This post is going to give you an enormous insight into music that has never been revealed before. It is the most powerful understanding of Command. This simple concept takes people a lifetime to learn IF EVER. You’d think it to be such an easy understanding that there’s no use in discussing it and in fact, that’s exactly what happens.
Playing By Ear is Your Ability to
Control 8 Notes
People think they understand this but are totally clueless to the magnitude of influence the 8 notes (of the scale) have on the governing theories of music:
1. Mapping the key to keep track of where you are;
2. Building chords (1-3-5-7-etc);
3. Transposing progressions (numerically and tonally);
4. Figuring progressive orders of the keys (circle of fifths);
5. Figuring progressive orders of notations (adding sharps and flats);
6. Identifying the key on sight;
7. Modulation from one key to another and back;
8. Figuring the 6 guidepost chords of any key quickly;
9. Combining Major and Minor key signatures
10. Figuring out the most logical order of notes to a melody.
"8" is the number of music. 8 is also an infinity sign. When you truly understand the many ways that 8 controls music, you will rule music.
The Major Scale is the SEED
“How can it be so simple?” you ask.
The “8-Concept” seems so obvious that no one thinks it’s important enough to teach. They teach the facts of the major scale and figure you’ve got it. Trouble is, you might "get it" but certainly don't understand it. The major scale's influence cannot be sidestepped. In fact, the major scale is the most important part of music and deserves MUCH study.
But that’s not what we do. We do nothing.
Analyze this subject HARD!!! Really comprehend the ENORMOUS leap in knowledge this conceptual-understanding gives you to CONTROL music. It’s far beyond the surface-facts of the book-learned definition of a major scale.
If when you’re through here, you don’t see it, LOOK HARDER until you do. It may take a while for this concept to sink in so always look for answers in this direction. When you get it, you'll know it. You'll feel a sense of enlightenment and overwhelm to the infinite possibilities. Things make sense.
Higher levels of musicianship understand this through their long experience (though they may not be able to define it). But most musicians never discover the controlling insights of the number 8.
For you, knowing about it up-front makes a huge difference. It puts you in control. It simplifies the process and gives you direction and hope.
96 Confuses
There are 12 keys with a different 8 notes for each. All keys use different notes -sharp or flat- that follow the C pattern numerically.
The hardest thing to overcome is your misguided attention to only thinking of music tonally (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
With “Tonal Thinking," you must keep track of 96 different notes over 12 keys. You can’t add, subtract or manipulate alpha characters like you can numbers. The “96 Concept" is very difficult learn and takes years of study and hard work to master.
This has been the mindset for standard piano lessons through the ages and remains the mindset of the music industry today. This way of thinking teaches you to follow but not lead and stands in the way of your rapid progress. You must discard your dependence upon "Tonal Thinking" and be free of this anchor if you want to be free on the piano.
8 Controls
The key of C is made up of 8 white notes that lay side by side in a specific numeric order. With 8 numbers you manipulate and control music. The 8-note-order of all major scales are the same and follow one simple order.
There are half steps between the 3/4 and 7/8 intervals. All the rest are whole steps.
That’s the numerical formula for all keys.
The only reason we use sharps and flats (black notes) is that, when we change the position of the root note (C above) to start on D, the numerical order must likewise, shift physically to adjust to the different position it holds on the keyboard relative to C. We use sharps or flats simply to maintain the numerical order.
The key of C is the most-obvious template to study. “Template” in that all keys follow the exact same 8-note order. There are 12 keys but only one, single numerical order that lets you understand and control them all equally. This 12:1 ratio is what gives you tremendous leverage and command over music.
The names of the actual tones of the scale order change between keys but the numbers always stay the same. If it applies to C, it applies to any other key the same. With numbers, the key doesn’t matter. Numerically there is no sharp or flat; only 1 through 8. They're all the same.
Two Names!
Accept that we think of notes as both both alpha-scale tones and numbers at the same time. The alpha names change as the keys change but the numerical order always stays the same. The numbers are symbolics for whatever note of whatever scale may be at that position.
“8-Concept” thinking lets you keep track of where you are, where you're going and the millions of ways to get there. You control it all with 8 notes.
Your mind should be racing about the infinite possibilities surrounding the number 8. If not, then read this post over several times and keep looking until you find it.The "8-Concept" is the map you will use for the rest of your life as you travel your musical expeditions.
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Joseph Pingel is a pianist, teacher and musicologist. Click here to get the free companion book to this blog. See his other sites at www.KeyedUpPiano.com and www.PlayByEarCentral.com.
© 2011 Keyed Up Inc
