Introduction

In this lesson, we'll revise the knowledge from previous lesson 1 to 24. Lessons 4 to 15 show you how to play each western scale, watch at least lesson 4 to learn how to play the C major scale.

Lesson 1 - Learn piano notes instantly

• Be able to visualise the keyboard with your eyes closed, say each note randomly in your head, first visualise the note then read what you see in your head.

Lesson 2 - Intervals introduction

• To know the definition for an interval. The distance between two notes, a lower bass note and a higher note.

• Be able to identify tones and semi-tones on the piano. A semi-tone is the next note, a tone is two semi-tones.

• Be able to identify all intervals on the piano. Identifying intervals requires you to remember this sequence of numbers. 1 -2  2  -3  3  4  -5  5  +5  6  -7  7.  Knowing each interval is separated by a semi-tone, starting on any note of the piano, play this sequence chromatically, from start to end moving up in semi-tones and say each interval out loud.

Lesson 3 - How to construct all major scales

• Be able to remember and use the melodic interval series of, root note, tone, tone, semi-tone, tone, tone, tone, semi-tone. 

• Be able to apply the melodic interval series to be able to locate the notes of every key signature on the piano. All you need to know is how to identify tones and semi-tones, then simply apply the western major scale melodic interval series to find the notes for each key signature. Find all the key signatures.

Lesson 16 - How to visualise and play all twelve western major scales

• At this stage of your development, it isn't necessary to learn to play all your scales, but you need to learn at least how to play the C major scale. You can learn to play other scales when learning a new song.

Lesson 17 - The fifth rule

• Knowing the fifth rule is the key to locating all chords on the piano. If your thumb starts on a white note, your pinky will end on a white note, except for the note B. If your thumb starts on a black note, your pinky will end on a black note, except for the note Bb.

Lesson 18 - Using the fifth rule to construct chords in real time

• Knowing how to find intervals when using the fifth and octave interval as your reference is the key to constructing chords on the piano in real time.

Lesson 19 - How to visualise thirds on the piano

• Taking advantage of similar visualisations to remember thirds on the piano as thirds are the biggest intervals to visualise and counting intervals is too slow for real time playing. All other intervals are only tones and semi-tones away from their reference notes. You need to be able to identify tones and semi-tones instantly by this stage.

Lesson 20 - All the default diatonic chords of the western major scale

• Knowing how to use default diatonic 1 3 5 7 chords as a foundation to construct more complicated chords. 

• Knowing all the default diatonic chords which we'll use as our foundation. XM7, Xm7, X7, Xdim7.

Lesson 21 - Introduction to mode

• Knowing a mode is a scale.

• Knowing a mode is a group of scales founded on an initial scale. The founding scale identifies the notes, then each mode has the exact same notes as the founding scale, only the starting note is different.

• Knowing, depending on the scale, not all modes are unique, example a whole tone scale has only one unique mode.

• Knowing every scale has modes.

• Knowing any scale can be used as a founding scale.

Lesson 22 - The emotional feeling of the the default diatonic modes

• Knowing that each mode produces an emotional feeling

• The emotional feeling is created by the sequence of notes played, the melodic interval series of the mode.

• Know how to arrange the modes in order from darkest to lightest. 

• Knowing a bright sound is associated with sharpening a note.

• Knowing a sad sound is associated with flattening a note.

Lesson 23 - Knowing how to use Akousunesis finger placement exercises

• Knowing how to identify the symbols and how to place your fingers to practice the exercise.

Lesson 24 - The circle of fifths

• Knowing there is a fifth relationship between all major scales.

• Remembering the order around the circle of fifths. Gb Db Ab Eb Bb F C G D A E B

• Knowing each neighbouring scale around the circle of fifths is only different by a semi-tone.

• Remembering the amount of sharps and flats for each scale. C has no sharps or flats, G has one sharp, D has two sharps, A has three sharps, E has four sharps and B has five sharps. F has one flat, Bb has two flats, Eb has three flats, Ab has four flats, Db has five flats, Gb has five flat black notes and one flat white note, the note C flatten to B.

• Remembering the actual sharp and flat notes for each scale. If you remember the order, you can take advantage of knowing each Key gains a new sharp or flat, so you really only need to remember one new sharp or flat for each key signature around the circle of fifths. 

  • • Key G has F#

    • Key D has F#, C#

    • Key A has F#, C#, G#

    • Key E has F#, C#, G#, D#

    • Key B has F#, C#, G#, D#, A#

    • Observe the new added sharp notes have the same order in the circle of fifths. This makes sense because the newly added sharp note is always at the same interval location, a minor seventh needing to be sharpened to a major seventh.

    • Key F has    Bb

    • Key Bb has Bb, Eb

    • Key Eb has Bb, Eb, Ab

    • Key Ab has Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

    • Key Ab has Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

    • Observe the new added flat notes have the same order in the circle of fifths. This make sense because the newly added flat note is always at the same interval location, a flat fifth (-5) needing to be flattened into a fourth.