5 Simple Things to Practice to Become a Better Piano Player

[@ikestaples5563]

As a pretty much self-taught pianist this is so helpful, thank you

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zumadale]

I'm self taught too...except I observed bands and how they play...more specifically Beatles...the film Let it Be shows how Paul approaches piano playing pretty well 😜

[@beatbeard2278]

I'm a self -taught beginner piano player (startet one year ago) and even ist something is a little bit to complicated I learned so much from your channel and from this video! THank you! :)

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

That's great!

[@MontSutton01]

This is the first time anyone has ever said to learn your songs by numbers and not scale names. That makes so much sense. Now I have to see if I can do it after 20 years of playing. Probably not, but it's a cool way of learning.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

It's a great way to learn. Sometimes it's unnecessarily hard, like trying to learn Giant Steps by numbers. But overall it's a great learning tool. Thanks for watching!

[@latinkeys1]

YES! That is HUGE! I been doing the Nashville Numbering System before I even heard that it was called that (dicovered on my own) and I agree with him 100% on that for sure. This video is really great. Ron, the inversion in learning it is PRICELESS. Trust us on that.

[@davidcoons89]

I’m sorry to do this but I’m friggin obsessed with your playing buddy..unbelievable technique and tips for growth you offered as well! You improv freaking beautifully bruh 🔥🔥

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thank you!!!

[@charlesleseau]

Excellent tips and playing. Supplemental to your scale & arp advice: to make scale practice less boring, vary up *how* you play them. Triplets and other rhythms will emphasize different fingers. Playing staccato vs legato, left vs right and v.v., playing totally different scales against each other no matter how ugly, etc, playing pianissimo, polyrhythms, etc, and combinations. Also, you briefly mentioned it (I think) but your fully altered C7 scale was just C# minor melodic from C to C (via TT sub, it’s the m.m. Scale a fifth up from F#s root.) Not that you don’t know that, but it really should be mentioned, IMO.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Great tip. Varying up the rhythm will accentuate different fingers, totally. It's funny you mention that, because I feel like most people learn their altered scales that way, but I learned them thinking in alterations. Most people I talk to learn them as different scales starting on a different note. Maybe I"m the weird one haha

[@charlesleseau]

Not weird at all! We should see the scale as alterations. I indicated that, more or less, by saying “it’s the C# min mel scale from C to C.” It would be B# to B# if I actually thought that way. The harmonicity matters (i.e. the scale is properly C, Db, D#, E, F#, no 5 but may add, Ab, Bb, C). The reason to know it as minor melodic is that it gets thrown over F#7, A#/Bb half dim, C# min 6, and Eb phryg sus very easily, with similar retooling of note spelling here and there, so it’s useful, IMO.

[@sonexcellencea]

I have been watching videos on youtube for over 15 Years, and you are by far the BEST of the BEST teacher Man. THANK YOU Automatic subscriber here!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thank you! Wow. That’s a big compliment haha. Thanks for the sub

[@sonexcellencea]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Yes sir, i've seen good players of all kind here, but the simplicity of teaching skill is amazing. I'm on the channel Bro. Let's go!

[@ratixyz]

Thanks for this, man! Excited to try these out. Would love more such content around building independence. That's been a very hard thing to build as a self-taught player.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Totally. It takes awhile. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelekwulugo8659]

Listening to you makes me a better player! 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thank you!!!

[@Victor48323]

Thank you for the great video. You are such a smart guy! Could you please do more videos on improvisation? Thanks.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Not a bad idea. Thank you!!

[@davidcoons89]

I would also immensely appreciate and enjoy that!

[@bernestinerhodes7202]

Thank you

[@williams3942]

One of the best “top skills for beginners” videos I’ve seen on here for piano players. Great content. Definitely earned a subscriber

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Welcome aboard!

[@Charieldeleon]

Sam thank you for all that you do hearing you play has inspired me to start playing the piano again! I appreciate you man

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

awesome! thank you

[@takaliuang]

No comfort zone for being a better player...Love it bro, auto sub!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks!!

