{"id":1408,"date":"2020-06-05T06:35:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=1408"},"modified":"2023-01-13T08:56:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T16:56:40","slug":"piano-to-reduce-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-to-reduce-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Use Your Piano To Reduce Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all experience stress and anxiety, and sometimes there\u2019s nothing better than spending a day at the spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that\u2019s not possible for all of us. So I have some good news. You can use your piano to reduce stress and turn your music room into your own mini-spa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s cheaper, and you can do it whenever you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus when we play the piano, amazing stuff happens in our brains<\/a>. It\u2019s like a full-body workout for our brain that leaves us smarter, more creative, and in this case, more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You really can use the piano to reduce stress and escape the daily grind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll be using arpeggio patterns to create sounds and melodies you might expect to hear in a day-spa. Knowing your arpeggios will definitely help<\/a>, but this lesson will be suitable for most skill levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arpeggio Pattern<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll be using one arpeggio pattern in our left hand, and the pattern will not change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here it is played slowly starting on C:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That cross-over moment at the top of the pattern is the most difficult part. Take a few moments and make sure you\u2019re getting it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accuracy is more important than speed. This is about reducing stress, not playing fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chord Progression<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once we\u2019re comfortable with the pattern, it\u2019s time to play it over some other chords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exercise is in the key of C major, so we\u2019re using all white keys (yay!) and we\u2019ll be following a very simple chord progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are only 4 chords: C-Am-F-G<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And each chord uses the same arpeggio pattern that we\u2019ve just played on C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The progression itself goes in this order: C-Am-C-Am-F-G<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We repeat those first two chords, which I think adds to the drama when we finally do move down to the F chord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s all for the left-hand. It may take a few minutes to feel comfortable. Don\u2019t rush, you\u2019re at the spa remember?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Right Hand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll keep things very simple, and only use the chord tones in the right hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that for whatever chord we\u2019re playing, we\u2019ll use those 3 notes to form our right-hand melody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the C chord, the notes will be C-E-G<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Am chord, the notes will be A-C-E<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the F chord, the notes will be F-A-C<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for the G chord, the notes will be G-B-D<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try it and see how it sounds! It\u2019s simple, but with the pattern in the left-hand the whole thing sounds beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A More Advanced Version<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting bored with the chord tones?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then you can use what I like to call the \u201csafe notes\u201d. That is the first 5 notes of the chord we\u2019re playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For C, those notes are C-D-E-F-G<\/b>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you\u2019re playing a G chord, use the first 5 white notes up from G. It gives you a lot more options to express your feelings and get creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, please remember this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not have to work to improve your playing every time you sit at the piano. Sometimes it\u2019s much more valuable to play, relax, and use your piano to reduce stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope it provides you with an escape and helps you relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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