CSS Forum is a link to our Forum which has a lot of styles, midi files and fake sheets. Guests are allowed to read all the messages, but the attached files are not accessible,to be able to access these attached files, you have to apply to become a Lifetime member . We are currently accepting applications for a Lifetime Membership . The Membership Fee is $20.00( US ) ,for a onetime payment by using our Donate Button. This will greatly help out in reducing the monthly costs..................
We also have the "Arranger Lounge" where we can host your mp3's......be a part of it, send us your music with some pics of you and a bio, and we would be quite happy to host you,
Be sure to register at the Forum...join our growing Community and be surrounded by people who share the same passion as you...
______________________________________________________
If you prefer to mail me. please go here........ Contact Page
I have been playing and learning keyboards for the last 6 years. I have had mostly Yamaha keyboards ranging from a psr 740, 2000, 2001, 9000 and now a Tyros [1] that I have had for last 4 years. , >
Manuel Dorantes - Tyros2
My name is Manuel Dorantes, born in Queretaro Mexico, play several string instruments as a child, later accordion, and when my father passed when I was 12, as the oldest child, I began performing at a local Restaurant to support my family.
John Tel - Tyros 2
I'm 52 years (young) living in Antwerp - Belgium.I started on my 16 th as drummer in a party band for about 10 years. >
Paul - PSR 3000
I'm Paul, 42 years old, live in Breda (Netherlands).I am married and have 3 children.From age 10 till 16 I was on a music school learning to play the accordion. >
Jacobus Kruger - Yamaha 309GP
71 Years ago I was born and raised in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. When I was 23, Mom, Dad and I moved to the States. I stayed in the New York area for about 2 years and then moved to Ohio. >
Dreamer - Andrea - Tyros2, G70, PA2X PRO
I live in Rome, Italy, and in my everyday life am a doctor, specialized in Endocrinology. Music has been my main hobby since I was a child; however, I never took proper lessons and consider myself a self-taught amateur musician.
Oldsage - PSR S500
hi i,m steve,been in music one way or another for about 40 years.
Freddy Hepburn - Gem Genesys Pro
I Started off in 1958 as a singer in a small R'n'R group called Freddy "Elvis" Hepburn and the Jailhouse Rockers
kieth793 - Tyros2
My Name is Kieth, I am 44 yrs old, and live on the Isle Of Wight.I have been playing various keyboards for approx 5 yrs.
Eileen from the UK - Tyros2
Hi Everyone My name is Eileen I have been retired for eleven years now. Started off with a Hammond organ about twenty five years ago, then had Lowrey, Farfisa, Tecnics and Yamaha. ,
Jerry Feheley - PA1X PRO
I am a self taught musician. Started playing as a drummer for about 10 years then went to Synthesizer. Played full time professionally for about 30 years in So. California. >
Duo Selection -PSR3000
Gerrie - Vocals, Ron - Keyboard & Vocals
Elaine - MOTEKMUSIC - PSR 3000
Hello... my name is Elaine Drori (MOTEKMUSIC) , originally from the states, currently residing in Denmark,
Don Mason - Tyros2, G70, PA800, SD1
Imagine making a living doing what you would do if you didn't have to make a living! I've been lucky enough to be able to do that for more than 30 years now. I hope you enjoy browsing the site and meeting my friends and family. >
Astral Plane - Tyros1
My name is Silvia Plegnière and my Musical Partner is Kevin Romang.
Cassp - Roland G70
My name is Cassp , It all started in the fifth grade with those accordion lessons.
Forrest - Technics KN 6500, PSR 3000
I do not profess to be a "keyboard player",rather I treat it as a tool in my general music armory.I do most of my work on a Technics KN 6500 with HD as I love the ease of style editing .. >
Janet B - Tyros 2
I am not far off 62 years old, I have the Tyros2 and S900.
Torben G - Tyros 2
"Hi friends - I am honoured to be a member of the Arranger Lounge.