[@orphaneduk5672]

So good! You're a fantastic player Sam. I'll get right to practicing all this so I can one day be half the player and tutor you are :)

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thank you! Just keep workiing at it.

[@rodterrell304]

Good reminder to get the basics down first

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

That’s right!

[@xxxmikben]

Love your playing Beard Guy. As Miles would say, "nice touch". Bravo 👏

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, i would take that compliment from Miles

[@AndrewPalmerJazz]

The New York City subway's "A" train runs north-south along the west side of Central Park. According to legend, Duke Ellington gave Billy Strayhorn some directions to his home in Harlem that started with "Take the 'A' Train." The key is unrelated to the story, but the recorded arrangement starts in C and changes key to E-flat. The "jam session" version usually starts and ends in the key of C.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

great story! I didn't know that haha. A train in Eb kinda hits

[@damionlee7658]

Thank you. This was a joy to listen to.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@bernestinerhodes7202]

I am so glad I that your channel.

[@romanharpole]

I absolutely love this! Will you please make another video? 37 things sounds good lol!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha. 37 it is!

[@raymondrutjes788]

Very useful video thanks for sharing. For a total beginner like myself it would be useful to see you go over the scales you mention one by one with a focus on fingers, because I struggle to understand what fingers to use and it goes quite fast in the current recordings.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Great video idea. I might add that to my running list of potential video. Thanks for watching!

[@CUONGMUSIC]

Great performance. Thank you for sharing, Wish you a nice day and i'm waiting for your new video!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

It's coming later this week! We're on vacation right now so havne't been able to record anything haha.

[@CUONGMUSIC]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I spent many hours today watching your video. Wishing you much health and happiness!

[@copyvijaylivez]

Dear bro thanking you a lot for a wonderful improvisation lesson.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

My pleasure!

[@jamesfurey3641]

Sir I've been playing for about 3 years now. I hope to someday reach this but at the moment no where close but thanks for the advice. Self teaching is very hard I'm finding out.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks for watching! Just gotta keep at it, everyone starts from nothing

[@johan.vilela]

Awesome tips! Thank you so much

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks for watching!

[@backmax]

I've created exactly the same routine program for my pianists students that's crazy !

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@iamfemo]

Thanks for sharing these. These are things we all should know to do but don't do. By the way, (since I see a stack of them in the background always), I'm looking forward to the '5 simple things a piano piano that wants to learn to play the guitar needs to do' video!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha. I can play basic chords.

[@iamfemo]

@@SamTheBeardGuy hehehhehe i can take that right now

[@robertkinsall6655]

That's a super-locrian scale (20:15). At least that's how I learned it back in the day. LOVE your channel, and you're a BEAST!!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks!!

[@robertkinsall6655]

@@SamTheBeardGuy You inspire me man. I'm getting my first 88-key controller later this week because of you😁(At 50 yrs of age, LOL)

[@SCHuTZ-DSGN]

Man, it would be great if you could explain your fast scale (16th notes) you use a lot when you go loco 💪💪 Mostly this is downwards movement.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Mmmm, could be the cry me a river lick. Look that one up

[@katananosa]

How do some one ever get this good in playing ,Sam you something else bro 😂

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

practice practice practice hahaha

[@onimisilovesonmusic4548]

I just subscribed to ur channel...i can see something incredible here.....

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks for the sub!

[@chuckleezy]

nice video concept, really helpful!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mightywillams8256]

Cool stuff. wondeful playing and solid help. You earned my sub sam!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks for the sub!

[@TerenceKearns]

This is gold. Thank you.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thank you!

[@pizzaicecreamOG]

Great video thanks!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thank you!!!

[@MrWobbles]

Do you do lessons man? Would love to work with you

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

I don't currently, but I'm looking into doing lessons maybe.

[@park171]

Great

[@ramoncaubetmusic7991]

Great master

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks for watching!

