Course Overview
Teacher
Kent D. Smith is a composer, performer, and music instructor with over 25 years of professional experience. The topics covered in Kent's tutorials come directly from his teaching experience. When recording a lesson, Kent chooses a familiar student who... View ProfileDetails
- Total Time 1 hr, 27 min
- Lessons 15
- Exercises 40
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54 CQ
15 Lessons in This Course
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3 minFREEBlues Piano lesson 1Free2 CQ
In this first music lesson of ten, discover the sultry C minor blues scale for piano. Learn what notes to play with when creating original piano melodies.
with Kent D. SmithIn this first music lesson of ten, discover the sultry C minor blues scale for piano. Learn what notes to play with when creating original piano melodies.
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4 minBlues Piano lesson 23 CQ
A steady left hand groove combined with powerful right hand licks create a rhythmic blues piano sound. Learn the chords for playing the blues piano left hand.
with Kent D. SmithA steady left hand groove combined with powerful right hand licks create a rhythmic blues piano sound. Learn the chords for playing the blues piano left hand.
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6 minBlues Piano lesson 34 CQ
In lesson three of ten, blues piano instructor Kent Smith demonstrates five well-known hand devices for playing ripping blues licks to play in any key.
with Kent D. SmithIn lesson three of ten, blues piano instructor Kent Smith demonstrates five well-known hand devices for playing ripping blues licks to play in any key.
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2 minBlues Piano lesson 42 CQ
The 12-bar blues chord progression is a central staple to playing the blues. Learn how to play it on piano in this fourth lesson of a blues piano crash course.
with Kent D. SmithThe 12-bar blues chord progression is a central staple to playing the blues. Learn how to play it on piano in this fourth lesson of a blues piano crash course.
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5 minPiano lesson 53 CQ
It’s time to coordinate! In this fifth lesson of a blues piano crash course, practice exercises to improve your two-handed coordination for playing the blues.
with Kent D. SmithIt’s time to coordinate! In this fifth lesson of a blues piano crash course, practice exercises to improve your two-handed coordination for playing the blues.
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4 minPiano lesson 63 CQ
Put your hands together and practice more two-hand coordination on the piano! In this lesson, the left hand grooves the 12-bar blues and the right syncopates.
with Kent D. SmithPut your hands together and practice more two-hand coordination on the piano! In this lesson, the left hand grooves the 12-bar blues and the right syncopates.
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8 minPiano lesson 75 CQ
Be your own bass player, on the piano! In this seventh lesson of a blues piano crash course, learn how to play the simple but challenging “walking bass.”
with Kent D. SmithBe your own bass player, on the piano! In this seventh lesson of a blues piano crash course, learn how to play the simple but challenging “walking bass.”
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6 minPiano lesson 84 CQ
The blue note is the hallmark of bluesy melodies. In this piano lesson, learn how to bend pitches and play blue notes that mimic a vocalist’s range.
with Kent D. SmithThe blue note is the hallmark of bluesy melodies. In this piano lesson, learn how to bend pitches and play blue notes that mimic a vocalist’s range.
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8 minBlues Piano lesson 95 CQ
Learn how to use the “melody machine” to create blues licks and melodies on the fly! This piano technique uses only the notes of the chord being played.
with Kent D. SmithLearn how to use the “melody machine” to create blues licks and melodies on the fly! This piano technique uses only the notes of the chord being played.
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6 minBlues Piano lesson 104 CQ
Give piano blues progressions a sense of excitement and anticipation with turnarounds and sweet endings. Learn how to play these piano techniques!
with Kent D. SmithGive piano blues progressions a sense of excitement and anticipation with turnarounds and sweet endings. Learn how to play these piano techniques!
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12 minBlues Piano lesson 117 CQ
You won’t play blues piano in the key of C forever. Learn a bit of music theory jargon such as major thirds and tritones, and play the blues piano in any key!
with Kent D. SmithYou won’t play blues piano in the key of C forever. Learn a bit of music theory jargon such as major thirds and tritones, and play the blues piano in any key!
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5 minBlues Piano lesson 123 CQ
With just your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, learn how to play ripping blues licks on the piano! This lesson covers playing the pentatonic scale.
with Kent D. SmithWith just your thumb, index finger, and middle finger, learn how to play ripping blues licks on the piano! This lesson covers playing the pentatonic scale.
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4 minFREEPiano lesson 13Free3 CQ
What sets apart good music from great music is improvisation. In this first lesson of three, learn how to improv to Van Morrison’s “Moondance” on piano.
with Kent D. SmithWhat sets apart good music from great music is improvisation. In this first lesson of three, learn how to improv to Van Morrison’s “Moondance” on piano.
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4 minPiano lesson 143 CQ
In part two of a three-part series on piano improvisation, use Van Morrison’s “Moondance” as a framework for playing solos in the minor blues scale.
with Kent D. SmithIn part two of a three-part series on piano improvisation, use Van Morrison’s “Moondance” as a framework for playing solos in the minor blues scale.
