Ear Training

Ever wondered why some scales sound bright while others sound dark? In this theory lesson, Jason Zac introduces a simple binary framework to organise 16 different scales into just two categories — major-esque and minor-esque — based on a single defining interval: the third. A major-esque scale always contains a major third, while a minor-esque scale always contains a flat (minor) third. From this foundation, we explore eight major-esque scales including the major scale, mixolydian, lydian, lydian dominant, harmonic major, phrygian dominant (double harmonic major), and mixolydian flat 6. Each scale is built on the root A, played with supporting chord voicings, and connected to its emotional character. We then move into eight minor-esque scales: the natural minor, dorian, harmonic minor, jazz melodic minor, plus the more exotic Hungarian minor, Romanian minor, Neapolitan minor, and phrygian. You'll learn how the 6th and 7th degrees create four binary combinations within the traditional minor family, and how exotic scales introduce flat 2 and raised 4 intervals for that Eastern, Spanish, or Middle Eastern flavour. This lesson is especially valuable for composers working with Indian classical ragas, modal music, or any style where the 6th or 7th shifts between ascending and descending lines. Jason also shares ear training drills using sa-re-ga-ma syllables, pendulum-style interval singing, and chord pairings that lock each scale into your ear and fingers.

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Learn piano, theory, and ear training through Uptown Funk — D Dorian, 7th chord inversions, voice leading & 4 funky comping patterns. What if you could learn piano, music theory, ear training, AND arranging — all from one song? In this lesson, Jason Zac uses Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars as a vehicle for all four goals at once. The twist? There's no piano in the song. We start by identifying the mode (D Dorian) and the two chords driving the whole track: D minor 7th and G dominant 7th. You'll learn minors in packs of four — Natural, Harmonic, Dorian and Melodic — so you'll instantly recognise the funky minor sound anywhere. Then we get into the piano work: all four inversions of Dm7 and G7, voice leading through common tones, and rhythm patterns including block chords, octave toggling bass, staccato funk articulation, and triplet (tresio) feels. Every shape connects to a usable groove. Next comes the song ingredient breakdown — vocal bass line on a 16th-note grid, Bruno Mars's vocal as the rhythmic engine, plus guitar comping, horn harmonies and the bass guitar. You'll learn to reverse-engineer a stereo file like a DAW, then translate those ingredients into FOUR funky right-hand piano patterns paired with a transcribed bass line. Ready to practise smarter? Apply for our courses or browse the full video library at nathanielschool.com. Like, share, subscribe and hit the bell for more song-based piano lessons! 🏫 Courses, Workshops or Private lessons ➡️ https://forms.gle/fsbhFKSgJbZ5xZEr8 ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses (Everything for Life Bundle) - https://learn-music.nathanielschool.com/ 🏡 Visit our Channel for more Tutorials & Performances - https://geni.us/NathanielYouTube ============================= ▶️ Related Videos & Playlists 🎬 Compose with Dorian Mode & Chord Progressions - https://youtu.be/NCFZhIyG0Y8 🎯 Melodic Arpeggios: Accents & Progressions - https://youtu.be/DbL4DJnwIhA 🔑 Arpeggios, Inversions & Hand Independence - https://youtu.be/e9Xqa_ibLeg 💡 Chord Inversions, Rhythm & Hand Independence - https://youtu.be/PALjV-WuYJE 📂 Jazz Lessons - Chords, Standards & Exercises - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT9ZCriHyNonJasffWWSCS_E ============================= 🎓 Learn Music With Nathaniel School of Music & Jason Zac: https://nathanielschool.com 📚 All our YouTube lessons (1000+) categorised by skill level, topic & genre all in one place: https://free-music-lessons.nathanielschool.com ⏳ Chapter markers 00:00 - Performance 00:38 - 🎹 Intro — A New Kind of Piano Lesson 01:25 - The 4 Goals: Piano, Theory, Ear & Song Ingredients 05:45 - 🎵 Uptown Funk — The Two Chords: Dm7 & G7 06:58 - Minors in Packs of 4: Natural, Harmonic, Dorian, Melodic 08:01 - Root Position Block Chords 08:42 - First Inversion + Octave Toggling Bass 10:07 - Second Inversion + Staccato Funk Articulation 10:46 - Third Inversion + Tresio (Triplet) Rhythm 11:06 - LH Pattern with Root Position 11:44 - Octave toggle in LH with 1st Inversion 12:36 - Dotted notes on LH with 2nd Inversion 13:29 - Tresillo on LH with 3rd Inversion 14:56 - Song Ingredient Analysis — What Do You Hear? 18:37 - How to Map Out Song Ingredients 19:20 - Left Hand = Bass, Right Hand = Guitar 19:37 - 🥁 Funky Pattern 1: Block Chords on 1 & 3 with E’s 20:36 - Funky Pattern 2: More E’s and A’s 21:27 - Funky Pattern 3: Guitar Comping Pattern 22:34 - Funky Pattern 4: The Arpeggio Pattern 23:23 - Transcribing the Bass Line for Left Hand 24:48 - Nathaniel Metronome App Walkthrough 25:29 - Combining Bass Line + Right Hand Pulse 26:42 - Bass Line — 2 and 4 Hits 27:15 - Bass Line — Off-beats 27:40 - 🔥 Final Funky Right-Hand Rhythm 28:31 - Summary — 4 Goals, 4 Inversions, 4 Funky Patterns 30:19 - 🎹Outro & Course Info 💰 Donate on PayPal: https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 +917760456847 (Mobile & WhatsApp) 📧 Customised & Private Classes: music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music: https://riffs.jasonzacmusic.com/ #UptownFunk #DDorian #FunkPiano

