Compose at the Keyboard with the Pyramids Variations
What you'll learn
- Play an impressive modern classical ('New Age') piano solo based on a simple hand-position, without reading music or having played the piano before.
- 'Compose at the keyboard' - Just sit down and play the piano from having seen how music can be built up from simple elements.
- Get a practical demonstration of creative music theory basics - what makes music work, and how to put it together yourself.
Requirements
- No previous experience needed! You do NOT need to read music to make stellar progress using this course!
- No advanced computer skills necessary. The optional MidiPiano virtual keyboard (Windows OS) is basic computer technology.
Description
The Pyramids Variations (Learn to Improvise on a Chord Sequence) is about being able to "just sit down and play" the piano - like a guitarist can just pick up the guitar and strum a few chords. (In fact, "strumming the piano" wouldn't be a bad course subtitle!)
The first part of the course coaches you to an impressive 'Concert Performance' piano solo based on a simple hand position. The second half goes on to show how you can become a creative 'composer at the keyboard' by varying and recombining the musical building blocks you've mastered.
Lessons consist of videos with related web pages hosting audio and video example performances and pdf lesson notes.
The Pyramids Variations course consists of 20-plus practical lessons – probably two whole semester's-worth of creative course curriculum.
You do NOT need to be able to read music to benefit from this course! - but all the written music is there for good readers. And there's extensive 'try before you buy' web content to help you decide if the Pyramids Variations is for you.
Who this course is for:
- Any pianist of any age and stage who feels he/she could be more creative at the keyboard than hitherto.
- Any lapsed pianist wanting to take up piano again on their own terms.
Course content
- Preview02:27
- Preview12:00
- Preview08:25
- 01:35Pyramids - Adding the Melody
- 01:51Pyramids - A Four-chord Version
- 01:16Pyramids - Developing the Melody
- 01:51Pyramids - The 32-bar AABA Form
- 00:58Pyramids - The Four-chord B Section
- 02:58Pyramids - The Concert Performance
Instructor
![Mister Musicarta](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 56 Reviews
- 8,997 Students
- 7 Courses
Bob Chappell (aka Mister Musicarta) has been "messing round with chords" since he got turfed off the school piano for playing four-handed boogie with a pal. A lifetime musician, playing for functions and ballet class and every modern style under the sun, Bob now teaches and plays in Cape Town, South Africa.
Years of teaching a creative curriculum called 'composing at the keyboard' have been honed down to what works best to free that musician within. Visit the Musicarta website and Mister Musicarta YouTube channel (links below) to sample my approach.
Looking forward to seeing you on the courses!