Right-Hand Techniques for New Age Piano

Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some techniques for using the right hand. Usually, it's the left hand that causes the most difficulty but I had to think about it because up till then, I really did not have any "techniques" for the right hand.

I thought about it and tried to think about what I do as far as improvising with the right hand goes. Basically there are really only a few things you can do. You can:

1. Play single note runs - this is where you just play one note at a time

2. Play arpeggios - broken chords up and down the keyboard

3. Play chords - using 3rds or sixths or any combination of the chord-scale relationship

Different genres of music use the above techniques in different ways. New Age piano usually relies on a softer sound although there is a "minimalist" style that uses hard sounding chords in the right hand ala George Winston.

You see, the problem is that you have to know the numerical relationship between the root note and the rest of the notes that make up the chord to "know what you're doing" on the keyboard.

A book I highly recommend, although it may not be on the market anymore is Alan Swain's Four-way Keyboard system. It's not an easy instruction book, but it is one of the best for how chords are constructed - thus allowing you to know when you are playing 3rds or 4ths and so on. Not necessary for making music, but nice to know anyway.

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music's online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lesson s.html for a FREE piano lesson!

---

How Has Eminem Risen to the Top?

How is it that a little white boy from Kansas... Read More

Playing The Piano Using Chord Symbols Instead of Being Tied To The Written Sheet Music

Piano improvising and arranging is an art but definitely not... Read More

Music as Therapy?

Frustrated in a gridlocked?Job got you stressed out?The children have... Read More

The King of the Delta Blues Singers - Robert Johnson Still Stands at the Crossroads

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More

Does Your Band Need a Manager?

New bands looking to book gigs and establish contacts often... Read More

Quick and Easy Violin Mute

One of the reasons I picked up the violin was... Read More

Your First Guitar

Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is.... Read More

So You Wanna Learn How To Start a Record Label?

Well, you love music so much that you have decided... Read More

Shopping For Your First Drum Set

Your first drum set purchase is very exciting! You have... Read More

An Introduction to CD Mastering

While many people think that the mixing of the separate... Read More

Effective Band Rehearsal

If your band is in rehearsals, either preparing for gigging,... Read More

To Record or Not To Record - At Home, That Is

I will be honest. I am addicted to music recording.... Read More

How to be Creative at the Piano

So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

Internet Jams

Today's technology for the recording musician has been getting better... Read More

Chords or Melody First... Which is Best?

There are basically two ways you can compose a piece... Read More

Reaching For The Soul Zone

Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical... Read More

Rhapsody Music Downloads Part II - A pleasant experience?

Welcome back to Part II of Rhapsody Music Downloads! I... Read More

Breathing Space in Music

While most students want to know when to play certain... Read More

How the Internet Helps Musicians

Everyone talks about the negative impact of the Internet on... Read More

Buying A Guitar

There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More

Is it Possible to Download Music Legally Anymore?

Throughout the past few years downloading music on the internet... Read More

Music for Corporate Entertainment

For many years I have supplied music for and played... Read More

Writing Hit Songs

There are a lot of factors to writing a hit... Read More

How to Start Your Own Band

Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a... Read More

RAP Music and Brain Washing Issues

I am not sure if anyone has been watching out... Read More

Micheal Jackson

I bet your wondering all about the Micheal Jackson Trail.... Read More

Guitar Humidification

Problems with humidity can lead to heartbreak for the classical... Read More

Top Rap Song

After months of email and posts, we've finally compiled and... Read More

Music Making as Spiritual Experience

If you've been playing piano for some time, you may... Read More

How to Create Hip, Mature and Lush Harmonies

Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More

Inspiration Wanted - Apply Within!

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for music students is... Read More

Bluegrass Music - Alive and Well in the Appalachians

One of the Appalachian Mountain region's greatest contributions to the... Read More