Song List –
Here is a list of songs you can learn at every level. These are not only songs from Sean, but Sean has compiled the songs so that you can sort by levels
The Completion Level of Your Training.
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Novice (Starting Out)
Find piano notes quickly
The following videos will help you identify the notes on the piano.
Understand the difference between sharps and flats and how to raise or lower a note (also understand the word augmented and diminished)
This quick video on youtube shows the difference between sharps and flats:
Understand the difference between melody and harmony
Determine whether a note on the piano is the same as a note that is given aurally
How to form a Major Triad in ANY key
What is a Triad? A triad is a chord constructed with 3 notes. When in root position (the root note is on the bottom) each note is a third away from the last (if intervals are new to you check out the intervals tutorial). Triads are a basic chord structure and the basis of how other types of chords are constructed.
How do you form a Major triad? Hopefully you've read about major scales already; if not go check them out, triads will make much more sense. To create a major triad simply stack the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of a major scale on top of each other.
Let's take the C major scale: C - D - E - F - G - A - B
Take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degrees out: C - D - E - F - G - A - B
The C major triad would be C - D - E.
How to form and play a Major Scale (the idea and the rules)
In order to form a major scale, you must first know the difference between a Whole Step and a Half Step. You can figure out scales in any key by knowing the interval ‘formula’ for the type of scale you’re looking for. For clarity, lets say W=whole step and H=half step.
A half step is the smallest interval there is and, on a piano, will be just one key away from the starting note. A whole step is made of two half steps so it will be two keys away from the starting note. Be sure to include the black keys when counting steps. For example, the distance between the consecutive white piano keys E and F, and B and C, equals a half step, whereas the distance between the remaining white keys (G-A, A-B, C-D, D-E, F-G) is a whole step. That's because the piano is designed around the C scale.
Major scale formula:
W - W - H - W - W - W - H
Experimenting with finding the tonic of a song
View our Beginner's Course in 'Finding the Tonic'
Song Suggestions to Memorize
By learning ACTUAL songs you are gaining the abilities listed in this section in a faster way that is more intuitive and motivating. Focus on learning songs and you will begin learning many of the items in the list. All songs in this section will have MIDI Files and are in the site.
Songs to Learn:
- Amazing Grace
- Here I Am to Worship/How Great is Our God
- Every Praise in C (notes can be in root position, focus on rhythm.)
Beginner (Growing)
Learn the diatonic SCALES in EVERY Key in root position
Feel free to check out this section if you are able to play the MAJOR scale in Every Key. Do NOT move to playing triads until you have mastered this. Here are the notes to each key. Play them over and over. One at a time, slowly until you've memorized them.
Start with the Sharps
C Major:
Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
D Major:
Notes: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D
G Major:
Notes: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G
E Major:
Notes: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E
A Major:
Notes: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A
B major:
Notes: B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B
Then memorize your Flats:
F Major:
Notes: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
A#/Bb Major:
Notes: Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
D#/Eb Major:
Notes: Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb
G#/Ab Major:
Notes: Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab
C#/Db Major:
Notes: Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db
F#/Gb Major:
Notes: Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb
(Cb is the same key as B, we call this an enharmonic spelling.) Notice the enharmonic spelling for the keys A#/Bb Major, D#/Eb Major, G#/Ab Major, C#/Db Major and F#/Gb Major. Once you are able to play all of these keys WITHOUT glancing at the notes then you have mastered all of your diatonic keys. Check the box when complete.
You can find more information on the diatonic scales in the Beginner's Course
To download a printable chart which shows the Diatonic Triads in Every Key go here
[Technique] Know the fingering for all major scales
Easy R&B Song
[Gospel] For Your Glory, Key of C
Here is a song from Emmanuel Blanco called, For Your Glory by Tasha Cobbs
Learn the diatonic TRIADS in every key in root position
Here are the Diatonic Triads for the Key of C
Chord Name |
Play the notes together |
|
---|---|---|
I |
C Major (CMaj) |
C-E-G |
ii |
D minor (Dmin) |
D-F-A |
iii |
E minor (Emin) |
E-G-B |
IV |
F Major (FMaj) |
F-A-C |
V |
G Major (GMaj) |
G-B-D |
vi |
A minor (Amin) |
A-C-E |
vii° |
B diminished (Bdim) |
B-D-F |
The Diatonic Triads for Each Key can be found by visiting the "Essentials Pages" on the site
Use the Diatonic Triads to play a song
The following video shows you how to find and use the diatonic triads:
See this video on the use of diatonic triads in C
Learn a Song Live using Triads
- Watch the video above from (0:00-21:15)
- To find the Diatonic Triads in other keys go to the Essentials Page
[Ear] Decide which Quality diatonic chords to play with certain easy melodies and choose a “best” chord in root position
Competent (Knowledgeable)
At this stage you need to have an appropriate practice schedule.
