YouTube is giving many aspiring pianists the ability to learn popular songs by rote. Without a doubt, many beginning students learn easily through imitation. When a song is learned this way, I believe it should be celebrated! An accurate, fluid performance is an accomplishment.
However, I heartily believe that the learning should not stop there. A budding musician who is successfully learning songs by rote is in a perfect position to deepen understanding and speed progress. Here are a few ideas for looking a little closer at the songs you play. Feel free to ask a musical friend or mentor to help you with any of these steps.
- Identify the key and meter of the song.
- Learn the names of the chords. Then, create a chord chart or find one online in the same key.
- Break down the song into smaller chunks. Identify the sections such as the introduction, verse, chorus, bridge, and any other unique moments.
- Look for chord patterns. Perhaps there are four chords that repeat over and over during the verse.
- Determine the role of the piano part in the song. Is it mostly a chordal accompaniment or are there fills, too?
- Test your understanding by re-arranging the song. Play the sections in a different order, for example, or repeat a line of the song.
- When you are secure with the key, meter and chord patterns of the song, try some rhythmic, melodic or harmonic improvisation. For example, throw in a surprise accent. Play a chord in a different inversion. Create your own fill.
- Record yourself playing the song, in its original form and with your variations. Listening back will make you more aware of what you do well and what might need further improvement. It would be helpful to get feedback from others you trust as well.
Creating Music 