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How To Play More Notes On The Piano Without Reading More Notes! by Duane Shinn

Most professional musicians play from a book called a "Fake Book". I bought my first fake book containing only about 200 songs when I was a teenager -- they were illegal then, but most musicians owned them -- for $50. That would be equal to $500. or more now. But fortunately, they have since become legal, so you can buy a real good one with 1000 songs now for $50. or less. A fake book contains just the melody (tune) and the chord symbols of a song, so you have to know chords to use one. But when you do, your playing comes alive -- you're only reading a few notes, but playing lots of notes.

Most people learn to play the piano by playing just the written music. Playing by written music is exactly what the phrase says it is -- playing the exact notation on a piece of sheet music. But playing by chord symbol is very different. Instead of following the harmony note by note, you follow the chord symbols (i.e. C7 or F) written above the harmonies, filling in the gaps with...well, whatever you want as long as it sticks to those chords. Of course, you'll still read the melody (it is, after all, often what makes the song recognizable) but even that is completely open to interpretation. Playing by chord symbol allows you a freedom that playing by written music simply doesn't. The freedom to create. The freedom to invent. The freedom to arrange chord patterns in the way you want.

Does that mean playing by written music is less important than playing by chord symbol? No. The ability to play by written music is an extremely valuable skill, one that even some of the most famous musicians don't possess. And while you don't necessarily need to know the skill backwards and forwards to create great arrangements, it's a great help.

Chord symbols -- sometimes referred to as "chord tabs" (for example, Cmaj7 or G6 or Fm7) are a type of notation used frequently in jazz and other areas of modern music to notate chord progressions and changes. This type of notation differs from that of classical music in that chord symbols don't show the function of a chord the way the Roman numeral notation does. Chord symbols, for modern music with lots of changes, are much easier to read. They function as a sort of shorthand for change-heavy music and are written with four chord parts in mind: the root, the quality, the extension, and the alterations.

The first part in chord symbols, the root, tells the musician which note is the root of the chord. In an E6 chord, for instance, the E serves as the root. In a C7 chord, C is the root. Easy enough.

Quality, the second part in chord symbols, denotes whether the chord is major, minor, diminished, or augmented. In a Cmaj7, the maj tells us that the C chord is major. The abbreviations for this area in chord symbols are maj, min, dim, and aug respectively. So Cm means the chord is a C minor chord. Caug means that the chord is a C augmented chord.

The extension in chord symbols, written after the quality, shows the musician if the chord differs from a triad, such as an 11th or 6th or 9th or 7th or 13th. So a C9 would mean that the C chord includes the 9th note above C, which is D. A C6 chord would mean that the C chord includes the 6th scale note above C, which is A. This part of chord symbols is not always shown; if there is no indication of an extension, the musician is to assume that the chord is a triad.

The last part in chord symbols, the alteration, is usually but not always expressed. Think of this part as the "notes" section in chord symbols; it gives the musician any specific (and sometimes irregular) instructions for playing the chord and is always written in parentheses after the extension (or the quality, if no extension exists). For instance, (no fifth) would tell the musician that the chord is to be played with the fifth tone left out. Sus short for suspension", would mean to play the 4th scale note instead of the 3rd. A minus sign would mean to lower (flat) a chord tone, such as C-9 which would mean to flat the 9th of the chord. Conversely, a plus sign would mean to raise (sharp) a particular chord tone.

Reading music using chord symbols allows a person to use written music as a map, rather than a note-for-note approach -- being tied to the written sheet music. By just reading the melody note and the chord symbols, musicians can improvise to their hearts content and create their own sounds on the keyboard. So you can use sheet music as a map instead of a ball & chain that ties you down.

Did you know that many pianists wouldn't have a clue what to do if a gust of wind blew their sheet music off the music rack? I've actually seen it happen, and it is very embarrassing to the pianist. And it's so un-necessary! And there's a true story about a famous concert pianist who could play most any piece of written music, but when asked to play "Happy Birthday" at a party, she couldn't do it because she didn't have any written music! Almost unbelievable, but true.

Once you learn this skill you'll be reading only a few notes per measure, but playing handfuls of notes -- arpeggios, chords, runs, riffs, fills, etc. You can then do your own thing" on the piano, instead of playing a song the same way everyone else is playing it.

