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Key of F# Minor – Jonny’s Ghost Dance

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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Beginner
01:02:35

F# minor is your first minor key that starts on a black key, and it has a dark, mysterious sound unlike any key you’ve played so far. It’s closely related to A major, so many of the notes will already feel familiar. You’ll learn the F# minor scale plus two variations that give minor music its unique flavor, with the fingering for each hand and strategies for playing them smoothly and building speed.

Next, you’ll learn the 10 chords you’ll find most often in popular songs in F# minor, along with tips for playing them comfortably. Then you’ll learn four of the most common chord progressions (chord patterns) in this key and put them to work: you’ll learn how to groove on each progression and improvise your own ideas over it. To bring it all together, you’ll learn Jonny’s Ghost Dance, an original piece with a haunting, beautiful melody.

Once you’re comfortable, you’ll use inversions to make your chord changes sound smoother and apply them to Jonny’s Ghost Dance. Then you’ll play it along with a bass and drums backing track to hear how it sounds with a full band. Finally, you’ll learn simple ways to play chords for someone else to sing or play along to.

Course Objectives
  • Play F# natural, harmonic and melodic minor in both hands with the correct fingering
  • Learn the 10 most common chords in F# minor and strategies for playing them
  • Learn four of the most common chord progressions and how to groove and improvise over them
  • Play Jonny's Ghost Dance, an original piece in F# minor
  • 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!

A lovely break from pop music tunes
I really enjoyed this one, as it was shorter than most courses (only 3 lessons), and the tune was way prettier than most of these course songs. I had more fun playing this one, as I'm in a classical/melancholic mood. I find all of the courses solid, and I get a lot out of them, but my enjoyment of them depends on the tune. If I like the tune, then I like the course. Otherwise, it can be a slog.
nice song
it's exactly what i need
Great resource for playing piano to the next level
Exciting lessons
Fun
Exposure to all different styles of music makes these courses interesting.
Very cool song!
Very well done and appreciate the various styles of songs to play for each key learned. Thanks!

Course Lessons

1
Key of F# Minor – Lesson 1
27:09

The Natural, Harmonic, & Melodic Scales

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2
Key of F# Minor – Lesson 2
13:28

4 Common Chord Progressions

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3
Key of F# Minor – Lesson 3
21:58

Jonny’s “Ghost Dance,” Melody, Chords, Groove

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Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

A lovely break from pop music tunes
I really enjoyed this one, as it was shorter than most courses (only 3 lessons), and the tune was way prettier than most of these course songs. I had more fun playing this one, as I'm in a classical/melancholic mood. I find all of the courses solid, and I get a lot out of them, but my enjoyment of them depends on the tune. If I like the tune, then I like the course. Otherwise, it can be a slog.
nice song
it's exactly what i need
Great resource for playing piano to the next level
Exciting lessons
Fun
Exposure to all different styles of music makes these courses interesting.
Very cool song!
Very well done and appreciate the various styles of songs to play for each key learned. Thanks!
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