Fake Book Piano

Learn to play many songs quickly and easily with melody and chords. There are 1000s of songs that you'll be able to play just by learning some basics.

My experience is being self-taught. I started learning on an electric organ as a kid. There I found that music was an outlet for expression. From there I taught myself guitar (at 19) and piano (at 21). At 40, I tried taking classes and found them boring and tedious. The teacher was surprised how well I could play as I was able to make up melodies on the spot as well as fills to songs. She was taught to play what was on the page, I had learned that I could do better. I had 6 or so lessons and decided what I was doing sounded good and had gone beyond what could be taught with rigid, repetitive structure.

What you will learn: how to read music, tell and understand different keys, make chords, and some music theory. With memorization, practice, and desire, you will be able to play the songs that you love, quickly and easily. This is not for people who want to play the classical piano. This class is for show tunes and popular music.

I volunteer my time weekly at the Reading Hospital to play their grand piano.

Inspiring the next generation to play. With music is being taken out of schools, who will be the next generation of musicians? Music helps with the development of the brain, it trains musicians to think differently and helps with math, decision making, and a host of other things.

Here is an excerpt from an article on the benifits of learning music:

https://www.joytunes.com/blog/learn-to-play/benefits-of-learning-to-play-a-musical-instrument/

Recent discoveries have led scientists to believe that both listening to and playing a musical instrument makes you smarter because these activities actually release more BDNF, CREB, and synapsin I, all elements that strengthen mental capacities. So playing a musical instrument produces brain-building compounds and neural growth factors that are making you smarter, stronger, and better at doing activities throughout your day.

Some of the brain benefits of learning a musical instrument include increased comprehension and math skills, better coordination, and a greater capacity for memory. Another question on this subject is does music help you study? According to these finding, yes. Playing music will make learning easier by involving both sides of the brain in the process.

So studying an instrument will be easier than studying any other subject since you’re growing your brain power as you practice and learn!

Music is also proven to help tremendously in social situations, including work environments, friendships, and even more involved relationships. The training that the mind and body go through to develop musical comprehension is the same as the training required to develop speech and verbal skills, essential components in any relationship.

Additionally, music training develops the same muscles that will assist you in cooperation, time-management, organization, and concentration/listening skills. These are all skills that any relationship management expert will tell you are necessary for navigating healthy relationships.

Music training also strengthens a person’s self-expression and helps you to break out of your inhibiting barriers (get up there and play!). So develop your musical talents, and you will be a team leader no matter where you go!