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via Udemy |
Go to Course: https://www.udemy.com/course/jazzpiano/
Certainly! Here's a detailed review and recommendation for the Coursera course "Hear It, Sing It, PLAY It! The Secret To Learning Jazz Piano." --- **Course Review: "Hear It, Sing It, PLAY It! The Secret To Learning Jazz Piano"** If you’ve ever wanted to truly learn how to play the piano and connect deeply with your music, this course is an excellent starting point. Designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of playing by ear and fostering your musical instincts, it emphasizes understanding and internalizing music rather than just memorizing notes or pieces. **Overview and Content** This course is not just about jazz piano; it’s a versatile musical journey that can be adapted to any style of music you wish to explore. The instructor presents concepts in a clear, approachable manner, making complex ideas such as keyboard geography, rhythm, harmony, and improvisation accessible to beginners and those with some experience alike. One of the most compelling aspects of this course is its focus on connection—to your ear, your voice, and the instrument. You’ll learn how to map out the keyboard, see it as a “city,” and navigate it with confidence. The course also emphasizes rhythm, encouraging you to tap your foot and feel the dance of time, which is essential for developing a strong jazz feel or any musical style. A highlight is the approach to understanding song construction—breaking down melodies and uncovering harmony without the need for sheet music. This promotes active listening and improvising skills, empowering you to play what you hear and express your unique musical voice. The course’s philosophy is rooted in fun and self-expression, promoting music as a source of refuge and connection in our lives. **Educational Value and Benefits** What sets this course apart is its holistic approach to learning music as a language. The instructor stresses that all humans are inherently musical and that anyone can learn to play, regardless of past experiences or opinions about their musical ability. The course’s emphasis on ear training, rhythmic awareness, and improvisation aligns well with modern pedagogical approaches and can significantly boost your musical confidence. In addition, recent neuroscience research highlights the profound benefits of learning music—improved brain connectivity, enhanced sensory integration, and better improvisational skills. Engaging in music through this course will not only enrich your musical capabilities but also contribute positively to your cognitive health. **Recommendation** I highly recommend "Hear It, Sing It, PLAY It! The Secret To Learning Jazz Piano" for beginners, self-taught musicians, or anyone looking to deepen their understanding of music and improve their playing skills. The course’s focus on listening, connection, and improvisation makes it especially valuable for those interested in jazz but applicable to all musical styles. Even if you only dedicate a few minutes a day, this course offers a flexible, enjoyable, and profoundly educational experience. It’s a gateway to turning your musical ideas into reality and truly playing from your heart. It’s never too late to start, and this course provides the encouragement and tools to make your musical journey both fun and fulfilling. **Conclusion** For anyone eager to unlock the secrets of authentic piano playing—learning to hear it, sing it, and play it—this course is an excellent investment. Its engaging content, scientific backing, and philosophy of musical fun make it a standout choice on Coursera. Whether you aim to perform, improvise, or simply enjoy playing more, this course will be a valuable companion in your musical adventure. --- Feel free to ask if you'd like a more personalized review or additional information!
This course is an introduction to learning how to REALLY play piano. It uses jazz as an example, but can apply to any style of music you want to learn. Music can help you in your daily life. No, it can't solve everything, but it can connect you with something bigger than yourself, and offer refuge and connection in yourself, and for others when you ultimately play for and with them. Yes, it takes some discipline, but even a minute a day is a start. This course presents information in a clear and simple way. It doesn't teach you "pieces" that you learn like typing. It teaches you how to connect your ear to the piano, and ultimately, play whatever you feel and hear inside. And the piano is so fun, like a giant box of color paints that never runs out, so you are learning a skill that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. We will look at such things as keyboard geography (the keyboard is like a city you visit, and learn to walk around!), the importance of good time and how to keep it (it's learning a rhythmic dance!) by tapping your foot, how songs are made of two melodies, how a good song teaches you its own harmony (no paper no nothing needed!) how to play what you hear, not hear what you play. We look at how to connect your singing voice to what you play on the piano (I don't care WHAT your 3rd grade teacher said about your musical ability, all humans are musical!!), with the ultimate goal of having fun, expressing your own musical soul and playing for yourself and if you want, for and with other people. It's also really cool to note that a recent study based out of Harvard Medical School shows that "Music has the unique ability to go through alternative channels and connect different sections of the brain." Musicians have an "enhanced ability to integrate sensory information from hearing, touch, and sight." and "the ability to improvise improved brain connectivity resulting in less dependence on working memory." In other words, Music wires you up to better see the world. It's like having a magical ability. And, it's never to late to learn.