7 tricks that will make you sound good at piano

Get 25% off of my piano for beginners course with code DAVID25 over at Artmaster: www.artmaster.com/course/pian... 🎼🎶
Today I'm going to show you 7 little tricks you can keep in your arsenal that will add that extra flair and style to your piano playing!
And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Yu Kyung Chung, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
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0:00 Introduction
0:28 black note glissando
2:36 white note glissando
4:20 MY NEW PIANO COURSE
5:02 grace notes
7:00 arpeggios
8:25 chromatic scales
10:19 pedal point
12:46 semitone chord progressions
15:49 putting all the tricks together!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Get 25% off of my piano for beginners course with code DAVID25 over at Artmaster: www.artmaster.com/course/piano?+video&+to+sound+good+on+a+piano&+david+bennett 🎼🎶

[@wyattstevens8574]

Here's a neat way to merge tricks 4-6: Rick Beato's 12-tone triad technique. (see his video for more details) The chords you use in pedal point can be arpeggios, but can also be logical and generally planned out. Here are 5 examples Rick has of 4 chords with no common notes: (i.e. whose aggregate *is* the chromatic scale) Cm, Dm, E, F# Csus, D, Esus#4, Absus C+, E, F#m, B° Csus#4, Esus, Absus, Bb Csus, Dsus#4, Bb°, B

[@alexgoico]

Do you have a course after the beginner course?

[@jstnxprsn]

While I knew most of that, the little bits and pieces I didn't were really enlightening. Wish I'd had this vid when I started playing by ear so many years ago. Better late than never. Wondering if you have a similarly enlightening video on inversions. I know how to do them, but truly understanding how to effectively use them while writing songs tends to escape me. I would never have thought to use them like Journey does in Who's Cryin' Now. Can you help, David? Happy New Year!!!

[@gavinkaufmanworld]

Hi David. I went to watch the trailers on your Artmaster page and they don't seem to play on my Apple Mac or iPhone. I'm not sure if this just an Apple related issue (and will work on PC) or perhaps some other issue? It's the same for the trailers for other courses on the site too. Just wanted to let you know 😀

[@DavidBennettPiano]

@@gavinkaufmanworld thank you I’ll pass this on 😊

[@UkuleleAversion]

1. Stand up and play 2. Move your head close to the keys 3. Play clusters with your right foot 4. Lean back so people know what you’re playing isn’t total garbage 5. Drop 5k on a Nord 5 and never bring it to gigs because you don’t want it stolen 6. Play Eb blues scale over everything no matter the key 7. I couldn’t think of a seventh trick

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😂😂

[@lynx48k]

David has the widest Nord piano I've ever seen.

[@reziahamed9255]

Agree 100 % on point # 1 ... ! It really elevates the physical momentum... :)

[@Jobotubular]

😆😆😆 -- mainly for #5. I once heard some old guitarists trading stories about the multi-thousand-dollar guitars they'd had stolen at bar gigs. I suggested they not bring such valuable guitars to those gigs, but leave them at home for recording. They looked at each other and shook their heads, and told me I just didn't get it. (signed, a musician who has never had anything stolen at a gig ... but also doesn't have any instrument worth that much)

[@Ernie_Centofanti]

😆😆😆

[@striverfor7628]

Notes for myself 2:36 White note glissando Minor 2nd dissonance less obvious with higher notes than lower so do the glissando upwards. Glissando and resolve on the note C. 6:37 Acciaccatura - grace note 8:12 Use an arpeggio to add flourish to something. 9:06 Chromatic scales are not in a key. Can be used in all keys. 9:29 End chromatic scale on a chord tone. Demo of playing the scale with some chords. 10:19 Pedal point. E.g. always playing C in the bass. F# chord (tritone) over C. Making it sound intentional is the resolution to the tonic. 12:46 Semitone chord progressions demo. Simple trick that makes it sound interesting. These are all good tricks to pull out the bag. 16:12 Demo of all tricks put together.

[@satelliteimagerymusic]

@@David_Bennett_Piano.these scammers :/

[@vspatmx7458]

The biggest problmes with David's videos is that It ends. I hate that. He is such an awesome pleasure to listen to. His insightful content packed videos need to be long. And shud never end. Or perhaps end only when the sun decides to end itself.

[@GizzyDillespee]

*shood

[@TheDirge69]

schoode

[@wyattstevens8574]

Should

[@satelliteimagerymusic]

shooed

[@johnmaher5887]

I’m mostly a piano player but I sometimes play the pipe organ at church, and I use the semitone “trick” for when I’m just playing quiet instrumental music as people are arriving. Whole notes sustained on the organ with one note moving down at a time create some interesting chords and voicings on the organ which sound nicely contemplative.

[@mapper7310]

I love how when you showed how to do the black note glissando you didn't just show how to do it but instead explained why it sounds good

[@liquidsolids9415]

The semitone chord trick was great. Sounded like Moonlight Sonata. I’ll have to try that on the guitar. Thanks, David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!

[@gorgolyt]

This trick always reminds me of Strawberry Fields.

[@zzzaphod8507]

Yes, it's a good thing Beethoven isn't around to make a copyright claim, ha

[@wyattstevens8574]

Totally did!

[@warrenburroughs3025]

The first thing I thought was that's Moonlight Sonata then further on into the progression I thought it's Because (The Beatles from Abby Road). It was only later that I recalled that John was inspired to write the intro for Because when he heard Yoko playing Moonlight Sonata on his piano. either way it's a great sound.

[@TheCinnaCat]

As someone who has been playing piano for about 25 years, I do find myself using a lot of these tricks in my improvisation and composition for my own music, but a few of these are new to me! Great video as always!

[@FiveFigsDigital]

Hey, David. Great video as usual. Just had to comment: In March of 1978 while working stage crew at Brown University, I watched Bob Geldof and Johnny Fingers write this song after soundcheck. Years later I found out Mr. Fingers had sued Saint Bob for co-writing credits. I wanted to get on a plane and testify for Johnny. Lots of reasons, couldn't do it. That's all, keep up the good work and EVERYONE should support this guy on Patreon.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup, David. You helped open up my world to music theory after 65 years thinking that I was tone deaf. You bring eyesight to the blind, quoting Pete Townsend.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

That’s great to hear! Thanks 😊

[@bazookaaxel]

@@DavidBennettPiano I want to thank you as well. I did receive classical piano lessons as a kid but the older I got the less interested I became and the more it was my parents' wish. But as an adult you have opened my world to music theory and it's just awesome.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

@@bazookaaxel 😃😃😃

[@Jobotubular]

bearing in mind that Townsend credited that to its actual source, Sonny Boy Williamson

[@choimdachoim9491]

I like the white-key glissando ending on the D. It has finality but leaves the future open.

[@chrishb7074]

Yep. A Boomtown Rats fan here. Got that in under a second.

[@drummermomcjs]

Thank you David, these are great and I look forward to incorporating them in my playing. I have played drums for 45+ years but am still very much a beginner on the keys and the guitar. This was most helpful to me. Especially the semitone trick.

[@_eIIa_]

as a flute player, grace notes are my go-to addition to make any piece sound more fun

[@evedotcom]

The semitone chords example sounded so much like The Leftovers theme which is such an emotive piece of music. So cool!

[@d.s.19]

Was waiting for a code to get the course. Started going through the music theory one recently. Already helped a lot. Thanks!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Great to hear!

[@JohnSpo]

Happy New Year, David!

[@sonja_rademacher]

Thank you for telling me the names of my "I just do this thing and it sounds well" things. Great video!

[@jowmister1594]

last technique sounded awesome. makes a player sound like a genius.

[@francoisdelestre1728]

A master class. Remarquable !

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

I like to play 2 E flats an octave apart with the left hand and then just run through the black keys with the right. Then switch to 2 F sharps with the left hand. It's a really easy way to sound like you know what you're doing because you get the major and minor key shift and the black keys are so easy to play that you can really flow with the right hand. You can add in the 5th to make power chords and add the extra 2 scale notes for full on major/minor.

