Why sign up for a digital course about playing piano in a band?
My good friend, podcast producer and band leader, Drew Collins and I are creating a course about how to play piano in a band.
Since this is the first digital course at LeilaViss.com, many of you have questions before committing to it.
I get it.
So, here are the most frequently asked questions to help you come to a decision.
Q Why this course?
Soon after I received a masters degree in piano performance and pedagogy, I was asked to play in a band. I was embarrassed when handed a chord chart. It looked like hieroglyphics to me!
Our goal is to spare you and/or your students the shame I felt in my lopsided skill set. We want to give you and your students the tools to play in a band with confidence.
Q Why is being able to play in a band important?
No one has asked me to play my Bach Suite since I performed it for my graduate recital.
Many have asked me to play in a band and collaborate with others!
Playing Bach is good and I’m thankful for the technique I’ve developed from playing the classics. It seems that repertoire gets more attention in traditional piano lessons while outside of lessons, pianists are much more likely to be asked to collaborate and improvise. This is where the lopsided skills begins and now it can end—with you!
Q What are the benefits of playing in a band?
Develops listening to others WHILE playing
Locks you into a steady pulse
Opens the ears to other timbres
Offers encounters to new music and different genres
Builds community
Promises opportunities to play into adulthood.
Q What kind of band are you talking about?
Drew and I met in a worship band setting. We realize that pianists may play in other bands, too, so this course covers tunes from various styles: pop, K-pop, Christian contemporary and alternative rock.
Q Why is the course divided into three modules?
Have you heard this quote from Sir Ken Robinson?
Truthfully, what happens is, as children grow up, we start to educate them progressively from the waist up. And then we focus on their heads, and slightly to one side.
Music is an art to be experienced. Playing music requires the ears, eyes, hands--really the entire body.
Our goal is to intentionally attend to the training of a musician from head to toe.
As players and teachers, we must be ready to pull out an array of ways to experience concepts and skills so that you and your students can blossom and develop into a balanced--not lopsided-- keyboard musicians.
For to provide a whole-body, comprehensive approach, we’ve divided the course into three modules:
one for ears,
one for eyes and
one for hands.
Q How many lessons are in the course?
Basically twelve with some extras thrown in.
Overview
Start here to get to know the purpose behind the course and to begin honing skills for what’s to come in the three modules. The Overview offers tips and heaps of materials.
Why we put the effort in to making this course for you AND a curriculum that you can use with your students.
An explanation of why learning how to play in a “pop” style is important for you and your students.
What you need to know to get started with extensive materials and tips to help you or your students grab on to scales, chords and their inversions.
A lesson plan for the first group or private and a versatile lesson plan template.
Module 1 Ears
These lessons include a video on how to activate listening skills without using the eyes. The lessons are followed by original resources designed for the course along with recommended resources and apps.
Intro: Activate the Ears
Lesson 1: Engaged Listening
Lesson 2: Find the Key
Lesson 3: Identify the Chord progression
Lesson 4: Work out the Melody
Module 2 Eyes
Intro: Recognize the Signs
Lesson 1: Crash Course on Chord Symbols
Extra: Go for the Gold Chord Slide Drills
Lesson 2: Chord Chart Lingo
Lesson 3: How to Navigate Chord Charts
Lesson 4: A Guide to Song Sections
Module 3 Hands
Intro: Train the Hands
Lesson 1: The Roles of a Pianist in a Band
Lesson 2: The Roles of the Pianist in “Drivers License” (clean version!)
Lesson 3: Catalog of Standard Patterns (with examples from various contemporary Christian songs)
Lesson 4: Common Mistakes Made by Pianists When Playing with a Band
Bonus Material
Lesson plans for how to arrange “10,000 Reasons” beginning from lyrics only.
Clever hacks for creating a smashing arrangement of “Piano Man.”
And, anything else we can think of!
To help you locate all the items we discuss or suggest,
you’ll appreciate our quick links found at the end of each lesson.
Q I have a student in 7th grade, late intermediate/early advanced with decent ears. Would she be a good fit?
If you have students who are self starters, know major scales and their chords and who learn independently with intermittent guidance from you, I believe this course could be a great fit.
Q Is the class live or is it “on demand?”
As each module releases, all the videos and resources are made available for you to access anytime you please. It’s easy to get in contact with us if you have questions or feedback.
Q Would this course be a supplemental or a replacement for a piano camp or lessons that I offer?
We initially designed this as a course for adult pianists and teachers. Within each module, we offer ways to help you teach others how to play in a band either in private or group lessons. There are heaps of ideas for using the content in a camp setting, too.
That being said, you could also assign intermediate-level middle school to high school students to watch the course and use it as a supplement to your lessons and allow them to study it independently from you.
Q Is there a way to preview the content so I can make recommendations for certain students?
I suggest showing your students this post and watching BOTH videos included to get a preview of the content and our personalities.
Q What if I don’t like it?
I highly doubt that will be the case because you will adore Drew and the perspective he gives as a longtime band leader. But, if you just aren’t sold on the content, we offer a full refund.
Q How long do I have access to the course?
The course is yours forever! Once you purchase the course, you create an account and can login at any time to access the course watch the videos download what you need.
This course comes out a reaction to my own background. I whole-heartedly want the best for you and your students to thrive at the keys wherever the bench may be!
As always, thanks for being here. I appreciate you sticking around.
