Why You Should Learn Chords FIRST

This is the very last episode I will publish on this podcast! But not to worry - I have been working on creating a new podcast called Melodies with Morgan where I will upload weekly episodes every Monday. Join me on the continued music journey at Melodies with Morgan! I’m so super stoked to go “all-in” and share many of the same concepts and piano techniques on this new podcast!

It wasn’t all clear and laid out when I learned piano chords. This episode goes through my journey (and what I learned the somewhat hard way) of figuring out piano chords.

I loved making this episode! I’m answering three specific questions a personal friend of mine asked! I apply the answers to a vocal perspective as well as playing piano by ear.

When playing by ear, it can be easy to start with the typical approach (sounding out the melody.) Here’s some insights on what you should really start with as well as some examples at the piano. Near the end, I explain a method to create any major scale even if you only know how to play piano chords.

Let’s turn piano theory, inside out, backwards, and upside down! This episode will give an overview of piano theory from a new perspective!

Here’s a golden method to master piano chords! Listen to this episode to find out the practice strategy that I give to all my students when they are first learning piano chords. This is a holistic approach, and we use the entire piano.

Wouldn’t it be great if three was a way to practice, incrementally, a musical improv? (Can you even practice “improv” or playing by ear?) In this episode, I teach you how to do that!

OF ANY EPISODE, LISTEN TO THIS ONE! A lot of you have requested that I include piano examples in my podcast. This episode is it! It’s a piano lesson on how to play any song in any key. I literally walk you through the steps and practice exercises to take the first step in understanding this seemingly “impossible” skill. There is a very tangible way to learn to play by ear, and this episode outlines and demystifies the thought process behind that!

I use Finale and GarageBand to write digital sheet music. Here’s some great tips with getting started (and things I wish someone else would have walked me through when I was first learning these programs.)

Hear what I’m up to this summer, ways you can take lessons with me in June 2022, and a behind the scenes scoop on running a business!