[@yvngapollo7234]

When he started doing the Jazz part I could’ve sworn he played in the movie “Soul”😂😂🔥🔥🔥🎹🎩

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha thanks

[@MPP9600]

The hardest thing I do with scales is learning what the cross-over points are for each hand to keep them fluid. Do you have any teaching/training vids showing how to approach each scale and each hand on when the thumb or finger crosses over. Man, I struggle with this!!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hanon has a great book on scales that goes over all the fingerings. It's hard to explain over text, but don't be afraid to use your ring finger haha. That is a problem I see with a lot of people.

[@charlesleseau]

Memorizing finger pairs can help, if your problem is messing up the coordination. So C major: 5 (1) and 1, 4 and 2, 3 and 3, 2 and 1, 1 and 2, 3 and 3, 2 and 4, 1 and 5 (1). say them out loud as you play, play slow and loose, and learn to close your eyes and do it blind. If your problem is the physical action of thumb exchange, remember the golden words: find the mechanism. Slow play is golden; speeding too soon is wooden. Be like water and flow, flow, flow, baby. Tension kills.

[@charlesleseau]

Forgot to mention: you can use your Covid mask for a good blindfold. With scales, it will reduce your natural inclination to speed up, and change your experience to tactile sensation only, feeling the shapes of the scales. You will also be reminded that you’re there to play, and not to think about Jenny, or your job, or whatever. Use your whole arm, not just fingers, and don’t pedal. Play the same scale blindfolded for an hour, then take it off and try it. It will feel like taking a lead weight off. Ninja technique. ;)

[@gafiegarcia]

3:37 "That's a lot harder" but you make it look easy

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, oops

[@ProdbyBotz]

thank you!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks!!

[@self4autism333]

Thanks for vid, btw at 26.55 you sounded EXACTLY like Ben Folds.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

I'll take it! Haha

[@DavidHunte]

This was an awesome stream

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks for watching!!!

[@DavidHunte]

@@SamTheBeardGuy You are most welcome. I love your setup. It is awesome. Do you have. video where you do your behind the scenes?

[@DavidHunte]

*a video*

[@EL-vy7mh]

Amazing content as always! I was wondering wether you had any tips on breaking out of your playing comfort zone/harmonic creativity

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

It's cliche, but listening to other people play. If you're practicing a ton, your ears will be attuned to hearing some of the cool things other people are doing. Also, point 5 in my video, which is just sitting down and playing random things, stretching out your brain.

[@o.t.n_ofthenightproduction1952]

My Akai mimi is getting ready for me after I finish this video 😏

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha get it

[@JorgeSilvestrini]

22:20 Yes and Thank You!!!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahahaha. Wad up bro

[@JorgeSilvestrini]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Trying to learn from you... So so so good!

[@dominiquebrice3876]

And you’re Christian 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾.. dope bro

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, yepp

[@gabriel.M911]

De dog it’s almost the same color of your hoodie. Nice environment shifting

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha

[@restorationconcrete]

If I didn’t have a reasonable self esteem I’d just quit piano after hearing this! Dang he’s got some chops!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, don't quit. Thanks for watching!

[@ShikharKumar-fz6ti]

Hi Sam, I have a request. Can you review Soundbrenner Pulse Metronome watch as I trust only you on KZbin 🥺. I was thinking of buying it but it feels all the reivews are biased.

[@khya9931]

thanks man, really wanting to learn piano as a young producer! how long have you been playing?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

25 years at this point, started when I was 5.

[@khya9931]

@@SamTheBeardGuy wow, it certainly shows in your playing. I'm 18 and wish i started learning earlier...

[@kevinbrennen6773]

Can we get a "5 tips to make you a better singer and rapper" from your wife please? Just kidding, love your stuff man.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahahaha. I'll ask her. Thanks for watching.

[@JBKeyz88]

When I play an altered scale, I think of melodic minor but starting with the 7th. So on C7, I think of a C# melodic minor starting on C.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

that's another way of thinking about it. I think that's how I learned it actually.

