| How many chords do you need to create a piece of | | | | When you have too many choices it can be |
| music? Would you believe that it doesn't really matter | | | | overwhelming and will stop you from being able to go |
| and that whole pieces of music have been created | | | | forward. That's why learning to play in 4 and 8-bar |
| using just one chord? For example, if you play a D | | | | phrases is important. It gives you the limit of chord |
| minor 7 chord, you could use the bass note D to | | | | changes. New age music is mostly a static music |
| create a drone effect and anchor the whole | | | | meaning that the chords do not change too much. In |
| improvisation. It could last for a few seconds or many | | | | fact, you can have the same chord going on for 8, 16 |
| minutes. | | | | and even 24 bars or more. The amount of change is |
| The important thing is were you in the moment when | | | | dictated by personal taste and that you will acquire |
| you created it? If you were, then it will be a good piece | | | | after you freely experiment with the music. |
| of music. If you weren't it will be notes in the air without | | | | Remember that attitude is the number one thing. You |
| communication. What communicates is your feeling. It's | | | | must allow the music to tell you where it wants to go |
| your feeling that gets across through the notes. The | | | | or you will most likely freeze up and stop the forward |
| notes themselves are meaningless if you are not | | | | momentum. That's why I always tell students the |
| present behind them. | | | | principles for creativity must come first. Without that |
| I usually do not use more chords than 4 or 5 when | | | | you are really starting on shaky ground. |
| creating. I use the chords of a certain Key, for | | | | So, don't worry about how many chords to insert in |
| example A major and stay within that key until the | | | | your music. For a good example of chord changes, |
| piece is done. I may change to a different key, but I will | | | | look at my book "New Age Piano Made Easy." It's filled |
| always begin with the intention of staying within one, | | | | with 84 exercises completely comprised of different |
| always keeping the possibility open for change. | | | | chord changes in all 12 keys. |
| Remember the power of limits, especially in music. | | | | |