Duane Shinn is the
author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions" with over 71,400 current subscribers.

Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/How-To-Play-More-Notes-On-The-Piano-Without-Reading-More-Notes-/20311

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Check out these fine shops that offer read sheet music keyboard products:

Hal Leonard Music Reading for Keyboard $12.95 Composer Larry Steelman makes it easy to sight read sheet music. The 104 page book presents a complete method for notes, rhythms, keys, and time signatures; treble and bass clefs; right- and left-hand patterns and accompaniments; popular song styles; repeat signs, accidentals, codas; and stuff you've never even heard about.104 pagesNotes, rhythms, keys, and time signaturesTreble and bass clefsRight- and left-hand patterns and accompanimentsPopular song stylesRepeat signs, accidentals, and codas

Hal Leonard Music Reading For Keyboard $12.95 Composer Larry Steelman makes it easy to sight read sheet music. The 104 page book presents a complete method for notes, rhythms, keys, and time signatures; treble and bass clefs; right- and left-hand patterns and accompaniments; popular song styles; repeat signs, accidentals, codas; and stuff you've never even heard about.104 pagesNotes, rhythms, keys, and time signaturesTreble and bass clefsRight- and left-hand patterns and accompanimentsPopular song stylesRepeat signs, accidentals, and codas

Casio LK-110 Keyboard $79.99 The Casio LK-110 music keyboard features 61 full-size keys. The keyboard's Key Lighting System lights up the keys you need to press when you're using its built-in lessons. Simply follow the keyboard lights to master keyboard playing at your own pace. An onscreen LCD timing indicator teaches you correct timing, and the Casio LK-110 has a Voice Fingering Guide which uses a simulated voice to call out a number, telling you which finger you use on next note when it detects that you are lagging, stopped, or playing wrong notes. Other Casio LK-100 keyboard features include 100 high-quality tones, 50 rhythms, auto-accompaniment, MIDI (5-channel multi-timbre receive), and one-key play. The LK-100 keybaord also comes with 100 Song Bank tunes ranging from children's lullabies and traditional American classics to popular holiday tunes and classical pieces. Most of the tunes are included in a song book, so you can learn to read music as you play. The keyboard's music rest gives you a place to put your song book or any other sheet music as you advance in skill.Finally, the Casko LK-110 Keyboard has a mic input, which allows you to connect a commercially available microphone for singing-along to the included songs or to songs you make up yourself.Key Lighting System (on/off)61 full-size keys12-note polyphony (maximum)100 high-quality tones50 rhythmsAuto-accompanimentMIDI (5-channel multi-timbre receive)One-key playComes with music rest.

Refurbished Casio Lk-110 Keyboard $79.99 The Casio LK-110 music keyboard features 61 full-size keys. The keyboard's Key Lighting System lights up the keys you need to press when you're using its built-in lessons. Simply follow the keyboard lights to master keyboard playing at your own pace. An onscreen LCD timing indicator teaches you correct timing, and the Casio LK-110 has a Voice Fingering Guide which uses a simulated voice to call out a number, telling you which finger you use on next note when it detects that you are lagging, stopped, or playing wrong notes. Other Casio LK-100 keyboard features include 100 high-quality tones, 50 rhythms, auto-accompaniment, MIDI (5-channel multi-timbre receive), and one-key play. The LK-100 keybaord also comes with 100 Song Bank tunes ranging from children's lullabies and traditional American classics to popular holiday tunes and classical pieces. Most of the tunes are included in a song book, so you can learn to read music as you play. The keyboard's music rest gives you a place to put your song book or any other sheet music as you advance in skill.Finally, the Casko LK-110 Keyboard has a mic input, which allows you to connect a commercially available microphone for singing-along to the included songs or to songs you make up yourself.Key Lighting System (on/off)61 full-size keys12-note polyphony (maximum)100 high-quality tones50 rhythmsAuto-accompanimentMIDI (5-channel multi-timbre receive)One-key playComes with music rest.

Dunlop Sheet Music Holder $39.99 The D-36 Sheet Music Holder was designed by Dunlop Manufacturing to provide a convenient and flexible way for guitarists and other musicians to read sheet music. The unique feature of the D-36 is its ability to attach to the front of your guitar for mobility or when space is limited. The high power suction cup will hold firmly to any non-porous surface--stick it on your coffee table, computer desk, or anywhere that floor space is limited. The D-36 Sheet Music Holder is a great educational aid for musicians of all ages and abilities.

