|
We will explore the technique of playing new age music in this free online piano lesson.
Interestingly enough, new age music consists of very little chord variation. Most of the
time by just playing two chord alternately. Another technique frequently used by getting
the far out melody or dream-like melody of new age music is by using polytonality.
What is polytone? Polytone means playing more than one chords at a time. It can be any
combination of chord. All the samples uses MIDI file. Since this is not a MP3 or real audio
file, the sound effects of the lesson varies.
|
|
|
New Age Online Piano Lesson:
Step1:
The left hand play just C chord (use only C and G). I recommend taking the E out from C chord
to get the open sound. Applies the right pedal (to sustain the note). Listen to left hand samples.
Step 2:
We will play C scale on right hand, replace F note with F#. Hear the distinct note of F#? F# is
part of the D chord. By having Left hand play C chord and right hand play C scale with F#, we
are playing both C and D chords. Hence, this is part of the polytone. Hear the sample of right
hand.
Step 3:
Keep the left hand playing C and G and hold for a few measure, and then repeats the C and G
again. Also, you can press C & G down the same time. The right hand will focus on playing C
scale with F# note play frequently, thus creating an unique dream-like sound (listen to sample 1).
Sample 2: Right hand play two note of C scale the same time (for instance: C &E, D &F#, E &G,
etc).
Note: This will take some time to master, especially if you are quite new to improvisation. The key
is let your hand and heart moves the way it wants to. Don't worry about the sound of the music.
There is no right or wrong, just continue to practice on the C scale until it can move relatively fast.
You can repeatedly playing a few notes that is pleasant to your ears, play harder sometime,
softer other time..... pretty soon it will sound almost like George Winston is playing in your living
room....make sure you press the right pedal so that a sustaining sound can be produced. Have
fun!
|
|