{"id":2325,"date":"2020-12-11T08:41:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T16:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=2325"},"modified":"2023-01-16T12:23:29","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T20:23:29","slug":"play-beautiful-piano-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/play-beautiful-piano-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful Piano Music With One Interval"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everyone wants to play beautiful piano music, but it\u2019s not always easy finding creative ways that add interest and emotion to your playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, I’ll show you one of my favorite intervals that will bring new beauty into your performances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 6th Interval \ud83d\udc90<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"beautiful<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A \u201c6th\u201d is a musical interval<\/a> that encompasses 6 notes of a scale (In this case from \u2018F\u2019 to \u2018D\u2019). There are 2 commonly occurring 6ths: A “major 6th” spans 9 semitones<\/a>, while a \u201cminor 6th<\/a>\u201d spans 8 semitones. (ie: from \u2018A\u2019 to \u2018E\u2019). In context, a major chord will generally seem to have a happier disposition, while minor chords tend to sound more somber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today we\u2019ll be focusing on 6ths in the key of F. Here’s the F major scale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

F-G-A-B\u266d-C-D-E<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To create a 6th, pick a key and count 6 notes up the scale. Be mindful of the shape you are creating with your hand, and take time to practice moving back and forth from different keys: It can be very tricky to keep track of two notes at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using that spacing in the key of F, there will 5 major 6ths, and 3 minor 6ths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

F6 – G6 – Am6 – B\u266d6 – C6 – Dm6 – Em6<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018I-vi-IV-V<\/u>\u2019 Progression (1-6-4-5) \ud83c\udfb9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s add some context to our sound with a simple and beautiful chord progression. If you are familiar with The Number System<\/a>, it\u2019s likely you know the very popular 1-6-4-5 progression<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcdd\ud83c\udfb9 Take Note! The 1-6-4-5 progression is commonly known as \u201cThe ’50s progression\u201d. As the name implies, it was common in the 1950s and early 1960s and is particularly associated with doo-wop<\/a>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the key of F Major, the sequence is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

F – Dm – B\u266d – C<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got it? Now all I want you to do is add some random 6ths over top of your new progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of all that, you can experiment with jumps and rhythms to bring extra interest to your playing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change It Up With Different Chord Progressions \ud83d\udd00<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is where you can get creative. Try out different chord progressions, make the most of your diatonic chords, and don\u2019t be afraid to experiment or test something new: Music is yours to discover!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a 2nd sequence you can practice, with a \u2018more melancholy\u2019 feel to it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018vi-I-IV-V<\/u>\u2019 Progression (6-1-4-5)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 6-1-4-5 progression in the key of \u2018F\u2019 is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dm – F – B\u266d – C<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the same notes we played in the 1-6-4-5, but in a different order, creating a very different feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might be difficult to keep track of everything, but that\u2019s okay! If you take the time with this routine it\u2019s going to sound beautiful<\/i>, no matter your speed or skill. Spend some time really focusing on your hand shape and how it fits across different keys, and don\u2019t forget to have fun doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is so much beauty waiting to be discovered in 6ths, so try it out, and make sure to experiment in new key signatures<\/a> and styles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See you next time, and happy practicing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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