Andra Alexanders

OMG Piano Course

A Piano Course Designed

to Help You Free Your Ear and Voice

Editor: Valencya Vinzonte

Graphic Design: Ricardo Jr. Martinez and Andra Alexander
Creative Advisors: Alisha Jones and Daniel Moore
Photography: Khadia Handon and Andra Alexander
Original Artwork/Pseudo Muse: Dewaynia Wilson

I want to publicly thank Mrs. Alicia Graham for financing my life, Mrs.
Roma Heart, Dr. Haewon Moon, Mr. Jerry Ascion, and Mr. Vince Evan. As a
piano player, I would not be who I am without your instruction. Marcus, my
first piano student, thanks for being my guinea pig.
I dedicate this book to one of my favorite people to ever live, my Great
Grandmother Mrs. Lucy Fleet. I love you always.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword

Introduction (Nice to Meet You)

Level 1
Lets Get Started (Right This Way)

How Do I Press the Key Down Correctly?

How Do I Use the Pedals?

Im Nervous and Feel Tensed When I think About Playing

the Piano.

What Are the Notes on the Piano?

11

Why Do Some Notes Have 2 Names?

13

Chords (Appetizer)

14

Your Fingers Have Numbers

15

How to Practice

16

Chords Organized by Key

IN LEVEL 2
Progression 1 in All Keys
Progression 2 in All Keys
Progression 3 in All Keys
Progression 4 in All Keys
IN LEVEL 3
Chord Patterns (Main Course)
Pattern 1

17-103

Pattern 2
Pattern 3
Pattern 4
Pattern 5
Pattern 6
Pattern 7
Pattern 8
Pattern 9
Reading and Writing Chord Charts (Dessert)
Meter
Measure
Putting Chords on the Chart
Chords and Lyrics
Repeat Sign
Slash for Timing of Chords
D.C., D.S., and Coda
A Key
Basic Music Theory (Eat Your Vegetables)
Intervals
Scales
Chords
Key Signatures
Reading Notes On a Staff
Note Values
Clapping Rhythms

Chord Symbols
Soloing (Starring You)
Vocal Game 1
Vocal Game 2
Vocal Game 3
Vocal Game 4
Vocal Game 5
Piano Game 1
Piano Game 2
Piano Game 3
Piano Game 4
Piano Game 5
Piano Game 6
Piano Game 7
Extras (Leftovers)
Slash
Playing Well With Others
Conclusion (You Dont Have to Go Home, But You Have to Get Out
of Here!

FOREWORD

OMG Piano Course by Andrae! Alexander is the book that many of us

who use our vocal chords as our main instrument have needed. It is an
equally invaluable tool for musicians and aspiring musicians. I took the
course as part of editing the book, since I am also a singer. Andrae! has taken
what could have been years of piano lessons (intended for the musician who
plans to become primarily a pianist or keyboardist), and succinctly provided
piano/keyboard and music theory teaching to those who are singers or
otherwise need a more reasonable and time efficient way of learning to play the
piano. If used properly, the student of OMG Piano Course will be able to be his
or her own piano/keyboard accompanist and player in a very short time period
during and after completion of the course.
My interest in the book came out of frustration of always having to find a
keyboardist to accompany me when I sang at churches and other events. I
would many times end-up working with a musician whom I had not had time
to rehearse, singing with a recorded musical track (CD), or singing a cappella.
Although all of these presentations are usually acceptable in most churches,
because it is more about praising God with a joyful noise, it did not help to
establish my reputation as a professional Gospel/inspirational vocalist.
My level of piano/musical expertise was not nonexistent upon my
invitation to OMG Piano Course, meaning, I already knew how to read music,
OMG Piano Course

punch a few notes on the piano, and knew enough to write my own songs.
However, I believe Andrae! ensured that a singer, musician, or aspiring
musician who had no knowledge of piano playing or reading music could get
through the course, and without great difficulty, with final results equaling
whatever the student expected. It does not mean that no work is involved, a lot
of practice is needed, but the type of practice introduced will enable students to
reach their needed end result in a fraction of the time expected in conventional
piano and music theory classes.
Therefore, I congratulate Andrae! Alexander on a book well-written, and
an innovative piano/keyboard-learning tool in OMG Piano Course. I also
congratulate you on making this purchase, because it proves that you take
your musical ability seriously, and that you plan to make the most out of what
you are able to learn and present musically.
Valencya Vinzonte
Gospel/Inspirational Singer and Songwriter

OMG Piano Course

INTRODUCTION (NICE TO MEET YOU)

