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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:45:10

F major is a cheerful, versatile key used in all kinds of music, and this course gives you everything you need to start playing in it. You’ll learn the F major scale in each hand, then play it up the keyboard across two octaves. The right hand uses a slightly different fingering than the scales you’ve learned so far, so Jonny shows you exactly where your thumb and fingers cross over. He also shares his favorite tricks for playing scales smoothly and quickly.

Next, you’ll learn the chords that belong to the key of F, the most important chords for playing songs in this key. Then you’ll learn four chord progressions (chord patterns) that show up again and again in pop music, so you’ll start to recognize them in songs you already know. To bring it all together, you’ll learn Jonny’s Bamba, a fun original tune that uses the scale and chords from the course.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll learn simple ways to make your playing sound even better. You’ll discover inversions, which are different ways to play the same chord, and use them to move smoothly from one chord to the next. Then you’ll play Jonny’s Bamba along with a bass and drums backing track, so it feels like you’re playing in a band. Finally, you’ll learn to play chords for someone else to sing or play along to, a skill you’ll use whenever you make music with others.

Course Objectives
  • Play the F major scale across two octaves in each hand, mastering its unique right-hand crossover
  • Use Jonny's tricks for playing scales quickly and spotting key crossover points
  • Learn the diatonic chords in F major and four of the most common pop chord progressions
  • Apply inversions and voice leading, then perform Jonny's Bamba with a full backing track
  • Back up a singer or instrumentalist using three accompaniment grooves
Learning Focus
  • Chords
  • Groove
  • Lead Sheets
  • Scales
  • Songs

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Enjoyable!
This course really makes learning enjoyable. The music is also great.
Loved it!
Challenging but loved it!
Lots of Fun Variations and Tips for Beginning Piano
My background in piano was mostly classical, so we never got to experience improvisation or changing the way we play to accompany someone or another instrument. It is great that these features are included at the beginning level! I am learning a lot about improvising melodies while reading sheet music!
Liked this Mambo style
Great!
Very lively course. Lots of possibilities to explore.
I liked the rhythm. Sometimes, I felt like dancing. The simplicity of the chords helped.

Course Lessons

1
Key of F Major – Lesson 1
11:58

F Major Scale, 2 Hands, 2 Octaves

2
Key of F Major – Lesson 2
16:29

4 Common Chord Progressions

3
Key of F Major – Lesson 3
34:37

“Jonny’s Bamba,” Lead Sheet, Melody, Chords, Groove

5
Key of F Major – Lesson 5
8:01

Performance with Backing Track

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Enjoyable!
This course really makes learning enjoyable. The music is also great.
Loved it!
Challenging but loved it!
Lots of Fun Variations and Tips for Beginning Piano
My background in piano was mostly classical, so we never got to experience improvisation or changing the way we play to accompany someone or another instrument. It is great that these features are included at the beginning level! I am learning a lot about improvising melodies while reading sheet music!
Liked this Mambo style
Great!
Very lively course. Lots of possibilities to explore.
I liked the rhythm. Sometimes, I felt like dancing. The simplicity of the chords helped.
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