kevinrhart Posted July 17, 2022 Share Posted July 17, 2022 Hi all, I don't expect there is any help on this but I feel kind of frustrated that I am not progressing with "The way you look at me - Lesson 8" fast enough. The trouble is probably down to my memory (73 years) which seems slow in remembering the chords (Using stride) and also landing my left hand in the & on the 3-7 chord. The right hand is just down to practise which I am finding easy enough. So, I have a problem with landing the & and also getting up to speed. Any suggestions, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick H Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Hi Kevin, What I did for Jonny’s St Louis Blues lesson and improv over blues scales which can use jumps, was to get the left hand into muscle memory first, then learn the melodies or blues riffs I was working on. It took a while and I still stumble at times unless I keep the repetitions up, but I found that worked best for me. I also took time to learn technique by taking Jonny’s rockin blues, baseline and blues riffs courses and would practice jumps in c or g scales using the I, IV, and V chords only. When I really practiced jumps I found I would relatively automagically find the root and be able to jump to the chord or chord inversion. It took me a long time but was very rewarding when it started to sink in. Now its fun and it has been 18 months in the works. I figured out that even though I had a respectable foundation I was lacking some or forgot some basics so went back and started learning diatomic chords and inversions for 12 scales in the circle of fifths. Being able to visualize the chords has also helped a lot as it started making it easier to visualize chord patterns and transfer that to the keyboard. Pat @kevinrhart 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrhart Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 (edited) Hi Pat, thanks very much for your tips which make perfect sense. Do you think that I am trying to run before I can walk? With the stride technique it is landing on the root I find the hardest so I will try and get the left hand off first. I am using Root then 3 and 7 on Beats 1 & 2. I do not have any problems with playing the piece with Block Chords and can also add rythmn and play the right hand with harmonies. Kevin Edited July 18, 2022 by kevinrhart Addional Info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick H Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Hi Kevin, we all learn differently and I am not a coach or music instructor, but I will share what works for me. Playing the block chords works for me also. I integrate jump practice into many of my practices for a few minutes relatively often even if I am not playing a song. This helps me keep the muscle memory developed. I will also eliminate the jump and play broken chords with inversions keeping my left hand within 1 octave just below middle c but work on rhythm sometimes with the melody of the song I am learning. For example: I play f chord as a triad F A C (1,3,5) using 4 finger on F (beat 1) and 2 and 1 play A and C together (beat 2) where C is middle C then I play a chord inversion with 5 finger on C below middle C and repeat A and C (3,5) using fingers 2 and 1 for beats 3 and 4). This way there is no jump but I can practice rhythm until jump is ready to add in. C7 chord would use notes G (beat 1) Bb C (together for beat 2) then C (octave below middle C beat 3) and Bb C for beat 4). In a similar fashion you can break up G7. Jonny uses these techniques in some of his lessons. My favorite lesson for bass practice is his rockin blues bass lines. I learn something new every time I practice it. https://pianowithjonny.com/lessons/rockin-blues-bass-lines-2-lesson-5/ There is so much to learn on this platform and I have found that I may have to back up- practice a weakness then go forward again. You may enjoy the office hours online sessions where you can ask questions of the coach/instructors. I have done that also and always get great tips. There is a session tomorrow (Tuesday) if you can not attend but have a question you can post it directly online to the instructor and they will get back to you. @kevinrhart I think you are correct, Sometimes we do need to practice jogging before running. Fortunately it is all good. I hope this helps. I find ways to enjoy my music all the time without stress and am amazed at how we learn something new every day. Pat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrhart Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 Hi Pat, I am using your advice and concentrating on the left hand stride patterns with some success. This I will continue to do until I can play smoothly with a metronome before adding the right hand melody. Thanks for your help, it is proving invaluable. Kevin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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