Category: piano

Piano day (1h 30m)

  • Harmonising the C major scale with modes & studying the MATH behind the modes
    • All major modes for the key of C harmonised with 7th chords (Ionian thru Locrian): LH plays 7th chord, RH plays intervals: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, octave and back
    • All major modes for the key of D
    • Same for E, F and G — and then I ran out of time :)

Observations

That’s such a cool exercise! Along the way I also found some cool maths that help recall the number of b’s or #’s for each key in each mode more quickly. For example, if you pick a major scale, take a flat 6 of it and run a scale from that b6 in reverse parallel to your major scale (starting on the same note), you will get all the references for your modes. E. g. for the key of D:

D E F# G A B (flat 6: Bb) C#

Bb scale running in reverse starting on D against the mode order (derived from C Major scale) starting on Ionian:

D (Ionian) — D

D (Dorian) — C: C major has no accidentals, so has D Dorian

D (Phrygian) — Bb: Bb major has bb, so has D Phryigan

D (Lydian) — A: A major has ###, so has D Lydian

D (Mixo) — G — G major has #, so has D Mixolydian

D (Aeol) — F — you got the idea

D (Locrian) — Eb

Of course it’s better to just use the mode formula, like, Dorian has b3 and b7 and therefore D Dorian is… er… Right, no accidentals at all, lol. But sometimes this way feels a bit quicker for me, but then again I’m just terrible at math!

Piano day (1h 30m)

  • Blues pentatonic scale in RH over 12-bar blues chord progression in LH: C-, F-, Bb-, D#-, G#- — 30m
    • 1 — 6, 1 — 5, 1 — 4, 1 — 3
    • 2-octave scale | 1-octave scale 8va | % | 1st pattern | % | 2-octave scale backwards
  • ii — V — I’s in major keys in shell voicings (7-3-5 — 3-7-9 — 7-3-5) through the cycle of 4th  (Dan Haerle, skill 40) — 40m
    • Slowly without click
    • With click at 80bpm quarters
  • Scales — 20m
    • All Phrygian scales around the circle of 5ths starting on E at 82bpm
    • All Dorian scales around the circle of 5ths starting on D at 82bpm

Observations

Applying Rich Brown’s idea from yesterday’s Q & A where he showed how he makes pentatonic scale practice less boring by playing interesting patterns, like doubling up some notes or playing additional scale degrees. It works! Otherwise taking 12-bar blues around the whole cycle could be pretty boring!

Piano day

  • Mostly rehearsing my material

Additional evening practice (40m)

  • Blues pentatonic scale in RH over 12-bar blues chord progression in LH: C-, F-, Bb-, D#-, G#-
    • 1 — 6, 1 — 5, 1 — 4, 1 — 3
    • Intervals
    • Improvisation

Observations

If you didn’t really have time for standard routine in the normal practice time (morning for me) — making up for it later, even for 20-30m, is super helpful, because it allows for continuous progress, without skipping a day.

Piano day (1h 25m)

  • Blues pentatonic scale in C-, F- and Bb- in RH over 12-bar blues chord progression in LH — 30m
    • 2-octave runs
    • 1 — 6, 1 — 5, 1 — 4, 1 — 3
    • Intervals
    • Improvisation
  • Dorian scales around the circle of 5ths (starting on D) — 20m
    • At 60bpm with stops after each key
    • Same without stopping
  • Phrygian scales around the circle of 5ths (starting on D) — 20m
    • At 60bpm with stops after each key
    • Same without stopping
  • Harmonising Phrygian scale with 7th chords (pattern: i7 — bII▵7, i7 — bIII7, i7 — iv7 etc.) — E to C# — 15m

Observations

Took some notes on mode relationships to ease #’s / b’s memorisation (e. g. Phryigian sharp keys are -1# from Aeolian, etc.)

Piano day (1h 30m)

  • Blues pentatonic scale in C- & F- in RH over 12-bar blues chord progression in LH
    • 2 octaves ↑, 2 octaves ↓, 1 octave ↑, 1 octave ↓ x 2 + fills
    • 1 — 6, 1 — 5, 1 — 4, 1 — 3 on i & iv, scale on iiº & V7
  • Cycle progressions in shell voicings (Dan Haerle) — Minor to Dominant
    • Skills 37c & 37d without click, then at 60bpm
    • Skills 37a & 37b at 84bpm

Observations

Slowing down almost to the point where it feels ridiculous actually helps get to the desired speed much quicker! Weird, but that’s so true. Play the figure 5 times super slow, then turn the click on, and suddenly you are able to play it perfectly in time! (As opposed to just endlessly trying to do it at higher tempos.)