All ye pianists.

**tofurox** · 06-3-2009, 08:31 PM

When I am just improving, I always find my left hand to be playing basic patterns over and over, I can never come up with anything interesting. I find myself playing octaves, or broken chords, chords, but they usually folllow the same/similar rhythms. I need some ways to spice things up.

I know this might seem stupid, but I just want to see what you all use, to get better ideas.

**Frozen Beat** · 06-3-2009, 08:56 PM

I randomly spam around my left hand in a scale fashion, sometimes streaking my hand up and down the piano. Sometimes I double hit the same notes on different octaves. It's nice xD. I also put some rubato there as well rofl.

tangomango · 06-3-2009, 09:00 PM

play a chromatic scale? idk lol.

AC1speakerbox · 06-3-2009, 09:14 PM

Penists?

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist

**tofurox** · 06-3-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangomango

play a chromatic scale? idk lol.

*Extreme sarcasm detected*.

**Lucifericrucifix** · 06-3-2009, 10:23 PM

Listen to music and transpose scales or tones through keys themselves. I'm into a lot of metal, but I find myself emulating some of the lower end bass notes with one hand while my right plays leads or something to that effect. Beyond that, it helps to just take a break every once in a while and then get back into it...same thing when I play drums, to keep fills refreshing.

**tofurox** · 06-3-2009, 10:33 PM

10ths are hard to reach for my smallish hands. Though I have used them a little, and I agree they halp round out the chords. 7ths are nice too, easier.

**kid_merkury** · 06-4-2009, 09:41 AM

jumping off of what KgZ started to say, definitely make good use of tensions.

Basically, you have T9 (T=tension) and T13. That just means a 9th from your root, or a 13th, respectively. Now, you can make substitutions for some of your simple triads with these tensions, and then further, change them into accidentals making them flat/sharp 9, 13. You can also experiment with 11, but there are special cases with that.

Lemme know if you want me to go further in depth.

Guitarmy · 06-5-2009, 04:59 AM

Just play the root of the chord in the bass (with your left hand) and in the right play your third and seventh (and anything extra you want to add) omit the 5th because it isn't really needed to give the chord any extra oomph!

8Shade8 · 06-8-2009, 10:08 AM

First off, I play a lot of blues. I am not into sheet music as much as I used to be, and I also find that being creative with music involves a LOT of practice.

Your best bet to be able to free up your left hand is to take some blues courses online. Not only does playing the blues stimulate your creativity with music, but it will also "loosen" your left hand up as you practice the music. There are PLENTY of different patterns you can play with your left hand while playing the blues, and the best part is that you can make it up as long as you follow the blues chords. You can pretty much play whatever you want, however you want and however you want to make it sound.

Something that you may be getting frustrated with is that you feel there is a "standard" or a set way to play something and that there are expectations that people hold you to. Most new musicians can feel this way at times, however, I assure you that in the long run you will be better off as a musician by playing whatever you want.

Here is a link that should help you. They helped me a long time ago. Look into the blues chords and left handed patterns; change them up however you want and make up your own style:

http://www.playpianotoday.com/blues/index.html

It is as simple as clicking the link and practicing with what the free online videos have to teach man. Have fun! And remember to not be nervous when playing.

06-3-2009, 08:31 PM	#1
tofurox Them arrows. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Allen, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 2,263	All ye pianists. When I am just improving, I always find my left hand to be playing basic patterns over and over, I can never come up with anything interesting. I find myself playing octaves, or broken chords, chords, but they usually folllow the same/similar rhythms. I need some ways to spice things up. I know this might seem stupid, but I just want to see what you all use, to get better ideas. __________________ This sig has been enhanced by the FFR Staff for being too large. Thank you for participating.

06-3-2009, 08:56 PM	#2
Frozen Beat coLSBMidday, zerg sc2 pro Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: blank Age: 29 Posts: 1,092	Re: All ye pianists. I randomly spam around my left hand in a scale fashion, sometimes streaking my hand up and down the piano. Sometimes I double hit the same notes on different octaves. It's nice xD. I also put some rubato there as well rofl. __________________ Feel several different pains, before they're colored pure red Make a little chance! Start connecting us into to tomorrow, ready and go! No matter how many times I keep going down, in these unending rounds I'm gonna keep up! We can create hope, it's our story!

06-3-2009, 09:00 PM	#3
tangomango FFR Player Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,134	Re: All ye pianists. play a chromatic scale? idk lol.

06-3-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
AC1speakerbox FFR Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 1,242	Re: All ye pianists. Penists? I'm sorry, I couldn't resist

06-3-2009, 10:23 PM	#6
Lucifericrucifix Pathogen. Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 80	Re: All ye pianists. Listen to music and transpose scales or tones through keys themselves. I'm into a lot of metal, but I find myself emulating some of the lower end bass notes with one hand while my right plays leads or something to that effect. Beyond that, it helps to just take a break every once in a while and then get back into it...same thing when I play drums, to keep fills refreshing. __________________ "What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man, the will to power, power itself. What is bad? All that is born of weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power is growing, that resistance is overcome." -Friedrich Nietzsche "Faith in God is absurd, since it is impossible to know, or understand His purpose."

06-3-2009, 10:33 PM	#7
tofurox Them arrows. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Allen, Texas Age: 31 Posts: 2,263	Re: All ye pianists. 10ths are hard to reach for my smallish hands. Though I have used them a little, and I agree they halp round out the chords. 7ths are nice too, easier. __________________ This sig has been enhanced by the FFR Staff for being too large. Thank you for participating.

06-4-2009, 09:41 AM	#8
kid_merkury I make good music Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 35 Posts: 477	Re: All ye pianists. jumping off of what KgZ started to say, definitely make good use of tensions. Basically, you have T9 (T=tension) and T13. That just means a 9th from your root, or a 13th, respectively. Now, you can make substitutions for some of your simple triads with these tensions, and then further, change them into accidentals making them flat/sharp 9, 13. You can also experiment with 11, but there are special cases with that. Lemme know if you want me to go further in depth. __________________ -Merk PSN: kid_merkury

06-5-2009, 04:59 AM	#9
Guitarmy FFR Player Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San antonio, Tx Posts: 1	Re: All ye pianists. Just play the root of the chord in the bass (with your left hand) and in the right play your third and seventh (and anything extra you want to add) omit the 5th because it isn't really needed to give the chord any extra oomph!

06-8-2009, 10:08 AM	#10
8Shade8 FFR Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Age: 35 Posts: 167	Re: All ye pianists. First off, I play a lot of blues. I am not into sheet music as much as I used to be, and I also find that being creative with music involves a LOT of practice. Your best bet to be able to free up your left hand is to take some blues courses online. Not only does playing the blues stimulate your creativity with music, but it will also "loosen" your left hand up as you practice the music. There are PLENTY of different patterns you can play with your left hand while playing the blues, and the best part is that you can make it up as long as you follow the blues chords. You can pretty much play whatever you want, however you want and however you want to make it sound. Something that you may be getting frustrated with is that you feel there is a "standard" or a set way to play something and that there are expectations that people hold you to. Most new musicians can feel this way at times, however, I assure you that in the long run you will be better off as a musician by playing whatever you want. Here is a link that should help you. They helped me a long time ago. Look into the blues chords and left handed patterns; change them up however you want and make up your own style: http://www.playpianotoday.com/blues/index.html It is as simple as clicking the link and practicing with what the free online videos have to teach man. Have fun! And remember to not be nervous when playing. __________________ "There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." People demand their freedom of speech, so as to avoid their freedom of thought. Keep the freedom you possess inherently, before someone else attempts to take it from you.

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