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Did you know the 'synth bass' in Uptown Funk is actually a vocal? 😮 This lesson flips the script — no piano in the song means unlimited creative freedom for pianists. Decode D Dorian, voice leading, and funky 16th-note rhythms in one shot. 🎹 Hit follow and check the full lesson in our bio — notation included! What if you could learn piano, music theory, ear training, AND arranging — all from one song? In this lesson, Jason Zac uses Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars as a vehicle for all four goals at once. The twist? There's no piano in the song. We start by identifying the mode (D Dorian) and the two chords driving the whole track: D minor 7th and G dominant 7th. You'll learn minors in packs of four — Natural, Harmonic, Dorian and Melodic — so you'll instantly recognise the funky minor sound anywhere. Then we get into the piano work: all four inversions of Dm7 and G7, voice leading through common tones, and rhythm patterns including block chords, octave toggling bass, staccato funk articulation, and triplet (tresio) feels. Every shape connects to a usable groove. Next comes the song ingredient breakdown — vocal bass line on a 16th-note grid, Bruno Mars's vocal as the rhythmic engine, plus guitar comping, horn harmonies and the bass guitar. You'll learn to reverse-engineer a stereo file like a DAW, then translate those ingredients into FOUR funky right-hand piano patterns paired with a transcribed bass line.

