Exploring Chord Progressions through Lead Sheets & Improvisation: Method Book
This Method Book is a comprehensive study of how to play the piano more creatively - start by understanding how to form for Scales & Modes, chords, how to identify chord progressions, and how to put this knowledge into practice by playing Lead Sheets, then combining these skills to create your own Improvisations and also try playing by ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
Each lesson is organized in 1 to 2 page spreads that make it easy to print - and feel free to mix and match the lessons based on what you or your student are interested in.
(Many thanks to the teachers, students, and recreational pianists who loved. my previous Method Books: Easy Lead Sheets, 20 Favorite Christmas Songs, and Exploring Improvisation. This book picks where those left off - with a little review for folks who are now jumping onboard.)
Who is this book for?
Piano Teachers who are teaching this topic to their students.
Students who understand scales & chords and are ready to be creative.
Church pianists who want to play from Lead Sheets and learn to improvise.
Any pianist who is curious and wants to learn more about creatively playing chord progressions.
The book is outlined in 6 Sections:
• Basics: Understanding Major & Minor Scales & Modes. What are Chords.
• Analysis & Identification: What is a Chord Progression and how to identify them in music you already know. Examples & exercises.
• Lead Sheets: 10 Lead Sheets learning different chords, keys, and left hand patterns.
• Improvisation: 10 suggested Improvisations with step by step instructions and musical examples. Plus, Chart: 19 Chord Progressions You Need to Know.
• No Music? No Problem! Learn to play Chord Progressions using only Chord Symbols and Lyrics.
• Appendix: Quick Chord Reference Guide: every chord in Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Major 6th, Minor 6th, Major 7th, and Dominant 7th.
• BONUS: 20 Ways to play the C Major chord - Left patterns that work.
This book doesn’t cover everything - it is not a Music Theory rule book - it’s a guide to help you get started playing & make you curious to learn more!
Teaching tip: Each lesson is 1 to 2 pages designed for easy printing, in case you don’t need to print the entire book.
Level: Early Intermediate and beyond.
How long? 63 Pages.
What keys? Majors: C, G, D, F, B♭, E♭. Minors: A, E, D, C, F. Dorian & Mixolydian.
Time Signatures? 4/4 and 3/4
Skill development? Understanding Major & Minor Scales. Introduction to Modes. Understanding chords (how to form triads & chord extensions), Learning to play Lead Sheets with instructions & examples, Learning to Improvise with step by step instructions. Try playing by Ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
What level? Elementary to Intermediate (Faber 1 to Faber 4)
This is a STUDIO LICENSE: One purchase - One person is allowed multiple copies for students in their Studio. Please encourage other Teachers to purchase their own copy. Thank you for honoring the creativity and work of the composer.
IF YOU are a Church pianist and are interested in this book, please write to me - I have a special coupon code to make to your purchase a more reasonable price for individuals. ssmbell.music@gmail.com
This Method Book is a comprehensive study of how to play the piano more creatively - start by understanding how to form for Scales & Modes, chords, how to identify chord progressions, and how to put this knowledge into practice by playing Lead Sheets, then combining these skills to create your own Improvisations and also try playing by ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
Each lesson is organized in 1 to 2 page spreads that make it easy to print - and feel free to mix and match the lessons based on what you or your student are interested in.
(Many thanks to the teachers, students, and recreational pianists who loved. my previous Method Books: Easy Lead Sheets, 20 Favorite Christmas Songs, and Exploring Improvisation. This book picks where those left off - with a little review for folks who are now jumping onboard.)
Who is this book for?
Piano Teachers who are teaching this topic to their students.
Students who understand scales & chords and are ready to be creative.
Church pianists who want to play from Lead Sheets and learn to improvise.
Any pianist who is curious and wants to learn more about creatively playing chord progressions.
The book is outlined in 6 Sections:
• Basics: Understanding Major & Minor Scales & Modes. What are Chords.
• Analysis & Identification: What is a Chord Progression and how to identify them in music you already know. Examples & exercises.
• Lead Sheets: 10 Lead Sheets learning different chords, keys, and left hand patterns.
• Improvisation: 10 suggested Improvisations with step by step instructions and musical examples. Plus, Chart: 19 Chord Progressions You Need to Know.
