Piano Lesson - Learn To Play Chords From A Fake Book

How can you use a fake book to become a better6. Focus on a melody you like and use is as a basis
pianist? A fake book includes a lot of melodies due tofor your piano chord practicing sessions. One melody
the concise format. Let us use a fake book to makecan be the source of many chord exercises and at
you a better chord player!the same time you will have a melody at your disposal
There are many things you can do with just one songto play to others.
in a fake book. In this piano lesson we will focus on theIn this piano lesson we will focus on the sixth
chords of a song and how we can use them in asuggestion on piano chord practicing. Now we will
piano practice session.delve a bit into the art of playing from a fake book.
You can learn to play piano chords in many differentActually, what is a fake book?
ways. Here are just a few examples:It is a book with songs and melodies written with sheet
1. You can focus on just one chord memorizing it inmusic notation. It is produced in a concise format with
twelve keys and then learning another chord the sameonly melody, lyrics and chord names. The songs have
way. This way of learning chords can be effective ifthe lyrics beneath the notes and above the notes you
you concentrate long enough on the chords committingwill find the names of the appropriate chords to play. In
them to your long term memory. Some people find thisother words, the notes of the chords are not written
way of learning to mechanical and boring.out. This way of notating gives you the choice to
2. You can work on learning chord progressions byinterpret the performance your own way.
heart an then applying them in all twelve keys. YouLet us take a look at the previous suggestions on how
can find such chord voicings in piano method books orto practice piano chord playing by using a fake book.
you can "invent" you own progressions and voicings.Here are some ways you can play the chord
Maybe this approach is a little bit more interesting thansuggestions above the melody:
the before mentioned method.1. The first step is to play the melody with your right
3. You can learn chords in a more creative way byhand and the chord voicings with your left hand.
just deciding to work on finding out variations of aPractice to play the chords in different ways and
chord as you sit down playing. For example, figure outpractice to move smoothly between chords as you
as many nice sounding variations of the chord Cmaj7practice playing the chord changes.
as you can.2. The next step is to play the bass notes with your
4. You can learn progressions and voicings in a moreleft hand and the melody and chords in your right hand.
creative way too. For example, play the chordThis means that some of the melody notes will be
sequence C, A7, Dm7, G7 over and over again tryingembellished with notes from the chord suggestions.
to create smooth chord changes in an improvisedYou do not have to include the left hand bass note.
manner.3. The third level is to use both your left and right hand
5. Compose your own chord progressions and writeto play chord notes. This can give the song a
them down with sheet music notation. In the processprofessional touch if handled with elegance. There are
of writing them down you will probably trigger yourso many ways to play a song this way that it has to
creative mind to come up with interesting piano chordbe covered in a separate article. You can listen to solo
voicings that you never have thought of before andpiano recordings to find inspiration. You can also play
that you also can share with others that can readwritten out arrangements in sheet music notation of
sheet music.melodies to build up your ability and taste in this area.