Invite Greg to come work with the pianists in your area. It's easier than you think!

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If you want to improve your skills as a church pianist and are willing to work, I want to help you. While this section of the site is not exactly a full Christian piano curriculum, it will give you a lot to learn.

In addition, be sure to check out my free Christian piano arrangement downloads on the right.

If you want more structured and formal training, check out Inspirational Improvisation which takes you through my nine steps toward becoming a better church pianist.

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If you have a question or something you would like me to cover, please contact me using the contact page.





Introduction
Overview of these lessons
What is a good church pianist

Videos
Minor chord substitutions video demonstration (Part 1)
Minor chord substitutions video demonstration (Part 2)
Silent Night reharmonization
Relating harmony to melody

Theory
How to name chords – Why chords can be called different things
How to name chords – Chords with missing 3rds and 5ths
How to name chords – Rule for identifying slash chords
"Just As I Am" - Example of identifying chords
Chord Cheatsheet

Ear Training
Identifying chords by sight and ear
How to begin playing by ear - Part 1
How to begin playing by ear - Part 2
How to chart a song
Teaching children to play by ear

Improvisation
Introduction to improvisation
How to play a lead sheet - Part 1
How to play a lead sheet - Part 2
Important things to know about playing altered chords - Voicing rules
Rootless voicings
Improving the ending to a song

Using 7ths
How to add 7ths
How to choose between the major and minor 7th
Short primer on adding 7ths
Two ways to add 7ths to your music

Using 2nds and 9ths
How to add 2nds and 9ths
Ending a song with the 2nd or 9th
The 2nd and 9th as a filler in arpeggios and runs
Which color notes belong to each chord

Functional Harmony and Reharmonization
Overview of reharmonization
Myths about reharmonization and introducing the V7 to ii7 substitution
The ii-V7-I progression and V7 to ii7 chord substitution
Changing V-I progressions to ii-V-I progressions
Voicing the ii7 chord
Secondary dominants
The I-ii7-iii7 progression
Introduction to chord substitutions - Part 1
Introduction to chord substitutions - Part 2
How to use the IV/V to V7 progression
Smooth chord progressions
Increasing your chord palate
Increasing your chord palate (Part 2)
Praise Him, Praise Him - A thought about functional harmony
Minor chord substitutions
Using the minor iv chord
Reharmonization on "Silent Night"
Chord changes in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Do chords need to appear in a certain order?
Tritone substitutions

Modulations
How to modulate between keys
How to modulate up a half step
The simplest modulation of all
Modulating around the circle of fifths

Other topics
Two different ways to learn to play the piano
How to practice scales and arpeggios
How to develop musicality
Thoughts on ear training and learning theory
Name dropping thoughts
Understanding dissonance
Musical accessibility
The golden rule of musical composition
Introduction to arranging
Making a hook interesting
Your touch matters
Rubato as a technique
Excerpts from an email
How to choose a piano teacher
Sight reading - How to read ahead
A simple tip for performance
Training young musicians (Part 1)
Training young musicians (Part 2)
Training young musicians (Part 3)
Shaping an arrangement
Rubato - benefits and dangers
Three important components of learning music
What is your left thumb good for?
Developing a style
Do you have to be a virtuoso?

Analyzing arrangements
Analysis of "Heaven Came Down" from Portraits of Hope
Reharmonization example of "Jesus Loves Me"
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us - Insight into the harmony (Part 1)
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us - Insight into the harmony (Part 2)


Greg Howlett ©2010. All Rights Reserved.