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Pop star, FL Studio power user, Founder Musicology & award winning music educator Anurag Dixit shares professional skills practiced by successful musicians:
The biggest mistake most of the piano/keyboard learners make is - playing songs! YES, playing songs should be the natural outcome of your music learning. But it is not a part of your learning. It could be a small part of your learning process, so that you can enjoy it but not your focus area. Here are 5 skills you need to develop if you want to become good at piano/ keyboard:
1. Technical skills: Great pianists work on their 'technique'. ' Technique' means you have to train your fingers to move fluently on the 'scale shapes' & 'chord shapes'. It also means to develop 'clarity' in sound and 'speed' in performance.
Anurag Sir's Pro tip: First thing is to learn most important 'scale shapes' across the keyboard. Using correct fingering for each scale or arpeggio is equally important. You should be able to play all 'types' of scales & chords across the keyboard. Practice your scales & chords regularly and memorize them. Following is a shape for 'E Major' scale. The numbers indicate fingers to be used ( 1=Index finger, 5=Little finger)
In my online Keyboard master-course, you can learn more exercises which help building a great technique. You also learn all important 'scale shapes' which most of the music teachers don't teach. After doing this course, you also learn to use 'proper' fingering which helps developing fluency & speed.
2. Ornamentation: Merely playing songs is not sufficient. Great musicians decorate their 'performances' with ornamentation tools like phrasing, dynamics, legato, staccato etc. to make their performances stand out.
Anurag Sir's Pro tip: When you practice, try playing different parts with different volume levels. Use following volume levels:
pp (Very soft) > p (Soft) > mf (Normal) > f (Loud) > ff (Very loud)
To control volume, use different amount of pressure with your fingers. But your keyboard needs to have 'touch sensitive' feature. Also, make sure you have turned the 'TOUCH' button on. Most of the pianos already have 'hammer-action keys' which means they are touch sensitive.
Serious music aspirants can join my 'online master-course' in which they will learn advanced ornamentation techniques. These techniques will supercharge your keyboard playing.
3. Sight reading: Good keyboardists / pianists know how to read music language. Music reading skills give you an academic & professional advantage over others.
Anurag Sir's Pro tip: Make it a habit to 'sight read' at least one exercise or song everyday. Use a metronome or tap your foot when you read the staff. Following is an example of 'sight reading'. First note 'E' is shown with an arrow on the staff and on the keyboard:
Anyone willing to learn proper music language can join my online Master course. In the course, you will learn to read music language with a step by step method.
4. Music theory: Great musicians ALWAYS know their theory. Knowing theory is like having 'building blocks'. If you are good with basic concepts, you can figure out songs on your own. You can compose your own songs as well.
Anurag Sir's Pro tip: Try to learn the theory behind a song. What is the song structure, rhythm structure, how a song section is composed. Which key, time signature and chords are used in a song. Try to listen and analyze the technical tools used in a song.
Anyone willing to have a deeper knowledge of music theory can join my online master course. In this course, you can learn extensive music theory with short-cut techniques & practical approach to music playing.
5. Ear training: Music is an 'Aural art' (related to 'hearing'). You can not become good at piano/keyboard if you have poor 'ear skills' ( Aural skills). Good musicians train their 'ear' so that they can 'figure out' songs or quickly improvise over a given piece of music.
Anurag Sir's Pro tip: Try to figure out chords or solo notes just by hearing a song. Start with simple songs and don't get discouraged if you make mistakes. Also, when you practice the scales and chords, try to memorize the 'sound' of scales & chords.
"Do not further delay your music success! If you are reading this, you've already found a master course which covers all the above topics in detail. And a mentor you can count on! I am always open to share my knowledge and experience with music lovers & aspiring musicians. I had no money or connections or godfathers when I started my music career. It was through sheer determination & hard work that I achieved my goals - Several songs released on MTV, my albums were signed by Universal music, Times music, Crescendo music and FL Studio featuring me as a power user! And since 2003 I have shared my experience with thousands of students- through my academy, Musicology.
Serious music lovers, immediately join my online master class in which you will get invaluable insights including:
A. 'Live' online classes with me - lessons, discussions, assignments & Question-Answers
B. Over 50 'secret' techniques, tricks and exercises used by professional guitarists
C. Over 25 'professionally recorded' practice sessions which you can practice for lifetime
D. Free book
E. Free app + lot more
For joining my 'Live' online Pro Guitar course, visit website or fill this form
Join my FREE facebook group for music lovers. In this group you can interact with me, ask questions and post your performances.
Follow me on instagram: anuragixit_official
Watch this video to learn more about Master class courses:
Since 2003, Anurag has trained thousands of students through his internationally renowned institute 'Musicology'. His students include MTV artists, industry professionals, professional band members & music teachers in India and abroad.
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