Learn how to master and own your scales with these exercises.

In this lesson, I'll give you techniques that will help you improvise over chord progressions more easily.

By playing a song in more than one style, you can create some really fun arrangements and bring some sparkle to your song arrangements.

Working with other musicians is one of the greatest experiences you'll have as a pianist. This lesson will help guide you in that endeavor.

Another condensed lesson to help you improvise over leadsheets quickly. We will cover the major scale, simplified rhythms, arpeggios, chromaticism, approaches and more.

We will be focusing on exercises starting on different solfege notes. We will also cover rhythmic dictation and melodic/rhythmic dictation exercises.

We will be focusing on exercises starting on different solfege notes. You'll learn about tendency tones and how to know where notes want to resolve. We will also cover rhythmic dictation and melodic/rhythmic dictation exercises. Eighth-note triplets will be introduced.

We will be going over: Examples to Sing, The "Pickup", Dictation Examples, Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation, Major Triad Inversions and Introducing Minor.

In this lesson you'll learn how to improvise in 5 steps. These five steps make it easier for you to create a solo quickly without getting bogged down with too much music theory.

In this lesson you'll learn some more advanced improvisation techniques. We will use Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out of You" for improvisation. We will discuss the pentatonic scale, rootless chords, line creation using rhythm, scales and more.

Now that you’ve learned how to build a funk groove using just 2 chords and examined the role of each instrument in the rhythm section, it’s time to learn to solo over the funk groove! In this companion lesson to “Building a Funk Groove,” we will teach you 7 practice steps for gaining confidence, developing fluidity, and improving your soloing abilities using just one scale! These 7 steps can be applied to your practice in all genres of music.

In this lesson, we will teach you how to play two classic funk-party Michael Jackson tunes – “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Students will learn how to play these great keyboard-centric grooves and will learn the finer points of funk rhythm-reading and counting (which draws heavily on 16th-note rhythms). You will learn the importance of transposition and will show you how to think about the chords in a way that makes transposition much easier to practice. In addition, you’ll get a total of 4 jam tracks!

In this lesson, we will show you how to play the piano-based funk groove that makes up Earth Wind & Fire’s classic funk-party hit “September.” You will learn the chords and specific voicings, as well as the left-hand bassline, that make up this groove, and we will show you how to practice establishing the groove using your metronome and the 2 provided jam tracks.

This is an instantly recognized funky party tune that you will want to have in your repertoire. In this lesson, you will learn how to play this song on an organ patch and teach you all the chords necessary to play this Stevie Wonder hit. In addition, we will demonstrate the traditional and alternate chord voicings that you can use during your own performances and will break down the three sections that make up the entirety of this song, demonstrating how easy it is to have the entire song memorized.

Are you interested in writing or arranging music? Are you interested in understanding why certain chords “work” and sound so cool? Then this is the lesson for you. In this lesson, we will show you 7 different ways to resolve to a C major chord, a particularly valuable skill for anyone who wants to take command of the music they’re playing and unlock all of the creative possibilities. In fact, with all the different variations we will show you, you will learn more than 10 different chord progressions, all of which will bring you to C major.

Many funk grooves are based on simply 2-4 measures and contain only a few chords. These short passages can make up entire sections of grooving and soloing. In this lesson, we will show you how to build an entire funk groove using only 2 measures and 2 chords. What’s best is that you will learn to build the groove one instrument at a time, examining the drum part, bass part, and clarinet part. You’ll get a bunch of jam tracks so that you can listen, analyze, and learn each individual part in isolation, and get a comprehensive understanding of how the parts fit and work together.

In this lesson, we will use the Yamaha Motif synth to teach you funk licks #1-5 which you can practice and use in your playing. Each lick is meant to highlight a different concept, including pentatonic scales, blues scales, quartal voicings, “outside” playing, chromatic approach, etc. You’ll also get 2 excellent jam tracks to use in your practice. And the best part is that since these licks are built over a “ii – V” progression, you’ll be able to use them in all different styles of music – jazz, rock, funk, pop, etc.

In this lesson, we will continue teaching funk licks #6-10, this time splitting the Yamaha Motif to feature two different sounds in each hand. These licks get slightly more advanced but are still built over the Bb-7 to Eb7 chord progression (ii – V progression), meaning that you can use these licks in all styles of music.

In this lesson you will learn 5 scales that are essential when learning how to solo over a funk groove. Each chapter will present a new scale and will examine how the scale is constructed, relevant music theory information, the chords over which each scale can be used, and demonstrations of each scale using a jam track (which is also provided). Scales to be discussed include pentatonic, blues, mixolydian, dorian, and lydian dominant.