Forgive me if I get straight to the point. I dont like reading books that
have great information hidden behind layers of pages with filler words on them.
This book may not be the longest youve ever read. However, if you use the
information in this book, I know youll be thanking me for years to come.
Im starting with chords because most singers or aspiring musicians are
not planning on becoming piano virtuosos. Freedom is what they want.
Freedom to be able to play chords to the songs they write, play the piano while
singing, fire their keyboard player, or tell a band clearly what the correct
chords to their song are.
In this book there are some fun tools to free your ear. I want to teach you
to use your ear in ways that may be different for you, as well as playing chords
on the piano. I want you to be able to listen to the radio and say, "Hey, thats a
major 7 chord going to a diminished chord to a- maybe. In a perfect world.
In reality, if after reading this book you can sit at a piano and write a song
(send me a check !), I have done my job. If after reading this book you can
play a CD, sit at a piano and figure the song out for yourself, I have done my
job even better.
My approach to the piano is probably much different than most. Instead
of teaching you songs, I want to teach you how to listen to music and learn the
OMG Piano Course

song yourself. Im teaching you how to train your ear as well as the basics of
reading music. I want you to be able to get what you want and need as soon as
possible. Then, you will have the confidence and excitement you need to try
something else you didnt know you could do. Like, writing a chart for the first
time or sitting down with a band youve never played with and using just your
ears to jam with them. Them possibilities are endless.
I know a lot of musicians who are great musicians but cant read music
and have no knowledge of music theory. I want to help those musicians
become more marketable, knowledgeable, and well rounded as musicians. I
believe in presenting the information to you and giving you the option of what
you want to learn. I have a section on reading and writing music, if thats what
you need, start there. I have a section on chords and chord patterns, if thats
what you need, start there. You get the point? I want you to go as far as you
want to go. Hopefully, I will have given you all the tools you need to start going
in the right direction.

OMG Piano Course

LETS GET STARTED (RIGHT THIS WAY)

How do I press the keys down correctly?
If you talk to five different pianists, you are probably going to get five
different ways to take your hand and hit a key on the piano. Im going to give
you what I like, because its my book. J
Ive had the privilege of learning different things from different
piano/keyboard players. Simplicity is what they all have in common. None of
them had a ruler standing behind me trying to force me to hold my hands in
some unnatural carpal tunnel prone position. They all stressed the use of the
weight of the body. Have you ever seen a five-year old bang away at a piano
loud and proud? They have never been trained. You give them a ten-pound
barbell and we now have a problem. What do a ten-pound barbell and a 5 year
old have to do with the piano? I have no clue, but its funny.
If youre reading this, I assume certain things about you, like the fact
that you are a genius for getting this book, and you have great taste. Besides
that, I assume you have at least an arm and fingers. To begin, I want you to sit
at the piano with your back straight. Hold your arms at about shoulder height.
Now without any added pressure, let your arms drop on the keys. Hopefully
you didnt break anything (on the piano or yourself).
OMG Piano Course

You hit the piano without any added thought or tension in your body,
and it made a sound. Thats all I want you to focus on for now, playing the
piano comfortably without any tension in your body. There are different names
for this technique, but in my opinion, it all boils down to doing what you do
naturally.
How do I use the pedal?
Well lets talk about using the sustain pedal on your piano or keyboard.
On an acoustic piano, the sustain pedal is the pedal on the right.
Use the sustain pedal to sustain notes. I know that was a big shock to
some of you !. Its very easy to use. Press a key, then press the pedal, and
release. Notice I said:

OMG Piano Course

1.

Press the key.

2.

Press the pedal.

3.

Release the key.

OMG Piano Course

Im nervous and feel tensed when I think about playing the piano!
Being nervous before a performance is normal. There are two things you
can do to help you get over your nerves.
1.

Think of your favorite performance. Now remember how good it

felt and how receptive the people were to your performance.
Keep imagining this scene until you put yourself back into that
mindset of comfort and confidence. If youve never had a great
performance, imagine the best performance you attended.
Imagine you were on the stage performing. See and hear your
perfect flawless performance. Keep imagining until you feel like
you have just had the performance of your life.

2.

While you are alone, look in the mirror. Tell yourself you are
amazing and you deserve to be on that stage. Remind yourself
that being a musician/performer is a gift. Remind yourself to
enjoy every second you are performing.

***As disclaimer, I am not a medical physician. These are the techniques that
work for me. Before doing any of these massages and/or stretches, you should
consult your physician to see if they are right for you.

OMG Piano Course

To help you relieve some tension, massage your hands: Position the hand
that you are massaging palm up toward the sky. Take the hand that you are
using to massage, place your four fingers under the hand you are massaging.
With the hand that you are using to massage, take your thumb and begin to
slide it from the base of your hand to the base of every finger using a good
amount of pressure. Switch hands and do it again.
Your neck: Place both hands on the back of your head like you are going
to do crunches. Slowly begin to pull your head down to your chest. Using your
hands, turn you head to the left and hold for 10 seconds. Turn to the right
and hold for 10 seconds. Return to your original position.
Your back: Take your right hand and massage your left shoulder. Take
your left hand and massage you right shoulder. All of these stretches are done
seated, as if you are about to play the piano.

OMG Piano Course

What are the notes on the piano?

