Mission Statement values
KeybedHarmony was created by ... as a personal web experiment. As it developed I felt KeybedHarmony was worth developing into a more robust web-application.
What does KeybedHarmony do?
KeybedHarmony is a browser based web application that provides a simple user-interface that enables users to create bespoke keybed diagrams that provide a visual reference of where to place their fingers for a specific scale or chord.
What KeybedHarmony does NOT!
It is expected that users of KeybedHarmony already have some knoweldge about correct technique and ergonomic fingering. KeybedHarmony doesn't currently provide instruction in terms of the technical and physical. It is on the todo-list for a blog post.
- It does not provide fingering suggestions for chords or scales.
- It does not explain how or where to use 'turns'.
- It does not explain how or where to use 'rolls'.
- It doesn't apply any theorectical or ergonomic approach to dexterity or ergonomics.
It is definitely worth studying with a piano teacher or following a suitable online course. A lot of this information is fairly widespread and easy to find. While following suggested scale or chord fingerings can sometimes feel counter-intuitive it helps to develop muscle memory and deterity so I would certainly recommend being aware of strategies for the list above.
How should I use KeybedHarmony?
There are many ways of using KeybedHarmony. On a simple level someone could use it as reference to learn a new scale or chord. A more technical example would be to create a chord progression which has a scale labelled, allowing someone to practice chords in their left hand, while playing a melody in their right hand.
Eurathymics
I believe that a practical hands-on approach to music can be a enlightening, self-driven and a time-efficient method for learning musical instruments. It is also an accesible approach that everyone can utilise. While I am certainly no expert in the finer details of Eurhtymics I believe a hands-on approach allows individuals to implement concepts physically ahead of understanding the theorectical details. It provides a wonderful alternative as opposed to learning about the why and how of music theory as an instruction manual or deduced from repertoire.
Harmony Generators
The diatonic-cycle and scale harmonisation generators are brilliant opportunities to develop voiceleading and aural awareness of particular chord types and diatonic harmony. Yet they also provide a brilliant exercise for developing muscle memory within a particular key or scale.
Who could benenit from KeybedHarmony?
Anyone who struggles to read music but wants to learn more about the piano or keyboard may find that keybedHarmony helps to discover new ideas. KeybedHarmony does provide options for viewing the keybed notes on a stave so it may also help people develop their stave reading abilities.
KeybedHarmony could also be useful for more experienced piano players to further develop their understanding of particular aspects of music theory. Whether it be different types of chord voicing or implementing specific voice leading or creating advanced chord progressions or modulations.
KeybedHarmony has been created with printing in mind so that teachers and students can keep paper references of their chose material.