Improvise the 1-5-6-4 Chord Progression in... *B MAJOR* (piano chords tutorial)

In this piano tutorial you'll learn how to improvise on the 1 5 6 4 chord progression in the often-overlooked key of B major — dive into the world of piano chords and piano improvisation as we unlock your creativity and musical potential!

We'll explore the benefits of mastering piano improvisation in challenging keys like B major, and demonstrate step-by-step techniques to help you confidently navigate the 1 5 6 4 chord progression. By the end of this tutorial, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to add a touch of originality to your performances and compositions.

What to expect from this tutorial:
1. A thorough breakdown of the 1 5 6 4 (or I-V-vi-IV in roman numeral notation) chord progression in B major.
2. Practical tips and exercises to develop your piano improvisation skills.
3. An in-depth understanding of piano chords and their role in creating beautiful melodies and harmonies.
4. Expert insights on how learning to improvise in difficult keys like B major can expand your musical horizons and make you a more versatile pianist.
5. Practice tips to help you apply what you've learned and develop your own unique improvisational style.

I hope this tutorial will elevate your piano playing and help you tap into the endless creative possibilities that improvisation in “difficult” keys offers. Subscribe to my channel for more piano tutorials, and hit the “like” button to support my content. Don’t forget to leave your questions and comments below, plus any links to your own improvisation efforts — I always like to hear your piano stuff!

BILL’S SOCIAL MEDIA

00:00 Why B major — isn't it a black key nightmare?
01:40 The I-V-vi-IV chord progression in B
05:24 Have you got rhythm?
08:54 Getting a bit fancier...
12:30 Set your fingers freeeeeee for cooler sounds
16:01 The cool chromatic mediant

#piano #chords

[coloaten]

So much good stuff in this video, thanks Bill. I especially like that you didn't utter the phrase "All the white notes" once. 🤣 I'm so bored of seeing piano videos in C Major. (You're actually way less guilty of this than many others)

P.S. For anyone thinking of buying any of Bills books I promise you won't regret it. You always get a huge amount of good knowledge for your money! (Bill didn't pay me to say that, it's genuinely true :) )

[quezquez]

Another fantastic video but the chromatic mediants can only be a major or minor 3rd apart from the tonic chord. In your example it would be a diminished 3rd apart (G## to B). I think that A should rather be interpreted as the 1st chord of a double plagal cadence (A E B).

[andrewmaul]

I really appreciate these videos! Stretches the brain for sure, and a perfect complement for those of us mostly doing more "traditional" piano lessons...

[Martinbeef]

Thanks Bill. Another piece of treasure! It sounds so beautiful. I look forward to playing it.

[carolcielle]

Beautifully explained! Thanks, Bill. ❤ New sub here!

[jasonbourne]

Bill, I’m always thrilled when you have a new lesson and this one is no exception. I was getting frustrated with hand independence and this lesson gives me a fresh approach. Thank you.

[desmckenzie]

This is a great lesson. Thanks Bill. Happy trails !

[Oddestmoose]

This is great Adam! Got me to pick up my harp and play for the first time in a while. Would really like to keep ramping up the difficulty with you in this!

[Thejackg]

Great video, Bill! Couldn't believe how good I sounded after breaking it down alongside the video. I really appreciate your improvisation rhythm exercises and would love more! I've been playing 2-5-1-6 progressions in my improv practice but have gotten a little stuck by gravitating to what's familiar/easy; using the same whole/half note rhythms playing octaves in my left hand and randomly pulling from pentatonic scales in the right. Do you have any tips to expand on this? I've been playing in C, would changing keys (maybe to B) be enough to shake it up or what would you recommend?

[terrysmith]

I like to know where you put the wright fingers on the piano keys. When reading sheet music. Expecially the low end and high end of the keyboard. Can you you do a video to explain this please. Ty from Terry

[blueeyedsoulman]

I'm kind of new to this. Still watching and then running over to piano lol. Do most people watch lessons on a large tablet of some kind and keep it on the piano sheet rack? Do any of those tablets have good speakers/ volume. How are most people learning this way?

[deacondeacondeacon]

Any chance of the 'How to be a better musician' being released as a real book? I've bought your other books as real books but bought the piano packs as a pdf and it's just not the same lol.