[@janakinathg7651]

I always watch your lessons, adds to my music theory . Seminole chord tone is an excellent one .

[@thepianodreamer2012]

Love these ideas!

[@wyattstevens8574]

8: (Rick Beato's 12-tone triad technique, blending 4, 5, and 6) Over a consistent pedal, for example C, arpeggiate chords (in any order and direction) such as Cm, Dm, E, F#. This covers all 12 unique notes! In general: the minor chord built off the pedal and the one a whole step higher, and then the same for major triads starting a major 3rd above the previously mentioned pedal. Rick said this trick covers every note every time! In fact, he used a 12-tone row from one of his formulas (first shown in the 12-Tone Triads video) as the Everything Music intro for a while.

[@sophiedelageneste6035]

Thank you David for the amazing work you do and share. I am a beginner and find your videos fascinating and informative.

[@AyJayAreDii]

For the arpeggios. You can swap hands between each octave which makes it easier to play but looks more difficult.... To someone who doesn't play at least

[@GizzyDillespee]

Sometimes it's the only way I CAN do it... it's nice that it can look more difficult.

[@FrostDirt]

Yep. Spicing up the bass sounds good though

[@robertmyers6518]

Thanks for naming the "semitone chord" trick. I accidentally stumbled on that as a kid and would play it on any piano I came across, not really knowing what I was doing except that it sounded good. Also, the Boomtown Rats opening caught my attention *instantly*. : - D

[@upstairsdownstairs]

How dare you insinuate that I’m not already a god at the, um… what’s it called again? The hammer button thingy

[@robertgumpi7235]

Good video. Using these for years but first time see these „tricks“ put together under one topic.

[@bigbroiswatchingyou2137]

7:55 "The thing that makes it a trick, a simple thing to do-" I was ready for the third ad of your new piano course lol

[@rocketpost1]

Very interesting David, there's always something new to learn even at my advanced age. I never thought of doing a slide on the piano like you can do on the guitar. All 7 tricks were interesting especially the pedal-point and the raised/lowered semitone in a chord note. Keep up the good work.

[@shangyien]

For the white note glissando you can use your middle finger reinforced with the thumb behind it and then strike the final top note with your index finger, Chico Marx style.

[@cs-williams]

Thanks David, it took me a long time as someone playing around in Logic and my keyboard, to figure out the simple semitone change was what my ear craves. No idea why but it just makes music magic :)

[@kabedford]

I've been struggling with piano for several years now, learning from various online resources. Recently I found your channel, and I've just been *electrified* (metaphorically), because what you talk about and *how you talk about it* is so compelling. And this video is brilliant! Thank you! Cannot wait to try these things out! Many thanks for all you do! :)

[@ozboomer_au]

Very useful, as always.. but the 'semitone' trick was one I'd not actively thought about in terms of it defining a chord progression. Always some pearls in these videos. Thanks for posting.

[@iradukundamosesnestor3934]

You have no idea about what I like those techniques but finally I have been figure it out God bless thou too

[@samiq2]

I love your tricks and they way you explain them. Looking forward to more piano tricks from you.

[@nabooster]

Happy New Year David. Thanks for sharing your genius. One of the best piano lessons I've seen.

[@caraheust5801]

Fantastic tips , David.

[@seraphinvandegar4510]

Oh! I was just learning "Comptine d'un autre été : L'Après-midi" by Yann Tiersen and wondring how he came up with the left hand. Then I see your video and understands the semiton chords. This will be a huge help for me when I want to come up with melodies. THANK YOU!

[@jeffteza8644]

Great stuff David, useful and quickly applicable for us beginner/intermediate pianists!

[@mwhossaini]

Love the semitone chord progression. Add some octaves on the left-hand and you've got a sick song.

[@AH-ps9pt]

Very easy and very well explained! Makes an over the hill beginner like me sound great!!!

[@geryalan]

I am not a piano player, but I always learn so much from your videos!

[@tfmarketing12]

This is why the piano is the King of Instruments. Great demonstration, David.👍

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Very impressive presentation, David. Thank you. Pedal point was clearly my favorite. Cheers

[@AndersRomin]

Black note glissando also works great to B major and E major, since these keys also have all the black notes.

[@53hobbit]

so many great ideas. Thank you so much.

[@TigerRogers0660]

Thank you David!! That semitone idea had me composing a chord progression in my head as you were showing it. Great stuff!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gtrdoc911]

Amazing tips! Thanks so much David. One song that uses the pedal tone and the chromatic ascent is the McCartney CLASSIC "Maybe I'm Amazed".

[@tactikzzF1R3]

Another fabulous and very helpful video. Thank you David!

[@ms-in5ub]

That intro I was waiting for the next chord of i don't like mondays

[@domdos2264]

Thanks David never played piano. But I'm going to start. Best wishes

[@joarnold448]

Perfect! Just the sort of video I've been looking for. Now please one on how to voice chords over the two hands when accompanying - as a non-piano playing musician, I'd find this really useful for composition.

[@elpasajero10]

Me devolviste el amor por la música grazie 🎼🎶💃🕺🥂🍾

[@scrumpydave1]

Great example of semitone chords is Chopin's prelude no 4 in Em. Wonderful piece of music.

[@ToastandJam52]

This is fantastic!! Thanks for this one!!!!!

[@cherrysunburst828]

The semi tone chord one is so good

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😃😃

[@cakemartyr5794]

That was great. Thanks once more for a fabulous video. I'll definitely have a go at the glissando. It was interesting to see number 7, the semitone chord, as that is what I've been trying to do for a while, I just didn't have a name for it!

[@sonja_rademacher]

Same here.🙂

[@reziahamed9255]

Knew most of this... But who on earth can explain this well better than you do !!!! Really enjoyed & Huge inspiration at its core ! God Bless David ... :)

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thank you!

[@dhpbear2]

8:22 - I've always found to get better continuity, I alternate hands.

[@GizzyDillespee]

My biggest actual piano trick, that I use every single time... use fx. Some kind of delay, rhythmic LFO, rhythmic granulator, etc... I use fx that make it seem like I'm playing more notes than I actually am. I'm really not kidding... yes, fx on piano, always. Usually one of the weirder "reverb" algorithms that are more like delay fx, which can make even someone like me sound legit!🤣

[@MrK-ti5lt]

Dude, you're so talented. Great channel, great explanations. Cheers from CO, USA

[@JulianLeithoff]

I think the intro & verse of "Let me entertain you" by Robbie Williams uses the Pedal Point technique. It exactly creates this tension that is released by ending in the tonic chord. In the chorus, the same chords are used but without the pedal point aspect. It`s interesting to hear the differences only created by this trick!

[@JayCAlan]

probably the most useful (to me) video you've ever made

[@hoctroviet]

That last trick is really awesome! Thank you!

[@DanBrill]

I always learn so much from your videos. Great stuff for somebody like me that improvises a lot. (i.e. I'm terrible at reading music. 😆). Can't wait to try the semitone chords.

[@GizzyDillespee]

That's especially fun when you're in a major 7th mood

[@noone-ld7pt]

Thanks!! This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! I am first and foremost a guitar player but I found that I can translate a lot of my repertoire to the piano by just playing basic chords. However, it just doesn't sound good without some piano-specific techniques thrown in that I had no idea how to "fake". This gives me some great ways to be able to pretend to play piano! :D

[@MarkDavis00]

This was the coolest lesson! Thx so much for sharing

[@budfoon]

Trick 7 is an easier and nice variation on the common tone chord progression - thanks!

[@gavinkaufmanworld]

Another excellent video - thanks for sharing David 😁 Happy New Year!! 🥳

[@patrickvictor9499]

Thank you so much, you are awesome

[@zzzaphod8507]

For descending chromatic scale starting on B-flat, do you generally stick to the 3-1-3-1-3-2-1 3-1-3-2-1 fingering?

[@signetulupan]

EXACTLY what I needed! Thank u, brother! ❤️💜❤️

[@rini6]

I never was taught glissandos as a child learning piano. Now when I try them they are painful. I’ve tried using many parts of my fingers. I know they are easy for most people. I have an easier time with things that others consider difficult.

[@Str0b0]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jayromec.robinet9707]

Thank you!

[@misternewoutlook5437]

Ahhh.... Pedal Point has a name? I just used a pedal point for the intro of Eight Days A Week by the Beatles. I improvised from a basic sheet score. Sounds great and professional.

[@MichaelMcGlynnProductions]

I’ve been a professional piano player and music producer for 30 years and I’ve never heard that last trick - the semitone chord changes. I love that - thank you and hi from Australia

[@composer7325]

excellent, Davis, thank you rot this upload.

[@kanekitchen3802]

loved this one. great explanations.

[@aanderson7983]

Excellent 👌 Thank you

[@timk4829]

Another great video! Thanks, David. And definitely an incentive to finally buy an e-piano.

[@5Marchan]

this channel is gold

[@burntsider8457]

Brilliant. thanks.

[@Sara-lk2yr]

Very Nice hints! Thanks 😊🙏 I would add other tricks, maybe more difficult. - Other grace notes (trills, groups,...) - Tremolo - Passing notes - Broken chords chords in both hands played in different keys and pitches.

[@Megamec]

I only find piano courses for beginners (alot of them and really good). I’m not an advanced piano player but far from a beginner and would love a course that teaches things like in your video here. All your tips are great especially when improvising. I would like to have similar tips also on how to play a little bit more advanced pieces. Not classical pieces which requires you to keep strict to the sheet music. I like to play things from Elton John, Norah Jones, Queens etc. They ”allow” you to improvise based on the chords and I usually only read the chords with the lyrics and ”improvise” the song based on those. Learning those techniques better would be really helpful.

[@HenningUhle]

Ah, I love this semitone thing. It sounds like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, but also as if Martin Gore used it when composing "Pimpf" for Depeche Mode. With using such tricks you can put more flavor into your music. So, I'd like to thank you for this video.

[@DavidBennettPiano]

Thanks!!

[@jmitterii2]

I've tried to teach my piano tricks, but it remains just an ordinary yet wonderful piano. If my piano could do tricks.... wow that'd be pretty cool.

[@robingaspard]

Awesome video! Thanks David!

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great ideas! Can't wait to try them out! Thanx so much!!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

🤩

[@Typical.Anomaly]

Black note glissando: see House M.D. S3E15, "Half-Wit". Guest starring Dave Matthews and Kurtwood Smith (Red Foreman from That 70's Show) Greg House plays piano with Dave and it starts off with a wonderful glissando. Edit: holy shit I guess they might have been playing "I don't Like Mondays" in that episode!

[@robertbrice9014]

Would you consider doing one for guitar as well?

[@stoatystoat174]

Looks good clean fun, will give them a go

[@wiltoncabral8410]

Faz um vídeo sobre bossa nova pois sempre admiro suas abordagem nas música e queria ver seu ponto de vista sobre a harmonia d bossa nova

[@robster7316]

An 8th trick: new hands! Thanks and Happy New Year, David!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

😂 happy new year!

[@urilevy1]

I love this guy

[@adrianhepton9362]

I would love to see a similar video about piano melody arrangement tricks to back a singer (including oneself) e.g. you know the melody and the chords but you want to make it sound more interesting with something in the left and right hands that is more than just playing root notes in the left hand and triad chords in the right. I've been looking at Carole King's arrangements and been wondering if she actually played those arrangements as she sang, because they look quite difficult to do at the same time, though not separately.

[@joarnold448]

I've just commented exactly the same!

[@nicolassalmon824]

The Semitone chord trick makes me think of Supper's ready's intro...

[@palmereldrich]

Interesting that as a self taught player these are all perfect tricks i've slowly learned and assimiliated to get 'ahem' pretty darn good. Wearing out my synth. Need to get what David is playing. Must investigate this.