[@jkam632]

Can you make a top 5 things to have a better summer beach bod?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha. yo, it would be a dad bod video, but I'll consider it.

[@djangoearnhardt]

When practicing scales on piano, how do you know what fingers to use and when to shift your hand positions?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

That's a tough question, but, there are great books that give you fingerings. There's an accepted standard fingering for each scale, so you just have to look them up.

[@djangoearnhardt]

@@SamTheBeardGuy do you have a recommendation for one (a book that is)? As a beginner, I’m not sure where to start or what’s trusted.

[@coloaten6682]

@@djangoearnhardt Pianoscales.org is the site you need. Has all the scales and fingerings :)

[@djangoearnhardt]

@@coloaten6682 thank you!!

[@LeatherKeys]

@@djangoearnhardt bro you can also check PianolessonwithWarren on KZbin. He details the PROPER fingering

[@aquaticborealis4877]

I’m a total noob player. Not young either, so I’m hoping I can play half-way decent before my hands become mush. It’s been hard for me to get going because of hand pain. Getting better but I have to be careful. Btw, an overhead camera angle would be awesome if you can swing it.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

I actually have it set up now! Next video should have it

[@clkjackson2005]

What are the basic fingerings for scales? It almost looks like you're only using 3 fingers per hand to walk up and down.

[@calvinraja]

Hey Bearded Guy - the 1st step you say is practicing scales. Which scales should we practice besides the major and the diminished?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

minor is another great one to practice

[@calvinraja]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Thanks, BeardGuy!

[@jongriffith4293]

Lol...you said "A-Hole step." Sorry...3 beers later and you in the background and that's all I could come up with.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, I woukld have make the same joke

[@stevehurleydesign]

As someone starting out, this is really helpful - I really appreciate it! Are you using the korg d1's onboard sound for this video or keyscape maybe? Sounds great

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Keyscape!

[@TheJohnMak]

What keyboard is that? It seems super responsive. Nice.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Korg D1

[@harmonykeys1777]

Top!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha thanks!

[@jspic4907]

« Simple » things? I watched the first one and tuned out.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha, sorry

[@7frequencies889]

Need a music thery lesson advanced chords and resolutions plsss

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Got a lot of lessons coming up!

[@bronkoahmuuru]

😮❤

[@JAZZER5]

Can you show how to play fast the scales?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

just gotta practice, there isn't a shortcut.

[@JAZZER5]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Thanks a million that's good playing you do in you videos. It's still moves to fast for me the old beginner to follow.

[@stevenz9916]

How to keep the rhythm when the run is super fast?thks

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

practice it slow, then speed it up

[@jonnymattacola4643]

Exceptional pianist. Often sound like a gospel player; is this intentional or just a jazz crossover?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks! I do both haha, so there is crossover

[@CybreSmee]

Fcuk, thats it. I'm burning my piano.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha. Take a video

[@renatogalesi7219]

Good stuff... It's my eyes or you don't really follow the traditional fingering that most teachers will preach, and use mostly fingers 1-3? Can you elaborate? THANKS!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

I’m not quite sure what you mean. I use the traditional fingers for everything. They’re not even traditional, most scales have a fingering that just makes more sense than the others

[@renatogalesi7219]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Thanks for the reply. Perhaps indeed my eyes, as you blister through the notes and it's hard to even see the fingers! :) What I was referring to was that it seemed like you were not using fingers 4-5 on the right hand for example, in the A scale you started the video with. Thanks again!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

I don’t even know how you would do an A scale without using your 4th finger lol, you definitely use it on the G#. You don’t use the 5th finger until you reach the top of the scale though.

[@arturoperez3913]

Do you give lessons?

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Not currently... but I'm thinking about it.

[@arturoperez3913]

@@SamTheBeardGuy if you do I’d definitely be a student

[@adpadilla6657]

29 to 30, the best 15 years of your life.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

thanks for watching!

