords?
Description : Q. Where do I begin? Majors? Is there a good free site which has pictures included? Would it be good to learn scales before chords? Or aft...