An Easy Way to Begin Improvising Over the Cycle of 5ths - Part 5

Free PDF with sheet music for this pattern: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stacyf/e...

In this video, we play a broken chord pattern entirely with the left hand, using the fingering
5 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 2 - 1 - 4 - 2.

Technique tip:
Avoid twisting as you play this pattern and instead simply shift your arm up to place your 4th finger in the higher octave each time. Forearm rotation helps a lot, whereas twisting at the wrist makes it harder to play smoothly.

0:10 Level 1: Left hand only (you can also use this section to practice improvising melodies while I play the left hand)
1:20 Level 2: Improvise on chord tones in the right hand, keep it super simple at first
2:31 Level 3: Repeating only the last 4 chords, adding non-chord tones in the melody
Level 4: Try this in different keys and make up your own variations.

Please let me know how this goes in the comments! ~Stacy

It may be useful to review this video in which you can practice the cycle of 5ths in every major key:    • Cycle of 5ths Play Along at the Piano Tuto...  

Why It's Helpful to Learn the Cycle of 5ths Progression

The cycle of 5ths progression is a fundamental and versatile tool that expands your chordal knowledge, enhances your listening, and develops your creativity. It's just as important as learning scales, but can be a lot more fun. Here are a few reasons why pianists should make the cycle of fifths part of their regular practice:

Improved Chord Progression Mastery: Practicing the cycle of 5ths helps pianists master the essential skill of playing patterns on different chord progressions. This is crucial for playing in any genre, from classical to jazz and pop.

Enhanced Ear Training: By playing and listening to these chords, you'll become more attuned to their unique sounds, making it easier to identify chords and progressions in songs. By practicing the cycle of fifths, you will start to recognize it in the pieces you are playing.

Creativity: The cycle of 5ths is a fantastic tool for composers and improvisers. By practicing this progression regularly and creating your own variations on it, you'll find yourself more at ease with improvisation, enabling you to explore the limitless possibilities of your musical imagination.

Gateway to Improvisation: This progression is a practical way to deepen your understanding of music theory. It can be tailored however you want to provide a beautiful framework for working on chord inversions and creating different accompaniment patterns and arpeggios, and opens the door to a world of musical possibilities.

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