Music Sales The Encyclopedia Of Keyboard Color Picture Chords $29.95 Comprehensive and easy-to-read, The Encyclopedia Of Keyboard Color Picture Chords will help you expand your piano skills. Whether you enjoy playing rock, jazz, blues, country or pop music, you'll be able to find the chords you need quickly and easily. Every chord is illustrated with 3-D color diagrams and brilliant color photographs. The encyclopedia also includes special sections on: •Two-handed chord voicings •Chord theory •Chord inversions

Alfred MAX Keyboard Complete $24.95 MAX Keyboard Complete combines Learn to Play Keyboard Levels 1 and 2. The book and DVD work together, so you can see and hear what you're playing. You'll start with the basics like how to sit at the keyboard, how to read music and play chords, then move on to techniques for several different styles and genres. Styles covered include blues, rock, jazz, classical, and folk. You'll hear every example performed by a live keyboard player. MAX Keyboard Complete is an excellent way to start playing keyboards and to quickly move on to the intermediate level!See it * Hear it * Play it! A DVD is included with every book in Alfred's MAX Series, offering maximum instruction at a minimum price. You won't just hear the performance, you'll also see how it's done, making it very easy to learn to play.

Freehand MusicPad Pro Plus Version 4.0 Electronic Sheet Music Display $499.99 The MusicPad Pro's 12.1" TFT LCD backlit, color display is about the size of a sheet of music, but this digital music notebook does a heck of a lot more. All your sheet music, drill charts, lyrics, guitar tablature, bowing and fingering marks, class schedules, set lists, and other study and performance aids can all be kept in one convenient place. The innovative touch screen lets you make marks and notations right on the page of music, which you can store, change, and delete as needed without losing your original score. Plus you can zoom in and out to make fine annotations.You can store an entire season's worth of concerts or an entire semester of classroom materials in one compact unit and add new scores or material at any time. It's easy to download music from freehandmusic.com, scan your music library, or import music from all the popular music and graphics programs directly into the MusicPad Pro. The MusicPad's high-resolution, low glare, easy-to-read display with backlit touch screen eliminates the need for external lighting in low-light or no-light situations. And a quick touch on the screen or tap on the optional footpedal will turn the page for you. Plus, the convenient video out feature makes it easy to project your notes and annotations so you can share materials with students and colleagues. Version 4.0 offers many enhancements over 3.0, including double the memory for 128MB of storage. Freehand has refreshed the interface to make it finger-friendly, so that you can now touch the icons instead of using the stylus. The file management capabilities have also been improved with an enhanced playlist function (you can now store up to 100 songs) and a browse/search capability that lets you type in search terms with the onboard keyboard or a USB 2.0 keyboard. Freehand has also expanded the notation palette with features like text, zoom, and advanced color palette and notations. Plus with the full version of a score purchased from the freehandmusic.com store, you can both transpose and play back a MIDI version of the score that shows the notes as they are being played. When you are playing a piece back the notes that are being played are highlighted so it's easy to follow along.Version 4.0 comes equipped with premium tools, which you can unlock with a product key for $49.95 from freehandsystems.com. These tools include wireless networking, so you can network the MusicPad 4.0 via Ethernet or wireless connections. You also get audio functions including a metronome with both audio and visual options as well as a number of settings so you get just the beat and emphasis you need for whatever piece you're working on; a MusicPad version of a pitch pipe; and audio player to play, stop, pause, shuffle, and repeat MIDI and MP3 files. Premium tools also gives you access to additional pen colors and annotation tools.Size: 13.3" x 9.9" x 1.8" (just over 4 lbs.)Easy-to-read, low glare, touch screen12.1" TFT LCD backlit, color display eliminates need for ex

Alfred Max Keyboard Complete $24.95 MAX Keyboard Complete combines Learn to Play Keyboard Levels 1 and 2. The book and DVD work together, so you can see and hear what you're playing. You'll start with the basics like how to sit at the keyboard, how to read music and play chords, then move on to techniques for several different styles and genres. Styles covered include blues, rock, jazz, classical, and folk. You'll hear every example performed by a live keyboard player. MAX Keyboard Complete is an excellent way to start playing keyboards and to quickly move on to the intermediate level!See it * Hear it * Play it! A DVD is included with every book in Alfred's MAX Series, offering maximum instruction at a minimum price. You won't just hear the performance, you'll also see how it's done, making it very easy to learn to play.