See the following video on how to use the included Practice Session
Download the Practice Schedule Checklist HERE
Play R&B Song: How does it feel?
Play an R&B Song with some Seventh Chords
I can play a Dominant Chord in stacked position
I can play a Diminished Chord in stacked position
Learn the function and purpose of the Tri-tone
Proficient (intermediate)
I am able to play my Triads in Drop2 positions
In these series of videos, you'll learn to play Drop 2 diatonic chords, along with an exercise to help you implement them. First video will be a tutorial on how to do these exercises, followed by videos of the drop 2 chords in every key.
Drop 2 Tutorial:
Key of C Major:
Key of Db Major:
Key of D Major:
Key of Eb Major:
Key of E Major:
Key of F Major:
Key of Gb Major:
Key of G Major:
Key of Ab Major:
Key of A Major:
Key of Bb Major:
Key of B Major:
I am able to play my Minor7th Chords in Drop2 positions
I am able to play my Major7th Chords in Drop2 positions
I am able to play my Dominant 7th Chords in Drop2 positions
I am able to play my Half-Diminished 7th Chords in Drop2 positions
I am able to play my Diminished 7th Chords in Drop2 positions
I can play a Major 9th chord in every key (root position assumed)
I can play a Minor 9th chord in every key
I can play a Minor 11th chord in every key
I can play a 6/9 chord in root position in every key
In this tutorial you'll learn how to form a 6/9 chord in root position and also as a rootless voicing. Click the link below and select tab 7 (Using rootless 6/9 voicings to approach the 1).
I can play a Major 9 (#11) chord in every key
I can play a Major 13 (#11) chord in every key
I can play a 7th (9) chord voicing in every key
I can play a 9th (#11) chord voicing in every key
I can play a 13(b9) chord in every key
In this video Sean gives an example on how to form a Dominant 13th(b9) chord. Be sure to learn this chord and it's voicing in every key.
Start video at 8:03 or select tab #3
I can play a 13th (#11) chord voicing in every key
I can play a #9#5 chord voicing in every key
In this video Sean is showing you how to form a Dominant #9#5 chord, which was demonstrated in the Kevin Bond "The Promise" video breakdown.
I can play a b9b5 chord voicing in every key
In this video Sean is showing you how to form a Dominant b9b5 Chord, which is was demonstrated in the Kevon Bond "The Promise" video breakdown.
I can play a #9b5 chord voicing in every key
In this video Sean explains how to form and use a Dominant (#9b5) chord. Be sure to play this in all keys.
Start video at 27:31 or select tab #8
I can play an Altered chord in every key
I can play a 7(b9) chord voicing in every key
In the video below, you'll learn what the Dominant 7(b9) chord is, and how to apply this chord in your playing. Remember to practice this chord in every key, so that it will become muscle memory.
Start at the 4:45 mark
I can play a 7(#9) chord voicing in every key
In the video below, you'll learn what the Dominant 7(#9) chord is, and how to apply this chord in your playing. Remember to practice this chord in every key, so that it will become muscle memory.
I can play rootless 13 (no 5) chord in context
In this video, you'll learn how to form and apply the Dominant 13(no 5) chord.
Start video at 39:07 or select tab #9
I am able to harmonize melodies with at least 3 unique chord choices per chord
I am able to accompany a singer or choir with piano only while maintaining proper rhythm, timing, and function
I are able to figure out or transcribe 80% of the gospel songs you hear on record today
Song Suggestions
Learning the following songs will help you develop your skills in this area:
Advanced Musician
I can play all the Major, Minor, Melodic, and Harmonic Scale modes in every key
I can play and utilize a variety of Bepop, Blues, and various Gospel Bump licks while playing
I can improv a song or section of a song using the following voicings concepts and ideas listed below
Lydian Dominant Concept
Diminished Scale Concept
Major Scale Concepts (including Lydian)
Minor Scale Concepts (including Dorian-based ideas)
Locrian-based concepts (including movements based on nat 2 and nat 6 scales)
I can play all major, minor, dominant, and half-dim chords and their variants in Drop 2 position with proper placement within a song
I am able to come up with melodies and harmonize them with Drop 2 voicings on the spot and 13 no 5 and I understand the placement of when to use these voicings
I have multiple progressions to get to the Major and Minor Voicings
Practical Uses of the Half-Diminished Chord- aka Min7b5 Approaching the min7b5 from its 5
I am able to transcribe what I hear Top Musicians playing during a Live Performance using the ability to recognize the 4 four types in various extensions and inversions, sus chords, dim7, and augmented chords
Practical Uses of the Half-Diminished Chord- aka Min7b5 Approaching the min7b5 from its 5
Song Suggestions
Learning the following songs will help you develop your skills in this area: