Why Master the Major Scales? | What a Question!!!

[@danthecomposer]

Please help me to help you by making the most of the following links which will give you access to much more recent content, as well as some options to support my channel: Video Management Website: www.dan-the-composer.com Blog: piano-jazz.blogspot.com/ All Videos: kzbin.infovideos All Playlists: kzbin.infoplaylists eBooks and Podcast Collection: danthecomposer.gumroad.com/ Water Pianism Syllabus: piano-jazz.blogspot.com/2022/04/water-pianism-syllabus.html Patreon: www.patreon.com/danthecomposer Don't forget the Bell icon when you Subscribe to be notified of all new uploads!

[@spektrograf]

Thanks, Dan, for this video. Been recently practicing the major scales in all keys and needed a bit extra motivation to keep on keeping on. I knew turning to you was the nudge I needed. 👍 You also gave me a new way to "see" while practicing!

[@andreac5306]

Ah, yes now I start to understand why you keep talking about the importance of the major scales after watching this video twice! None of my music teacher ever explained the music theory the way you do! Thank you Dan!

[@onmybehalf]

This community is growing!! Im so glad more and more people are coming to gain insights from this remarkable Dan! Greetings bro, take care!

[@chukwuemekalouis2171]

I'm always comfortable with your simplified teaching. Thank you man

[@lhay86]

Best teacher ever!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci beaucoup.

[@34rn357]

I am now a Patreon supporter, Dan! I love your blog and KZbin channel.

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you very much! Email sent!

[@34rn357]

@@danthecomposer Thanks!

[@BirdyinBOI]

Wow. This answers so many “unspoken” questions I have had (before studying the piano but just playing basic acoustic guitar) over the years. Questions I had about how people improvise but just didn’t know what to ask. All of your videos Dan are like a gold deposit in my musical bank. I watch and read every day now and am blown away by the way you can zero in on what we really need to ground ourselves in an understanding of what’s fundamentally going on. I will watch this video at least 3 more times in the next week just to hammer these principals home as I keep working on the major scales. Thank you so much!

[@anthonydiaz3386]

I liked the part when you said "This is the purpose of my existence, is to make you think less". Dan, your soul is very kind and pure. Very hard these days to see someone to give away his/ her knowledge in some KZbin channel for free. Not only that, but also answering users' questions in a timely manner. Again, you've helped me to know my instrument very very well in a very short time. For instance, I bought my first keyboard in Jan 2017 when I decided to learn keyboard. Now is Dec 2018 and I am close to mastering the instrument. Thanks to your channel, I now have agility, speed, confidence in front of the instrument. The good news is that I bought a new instrument called Yamaha Genos 6 days ago and I am having unprecedented fun because of you. Side Note :) I hate Jazz LOL but I took the unchanged concepts from you to play many other genres. Thank you Dan and God bless you. "Like" on the GO .....

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you Melo for your kind comment and for picking up on smaller details of my words. I hope your comment inspires others, too. Hating jazz is not a crime but I bet I could find SOMETHING you like ;) How well do you know your musical personality, in detail? Even if you like classical piano, there is some jazz which sounds like that... Updates welcome :) Best, Dan

[@SMTX2023]

Thanks Dan for this inspring and absoulutely essential video leasson. Recently I am working on a short piece which has a somewhat odd chord progression for the first section : A. My first galnce (away from piano) it indicates : BbM7 - Am7b5 - D7b9 - Gm7 - C7 - Fm7 - Bb7 or 1-7-3-6-2-5-1 in key of Bb. Since I know the major scales somewhat ok. I recognize the 7-3-6 (Am7b5- D7b9-Gm7) is a typical “floating 2-5-1” lnadedlanded on “6” of the key Bb, that is “G”, the 6 of Bb. Therefor, G’s 2-5-1 is indeed spelled as Am7-D7-G7. When I am at piano I don’t need to memorize any unusual chord progression. The whole piece contains two sets of floating 2-5-1, and rest of them are several reapative “ 1-3-6-2-5-1”. That just is. Thanks for your recent lessons. Season Greeting All the best

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you for watching, Andrew. You are always so receptive to the content. It is working wonders for your progress! A true Water Pianism ambassador :) Perfect analysis of your piece. I wonder about the rhythm and melody, now... ? Perhaps you will share it in the WP group? It would be lovely to hear it... even if you're only playing the chords. Can you play without hesitation? Remember to always think about the next chord while playing the chord you're on to promote a seamless transition; this is only possible, of course, if you truly know the chord progression numerically and the master key of the piece truly... which you seem to know indeed. Thanks for sharing. Best, Dan

[@zaxiik]

Very helpful as always, thank you! I remember myself a year ago when I was starting - WTF is this guy talking about? Why would it be so absolutely essential and crucial to learn major scales? It's dumb, I just have 12 notes in front of me and I do whatever I want with them. Silly me! Major scales definitely helped me tons to find my way around the piano and not get lost. I also remember how you mentioned that the piano layout is very logical in one of your videos (can't remember which one it was), while to me the piano layout was just confusing and complete utter BS. Why would anyone design it in such a way that makes it impossible to transpose without some heavy brain work? So unintuitive and stupid! By knowing the major scales, I now have to appreciate how clever it actually is: there needs to be a semitone somewhere to produce a fifth and another semitone to complete the circle, so it makes sense to "break" the keyboard at two points within an octave - this way we avoid having to alternate black and white keys when playing a fourth/fifth most of the time (there are only two pairs of keys that don't fit) and if we move to a major scale a fourth/fifth away, the pattern is only one key different. It really blew my mind when this finally "clicked in". If I may suggest, it would be nice if you could make a video dedicated to the piano layout - why is it laid the way it is, what are the patterns to look for etc. I'm pretty sure it would be really interesting to hear your point of view and not just in the context of major scales and probably would reveal many more patterns that I wasn't aware of. All the best.

[@danthecomposer]

Thanks for watching and for your comment. Very amusing... enlightenment to certain philosophies can take time, but you made it! I like the idea, I'm just worried that people dislike talk-only videos so I will try to find a way to be hands-on as much as possible. Thanks for the idea! Best, Dan

[@lyndawilliams2931]

I am new to all of this! I need step by step instructions. I am purchasing your lesson. My bucket list is to play the piano, before I die!

[@myapinion7532]

So am l. I haven't got the first foggiest clue what he's talking about. All this 5ths and dominant 7s, what the heck is all that about? I can't ever see me getting to this level. I just listen to his videos because his playing sounds so nice. Depresses me a bit sometimes though cuz l'm so jealous. I just tell myself l'll be able to play when l get to heaven, haha.

[@danthecomposer]

Mya, relax. Thank you for watching but you must understand that I link to related videos in EVERY video in the description box to help people who don't understand what I'm talking about. For example, you don't understand the chords and things... well, see this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ6pgoRsmclqmKs&index=2&list=PL4cPpP-Ua6NWl43cy2XiArwodqSmWBOzC I leave nobody behind. 80% of my content is for beginners so do please enjoy it :) Let me know how you get on. Best, Dan

[@myapinion7532]

@@danthecomposer Aw thankyou for your lovely reply. I'll check out your link, (l'm pretty new to the internet too). I'll get there l'm sure. Cheers.

[@Bamblagram]

Great lesson.

[@mirabellemaitland9037]

Thank you Dan, for this really helpful video. I like your Filter analogy.

[@kostasvlachos4262]

Thanks a lot!!!!!

[@geoffgrigg]

Excellent!

[@markdenton8027]

Excellent Dan, thank you. Very helpful to me.

[@taelsmusic]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@aswardjnocharles5305]

Hay Dan another masterpiece In this video. I luv your channel exactly what I needed the master keys a very important greeting from France . Wiz Dan 🙌🏿👏🏿🎉

[@danthecomposer]

Merci beaucoup, aj ! Bienvenue sur ma chaîne :) Est-ce que vous les avez déjà toutes maîtrisées ? Cordialement, Dan

[@aswardjnocharles5305]

danthecomposer oui je comprends et je vois les accords changes avec les gammes. Avant je serais resté sur sur la gamme 1 exemple b flat . Merci pour le temps que tu prends à faire ces vidéos

[@nkosikhonamashinini1717]

wow this amazing

[@ArtbyAtlas]

Another great lesson! Congratulations on the growth of your channel, buddy. I remember when you started out; I was probably like the hundredth or so sub--now you're 82k strong :)

[@danthecomposer]

Thanks kindly, AA, a true Water Pianism ambassador indeed! I hope your progress is encouraging and you have solidified many philosophies and exercises to date? Perhaps an email update? [e-mail] Best, Dan

[@ArtbyAtlas]

danthecomposer I wish I could say so; fortunately I’ve been doing great career wise but unfortunately my piano practice has suffered since I’ve been so busy. My theory has gotten a lot better though, since I’m always watching videos and reading about it; when I listen to music I can hear more patterns and call out notes and keys now... but 2019 is looking like I’ll be focusing on the music/piano a lot more. Fingers crossed...! Keep up the great work!

[@mitulp.mandalia6123]

Nice tutorial.

[@AKOSAH-MUSIC]

Thank you Sir

[@gizmogpg]

Yes !

[@UnityCZ]

Hi Dan! I must say I’m... stunned. I never though about such attitude and teaching style. I touched briefly one of your videos like two moths ago but you got me there my friend haha :)) your teachings are brilliant, you are showing a way not THE way and that is truly remarkable. I am Czech so I got on to the forums and I am spreading your word, I posted your channel to my singing teacher, who is studying composition aswell... i want to sing and play piano classically and also composing my own material means alot to me. I have it in my head only thing was I wasnt able to let it out the way i heard it in my head. Infound obstacles that were hard to proccess. I am still learning and I am not practicing very much. But you know, I made much more progress in two days than in half a year minimun with standard teacher. And i know every major scale and I know the system. I also made some imporvs thanks to you. I am currently working on a song cycle for bass and piano based on improv. My teacher said to one of this project predeseccors, that it is very animalistic and i think he likes it alot. Song cycle being animalistic isnt a bad thing in my eyes or ears, i have my own style and the best are always memorable and unconventional. Just like you you are a wonderful person and best pianomteacher ever, period, nuff said :))) keep up and keep going you are doing something extraordinary and godlike and sou are doing it for free. If i ever need help with something ill hit you on some skype lesson or two if you wont mind :))) you are thenbest Dan, thank you from all my heart!!! Take care and stay positive. Carpe diem

[@charlietan2649]

Odi et amo

[@UnityCZ]

@@charlietan2649 yeeesh mi loooort?? :)) haha sorry bout that, just a bit of Warcraft Ii peon talk :))

[@mikewellwood1412]

Was in your beautiful country a few weeks ago. We know of some significant composers from there: Of course, Smetana. Janáček (I had to google the spelling), and of course, Dvořák. Without Dvořák, how would we have any clue as to how to pronounce the letter "ř"? ;-P

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

I have a bit of a lengthy question. Please note that the question isn't related to this video, it is just a general one. If we have 5 essential chords to learn (Maj7, 7, min7, min7b5, and full dim bb7b5) and each chord has 3 inversions, then: 5 chords x 3 inversions = 15 inversions in one key (I said 3 inversions because root position doesn't count) 15 inver. x 12 keys = 180 inversions No problem !! I decided to take one key to practice its 5 chords and inversions in 4 days. then, I take the next key for another 4 days and so on. I do this chromatically every 4 days in order to let my fingers absorb the chords and their inversion shapes and take my time. My problem now is whenever I revisit a previous key that I learned, I forget the shapes and the progress is unbelievably slow. Actually, I know the solution of my problem and it's really the only solution is to PLAY as many songs as possible that cover all the 12 keys. For instance, all major and minor triad chords and their inversions literally became my second nature and I visualize them across all octaves in all 12 keys with ease like water. Why? because these are the chords that I spend with more in the last 3 years and played many many songs that utilized all the 12 keys. If I don't find a song, I download countless backing tracks that cover all the 12 keys. By this way only, I can easily memorize all the inversions shapes. Now, you're going to ask me a question, "If you're that good at the major and minor inversions, then I guess you won't have a problem when throwing an extra 7th note to the mix, right?" My answer is "Not Really". Let me explain. Adding a 7th note makes the normal triad to be 4 notes. So, you actually have 4 positions for the chord: 1 ROOT (ah! sorry root doesn't count I said) and 3 Inversions, where the third inversion is when you play the 7th at the top. Mentally, it's a bit overwhelming and confusing because you were used to view the triad shapes always. Now additional note is there and you have to view new shapes. I've tried to convince myself that it's just the normal triad chord alterations with a 7th note added. The result is, I failed to memorize anything clearly as I used to do with the normal triads and my progress is slow. Meaning? I can't feel I am progressing. So my question to you sir, Do you have solution to my problem? Do you have a long list of Jazz songs that I can learn in order to nail all the 7th and dim inversions in all the 12 keys? I mean WOW !! It's a lot of work to do but I insist to do it and I feel awful now :) Thanks for your time and for reading through my misery !!!!! (hopless face :(

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you for this important question. I read it carefully. It's easy to solve, if you're ready to accept! Chord mastery is not about memorisation. You're making it about memorisation. Therefore, you encounter these difficulties. If you trust me, as many thousands have on this same topic, and made progress, then you'd be doing yourself a favour! Chord mastery is simply a combination of two things: major scale mastery (for orientation and note values) and chord type template mastery. You're trying to crash the two together and stick the results in your memory. As you can see, this doesn't work and causes you to write a depserate message :) How good are your major scales? Or at least the major scale you're working in for particular chord types? Also, what in-octave chord types do you currently know in template form? You see, once you know the ONE template, it can be applied INSTANTLY to ANY KEY and in ANY INVERSION.... without the need for ANY memory! This is the secret which evades so many. So: how are your major scales (shapes recognition away from the piano) and how many templates of chords do you know in-octave (forget extensions for now)... Then we can start to iron out this problem. Best, Dan

[@Ahmad-Mounir44]

@@danthecomposer Thanks for your reply sir :) Alright, let me answer the first question. I know all the major scales in all the 12 keys with eyes closed. I always picture them in my mind away from the piano indeed amd wherever I go. They are like a second nature to me. And I reached a level of transposing what I am playing in real time. About the second question, I am not sure I understood the meaning of the "template" word in this context. However, I know all the chord types and modes that are attached to each scale degrees with eyes closed too. I also know all the normal triad chords (both major and minor) inversions and I usually use them within any solo I play in a piece (or an ending of a piece). My problem is with all the 7th chord types inversions because we added a fourth note which adds extra complexity. You know, let me be more clear, I actually have no problem with the 7th chords in their root positions, it's in their inversions. And inversions are very very important to learn if I need to reduce my jumps across the keyboard and apply more economic movements for even better voice leading. So to recap, this is my checklist: 1) Major/natural minor scales in 12 keys - checked 2) Attached chords in major scales in 12 keys - checked 3) Modes of the major scale in 12 keys - checked 4) 7th chords types/diminished/augmented in root positions in 12 keys - checked 5) 7th chords types/diminished/augmented in 3 inversions in 12 keys - Not Checked 6) Harmonic/Melodic minor scales and modes - Not Checked Hope I clarified my point. Your help is much appreciated and well respected.

[@ultimate4416]

Hi Dan-Sensei! Nice video as always! Is there a video where you showcase some exercises for playing arpeggios or rather playing notes over long ranges?

[@danthecomposer]

Hello Roman, thanks for your kind comment. Glad this video helped. Yes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKSbn6KnrteDntE and yes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGjKYWSMh9Gbd5I :) Let me know how you get on. Best, Dan

[@pipgrace8333]

Hi Dan When you are saying at beginning of the lesson the cords are 123 minor 251 I understand the cords but what do you mean by (minor) Is the minor referring to Diminished cord in the middle I'm a bit confused Regards Pip

[@danthecomposer]

Minor always referred to the third. Diminished only means a minor with a b5. Does that help? Best, Dan

[@yudipitre5720]

Is it better to learn and do the major scale in inversions first or do them in first not second or third. ? Thank you

[@danthecomposer]

Good question. You need to know them in main position because once you do, you passively and like magic know them in all inversions! See this playlist for each major scale and unique exercises at and away from the piano: kzbin.info/aero/PL4cPpP-Ua6NUAnf54mQbk1xjbc4xDfu4K Best, Dan

[@synthplayer1563]

It's an interesting view but I'm not convinced that this is generally usable. My practice is to see the scale of the momentary tonal center (here Bb major) and its modal scales (eg C minor dorian, the scale of the 2 of Bb major). It's not difficult at all because the scale consists of the same keys as Bb major but starts on a different key.

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. Are you aware that the way you see things still implies you need to know the major scale? Even talking about modes means major scales since modes ARE major scales inverted... Best, Dan

[@Deanguilberry]

That's how I do it. It seem like to much thinking to modify the major to the minor this way when you can just play the minor etc. But I will give it a try to see if it gets me something new.

[@rockypulley3050]

i need a good method of practicing them

[@danthecomposer]

Hello RP, Try here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ6pgoRsmclqmKs And here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npaoh6Wvls9gras Or here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWO1i5KmpL15h5o Let me know how you get on. Best, Dan

[@isaiah7770]

hey man new to your channel (& piano) was wondering where is the best place in your videos that you would recommend to start on & continue from there on

[@danthecomposer]

Thank you and welcome :) This playlist is most recommended: kzbin.info/aero/PL4cPpP-Ua6NWl43cy2XiArwodqSmWBOzC But you may enjoy this one too and will find many similarities: kzbin.info/aero/PL4cPpP-Ua6NUFebhir7tx1CrW03zbb0d0 - perhaps two ten mins videos for one video of the other playlist to really reinforce things. Be sure to see the description boxes of every video too. Updates welcome. Best, Dan

[@isaiah7770]

danthecomposer thanks for getting back to me its greatly appreciated; ill definitely take a look into the playlists that you recommended, im looking forward to it. Also i just want to thank you for the great videos and help that you provide, keep up the great work! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@Nick-ui9dr]

Isn't chord based on key than scale.... like your C note falls on both Bb and C scale. A C chord wud just be C chord whether major or minor in Cscale or Bb scale ... no? It won't change across different scale... wud it? Yeah what major minor falls absolutely within that notes scale one can tell like 1, 4,, 5 major chord and 2, 3, 5 minor chord or 7th diminished chord if one knows the pattern how it does in simple C scale. I mean that gives u the benefit of what chords will be in consonant with notes of scale... but then song might not be sing all the notes of a scale or one might be playing some chord for different purpose than what is in absolute harmonic... no?

[@craiver00]

Is it just me he played B major scale with different finger numbering? I practice all major scale with the same finger numbering(12312345). Am I doing it wrong?

[@danthecomposer]

Very wrong indeed! Do NOT fall into the trap of fixed or even recommended fingering. It is absolutely detrimental to your progress. You must find and feel your OWN natural fingering by finding it with your eyes closed, once having found your sitting position (mine is always in front of Middle D) and being high enough and not too close that you have awkwardly bent joints at the wrists, elbow and knuckles (I call these 'energy puddles'). See this video for more on natural fingering: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5eYlpqrZcSnqbs Best, Dan

[@craiver00]

@@danthecomposer Thanks for the response that was enlightening.

[@craiver00]

@@danthecomposer So after trying out your method of changing fingering and thinking about it I realized making the scale easy isn't worth it. That's why it's an exercise, it was meant to be hard and unnatural. Maybe jazz/blues players would benefit from that but not in classical. I noticed after practicing sharp/flat scales with normal fingering it increased my finger strength and improved my form. Just my opinion and personal experience. You're still awesome.

[@danthecomposer]

Thanks for your update. You see, what you have done is found Your method, which is exactly my method: to help you find Your method! I don't have a method per se and I never tell anyone to 'do this' - it's always different for everyone. If your fingering happens to benefit Your hands and fingers and touch, and it happens to be the 'traditional fingering', so be it. After all, we don't play major scales in music anyway, it's melodies from scale tones in random orders. Thanks for the update... do continue with your natural fingering.Best,Dan

[@craiver00]

@@danthecomposer Thanks for your time too. It is very informative to trade words with you. You're right, we all have our own ways. My hands are smaller than yours. I've learned that no one can dictate what's the right and best fingering.

[@pianistganga]

Is it dgx 520 ?

[@danthecomposer]

Almost... it's the 640. 8 years old almost! Will update next year, especially since this has 3 keys which are temperamental :/ Thanks for watching. Best, Dan

[@lyndawilliams2931]

Do you recommend putting the notes on the piano keys until we"re familiar with them?

[@robertrenk7074]

Am I the only one who is confused by this? You say it’s important to know which major scale you are in....then you mention that you can alter those notes...then how are you in that particular major if you alter the notes? What am I missing? Why would it be important to know the major if you can play any notes?

[@danthecomposer]

Hi Robert and thanks for your comment. "... then how are you in that particular major scale if you alter the notes" - well how could I alter the notes if I wasn't in the major scale? A minor can't be found or altered as a minor if you don't know where the major 3rd is/was in the first place. Just because a chord is not full of notes from the major scale doesn't mean it doesn't exist in the key and contain notes FROM the major scale. The major scale has to be known so that notes can indeed be altered at all! Playing 'any notes' is too random; too, in the air, ungrounded. Note values are important... any jazz musicain of any instrument will tell you that. Just because you know D is the 3rd of Bb and the #11 of Ab, and and and... doesn't mean anything unless you know how that note FEELS... but, even if you know 'how a 3rd feels' or 'how a #11 feels', you won't be able to play it if you can't find the major scale and then pick it out! This video simply says, in a nutshell: if you're just playing repertoire, to see the major scale 'behind' the melody and chords will help with orientation at the piano and help you to see how it was constructed, also helping with visualising patterns (because you have a major scale template for each chord, irrelevant of 'master key' of the piece) and if improvising, you can see note values and altered note values instantly, for melodies and chords, to do with as you wish. No matter your angle, path, opinion, ability, musical personality..................... if you can't see the major scale, you are wandering aimless through a piece/improvisation, totally unrooted (scuse the pun) and without orientation, and this is the leading cause of people getting lost in songs, not being able to find chords and not being able to improvise. I hope this helps. Best, Dan

[@robertrenk7074]

danthecomposer Thank you. This does help.