Book 5 - Ballad Style

CONTENTS

Note Finder

Developing a basic Piano Ballad Style 1 - Getting the feel of it

Ex. 1 - Easy left hand pattern.
(Keyboard diagrams and piano sheet music)
Ex. 2 - The magical PENTATONIC scale - really easy but sounds great!
Ex. 3 - Practice progression using the basic ballad style

Developing a basic piano Ballad Style 2 - A structured approach

Pentatonic pattern ideas - a structured way to use the magic pentatonic scale
A new left hand pattern
Ex. 1 - Practice progression
An easy way to add more right hand notes
Ex. 2 - Practice progression

Improvising piano Ballad Style

Ex. 1 - Introducing a rhythmic Pattern - both hands
(Keyboard diagrams and piano sheet music)
Ex. 2 - Practice progression using the rhythmic pattern
Ex. 3 - Expanding on the range of notes - adding CHORD tones
Ex. 4 - Four essential patterns to help you improvise
Ex. 5 - Moving beyond 'safe' notes
a. Runs
b. variation in note duration
c. Passing notes
d. Doubling up on notes with thirds, sixths and octaves

Mixing it all together

Practice progression no.2 in A minor
Variation of same tune in the style of 'Walking in the Air' from The Snowman
Practice progression no.3 in D minor

How to create melodies and Improvise piano

Melodies are like conversations
Variety in length / volume / tone / speed and pitch
Using chord tones
Learn from Beethoven - the master of patterns and motifs
Predictability and Uncertainty

Applying the piano Ballad Style to melodies in 3 easy steps using Auld Lang Sang

Step 1 - The left hand.
Step 2 - Adding the right hand melody line
Step 3 - Adding right hand Chord Tones beneath the melody line.
Putting it all together. Auld Lang Sang - full tune

Applying the style to various songs

Scarborough Fair - easy version / added chord tones
Ding Dong Merrily On High - easy version / added chord tones
Jock Stewart (a beautiful Irish song) - easy version / added chord tones
Chim Chiminesque
The Parting Glass (another beautiful Irish song)
It's a Soulful Way to Tipperary
Oh Danny Boy
A list of 18 great songs that are easy to play with the piano ballad style
Some great Christmas songs to practice on.

Ballad Style - Extending the Left Hand

The '10ths' Ballad Style
A familiar practice progression (Keyboard diagrams and piano sheet music)
A cycle of fifths exercise (explained in Book 4)
A STRIDE style variation
Moving beyond a Left Hand 3 note pattern
Greensleaves (keyboard diagrams and musical notation)
A Jazzy left hand 'minor' chord pattern
Cminor jazz ballad 12 bar blues!

33 VIDEOS

65 AUDIO