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This is a rock style keyboard method. In rock style keyboard you play chords with your right hand and bass line with your left hand.
We will start with the right hand chords and then add the bass line.
Lets wake the musical lion asleep inside of you.
Go to your piano or keyboard.
These are the notes on your keyboard.
Step 1
Place your right thumb on the C in the middle of your keyboard. C is the white key to the left of two black keys.
Place your index finger on the E to the right of middle C. (E is the white key to the right of two black keys.)
Place your little finger (or whatever finger feels most comfortable) on the G to the right of middle C.
(G is the white key between the first and second of three black keys).
This is a C Major chord.
Now strike these three keys together four times.
Count 1 2 3 4 as you play.
Step 2
Keep your thumb in place and move your little
finger up (to the right) to the next white key (A) and your index
finger up (to the right) to the next white key (F).
This is an F Major chord
Strike it four times.
Step 3
Move your index and little fingers back
to the original position. You are back to the C
Major chord.
Strike it four times
Step 4
Keep your little finger in place and move your
thumb down one note to the left to the next white key (B)
and your index finger down to the left to the next white key (D)
This is a G Major chord
Strike it four times.
Step 5
Move your thumb and index fingers
back to the original position and
repeat the process as you sing
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
The Bass Line
When you are comfortable with the right hand chord changes add the bass note on the left hand:
The bass note is the same letter name as the chord you are playing with your right hand. When you play the C major chord you play the C bass note, when you play the F major chord you play the F bass note, and when you play the G major chord you play the G bass note.
Bass Notes
Now as you play each chord, play the bass note
on the 1 count.
When you are comfortable with that, play the
bass note on the 1 & 3 countThese are all the chords you need for this song.
.Woodie Guthrie once said, "If a song has more than three chords, it's too fancy." Agree or disagree with this as we will, there are many, many songs that can be played with just these three chords. Here's just a small list:
Goodnight, Irene
Michael Row The Boat Ashore
Frankie and Johnny
Turn, Turn, Turn
Hush Little Baby
Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
Rivers of Babylon
Amazing Grace
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Me And Bobby McGee
Ob-la-di Ob-la-da
This Land Is Your Land
She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain
My Coloring Book
Things
I could teach you many songs step-by-step as I have in this prelude, but that would take much time and a lot of paper. Or I could teach you the underlying principle and some music theory and you will be able to play any tune you want.
Author’s Note:
The above changes are based on a patented chord changing formula, Relative Chord Keyboard Instructional Method. When you understand this formula you can use these changes to accompany any song that calls for diatonic harmony.
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