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4 minPiano lesson 153 CQ
This lesson on piano improvisation shows how to combine Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and the Dorian mode “A” scale to create licks and melodies.
with Kent D. SmithThis lesson on piano improvisation shows how to combine Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and the Dorian mode “A” scale to create licks and melodies.
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654 min6-part Piano course31 CQ
What separates a beginner piano player from an experienced pianist? The ability to improvise. Learn piano improv techniques with Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and Yiruma’s “River Flows in You.”
with Kent D. SmithWhat separates a beginner piano player from an experienced pianist? The ability to improvise. Learn piano improv techniques with Van Morrison’s “Moondance” and Yiruma’s “River Flows in You.”
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4 minPiano lesson3 CQ
Chord-style and rhythm piano players: this one’s for you! Learn about I-IV interval movements and how to use them to embellish major piano chords.
with Kent D. SmithChord-style and rhythm piano players: this one’s for you! Learn about I-IV interval movements and how to use them to embellish major piano chords.
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5 minPiano lesson3 CQ
Learn how to dress up piano chords with a simple device called the “add 9.” It’s only a matter of adding just one note (the ninth) to any chord!
with Kent D. SmithLearn how to dress up piano chords with a simple device called the “add 9.” It’s only a matter of adding just one note (the ninth) to any chord!
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3 minFREEPiano lessonFree2 CQ
In this piano lesson, Kent D. Smith shares a simple trick for instantly visualizing any inversion of any chord. Add this trick to your music theory arsenal!
with Kent D. SmithIn this piano lesson, Kent D. Smith shares a simple trick for instantly visualizing any inversion of any chord. Add this trick to your music theory arsenal!
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6 minPiano lesson4 CQ
Learn a catchy melody called “Matilda” while building your two-handed piano coordination skills. Forget about boring drills; use fun songs to build skills!
with Kent D. SmithLearn a catchy melody called “Matilda” while building your two-handed piano coordination skills. Forget about boring drills; use fun songs to build skills!
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1587 min15-part Blues Piano course54 CQ
Want to shred up and down the piano keyboard like blues legend Ray Charles? This course teaches blues patterns and licks essential for playing blues piano.
with Kent D. SmithWant to shred up and down the piano keyboard like blues legend Ray Charles? This course teaches blues patterns and licks essential for playing blues piano.
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437 min4-part Blues Piano course21 CQ
Blues piano doesn’t get much better than the classic aesthetic of Stride Blues. This versatile style is covered in detail in this brief course for intermediate- to advanced-level pianists.
Blues piano doesn’t get much better than the classic aesthetic of Stride Blues. This versatile style is covered in detail in this brief course for intermediate- to advanced-level pianists.
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442 min4-part Blues Piano course22 CQ
If you are familiar with basic blues piano but are looking for a new musical challenge, then expand your repertoire in this course on Boogie Woogie blues! Explore scales, melodies, and exercises.
If you are familiar with basic blues piano but are looking for a new musical challenge, then expand your repertoire in this course on Boogie Woogie blues! Explore scales, melodies, and exercises.
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10151 min10-part Piano course81 CQ
Is your piano playing skill past beginner, but not yet advanced? In this intermediate piano course, equip yourself with piano techniques that will take your piano playing to the next level!
with Paul CorganIs your piano playing skill past beginner, but not yet advanced? In this intermediate piano course, equip yourself with piano techniques that will take your piano playing to the next level!
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1177 min11-part Piano course44 CQ
You’ve heard it before—it’s one of Beethoven’s most popular songs, usually played on the piano: Für Elise. Learn how to play it on the piano and swoon your lover with beautiful, classical music!
with Dr. SteveYou’ve heard it before—it’s one of Beethoven’s most popular songs, usually played on the piano: Für Elise. Learn how to play it on the piano and swoon your lover with beautiful, classical music!
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554 min5-part Music Theory course30 CQ
Develop improvisational techniques that work beautifully with hymns. Begin with scales and progressions and develop improvisational techniques to spice up piano and organ accompaniment.
Develop improvisational techniques that work beautifully with hymns. Begin with scales and progressions and develop improvisational techniques to spice up piano and organ accompaniment.
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869 min8-part Piano course39 CQ
If you have a piano at home that's sounding out of tune, there's no need to hire a professional tuner. Join in on this piano tuning course and learn what tools you need and how to do it yourself!
with Steve HowardIf you have a piano at home that's sounding out of tune, there's no need to hire a professional tuner. Join in on this piano tuning course and learn what tools you need and how to do it yourself!
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518 min5-part Piano course11 CQ
As a beginner to intermediate-level piano student, there are many songs to help you improve technique and build your repertoire, but few as iconic as "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues!
with David Brogan MusicAs a beginner to intermediate-level piano student, there are many songs to help you improve technique and build your repertoire, but few as iconic as "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues!