Learn all about chords, playing styles and lead sheets with Forrest Kinney
In this 8-lesson course, Forrest Kinney teaches us all about chords and playing styles. He shares information on how to make the most popular chords, how to style them in a variety of ways, how to add colour tones to them and how to use them to re-harmonise melodies in fresh ways. Once you understand this information on chords, you’ll be able to play from lead sheets and make arrangements from your favourite songs.
Course outline
Lesson 1: Introduction
Lesson 2: Styling, Part 1
Lesson 3: Styling, Part 2
Lesson 4: BAP (Basic Accompaniment Position)
Lesson 5: Colouring, Part 1 (seconds)
Lesson 6: Colouring, Part 2 (sevenths)
Lesson 7: Substituting
Lesson 8: BAM (Both Melody and Accompaniment)
Bonus Module: Tim's LH Patterns and Styles
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Taking the Lead with Forrest Kinney was created by
Forrest Kinney
Educator, Author, Pianist, Composer and Presenter
Forrest Kinney was an educator who taught music for over four decades. He was a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) as recognized by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). His goal in life was to help others become creative, whole musicians capable of enjoying the Four Arts of Music: improvising, arranging, composing, and interpreting. Forrest lived amongst mossy trees in the mountains east of Seattle, generally preferring what he called “a 19th-century lifestyle.” He was immensely grateful to be able to make his living by creating music and books, and by sharing his belief that creativity is a key to happiness.
Welcome to Taking the Lead!
In this course, Forrest Kinney teaches us all about chords and playing styles. He shares information on how to make the most popular chords, how to style them in a variety of ways, how to add colour tones to them and how to use them to re-harmonise melodies in fresh ways.
Once you understand this information on chords, you'll be able to play from lead sheets, and make arrangements from your favourite songs.
What are Lead Sheets?
Not everyone knows what they are so we'd like to first share this resource with you that explains the difference between chord charts and lead sheets.
Click here to read the blog post.
If you're still unsure about lead sheets and their place in your studio, here's a blog post outlining 9 reasons why playing lead sheets is essential for piano students.
Click here to read the blog post.
You'll find the full set of handouts linked in every lesson throughout the course. You'll only need to download this once to follow along.
Handouts
All course handouts in a single PDF.
HOW TO BEGIN
Are you ready to get started? Just click the Enrol in course button below to activate your course. Then click Start Course to begin learning. If you’re on our app, click the Start Course button to enrol in the course and then Start Course again to begin the first lesson.
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You’re welcome to complete a course as many times as you wish. If the course enrol button says completed, start it again by clicking the first lesson in the Course Content list at the bottom of this course homepage.
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