I am a new teacher and I teach Beg. and Inter. piano. I need some advice. I have an adult student and he wants to learn how to play by chord method. He's interested in learning to play praise/worship music and has prior music training. I know of several good books and methods, but I would like to know what you might choose. Any suggestions?

I would suggest teaching Keyboard Harmony. You don't need a book, just teach the levels of harmony on the piano instead of in written form.

As for contemporary worship style, spend time listening to examples, and discuss with the student.

A very simplistic view on contemporary worship music is that it is just chords, scales, and style. Keyboard harmony will take care of the first two. A discerning ear will need to be built up in the student for the third.

Thank you so much for the advice. You sound like a seasoned expert! Hopefully, in time I will be one too. Again, thanks.

I would work with him as well on learning pieces by ear. First, have him learn I IV V chords in root position in all keys, then teach him inversions. Have him select a piece he'd like to learn that is relatively simple, and help him to figure out the melody by ear. Once he's able to play that well, then help him figure out which chords go with it (again, using his ear). Then have him write down the chords, and figure out the best voice leading by writing out the chords on manuscript. This will help him truly understand how to accompany a melody with chords and the function of inversions. Eventually, he will be able to skip the writing down portion, but at first it will be helpful to do this step.

Once he can do basic chords (I IV V), then you can add 7th chords, sus chords, and other commonly used chords in pop music (which are used in contemp Christian songs).

A view of any music is that it is just "chords, scales, and styles"

Pick out specific songs by Michael W. Smith, or whoever. These are just "pop" songs, and can be learned easily.

The I/IV/V is a blues progression, which will work with gospel music, but doesn't pertain to
contemporary christian music.

Just my experienced opinion.....for what it's worth.

H1

MD and H1,

Good specific advice with the 1,4,5 and dom 7.

I was recommending the Keyboard harmony approach because (even though a lot of music can be distilled to these primary chords), the student will have a good knowledge of their use within a few months.

I am sometimes surprised when I listen to a tune on the radio and....Hey, that was modal mixture\altertation! cool. Often the most popular tunes make use of an expanded harmonic vocabulary. Sure a student can just use root based notation to chug along through, but the ultimate joy in pop music comes when one fully understands the Functions of every chord in the tune.

I teach a fair amount of pop music. I used to think of it as a dead end until I started using it as a method to drill functional keyboard harmony. It Builds an unquenchable curiosity to understand all types of music.

-P-

Thank you so much for all of your comments and help. I am glad I can get advice from you experts in the field! This forum is like gold and I'm happy to be able to talk with others that are well on their way; as I am just beginning my journey. Again, thanks.