Piano Forum
Piano Board => Student's Corner => Topic started by: countrymath on June 15, 2011, 10:01:22 PM
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My goal is to be a pop pianist, playing something like elton john, rock, blues, soundtracks, etc...
I started (2 years ago) on classical because I heard its the best way to acquire technique. I agree with that. Right now I'm practcing 6 hours daily, spared in 4 hours to classical and 2 hours to pop.
The problem is that I can play some classical music, but I cant turn this classical knowledge to pop. I mean, I like to "test" my skills with a piano solo on some pop songs, like My Immortal, Sweet Child o Mine, etc., but I cant to something "difficult". I mean, if someone write it down, I can play without to much effort, but I cant improvise it. I can create some melodies and some interesting patterns, like Root-thid-octave runs or Third-Fifth-tenth runs, but looks like is lacking something.
I've been thinking on study more pop and study classical as a "technique gain" routine.
Holy crap, lol, I cant even talk about my problem.
anyway, hope someone understand it
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While some things will translate from classical to pop performance - such as playing technique - there are still some things you would need to augment your study. Unfortunately improvisation is not much touched upon in classical music study today (even though it did play a significant role in the music of the master composers we do study). You should note that skills such as improvisation, and more specifically improvisation in the pop idiom are ones that one learns in addition to general piano technique.
You may wish to invest some time in jazz studies - improvising on chord changes, and playing from lead sheets.
Do not be discouraged, 2 years is not a long time to be playing. You will get better. The improvisations you have heard most likely came from musicians who have been playing for years or decades.
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Thank you!
That really cheered me up.
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The best thing about classical piano study is that you will be taught to play with sensitivity making every note count. But once you 'get this,' you can move on to more chord-based approach.