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Learn to Transpose Any Song in “Real-Time”: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Christmas Carol) | Piano Theory Transpose It Came Upon a Midnight Clear to all 12 keys using intervals, ear training & theory 🎄 Explore Our Complete Christmas Collection - Visit our Christmas website where all tutorials are organized by skill level and genre for easy navigation. 🎹 Join Our Christmas Workshops This Season - We're running special workshops focused on ear training, music theory, transcription, and Christmas repertoire. Perfect for students and teachers who want to elevate their musicality during the holiday season. 🎓 Ready for Structured Learning in the New Year? - If you want to build a comprehensive music education tailored to your skill level, consider enrolling in a semester-based course at Nathaniel School of Music. In this comprehensive piano tutorial, learn how to transpose "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"—and really, any song—to all 12 keys without relying on sheet music or chord charts. The key to successful transposition is understanding three things: intervals (, chord function , and how each chord relates to the previous one. When you internalize these concepts, you can transpose in real-time at the piano without rewriting anything.We break down the entire piece systematically: The AABA song structure The secondary dominants (V/V progressions) that add harmonic color. The beautiful modulation to the relative minor in the B section, featuring melodic minor flavors with that characteristic raised 6th and 7th. But here's what makes this truly special: every key feels different and inspires different ideas. A♭ major might sound sophisticated and hymn-like. C major feels bright and folk-inspired. E♭ major might swing naturally. A major could sound laid-back. The piano itself guides you—when you don't know a scale perfectly, you discover survival chords like diminished sevenths, you create your own passing harmonies, and you develop unique voicings that wouldn't happen if everything were pre-written. We also explore practical voicing options: 6/9 chords on the tonic, slash chords (like IV/I), proper alto and tenor voice leading for that choral cadence feeling (sus4 resolving to 3, and 6 resolving to 5), and how to color your harmonies with 9ths, 13ths, and major 7ths. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon for regular notifications! Wishing you and your family a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year! 🔔✨ ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses — Everything for Life Bundle A complete library of structured lessons across Piano, Theory, Ear Training and more - https://www.nathanielschool.com/members-videos 🏡 Explore Our YouTube Channel Watch detailed tutorials, performances and guided practice sessions - https://geni.us/NathanielYouTube ============================= ▶️ Related Videos & Playlists ✨ My Favourite Things - https://youtu.be/u7lcIy50J-8 🎅 Christmas Piano & Theory Tutorials - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT9HU-N5Jy2d9gNoBATIr21r 🎄 Christmas Chronicles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT_Wcia3ov9oHx9jDPtjdqBC ============================= 🎓 Learn Music With Nathaniel School of Music Join our lessons, workshops and guided programs across instruments and levels - https://www.nathanielschool.com/ 📚 All Our YouTube Lessons in One Place Browse 1000+ tutorials arranged by level, topic and genre for easy learning - https://free-music-lessons.nathanielschool.com ⏳ 00:00 - Performance 01:17 - Introduction 05:02 - A Major vs A♭ Major - Different Flavors 06:18 - Tonic Chord Voicings (6/9, Quintal, Major 9th) 07:20 - Resolution Note: A♭ Analysis 08:46 - Applying to C Major 09:32 - Same Process: D Major or E♭ Major 10:10 - Moving to Next Cycle 10:55 - Using 4 Major for Variation 12:02 - Why Use m7 Instead of Secondary Dominant? 12:55 - Applying to C Major 13:41 - A♭ Maj “From Angels Bending” Resolution 16:14 - Complete Section with Chord Degrees 18:17 - “Peace on Earth” Section on E♭ Major or B Major 19:51 - “Peace on Earth” Section - A♭ Major 21:31 - Understanding Melodic Minor Scale - C7 , C Mixolydian ♭6 22:48 - Modal Modulation Explained 23:39 - Final Cadence with Suspension 25:10 - AABA Song Structure Analysis 26:12 - Transposing to C Major (Full Piece) 27:29 - A Major Demonstration 28:43 - E♭ Major Arpeggiated Approach 31:05 - How to Transpose Summary 32:30 - Conclusion 💰 Donate on PayPal: https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 +917760456847 (Mobile & WhatsApp) 📧 Customised & Private Classes: music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music: https://geni.us/AbsenceYouTubeJZB #ItCameUponTheMidnightClear #Transposition #ChristmasPiano

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Let me know your answers in the chat/comments! Here's an interactive music quiz with Jason Zac where you discover new concepts while challenging yourself at the same time. ———————————————————————————————————————— ► Subscribe to our channel: https://geni.us/NathanielYouTube ► Donate on PayPal: https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 📧 Customized Classes and Courses: music@nathanielschool.com 📞 +917760456847 💬 https://geni.us/WhatsAppChat ► More riffs here: https://geni.us/JasonZacRiffs ► Music Theory lessons: https://geni.us/PianoTheory ► Beginner Piano lessons: https://geni.us/BeginnerPiano ► Ear Training: https://geni.us/EarTraining ► Hand Independence: https://geni.us/HandIndependence ► Arpeggios: https://geni.us/Arpeggios ► Visit our website: http://nathanielschool.com ————————————————————————————————————————— Our recommend musical instruments & studio gear based on your budget and your exact requirements Best Digital Pianos (Budget) 🎹 ✅ Yamaha Digital Piano P45 - https://geni.us/YamahaPianoP45 Yamaha Digital Piano P125 - https://geni.us/YamahaP125 Yamaha Digital Piano P71 - https://geni.us/YamahaP71 Korg B2SP Digital Piano - https://geni.us/KorgB2 Casio PXS300 Digital Piano - https://geni.us/CasioPXS3000 Best Beginner Pianos 🎹 ✅ Yamaha PSR E373 - https://geni.us/YamahaE373 Yamaha PSR E363 - https://geni.us/YamahaE363 Yamaha PSR E463 - https://geni.us/YamahaE463 Yamaha PSR EW310 (76 key) - https://geni.us/YamahaEW310 Best MIDI Controllers 🎹 ✅ StudioLogic SL88 - https://geni.us/SL88MIDI Roland A88 - https://geni.us/RolandA88 M-Audio Keystation 88 - https://geni.us/MAudioKey88 Arturia KeyLab 88 (Essential) - https://geni.us/KeyLabEss88 Nektar Impact LX88+ - https://geni.us/Nektar88 M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro - https://geni.us/HammerPro Arturia KeyLab 88 (MKII Hammer Action) - https://geni.us/Arturia88 StudioLogic SL88 Grand - https://geni.us/SLGrand Novation LaunchKey 61 - https://geni.us/LaunchKey61 Nektar Impact LX49+ - https://geni.us/Nektar49 Audio Interfaces 📱 ✅ Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - https://geni.us/Focusrite2i2Scarlett Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio - https://geni.us/Focusrite2i2Studio Focusrite 18i20 - https://geni.us/Focusrite18i20 Microphones ✅ Microphone Shure SM57 (Dynamic) - https://geni.us/ShureDyna57 Ashton Microphones Origin (Condenser) - https://geni.us/AstonOriginMic Microphone Shure SM58 - https://geni.us/ShureDyna58 Microphone Sennheiser E835 - https://geni.us/SennheiserE835 Microphone Sennheiser E845 - https://geni.us/SennheiserE845 Headphones 🎧 ✅ Headphone Sennheiser HD280Pro - https://geni.us/HD280Pro Headphone Sennheiser HD206 - https://geni.us/HD206 Headphone AudioTechnica ATH-M20X - https://geni.us/ATHM20X Headphone BeyerDynamic DT770Pro - https://geni.us/BeyerDT770 Stands, Pedals & Accessories ✅ Keyboard Stand On-Stage (Double-Braced) - https://geni.us/OnStageKeyStand Keyboard Stand Spider Pro (K&M) - https://geni.us/SpiderProKM Keyboard Stand K&M Table Type - https://geni.us/KMTableStand Sustain Pedal StudioLogic SLP3-D (Triple Pedal) - https://geni.us/StudioLogicTriple Sustain Pedal M-Audio SP2 - https://geni.us/MAudioSP2 Sustain Pedal Yamaha FC3A (Half-Pedalling) - https://geni.us/YamahaFC3A Expression Pedal (Yamaha) - https://geni.us/YamahaEXP Volume Pedal (Boss Stereo) - https://geni.us/BossVolume This is an audience-supported YouTube channel. When you buy through these links, we might receive an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases. #MusicQuiz #MusicTheory #EarTraining

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Improve your harmonic ear, odd meter, polymeter, and develop a strong sense of accents. Play the accented phrases using arpeggios following the sequences mentioned below. If you'd like to learn with Jason and develop your technique, theory, and musical ear, then do consider our "Music Gym". We have very limited spots which you could enrol for by sending an email to music@nathanielschool.com Follow us on Instagram for more quizzes & challenges - www.instagram.com/jasonzac FOUR cycles of the chord progression are played over each pattern If you play other instruments like drums, then figure out a play to just play the accents or do something cool which you think fits in. If you play keyboards/guitar, then follow the instructions below * Use the chord progression - Cm Eb/G Amaj Bmaj in “Spread Voicing”. Example Cm is played as C G Eb’ * Arpeggiate the chords according to the accented pattern (grouping of beats) * Sing the Chord tones of each chord in time but NOT the “top” note. Example: Cm, sing the notes G or C (bass) while playing Else, try singing the accents in any way possible! Played at 155 BPM All the best! And feel free to share your accents challenge with us via email: music@nathanielschool.com PART 1 8 7 7 - 3+4 7 - 4+3 6 5 5 - 2+3 5 - 3+2 PART 2 5 3 5 4 7 3 7 4 7 5 7 6 PART 3 6 7 3 5 4 5 3 7 4 7 5 7 #PianoArpeggios #OddTimeSignatures #Polymeter

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