Make the Piano a Drum: Two Chords, 5 Rhythm Patterns (Piano Inversion Practice)
Piano inversion practice with just two chords, F# major and C# major (the I and the V), shifted on time through every inversion, then put through five rhythm patterns: three rhythms and two bonus seven-hit rhythms. Beginner to intermediate, with Jason Zac. We start with the theory: why F# major has six sharps, and why F# and C# are the I and the V, neighbours on the circle of fifths. Then the shift: keep the common note, C#, and move the other two notes to the nearest shape, so every inversion pairs with its partner. Fingering, floating the inversions up and down, and taking the same shift round the whole circle of fifths (and in fourths). The left hand has two jobs: a carbon copy of the right-hand inversion, or the root of each chord, with the octave for weight. Then articulation (staccato, legato, the pedal) and splitting the hands so one keeps the pulse. Then the rhythms. Rhythm pattern 1 has three hits (two F# and one C#, or one F# and two C#). Rhythm pattern 2 has five hits, split 3 + 2 or 2 + 3, never 4 + 1. Rhythm pattern 3 is in sixteenths. The two bonus rhythms have seven hits, in quavers and then in sixteenths. The piano is a drum here: keep the hands different, like a drum kit or a tabla. 👉 Try it now: tap the pulse on your knee and clap rhythm pattern 1 before you play it. Then make a rhythm of your own and tag me on Instagram. 🔔 Subscribe: new full lessons every Thursday and Saturday, 9:30 pm IST. 🏫 Courses, Workshops or Private lessons ➡️ https://forms.gle/fsbhFKSgJbZ5xZEr8 ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses (Everything for Life Bundle) ➡️ https://learn-music.nathanielschool.com/ 🎹 Piano Courses & Private Lessons ➡️ https://piano.nathanielschool.com ============================= ▶️ Related Lessons 🎹 10 Rhythm Patterns That Make Chord Inversions Easy ➡️ https://youtu.be/DjPqzQqe_NY 🎼 How to Practice Chord Inversions Using the Circle of 5ths (Piano) ➡️ https://youtu.be/VwgRQNBq2uU 🎵 Every Major & Minor Piano Chord in Root Position + 2 Inversions (Circle of Fifths Practice, Part 1) ➡️ https://youtu.be/SOfunteeDXU 🎹 How to Change Piano Chords Smoothly (5 Fixes for Fumbling Hands) ➡️ https://youtu.be/YzFQFfvbIAw ============================= 🎓 Learn Music with Nathaniel School of Music & Jason Zac ➡️ https://nathanielschool.com 📚 All our YouTube lessons (1000+) by skill level, topic & genre ➡️ https://free-music-lessons.nathanielschool.com 🎛 More free music apps ➡️ https://apps.nathanielschool.com ============================= 00:00 - Two chords, two hands 00:29 - F♯ major: six sharps 01:29 - The I and the V 03:12 - The shift — keep the common note 05:05 - Fingering 05:33 - The next inversion + the left hand 06:49 - Articulation and the pedal 07:49 - The last inversion — and float it 08:56 - Round the circle of fifths 10:52 - Pair the shapes 11:53 - Rhythm pattern 1 15:46 - Rhythm pattern 2 18:20 - Rhythm pattern 3 — 16ths 20:12 - Any root and its fifth 20:28 - Bonus 1: seven hits in quavers 21:37 - Bonus 2: seven hits in 16ths 22:20 - The piano is a drum 23:14 - Your practice plan ============================= 💰 Donate on PayPal ➡️ https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 📸 Instagram ➡️ https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 Call +91 98454 65411 · 💬 WhatsApp chat +91 77604 56847 📧 Customised & Private Lessons ➡️ music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music ➡️ https://riffs.jasonzacmusic.com/ #PianoLessons #PianoTutorial #MusicTheory #ChordInversions
Related lessons
- 10 Rhythm Patterns That Make Chord Inversions Easy
10 piano rhythm patterns that make chord inversions easy to practise — turn the same old root, 1st and 2nd inversion drill into something musical and genuinely fun. These exercises train your ear, your rhythmic phrasing, your hand…
- 3 Melodies to Master Piano Timing & Groove (Anticipation & Delay)
Learn rhythmic displacement, anticipation and delay techniques on piano with 3 melodic exercises that build better timing and groove. Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music shows you how to transform simple melodies into groovy,…
- 3 Old-School Country Piano Rhythms for Easy Accompaniment
Learn 3 essential old-school country piano techniques that let you accompany yourself with syncopated rhythm comping using both hands. Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music covers 3 essential old-school country techniques that let you…
- 3 Piano Rhythm Techniques That Make Your Chords Groove
Play the 3–3–2 piano rhythm three ways: single chord hits, accented eighth notes and arpeggios. Jason Zac uses Gm–E-flat–B-flat–F to practise counting, inversions and left-hand coordination. In this lesson Jason Zac from Nathaniel School…
- 4 Left-Hand Piano Chord Patterns for Beginners (Accompany Any Melody)
Learn 4 left-hand piano chord patterns for beginners to accompany a melody — plus how to choose chords and build hand independence the organic way. Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music gives you a detailed tutorial on 4 left-hand…
- 5 Comping Piano Rhythm Patterns for Any Situation
These 5 comping rhythm patterns will get you through almost any playing situation on the piano. Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music walks you through 5 versatile comping rhythm patterns you can reach for whenever you need to…
Related Topics:
Skill Level
Want structured lessons?
Continue with live guidance, feedback and a clear path through the Intermediate Piano Course.