The #2 TIP
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The #2 Tip that made playing chords easier for me was when I....

Understood what I was playing!
You know the old saying “Give someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach someone to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime”.​
I could teach you simple tricks to finding chords. Nothing wrong with that!  I could even show you chords on the piano and you could memorize them. But I don’t want to give you a fish!  I want you to have the skills be able to fish for yourself the rest of your life!
In my experience, both for myself and for my students, I have found that understanding what you are playing uncovers the mystery and gives you tools for expanding and growing your own chord playing in whatever style of music you like!​

That is what my student Savannah wanted.  Having studied piano for several years with other teachers, Savannah could play written music beautifully. She even played for her cousin's wedding!​  The clip to the right is her reading written music.
However, when it came to reading by chords, it was...well...crickets!  Savannah was a high school senior and wanted to learn to play by chords before she went to college, so she asked if I would help her.  
Between her busy schedule and mine, we managed to squeeze a few lessons in after volleyball practice, before her after school job, and in between all the other activities required of a high school senior!  I’m only telling you this to paint the picture that these skills I will be showing you can be picked up rather quickly, ESPECIALLY if you are already somewhat comfortable with the piano. But even if you are not, I will be taking you slowly enough to follow and learn!  Plus, you will be able to repeat the lessons as many times as you would like!


​Here is Savannah reading from chords after completing Module 1 and Module 2 of "Chords Made Simple".  She was able to add the melody back in to the right hand after getting comfortable with the chords.


I know that everyone does not go at the same pace. If you are a beginner, no worries!  I also included videos of my husband, Robby,  taking these lessons.  He has played guitar his whole life but never understood how to transfer his guitar knowledge to the piano. Listen to what he had to say after going through Module 1 of “Chords Made Simple”. 
Copyright 2017 Marlowe Carruth  ~  All rights reserved