There are only 12 notes on the piano. As you can see they keep repeating
themselves.

Just to help you remember where C and F are, I want you to notice the
cluster of 2 black keys. To the left of that cluster is always C. To the left of the
cluster of 3 black keys is always F.

OMG Piano Course

10

OMG Piano Course

11

Why do some notes have two names?

Depending on if you are playing or singing in a sharp or flat key you call the
note its sharp or flat name. The symbol for sharp is #. The symbol for
flat is b. For example, the Bb (B flat) scale has an Eb (E flat) in it. If youre
in the key of B you would call that same note a D# (D sharp). Page 357 tells
you which keys are sharp and which keys are flat.

OMG Piano Course

12

CHORDS (APPETIZER)
The chords that follow are the basic form of all the other chords that
youll learn in my patterns. I want you to start here as a warm up and then
move on to the patterns. Some of these chords may sound basic, but are as my
friend KenFen says, money chords! Money chords are those chords used in
most hits on the radio. Dont underestimate the power of these chords. If you
listen to one of my favorite songs on earth, the Beatles Let It Be, youll hear
these basic chords being used in all their glory. If you turn to a country or pop
station on the radio, you are guaranteed to hear these chords. In a later
chapter Ill teach you the theory for building these chords.

***As you practice, make sure you play every chord with both hands! Let me
say it again PLAY EVERY CHORD WITH BOTH HANDS!!! Sorry for yelling,
but some people respond better when you yell

(Well I thought it was

funny.)

OMG Piano Course

13

*** POWER PROVERB*** He who plays too much goes hungry!

Ive learned from experience that simple is better most of the time. If the song calls
for a C major chord, play just a C major chord! People get fired for not mastering
this one concept, Im glad you wont be one of them!
YOUR FINGERS HAVE NUMBERS
On the pages that follow, Ive placed red arrows with either an L or an R
with the numbers 1 to 5 on the notes of the piano. The red arrows tell you
which notes to press. The L means use your left hand. The R means use
your right hand. The number tells you which finger to use.

OMG Piano Course

14

How to practice:
Pick a key and play every chord in that key. Follow my example on Track 2.
Read from top to bottom before moving on to the next page. Repeat as often as
you feel necessary. The purpose of practicing this way is to get your fingers
used to forming chords. This will also get your ears used to hearing the chords
as well. The more you practice, the easier playing and hearing these chords will
become. Please practice all of the keys! I recommend you practice at least a key
a day. As you get better, this will become really easy.
***Dont forget to use both hands for this exercise***
OMG Piano Course

15

*TRACK 2 Example of how to practice

OMG Piano Course

16

OMG Piano Course

17

OMG Piano Course

18

OMG Piano Course

19

OMG Piano Course

20

OMG Piano Course

21

OMG Piano Course

22

OMG Piano Course

23

OMG Piano Course

24

OMG Piano Course

25

OMG Piano Course

26

OMG Piano Course

27

OMG Piano Course

28

OMG Piano Course

29

OMG Piano Course

30

OMG Piano Course

31

OMG Piano Course

32

OMG Piano Course

33

OMG Piano Course

34

OMG Piano Course

35

OMG Piano Course

36

OMG Piano Course

37

OMG Piano Course

38

OMG Piano Course

39

OMG Piano Course

40

OMG Piano Course

41

OMG Piano Course

42

OMG Piano Course

43

OMG Piano Course

44

OMG Piano Course

45

OMG Piano Course

46

OMG Piano Course

47

OMG Piano Course

48

OMG Piano Course

49

OMG Piano Course

50

OMG Piano Course

51

OMG Piano Course

52

OMG Piano Course

53

OMG Piano Course

54

OMG Piano Course

55

OMG Piano Course

56

OMG Piano Course

57

OMG Piano Course

58

OMG Piano Course

59

OMG Piano Course

60

OMG Piano Course

61

OMG Piano Course

62

OMG Piano Course

63

OMG Piano Course

64

OMG Piano Course

65

OMG Piano Course

66

OMG Piano Course

67

OMG Piano Course

68

OMG Piano Course

69

OMG Piano Course

70

OMG Piano Course

71

OMG Piano Course

72

OMG Piano Course

73

OMG Piano Course

74

OMG Piano Course

75

OMG Piano Course

76

OMG Piano Course

77

OMG Piano Course

78

OMG Piano Course

79

OMG Piano Course

80

OMG Piano Course

81

OMG Piano Course

82

OMG Piano Course

83

OMG Piano Course

84

OMG Piano Course

85

OMG Piano Course

86

OMG Piano Course

87

OMG Piano Course

88

OMG Piano Course

89

OMG Piano Course

90

OMG Piano Course

91

OMG Piano Course

92

OMG Piano Course

93

OMG Piano Course

94

OMG Piano Course

95

OMG Piano Course

96

OMG Piano Course

97

OMG Piano Course

98