• No Music? No Problem! Learn to play Chord Progressions using only Chord Symbols and Lyrics.
• Appendix: Quick Chord Reference Guide: every chord in Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Major 6th, Minor 6th, Major 7th, and Dominant 7th.
• BONUS: 20 Ways to play the C Major chord - Left patterns that work.
This book doesn’t cover everything - it is not a Music Theory rule book - it’s a guide to help you get started playing & make you curious to learn more!
Teaching tip: Each lesson is 1 to 2 pages designed for easy printing, in case you don’t need to print the entire book.
Level: Early Intermediate and beyond.
How long? 63 Pages.
What keys? Majors: C, G, D, F, B♭, E♭. Minors: A, E, D, C, F. Dorian & Mixolydian.
Time Signatures? 4/4 and 3/4
Skill development? Understanding Major & Minor Scales. Introduction to Modes. Understanding chords (how to form triads & chord extensions), Learning to play Lead Sheets with instructions & examples, Learning to Improvise with step by step instructions. Try playing by Ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
What level? Elementary to Intermediate (Faber 1 to Faber 4)
This is a STUDIO LICENSE: One purchase - One person is allowed multiple copies for students in their Studio. Please encourage other Teachers to purchase their own copy. Thank you for honoring the creativity and work of the composer.
IF YOU are a Church pianist and are interested in this book, please write to me - I have a special coupon code to make to your purchase a more reasonable price for individuals. ssmbell.music@gmail.com
This Method Book is a comprehensive study of how to play the piano more creatively - start by understanding how to form for Scales & Modes, chords, how to identify chord progressions, and how to put this knowledge into practice by playing Lead Sheets, then combining these skills to create your own Improvisations and also try playing by ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
Each lesson is organized in 1 to 2 page spreads that make it easy to print - and feel free to mix and match the lessons based on what you or your student are interested in.
(Many thanks to the teachers, students, and recreational pianists who loved. my previous Method Books: Easy Lead Sheets, 20 Favorite Christmas Songs, and Exploring Improvisation. This book picks where those left off - with a little review for folks who are now jumping onboard.)
Who is this book for?
Piano Teachers who are teaching this topic to their students.
Students who understand scales & chords and are ready to be creative.
Church pianists who want to play from Lead Sheets and learn to improvise.
Any pianist who is curious and wants to learn more about creatively playing chord progressions.
The book is outlined in 6 Sections:
• Basics: Understanding Major & Minor Scales & Modes. What are Chords.
• Analysis & Identification: What is a Chord Progression and how to identify them in music you already know. Examples & exercises.
• Lead Sheets: 10 Lead Sheets learning different chords, keys, and left hand patterns.
• Improvisation: 10 suggested Improvisations with step by step instructions and musical examples. Plus, Chart: 19 Chord Progressions You Need to Know.
• No Music? No Problem! Learn to play Chord Progressions using only Chord Symbols and Lyrics.
• Appendix: Quick Chord Reference Guide: every chord in Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Major 6th, Minor 6th, Major 7th, and Dominant 7th.
• BONUS: 20 Ways to play the C Major chord - Left patterns that work.
This book doesn’t cover everything - it is not a Music Theory rule book - it’s a guide to help you get started playing & make you curious to learn more!
Teaching tip: Each lesson is 1 to 2 pages designed for easy printing, in case you don’t need to print the entire book.
Level: Early Intermediate and beyond.
How long? 63 Pages.
What keys? Majors: C, G, D, F, B♭, E♭. Minors: A, E, D, C, F. Dorian & Mixolydian.
Time Signatures? 4/4 and 3/4
Skill development? Understanding Major & Minor Scales. Introduction to Modes. Understanding chords (how to form triads & chord extensions), Learning to play Lead Sheets with instructions & examples, Learning to Improvise with step by step instructions. Try playing by Ear with Chord symbols and lyrics.
What level? Elementary to Intermediate (Faber 1 to Faber 4)
This is a STUDIO LICENSE: One purchase - One person is allowed multiple copies for students in their Studio. Please encourage other Teachers to purchase their own copy. Thank you for honoring the creativity and work of the composer.
IF YOU are a Church pianist and are interested in this book, please write to me - I have a special coupon code to make to your purchase a more reasonable price for individuals. ssmbell.music@gmail.com
