Key of A Major - PWJ Rock - Piano With Jonny

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Instructor

Jonny May

Course Type

Course

Skill Level

Beginner

Duration

02:04:27

A major has a bright, open sound that’s perfect for rock and roll, country and pop. If you want to play songs or improvise in A major, this course gives you everything you need. You’ll start with the A major scale in each hand, learning the fingering and practice strategies for playing it smoothly, then expand it across multiple octaves in both hands.

Next, you’ll learn the chords that come from the A major scale, with the correct fingering for each chord and different ways to practice them so they feel natural under your hands. Then you’ll learn the most common chord progressions (chord patterns) in A major, the building blocks of countless songs. To bring it all together, you’ll learn Doing the PWJ Rock, a fun original rock and roll tune that puts everything from the course into action.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll use inversions to make your chord changes sound smoother and apply them to Doing the PWJ Rock. Then you’ll play it along with a bass and drums backing track, so it feels like you’re in a classic rock and roll band. Finally, you’ll learn simple ways to play chords for someone else to sing or play along to.

Course Objectives

Play the A major scale in both hands across multiple octaves
Use practice strategies to play the scale smoothly and accurately
Learn the diatonic chords in A major with the correct fingering and practice methods
Learn the most common chord progressions in A major and play Doing the PWJ Rock, an original rock and roll tune
Apply inversions, perform with a full backing track and accompany other musicians

Learning Focus

Chords
Groove
Lead Sheets
Scales
Songs

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Steven Kaiser verified

Rock 'N Roll - Still Alive and Well

I really enjoyed this course as someone who cut their teeth on Rock 'N Roll guitar back in the 70s, learning the PWJ Rock Tune was like riding a bike that I haven't ridden in about 40 years. Rock 'N Roll has not changed, but learning it on the piano was definitely a new challenge and it was just as much fun as it was years ago learning it on the guitar. I learned all of the usual fundamentals relative to the Key of A, the scale, chords, progressions and intervals, all good stuff, but the real thrill was playing the bluesy, rock 'n roll tune that tied it all together - PWJ Rock. Now I can add the basic Rock 'N Roll Shuffle Groove to my "Groove Toolbox" which is growing with every new key I learn in the Fundamental Courses. Thanks as always PWJ team!

Joaquín Prudenza verified

I did it!!!

It was really a challenge but with time I could play everything at full tempo! Don't despair and practice slowly, you will get it!

Daniel René de Cotret verified

Excellent course

Great groove. Not to hard to get under the hands. Great harmony for the right hand with all the slidings. The accompaniment section is also fantastic. Love it.

Serge Bailly verified

Challenging for a beginner

Shuffle pattern on the left hand

John Falconer verified

Backing Track with Organ Accompaniment Makes for Super Fun Blues Lesson!

This course includes a backing track with organ, which makes it sound really bluesy! The 12-bar blues is also a great format for the beginning level, because it can be internalized pretty easily. Great course!

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