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Did you know that practicing everything in all 12 keys is actually one of the worst things you can do?

Why?

Because it’s extremely impractical.

For example, 99% of blues tunes are written in the same 3 or 4 keys.

In fact, it’s very rare to see blues tunes in keys like B, F#, and A.

Same with jazz and pop — most tunes are written in the same 3 or 4 keys.

You’ll almost never see jazz tunes in E, A, or B, or pop tunes in C#, Gb, and Ab.

Why would you spend hours practicing styles in keys that you’ll almost never encounter?!

Furthermore, when you practice everything you learn in 12 keys, this can quickly lead to burnout.

It’s hard enough to learn a tune in one key. But 12 keys?! Give me a break! I’d probably want to quit the piano myself!

So in this lesson, I’m going to simplify your life.

I’m going to show you the essential keys to focus on for each of the top styles.

And if you focus only on these 3 keys, you’ll cover the majority of real-world songs.

Now, I’m not saying that you should never practice anything in 12 keys.

For example, you should practice these in all 12 keys:

– Basic chords (major chords, minor chords, 7th chords, etc)
– Basic scales (major scales, minor scales, etc)

Why?

Because these are foundational to all styles.

In other words, most jazz tunes are played in the same 3 or 4 keys, but when you combine all the chord progressions of those keys, you’ll quickly encounter all 12 major and minor chords.

But, do I recommend that you learn “All The Things You Are” in 12 keys? Absolutely not!

The only exception to this would be if you want to specifically develop your “transposition skills”.

This is a unique skill where a song can be played in any key on the spot.

But I don’t recommend this for most people — only very advanced students.

This skill will come later in your music journey.

For now… master the essential keys, and you’ll cover 99% of real-world songs.

Keep it simple my friend.

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