“I wanna see you be brave!” This chorus from Sara Bareilles’ “Brave” offers words of encouragement for each of us—as piano teachers, students, and performers. How many of us grew up playing only classical piano, while listening to the Beatles, Billy Joel, and Coldplay? Perhaps being brave as a teacher means exploring music with our students, from their world. A touch of rhythm and harmony studied from a different angle can help us form new connections—in musical understanding, across generations, and among peers.
“Brave” and “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman hail from our ChordTime Piano Hits. They both employ a chord progression that’s been a staple of popular music since the 1950s: I-vi–IV–V. Given the age and popularity of this progression, how does it still sound fresh? Watch the video as Dr. Faber discusses alternative methods of voicing these chords to fit different musical styles.
New to our Hits books? Explore the series, including ShowTime (Level 2A), ChordTime (Level 2B), FunTime (Levels 3A-3B), and BigTime (Level 4 and above).
4 replies on “Be Brave”
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Thanks for these great videos. They help with my teaching and I enjoy the way you provide the information.
Thanks for these great videos. They help with my teaching and I enjoy the way you provide the information.
“How many of us grew up playing only classical piano, while listening to the Beatles, Billy Joel, ”
Sure was true for me! Thank you so much. My students are thankful as well.
“How many of us grew up playing only classical piano, while listening to the Beatles, Billy Joel, ”
Sure was true for me! Thank you so much. My students are thankful as well.