The Maestro Online
Music Theiry through Piano Pop Songs
Piano Pop Songs – Musical Analysis and Theory
It is so important, whether your are a pianist, organist or vocalist, or any other instrument for that matter, to create improvisations that are memorable. This usually means finding a particular musical characteristic to ‘colour’ each section. If you are improvising on an existing tune or piece of music, then you should analyse it first to discover its most interesting features of harmony (chords), melody or scales.
Here are some examples:
Pentatonic Scale in Piano Pop Songs
Roar by Katy Perry is Pentatonic. Here’s a lesson:
Limited Number of Chords in Piano Pop Songs
Budapest by George Ezra begins with an introduction that uses only one chord, as does most of the verse (with one chord exception).
Here’s a lesson on just how versatile a chord can be:
Natural Minor Scale and Major Seventh Chords in Piano Pop Songs
The perfect song to explore these is Head and Heart.
Consecutive Fifths in Piano Pop Songs
It’s interesting that these were ‘banned’ in Baroque harmony and the days of Bach. Every student is punished for using them and yet in Medieval Organum they have a very soothing effect. They are equally great in Duncan Laurence’s Arcade:
Major thirds, minor thirds and the Blues Scale in Piano Pop Songs
When learning the difference between major and minor thirds it is great to integrate them into the Blues Scale. Rock around the Clock is perfect for this:
Arpeggios
Arpeggios are based as a left hand accompaniment. They can create a very soothing atmosphere. I particularly like them in My Heart Will Go On (originally sung by Celine Dion in the Titanic movie):
Transposition and Keys via Piano Pop Song Studies
As you begin to understand keys, it’s great to find short melodies that don’t use too many different notes. It’s therefore much easier to transpose them and to improvise around them. Here’s some 4 note melodies that might inspire you:
Minor Chords in Piano Pop Songs
Rasputin is the perfect avenue into learning about minor chords because it really showcases their fantastic colour.
Dr Robin Harrison, the Maestro Online is an experienced vocal coach, classical-pop-jazz pianist and organist who has taught for 30 years. He teaches online and in person and can be found at:
www.the-maestro-online.com
Celebrity Pop Piano Masterclasses
Visit the Music Course Library to access digital courses, including pop-rock celebrity piano masterclasses including by the likes of Marcus Brown, keyboardist to Madonna and James Morrison.
How to Compose Great Tunes & Melodic Playfulness
You love composing your own pieces and would now like to refine your skills further. You want to know how to create melodies (tunes) with even greater character. What if you had the opportunity to learn with somebody who does this for their living and is really well known for their skills? Here's your chance!
Will Todd: Composition & Improvisation Masterclasses
Will's anthem, The Call of Wisdom, was performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a TV audience of 45 million people. His breakthrough work, Mass in Blue (originally titled Jazz Mass), has been performed hundreds of times all over the world. His arrangement of Amazing Grace was performed at President Obama’s Inauguration Day prayer service in 2013 and as part of the BBC’s Nelson Mandela Thanksgiving Service.
2. Tunes & Melodic Playfulness
Learn how to compose melodies with one of the UKs leading international composers.
In this course, Will takes us through tasks and ideas that lead to melodic discovery, releasing the fun, excitement and spontaneity of our inner child. He helps us find things that make us react or surprise us. He generates excitement at sound and therefore truly stimulated our composition process. He helps us compare ideas that create reactions that we expect and ones that don’t in melody and harmony. He also supports us in discovering stylistic connections between rhythm, harmony, melody and composition.
By the end of this course you will also have a range of strategies for when you struggle to feel creative.
The Discovery Play Channel
1.Playfulness: Find the Child in You.
2.The Rules of Melodic Character.
The Surprise Channel
3.In the Playground: Melodic Surprise.
4.Upset the Apple Cart: Harmonic Surprise.
5.Pushing the Boat Out As Far As You Dare.
6.Dissonance & Shape over Resting Chords.
A Sense of Style
7.Playful Rhythm & Style.
Pearls of Wisdom
8.Help! My Mind is Blank!
9.No Comparisons Here: Box of Chocolates.
What Are Our Music Masterclasses Like?
Our music masterclass courses are self-study digital courses embedded with information, many include interactive music software (scores), exercises, objectives, tasks, progress tracking, teaching pedagogy and videos of celebrities and international level musicians explaining and demonstrating key skills. Certificates are awarded at the end of each course.
Our community is also evolving and we have a chat feature so that you can contact us whenever you need help and can make other musical friends.
- Thorough Musicianship: Creativity, improvisation, ear training integrated with popular and classical tunes to help you gain musical freedom.
- Unique Learning Journey: Tailored methodology emphasising improvisation and ear skills first, with notation to support.
- Certification: Clear objectives, tasks, and light-hearted quizzes leading to downloadable certificates.
- Gamification: League tables for frequent log ins and certificate points.
- Interactive Software: Connect visuals and sound with creativity.
- Human Touch: Engage with our team, request specific courses, and receive personalised support.
- Flexible Learning: Low monthly fees, cancel anytime, learn in the comfort of your home (no travelling!) and at your own pace.
- Personalised Experience: Tailored support and bespoke courses available.
- All Levels: Diverse range of courses, masterclasses & 1-1 lessons are tailored for all skill levels. Perfect for adult and teenage pianists, university and conservatoire students, music therapists and home schoolers.
A Quick Look at a Typical Masterclass Course
Sample Interactive Score
Course Dashboard with Chat, Progress and Points
Click to Buy £19.99 One-Off Payment
Click to Subscribe to All Masterclasses
(over £2000 of content included)
Multiple currencies available
