| Playing the piano is great fun. There are two different | | | | arpeggios in a step by step progression whilst learning |
| styles you can use to play the piano. One is the | | | | to read and play more notes. You will start learning |
| classical method where you read the notes. The other | | | | pieces in the key of C major and hence C scale, |
| is the chord symbol method where you are given a | | | | chord and arpeggio. Then as you learn B flat and F |
| melody with chord symbols written above. You play | | | | sharp you will learn to play pieces in the key of F |
| the melody with the right hand and the chord symbols | | | | major and G major respectively and hence the scale, |
| are used to play a bass style with the left hand. | | | | chord and arpeggio of each. More notes and chords |
| So how do you play using chord symbols? | | | | will be learnt as you continue to play. |
| If you are a complete beginner to piano learning, then | | | | Thirdly you will learn how to play a variety of bass |
| you will need to spend time learning to read and play | | | | styles. Bass styles vary depending on the type of |
| the notes of both right and left hands, ranging at least | | | | piece played. Lets have a look at some. |
| one to two octaves each side of middle C. | | | | 1. Chords: Each time you see a chord symbol you play |
| Then you can begin learning the chords and their | | | | the chord for the duration of beats until the next chord |
| symbols. | | | | symbol is giveneg C F G play C chord for 4 beats or |
| Firstly you will need to know what a scale, chord and | | | | counts and F and G chords for 2 counts each. |
| arpeggio is: | | | | 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 |
| 1. Scale: A scale comprises of single notes progressing | | | | You start off by playing chords before moving onto a |
| up and down stepwise eg the scale of C major going | | | | bass style. |
| upwards comprises of the notes C D E F G A B C | | | | 2. Arpeggio Style: This style is suitable for a wide |
| 2. Chord: A chord comprises of a combination of | | | | range of tunes. It involves playing the arpeggio of the |
| notes ( usually not fewer than 3 ) played | | | | given chord symbol. There are different ways of |
| simultaneously. A chord symbol tells you what chord to | | | | playing an arpeggio bass line which you will gradually |
| play. There are a variety of different types of chords | | | | learn. |
| one can play and therefore shown by a different type | | | | 3. Latin/Pop basses: This involves repeated rhythmic |
| of symbol.eg major chord symbol has a capital letter | | | | patterns over a number of bars. This style involves a |
| and a minor chord symbol has a small letter. | | | | lot of practice so that the rhythms become automatic. |
| When you see a chord symbol eg C on top of the | | | | 4. The Walking Bass: One has to learn this style and |
| melody, this tells you what chord to play. If you see a | | | | involves a lot of practise. |
| chord symbol C , it tells you to play a C major chord | | | | 5. Boogie Woogie Style: This style is based on the |
| which comprises of the notes C E G played at the | | | | blues and has a strong rhythmic pattern which also |
| same time. The C E G can be played in any order eg | | | | needs to be practised until it can be played |
| C E G or E G C or G C E. | | | | automatically. |
| 3. Arpeggio: An arpeggio is when notes are played | | | | There are a range of other bass styles. |
| one after the after using the notes of a chord and | | | | So learning to play the piano using chord symbols is a |
| from the bottom upwards and then top downwards | | | | step by step progression from learning what a scale, |
| eg C major chord is when the notes C E G are | | | | chord and arpeggio is and playing them, reading the |
| played at the same time and a C major arpeggio is | | | | chord symbols and playing a variety of different bass |
| when the notes C E G C G E C are played in | | | | styles. You will need to find a teacher to help guide |
| succession. | | | | you through this process - either in person, an online |
| Secondly you will learn how to play scales, chords and | | | | piano course or try it yourself with a tutor book. |