Do you teach from lead sheets? Have you thought about doing so but aren’t sure where to start? Do you use them all the time but wonder if there is more you could be doing?
Lead sheets have quickly become one of my “secret weapon” teaching tools. They provide the instant gratification teens crave, they give adult students the boost in motivation they need to really get invested in piano lessons, they provide fabulous opportunities for creativity for young students…. and they’re just plain fun!
Step-by-Step Instructions For Teaching From Lead Sheets
Using lead sheets in your teaching is a fabulous way to get your feet wet with improv. There is still something tangible in front of your student, and how much (or how little) they choose to do with in terms of being creative it is up to the both of you. There are few wrong answers. With that being said, it’s really nice to have step-by-step instructions on how to begin with students who have never seen a lead sheet before!
Enter today’s Podcast guest, Bradley Sowash. Bradley runs the fabulous EyeEarRevolution blog where he shares a wealth of improv and jazz resources. He’s returned to the TeachPianoToday podcast today, and he’s sitting at his piano, ready to demonstrate his simple steps for using lead sheets.
In just 45 minutes he’ll discuss and demo:
- What are lead sheets anyway?
- A step-by-step process for finding creativity with the melody line and the bass clef.
- Examples of the fun you can have venturing “off the page” even further.
- Why you should care about teaching from lead sheets and what they can do for your studio.
- …and much, much more.
Improv Can Improve your studio
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these two words are so similar. I’ve seen the inclusion of improv in my own teaching provide me with inspired students, fabulous word-of-mouth, increased retention and more creative students who truly understand the music they are playing.
Bradley has seen this too, which is why he is running a hands-on improv camp (coming up in July!) with Leila Viss that’s perfect for piano teachers who are wanting to venture into this way of teaching.
Listen Below
Click the player below to listen or visit our iTunes page where you can download this episode to your iPod and take us on the go! And, for more great creative music making materials check out our composing resource The Curious Case of Muttzart And Ratmaninoff.
Jan Gray says
Lead sheets are a great way to introduce chord inversions and the more advanced chords such as the second, sus and more expanded chords. I use lead sheets for teaching music theory and write my own theory lessons. My students learn C open chord within the first weeks of lessons and most, as young as 7, are playing inversions and lead sheets 12 months later. They are classically trained but when it is introduced early, they learn to play “by ear” and improvise in addition to classical literature. It is wonderful for motivating teens and I’ve found many publishers of popular praise and worship music willing to grant “fair use” rights in the US for teaching their music. My piano teachers never taught practical application of theory at the piano. Teaching scales with fingering and technique but never teaching the importance of the scale in music composition and improv is a fast track to failure for too many students.
Deb says
My piano lab classes love learning to play from lead sheets. It enables the plodders to play along with the quick learners by adjusting the chord voicing.
Jan Gray says
Loved the podcasts. Will be checking out Bradley’s resources. I desperately need some time savers for myself instead of having to develop everything on my own. Thrilled to know about Bradley’s products. Thank you!
Andrea says
Hi Jan – I totally agree… no sense in re-inventing the wheel 🙂 Bradley’s products are great – highly recommend anything he does.
Jolene Taylor says
Bradley Sowash is great. I love his books and methods and the easy way he explains everything. His 10 reasons for both students and teachers are wonderful!
lynn kiesewetter says
Is there a place where his 10 reasons are printed ??
Andrea says
I think he’s working on a blog post with this theme Lynn – keep an eye on his page for it 🙂
Jason says
I’d like to hear more about lead sheets. I was under the impression these could be used for teaching pop tunes, but finding them is a nightmare! The Real Book, which is mentioned, only contains jazz tunes. Plus, the chords are a bit complex. If I want to teach lead sheets, do I need to make them all myself? Also, if lead sheets aren’t what you use to teach pop tunes, that what do you do?
Esther says
Yes, linear sense, books, awesome. This was great!
Andrea says
Glad you enjoyed it Esther! Bradley is a fabulous resource 🙂