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Key of Bb Major – PWJ Avenue

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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:43:58

Bb major is your first key that starts on a black key, and it’s a favorite of jazz musicians, horn players and singers. If you want to play songs or read chord charts in Bb, this course gives you everything you need. You’ll learn the Bb major scale in each hand, practical fingering strategies to make it feel natural, and how to play it up the keyboard across multiple octaves.

Next, you’ll learn the chords that belong to the key of Bb and the most common chord progressions (chord patterns) used in this key. Then comes the fun part: you’ll learn different ways to jam on these chords, so you can make music on your own, without sheet music. To bring it all together, you’ll learn PWJ Avenue, a fun original tune that uses the notes and chords from the course.

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

Course Objectives
  • Play the Bb major scale in both hands across multiple octaves, using effective fingering strategies
  • Learn the diatonic chords and the most common chord progressions in Bb major
  • Explore different ways to jam and improvise on the chords in Bb
  • Apply inversions and smooth voice leading, then perform PWJ Avenue with a full backing track
  • Accompany a singer or instrumentalist using three chord grooves
Learning Focus
  • Chords & Voicings
  • Groove
  • Lead Sheets
  • Scales
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Good Overview of Bb Major Key
This was a good review of the key of Bb with scales, chords, progressions, and inversions. PWJ Avenue was a fun song too. I liked the suggestion of starting with the 4th finger in the right hand on the scale. I had always did it with the 2nd finger, but with multiple octaves it will always repeat on the 4th finger.
Loved to grooves
Loads of fun for learning this key. Reinforcing the same concepts with further grooves, patterns and tips. Plus loved the little improv scale
Well explained
Enjoyed step by step revision of the key of B flat major. Found the backing track just a little too fast for some of it. I downloaded the backing track but it does not seem to have the capability to vary the tempo so that I can gradually build up the speed while playing along with it.
Thorough
Enjoyed completing this course in Bb Major. I had been avoiding the flat keys (not sure why... I am happy to play B Major and F# Major). This course was thorough in taking me through the scales, chords and inversions and I'm now feeling comfortable with Bb Major. Very happy.
This course is great! Learning something fun and doing it with both hands while learning multiple ways to play.
Fun stuff. This was my first course and I am very pleased!

Course Lessons

1
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 1
16:21

The Major Scale, 1 & 2 Octaves

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2
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 2
17:03

4 Common Chord Progressions

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3
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 3
24:24

Learn PWJ Avenue, Lead Sheet, Melody, Chords, & Groove

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4
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 4
20:40

Inversions, Primary Chord Progression, PWJ Avenue Application

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5
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 5
7:08

Performance with Backing Track

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6
Key of Bb Major – Lesson 6
18:22

Accompaniment

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Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Good Overview of Bb Major Key
This was a good review of the key of Bb with scales, chords, progressions, and inversions. PWJ Avenue was a fun song too. I liked the suggestion of starting with the 4th finger in the right hand on the scale. I had always did it with the 2nd finger, but with multiple octaves it will always repeat on the 4th finger.
Loved to grooves
Loads of fun for learning this key. Reinforcing the same concepts with further grooves, patterns and tips. Plus loved the little improv scale
Well explained
Enjoyed step by step revision of the key of B flat major. Found the backing track just a little too fast for some of it. I downloaded the backing track but it does not seem to have the capability to vary the tempo so that I can gradually build up the speed while playing along with it.
Thorough
Enjoyed completing this course in Bb Major. I had been avoiding the flat keys (not sure why... I am happy to play B Major and F# Major). This course was thorough in taking me through the scales, chords and inversions and I'm now feeling comfortable with Bb Major. Very happy.
This course is great! Learning something fun and doing it with both hands while learning multiple ways to play.
Fun stuff. This was my first course and I am very pleased!
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