[@BrandonSantino]

Can you make a 5 simpler things video lol this is pretty advanced stuff. You’re a beast dude!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahahaha. I’m thinking about doing a lot of these. Stay tuned

[@myotis_9324]

can someone explain me the point of left hand scales

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

So your left hand isn't a limp noodle when you play

[@myotis_9324]

@@SamTheBeardGuy theres a difference between limp noodle and being equivalent to right hand

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

What are you practicing?

[@asimpletune]

This was an awesome video, thanks. I worked a lot through Mantooth after your last video, and that was pretty eye opening. Now I've been making my own exercises around pentatonic to focus on hand independence (3 against 4, 6 against 4 etc...). But yeah, I'm super grateful that we get to see this channel before it blows up and becomes super popular.

[@pedromazasuarez]

Yes :v jajajajajajajajaja

[@self4autism333]

Mostly guitar, i will try the half step whole step on the 5 chord, also the fully altered sounded quite musical to my ear. I will try that too. I want to sound like a blues player that dabbles in jazz. Can you please do a vid on scales for 2 5 1in a blues tune.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

@@asimpletune Glad the mantooth stuff is working out for you, definitely a game changer. And we'll see about super popular haha.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

@@self4autism333 Great idea!!

[@michange3141592]

After this video, Sam's Metronome needed a bottle of scotch.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha. I hope my metronome shares with me.

[@michange3141592]

Seriously, if i live old enough to see the day where I still feel the meaning of those 2 and 4 while improvising such quick, syncopated, harmonically rich, rhythmically chaotic and dead right on the beat lines, I swear I send the bottle over.

[@LeatherKeys]

How have you develop your ear 👂🏽

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

25 years lol

[@LeatherKeys]

Wow what a response😅🙈🙈😭,, why do I always think there’s some special regiment to a great ear?? So it’s just TIME. Keep at it

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

@@LeatherKeys hahaha. it's a simple answer, but it's true. If you asked a ripped person how they got ripped, the answer is simple. "Uhhhh, I lift weights." Haha. Gotta put in the reps.

[@rik-keymusic160]

Which piano do you use ? 🤔

[@alexogtheosub9046]

26:55

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahaha

[@komalthecoolk]

Impossible to do

[@lonewolfnwj]

This video made me realize how much of a Noob I am

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha, just gotta keep practicing

[@michaelmartin829]

Just maybe Stevie, Lenon and McCartney, Monk, Gershwin, Amadeus and so many countless others didn't focus so much on scalar movement, but using their ears placed any note anywhere in any rhythmic context, juxtaposition on any chord in any form and evoked any emotion any feeling that the human being (theta) would respond to creating Music.. Just saying. Keep playing. Music is life itself.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@zumadale]

Instead of metronome.... Play with youtube music videos...🤘

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha, thanks!

[@markwolffmusicworks2491]

it would be easier to just quit.........

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Hahaha. Quitting is always the easier option

[@BobbyDraws.me2]

I think this was a flex…not a lesson! lol

[@rickyperson4927]

dude you need to practice. lol

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

hahahaha, I really do. I don't practice enough anymore.

[@udder-of-time]

Piano lessons by dude, who don't use all five fingers on scales. Let's do all things wrong and share it on youtube, yeah.

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

Not sure what you mean. In major scales, you really only use the pinky finger at the top of the scale, doesn't matter if it's 1 octave or 20. Using your pinky finger while ascending or descending makes rolling underneath much more difficult than it needs to be because of the distance. Research major scale fingerings on google, it's all 1234 until you reach the top, then it's 5. What fingerings are you using?

[@brandondewitt1933]

@@SamTheBeardGuy Nothing like a rude comment by a dude, who doesn't know what dafuq he's talking about. You're awesome man, loving the videos!

[@SamTheBeardGuy]

@@brandondewitt1933 Hahaha. I welcome the hate. Don't bother me.