Picking up where “Rock Piano Chords Part 1” left off, this lesson shows you how to use all of the inversions in a way that creates smooth voice-leading, allowing you to quickly and efficiently move from one chord to another with minimal hand movement. This lesson also introduces 7th chords (major, minor, and dominant) and slash chords, and concludes by showing you how some of the greatest rock songs of all time use these essential piano chords.

This lesson is jam-packed with 11 Rock Piano Technique Tips that are the result of years of practice, gigging, touring, and teaching experience. Not only will you get some incredibly useful tips for practicing and playing, but you’ll also get professional insight into how to prepare for gigs, essential skills for improving your musicianship, scales for soloing, theory, and demonstrations using some of the most classic rock hits of all-time.

In this lesson, you will review four basic rhythmic values: whole, dotted-half, half, and quarter notes. After some brief examples you will work through 12 Rhythmic Exercises, successively increasing in their level of difficulty. These exercises will improve your rhythm and sight-reading ability. In addition to the sheet music, you will receive two drum-groove jam tracks at different tempos that should be used as practice resources.

In Part 2 of the Rock Rhythm Practice lesson, you will review the rhythms discussed in Part 1 and immediately build upon your mastery by introducing eighth notes. You will work through Rhythmic Exercises #1-12, gradually increasing in difficulty, while also improving your sight-reading skills. In addition to the sheet music, this lesson also provides two great drum groove jam tracks at different speeds for use in your practice.

This lesson focuses on some great rock piano comping techniques using Adele’s smash hit “Make You Feel My Love,” already a classic rock piano ballad. But in addition to learning that great tune and some of harmonic accompaniment tips, you’ll also get bonus Adele in which you’ll learn her new smash hit “Hello,” another soon-to-be-classic rock piano hit. Add both of these great songs to your repertoire today!

Toto’s “Africa” is a classic rock hit that you definitely need in your repertoire. The best part is that the song is largely based on the piano part. This lesson will teach you how to break this song down into smaller sections that are easier to memorize, and will also discuss some of the specific aspects of synthesizer programming that are important for a song like this.

In this lesson you will learn to play Van Morrison’s classic hit “Caravan.” We will show you how to break this song down into 3 easy-to-remember sections. You will also learn how to practice these sections individually and how to transpose the song to different keys.

This song is a must-have in the repertoire of any rock piano player. We will show you how to break the song down into just two easy-to-remember sections. We will also give you some bonus theory info on the chord progression of this song (which is a very common chord progression) and show you how to apply a harmonic formula which can help you transpose this song to various keys. Add this hit to your repertoire today!

This lesson teaches you the Beatles’ classic hit “Hey Jude” by focusing on 6 essential areas of instruction: technique, rhythm, reading, theory, licks/fills, and song tips. Packed with great advice, tips, instruction, demonstration, and explanation that covers all the based. Add this rock hit to your repertoire today!

This classic Michael Jackson tune has perhaps one of the most recognizable keyboard lines in all of pop-rock music. Luscious rock/R&B chords, ear-grabbing melody lines, and a lot of fun to play, this is a tune that all keyboard players and singers enjoy playing. Add it to your repertoire today!

You’ll want to add this classic John Lennon hit to your repertoire. By breaking the song down into three easy-to-remember sections, you will more quickly be able to commit this song to memory. Built primarily using triads and a few 7th chords, this song uses a “broken chord” accompaniment that will be explained and demonstrated. This style of accompaniment is an easy technique that can be used on a variety of other songs.

In this lesson, you will learn how to play this classic Billy Joel hit, breaking down each section for easier memorization. We will also talk about a couple ways to approach two-handed accompaniment if you are accompanying a singer (yourself or someone else). With lots of great sounding chords that include shell voicings, upper extensions, and ii-V-I progressions, you’ll want to add this piano classic to your repertoire.

In this lesson, we will examine and discuss the concept of upbeats and downbeats. Then, students will work on a variety of rhythmic exercises using a drum track, eventually learning to play a simple chord progression where the focus is on rhythm-reading. Lastly, students will be introduced to a “rhythm chart,” and you will learn what it is, how to read it, and why it is used.

This lesson puts you IN THE STUDIO! You’ve just been asked to play on a recording session which will feature a new smooth jazz/funk song entitled “Downtown Funk.” The producer has sent you the sheet music and the track in advance of the gig. You will learn all of the necessary preparation: understanding how to read the chart and why it is so different from reading classical music; how to work and count through difficult rhythms; how to interpret and build great-sounding chords; how to practice the tune; scales you can use to solo over the chords; how to select your sounds and what is meant by the expression “splitting your keyboard.” This lesson is packed with in-depth explanations and has everything you need to get ready to jam along with this great track!

Part 2 of Funk Reading.