Freehand Musicpad Pro Plus Version 4.0 Electronic Sheet Music Display $499.99 The MusicPad Pro's 12.1" TFT LCD backlit, color display is about the size of a sheet of music, but this digital music notebook does a heck of a lot more. All your sheet music, drill charts, lyrics, guitar tablature, bowing and fingering marks, class schedules, set lists, and other study and performance aids can all be kept in one convenient place. The innovative touch screen lets you make marks and notations right on the page of music, which you can store, change, and delete as needed without losing your original score. Plus you can zoom in and out to make fine annotations.You can store an entire season's worth of concerts or an entire semester of classroom materials in one compact unit and add new scores or material at any time. It's easy to download music from freehandmusic.com, scan your music library, or import music from all the popular music and graphics programs directly into the MusicPad Pro. The MusicPad's high-resolution, low glare, easy-to-read display with backlit touch screen eliminates the need for external lighting in low-light or no-light situations. And a quick touch on the screen or tap on the optional footpedal will turn the page for you. Plus, the convenient video out feature makes it easy to project your notes and annotations so you can share materials with students and colleagues. Version 4.0 offers many enhancements over 3.0, including double the memory for 128MB of storage. Freehand has refreshed the interface to make it finger-friendly, so that you can now touch the icons instead of using the stylus. The file management capabilities have also been improved with an enhanced playlist function (you can now store up to 100 songs) and a browse/search capability that lets you type in search terms with the onboard keyboard or a USB 2.0 keyboard. Freehand has also expanded the notation palette with features like text, zoom, and advanced color palette and notations. Plus with the full version of a score purchased from the freehandmusic.com store, you can both transpose and play back a MIDI version of the score that shows the notes as they are being played. When you are playing a piece back the notes that are being played are highlighted so it's easy to follow along.Version 4.0 comes equipped with premium tools, which you can unlock with a product key for $49.95 from freehandsystems.com. These tools include wireless networking, so you can network the MusicPad 4.0 via Ethernet or wireless connections. You also get audio functions including a metronome with both audio and visual options as well as a number of settings so you get just the beat and emphasis you need for whatever piece you're working on; a MusicPad version of a pitch pipe; and audio player to play, stop, pause, shuffle, and repeat MIDI and MP3 files. Premium tools also gives you access to additional pen colors and annotation tools.Size: 13.3" x 9.9" x 1.8" (just over 4 lbs.)Easy-to-read, low glare, touch screen12.1" TFT LCD backlit, color display eliminates need for ex

Alfred Keyboard Chord Chart Book $3.5 The Alfred Keyboard Chord Chart is a book that gives you over 100 of the most useful chords right at your fingertips. This chart gives you all the basic chords in every key. Each chord is shown in standard music notation and as an easy-to-read piano keyboard diagram. Fingerings are given for each chord. Also included is a clear description of inverting chords.Over 100 chordsMusic notation and chord diagrams

GigSkinz Keyboard Bag 61 Key $119.99 GigSkinz Keyboard Bags are designed to meet your requirements of function, durability and style. The result is a great looking bag that keeps you organized and can take a beating. Features include rugged zipper pulls, padded, oversized pockets, a high-density semi-hard foam body and plush interiors to protect your keyboard from nicks and scratches.GigSkinz 49 Key Keyboard BagThe GigSkinz 49 key keyboard bag features two large exterior pockets, internal adjustable straps and extra padding to protect your gear.GigSkinz 61 Key Keyboard BagThe GigSkinz 61 key keyboard bag has all the storage you need with three large exterior pockets designed to hold your accessories, sheet music and cables. Inside your keyboard will ride in style as it is held in place by plush adjustable straps.

Yamaha EZ200 61 Key Personal Keyboard $109.95 The Yamaha EZ200 lighted keyboard is a great sounding, fun, easy way to learn how to play! Designed specifically for beginners, the EZ200 61 Key lighted keyboard from Yamaha will have you playing songs from the very first day. Just call up a song from the 100 songs built in to the keyboard, select if you'd like to play the left or right hand part and hit Start . The keyboard will light up the key that you're supposed to play and , the song will actually stop and wait for you to find the correct key! All of the tools you need are found in the keyboard, including how to play chords. Yamaha Education Suite The included Yamaha Education Suite works in conjunction with the EZ-200's special guide lamps for a intuitive learning experience. The EZ200 has 100 built in songs for you to learn to play. The songs are separated into left and right hand parts, providing 7 levels of lessons plus a convenient chord dictionary. In addition, the correct fingering is indicated in the LCD display. Three keyboard lessons for each hand Lesson One - LISTEN & LEARN the melody or rhythm of a selected song. Lesson Two - TIMING mode allows you to play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing. Lesson Three: WAITING mode stops the playback of a song until you find the correct note and then continues. Lesson Grading – monitors your progress as you practice each lessons two and three and gives you a grade. Chord Dictionary – shows you how to play chords and tells you which chords you are playing by displaying the notes and chord name on the LCD screen. In addition, the Yamaha EZ200 includes 367 General MIDI/XGlite compatible voices, 32 note polyphony and nine reverb settings. The EZ200 also includes a chord dictionary to learn and reference chords quickly and easily. Portable Grand: Industry's best piano Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of their acoustic pianos and this is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of the EZ200 Portable Grand piano.You're never more than a button push away from the most realistic piano sound in portable keyboards today. One press of the Portable Grand button resets the entire keyboard to a stereo-sampled piano – perfect for when it's time to practice. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces. Yamaha EZ200 61 Key Lighted Keyboard Features: 61 touch-sensitive keys with Guide Lights 367 voices, 32-note polyphony Nine reverb settings Easy-to-read LCD screen General MIDI/Yamaha XGlite compatible for computer connectability Portable Grand sound set for incredibly realistic piano sounds Yamaha Education Suite with music book included

Yamaha EZ200 61 Key Personal Keyboard Package $139.95 The Yamaha EZ200 lighted keyboard is a great sounding, fun, easy way to learn how to play! Designed specifically for beginners, the EZ200 61 Key lighted keyboard from Yamaha will have you playing songs from the very first day. Just call up a song from the 100 songs built in to the keyboard, select if you'd like to play the left or right hand part and hit Start . The keyboard will light up the key that you're supposed to play and , the song will actually stop and wait for you to find the correct key! All of the tools you need are found in the keyboard, including how to play chords. Yamaha Education Suite The included Yamaha Education Suite works in conjunction with the EZ-200's special guide lamps for a intuitive learning experience. The EZ200 has 100 built in songs for you to learn to play. The songs are separated into left and right hand parts, providing 7 levels of lessons plus a convenient chord dictionary. In addition, the correct fingering is indicated in the LCD display. Three keyboard lessons for each hand Lesson One - LISTEN & LEARN the melody or rhythm of a selected song. Lesson Two - TIMING mode allows you to play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing. Lesson Three: WAITING mode stops the playback of a song until you find the correct note and then continues. Lesson Grading – monitors your progress as you practice each lessons two and three and gives you a grade. Chord Dictionary – shows you how to play chords and tells you which chords you are playing by displaying the notes and chord name on the LCD screen. In addition, the Yamaha EZ200 includes 367 General MIDI/XGlite compatible voices, 32 note polyphony and nine reverb settings. The EZ200 also includes a chord dictionary to learn and reference chords quickly and easily. Portable Grand: Industry's best piano Yamaha is known around the world for the quality of their acoustic pianos and this is evident as you enjoy the warmth and clarity of the EZ200 Portable Grand piano.You're never more than a button push away from the most realistic piano sound in portable keyboards today. One press of the Portable Grand button resets the entire keyboard to a stereo-sampled piano – perfect for when it's time to practice. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces. Yamaha EZ200 61 Key Lighted Keyboard Features: 61 touch-sensitive keys with Guide Lights 367 voices, 32-note polyphony Nine reverb settings Easy-to-read LCD screen General MIDI/Yamaha XGlite compatible for computer connectability Portable Grand sound set for incredibly realistic piano sounds Yamaha Education Suite with music book included Optional power supply PA130

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A great place to shop for read sheet music keyboard products is Amazon.

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