Pamela White - Tyros 2
my name is Pam, and I started playing at the age of 5 years old, with a very strict piano teacher
Spike - Tyros 2, Motif XS6
I started off my "musical" journey playing guitar with (sorry for name dropping) John Lennon - we were in the same class at school.
Mikey V - Korg PA800
My name is Mike van Vught, I'm 38 years old and living in Hallum, the Netherlands. I'm an F-16 technician at the Royal Netherlands Air Force for a living.
Al Johnson - PA1X PRO
Hi Everyone. I want to first thank Ron and the administrative group here at Create Songs Styles for such a wonderful site.
Gary Diamond - PSR 3000
I began playing music at age 5, a time when my father inherited an old, upright piano from a neighbor that no longer wanted it. I sat down on the piano bench opened the key-cover and plinked out Tennessee Waltz, a song that was popular in this part of the world back then. , >
Home
Learn to play Chords from a Fakebook
Written by Peter Edvinsson
Saturday, 01 November 2008
How can you use a fake book to become a better pianist?
A fake book includes a lot of melodies due to the concise format. Let us use a fake book to make you a better chord player!
There are many things you can do with just one song in a fake book. In this piano Lesson we will focus on the chords of a song and how we can use them in a piano practice session.
You can learn to play piano chords in many different ways. Here are just a few examples:
1. You can focus on just one chord memorizing it in twelve keys and then learning another chord the same way. This way of learning chords can be effective if you concentrate long enough on the chords committing them to your long term memory. Some people find this way of learning to mechanical and boring.
2. You can work on learning chord progressions by heart an then applying them in all twelve keys. You can find such chord voicings in piano method books or you can "invent" you own progressions and voicings. Maybe this approach is a little bit more interesting than the before mentioned method.
3. You can learn chords in a more creative way by just deciding to work on finding out variations of a chord as you sit down playing. For example, figure out as many nice sounding variations of the chord Cmaj7 as you can.
4. You can learn progressions and voicings in a more creative way too. For example, play the chord sequence C, A7, Dm7, G7 over and over again trying to create smooth chord changes in an improvised manner.
5. Compose your own chord progressions and write them down with sheet Music notation. In the process of writing them down you will probably trigger your creative mind to come up with interesting piano chord voicings that you never have thought of before and that you also can share with others that can read sheet music
6. Focus on a melody you like and use is as a basis for your piano chord practicing sessions. One melody can be the source of many chord exercises and at the same time you will have a melody at your disposal to play to others.
In this piano lesson we will focus on the sixth suggestion on piano chord practicing. Now we will delve a bit into the art of playing from a fake book.
Actually, what is a fake book?
It is a book with songs and melodies written with sheet music notation. It is produced in a concise format with only melody, lyrics and chord names. The songs have the lyrics beneath the notes and above the notes you will find the names of the appropriate chords to play. In other words, the notes of the chords are not written out. This way of notating gives you the choice to interpret the performance your own way.
Let us take a look at the previous suggestions on how to practice piano chord playing by using a fake book. Here are some ways you can play the chord suggestions above the melody:
1. The first step is to play the melody with your right hand and the chord voicings with your left hand. Practice to play the chords in different ways and practice to move smoothly between chords as you practice playing the chord changes.
2. The next step is to play the bass notes with your left hand and the melody and chords in your right hand. This means that some of the melody notes will be embellished with notes from the chord suggestions. You do not have to include the left hand bass note.
3. The third level is to use both your left and right hand to play chord notes. This can give the song a professional touch if handled with elegance. There are so many ways to play a song this way that it has to be covered in a separate article. You can listen to solo piano recordings to find inspiration. You can also play written out arrangements in sheet music notation of melodies to build up your ability and taste in this area.
Thanks for the learning... written by Al Johnson , December 27, 2008
You have expressed a sincere teacher's spirit by sharing these musical truths. A lesson like this would cost a pretty penny. Your lesson here is worth its weight in gold.
Le Cygne
Dance of the Hours
Wish upon a Star
Bleak Walking
PW Blockbuster
El Negro Zumbin
The Wonder of You
On your Mind
The Rose - Duo
I want to be Free
Actually, what is a fake book?