Have you ever wanted to groove right along with the most classic clavinet hooks on some of the greatest funk tunes of all-time, but had trouble capturing that elusive sound? In this lesson, we will explain (1) why that sound is so difficult to capture, (2) the sounds he uses on his keyboard to replicate those classic clav patches and (3) how to play these awesome, essential funk grooves using a step-by-step process. And you’ll also get 6 great play-along jam tracks as part of the lesson.

Oftentimes funk tunes are built on the traditional 12-bar blues form. The elements which transform a tune from a swing-blues to a funk-blues are usually things like groove, instrumentation, and comping rhythms. In this lesson, we will teach you a powerfully effective yet simple blues-funk comping groove. In addition, you will also learn to add a left hand baseline, a funky fill, and even a bonus chapter which discusses a commonly-encountered funk voicing for dominant chords.

In this lesson you will be shown 6 different funky chord progressions, each 2-4 measures in length in varying keys. In each groove, the instructor will highlight 5 various points: (1) How to build the chords; (2) How to understand the rhythm and work with the metronome; (3) How to play along with the provided jam track; (4) Variations of the chords and progression for further exploration; and (5) Scales that you can use for soloing over the progression.

One of the greatest rock tunes of all-time, this tune has two complete different sections. The first is a hard-driving rock-blues tune with some great organ riffs. The second section is a beautiful piano rock-ballad piece in which the acoustic piano is very prominently featured. You will learn both sections and discuss the various parts of each (i.e., intro, chorus, verse, piano outro), as well as discuss details such as key changes, rhythmic figures, and chord voicings.

The Allman Brothers’ classic instrumental hit “Jessica” is chock-full of some quintessential blues-rock piano language, and in this lesson we’ll be studying 7 different must-have piano licks that come directly from the studio recording of this great tune. The piano solo in “Jessica” is one of the most-famous solos in all of rock music and so we’ve transcribed 6 of our licks directly from this excellent solo and we’ll be teaching them to you note-for-note. Learn these licks so that you can play along with the recording, cover the tune in your band, or practice some great rock licks that you can use in your own solos!

This classic Madonna hit is pure pop-rock. Get to know the organ sounds on your keyboard or synth and learn the 3 sections that comprise this great tune. You’ll be jamming along with the original or playing this song in your cover band in no time. You’ll also learn about triads, inversions, “beefing up” your triads, and voice-leading!

In this lesson you will be shown how to play this classic rock hit by learning one section at a time (intro/verse, prechorus, chorus, bridge, ending), helping you to memorize the form more easily. In addition, you will study various kinds of 7th chords and rhythmic comping patterns. Add this great rock tune to your repertoire today!

Not only is the song a classic but it also appeals to audiences young and old and is fun to play. The music of Motown has stood the test of time, so you’ll definitely want to add this song to your repertoire. Taught in an easy-to-understand manner, the song is broken down by section so that you can more quickly and easily memorize the form. Start learning this class track today!

In this lesson, we will teach you how to play this classic Paul McCartney hit by breaking the form down into individual section, making the song easier to memorize. We will show you how to build each chord, as well as discuss slash chords and how to spell triads in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion.

This is a classic James Taylor song that presents some challenging chords not often found in most rock music. You’ll encounter gospel-style chord progressions that use diminished seventh chords and slash chords and modulate through three different keys. The instructor will break the material into 3 sections to help you more easily memorize the song as you learn.

From the opening introductory melody, this piano hit is instantly recognized by everyone. Learn this tune by studying the 5 component sections: intro, verse, bridge, chorus, and interlude. Also study the specific comping concepts that Elton John is using when he accompanies himself on this tune.

In this lesson you will learn how to play Billy Joel’s classic piano hit “New York State of Mind.” We will show you how to break the song down into its component parts for easier memorization, teach you the specific chord voicings, and discuss the specific repetitive harmonic pattern being used in the bridge.

In this three-session lesson, learn different practice techniques and ways to become the best rock player you can be! This is a great lesson to watch before beginning the Rock Piano Lessons courses.

In this lesson, you will learn some of the common aspects of playing a synthesizer using the Yamaha Motif ES6, a very frequently encountered and popular synth. We will discuss the differences of playing a piano as opposed to a synth, the features which are unique to synth playing, and some of the various “sound families” with which synth players should be familiar. A practice plan is included as well!

Picking up where Part I left off, this lesson will continue to examine “sound families” that a synth player may commonly use in his/her playing, as well as a couple “licks and tricks” that work particularly well on synths. You will learn the importance of experimenting with various sounds, and listening so as to be able to quickly identify sounds that you hear and find them on your synth.

In this lesson, you will be introduced to four rhythmic values (quarter, 8th, triplet, and 16th notes) and will work through various exercises of increasing difficulty. In the final part of this lesson, you will learn a concept known as “polyrhythms” and will show you a great exercise that will get you thinking (and moving) like a drummer.