Happy Halloween! No matter what you choose to do with this holiday, there is no denying that a lot of music we hear this time of year tends to have a more creepy, spooky spin on it and it seems like that’s what I enjoy talking about on the podcast.
Last year I talked about how young children tend to respond to music in a minor key. Episode 066 was about the powerful effect music can have on our emotions.
I also interviewed Marcia Vahl (like wall), president of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, in episode 067. On the episode, Marcia talked about the three forms of minor scales. I encourage you to go back and listen to both those episodes.
In the past I’ve also talked to you about how I encourage my students to get SMART with their music. (Episodes 036 and 039). Once they learn a piece, they are free to get creative with it. They can change the Style, Melody, Articulations, Rhythm, or Tempo.
Today, I thought it would be fun to talk about changing the style of a piece from a major key to a minor key. I’ll be using samples from my favorite piano method: Piano Adventures by Randall and Nancy Faber.
Without getting into all the details of music theory, the basic principle of switching a major song to a minor key is to simply lower the third and sixth notes within the scale.
In the key of C major, C is called Tonic or Number 1. D is 2, E is 3 and so on. Therefore, to lower the third and sixth notes in the key of C major, move E and A down to E-flat and A-flat. It really is that simple!
Firefly from Lesson Book 1 If you change all the E’s to E-flat this becomes quite a lonely Firefly.
When the Saints Go Marching In from Lesson Book 2A This tune is written in the key of G major so students will need to move all the B’s down to B-flat. Now it sounds like those saints are marching in the rain on a gloomy day.
Jumpin’ Jazz Cat from Lesson Book 2B To make this Jazzy Cat a little more mellow, change all the E’s and A’s to flats. This will be a bit tricky but it is a great workout for your fingers and your brain!
Chase Holfelder’s YouTube Channel
If you want to hear the amazing things that can happen to popular songs when they are switched to minor keys, go listen to the Chase Holfelder YouTube Channel
Here is one of my favorites!
Conclusion
It is good to learn to play music that has been handed down from generation to generation but your music needs to heard too! Bach, Mozart, John Williams, even today’s popular artists started right where you are.
Now, go have fun with your music and don’t be afraid to add your own creativity to it.
PIANOVEMBER Practice Challenge starts this week!
Check out the PIANOVEMBER page to learn more details.
Thanks for listening!
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