FAQ
Q: Can you make a video for a specific song?
A: Although I really want to, I don’t usually have time. Each video takes at least a couple hours to edit, upload, create sheet music for etc… There are so many great requests that come in each day, I would have to hire a team to help me complete them all.
If you do have a song request, please post a comment on the the chords 101 page. I’d like to do occasional requests for songs that have a universal appeal, to help inspire the most students.
If you have a question about a specific lesson or video, please post that on the same page as the lesson.
Q: Can you use the free Chords 101 course to learn how to play piano if you’re a beginner?
A: Absolutely, it’s a great tool for starting out. If you’re a beginner or an intermediate player you’ll find plenty of helpful tips and lessons there for free. Even if you’re an expert on piano you’ll still find a few helpful things in there, like a different way to play a chord, or a new explanation of a concept.
I’ll be adding more to this in the future with a possible DVD component as well!
Q: How do I get access to the Chords 101 course?
A: Go to: www.fastpianolessons.com and enter your email address to have the password emailed to you!
Q: I never got a password for Chords 101?
A1: Check your waste bin and then take Chris Marx off your junk mail list!!!
A2: If the first answer doesn’t work then send me an email and I’ll make sure you have it.
Q: Do you have sheet music you can send me for your songs? Can you send me the notes? PLzzz? Plzzz? PLZZZ???
A: Not Usually, most songs have sheet music available for purchase in a book somewhere on Amazon. This is another really time consuming task! I do have the chords to some of them, though, but you can also get some chords from the videos, by watching my hands and looking at the bass notes.
Do a search for a song title and chords. For example search for: “happy birthday lyrics chords” will bring you up a few results with the chords but no melody. This is a start!
THX 
Q: How many students do you have?
A: I have between 25 to 35 local students and thousands of online students! Its hectic/impossible to stay on top of everyone’s requests! I try to respond to every email I receive though!
Q: Once you master the major and minor triads is it smart to add 7ths, major 7ths, etc?
A: If you’re focusing on learning all your chords well, then yes! I have info about how to find the flat 7th and major 7th in my chords 101 course. With more coming soon!
Q: Hello, pleases help!!!! porfavor ayudame a aprender jazz, bossa, songo esas cosas y con ejercicios te lo agradeceria mucho Feliz tarde…
A: Sorry!!! My spanish is el terrible` no comprende… Please do your best to translate your questions to english! Its time consuming enough to answer everyone’s questions in one language!
Q: How long do I have to try out your lessons?
A: I put a lot of effort into making quality lessons and I’m constantly trying to improve them. I’m sure they’ll be some of the most useful lessons you’ve ever had. But if you are in any way unsatisfied, please don’t hesitate to email me and ask for a refund! I offer a 45 day complete satisifaction guarantee on all of my “FastPianoLessons”!
However, this doesn’t include any thing you buy from a 3rd party company like amazon.com.
Chris - please can you send me a password reminder so that I can download the Chords 101 course. Thanks.
Dear Chris, i would like to know how I should procede in learning to improvise, solo, ect.
Hi again David!
Thats a huge question I can’t answer in a quick email… but…
Its like learning how to read, you start by reading small words, and then bigger words, soon sentences and whole paragraphs & books etc.
Use this site to pick out little phrases (licks) of 3-5 notes that you like and learn how to play them. (You can do searches on the web for “licks” to help).
The really beneficial part is to transpose those three note licks into another key. (take them up a whole step or down a whole step).
After you have learned a few licks, then you should practice linking them in different orders.
That is the basic strategy for learning to improvise… soon you won’t need the licks anymore, because you’ll be making up your own, but copying other people is the best way to get started and to make sure you sound good.
Thanks!
Chris Marx
Chris,
I like the Ray Charles blues lick but it was a little too quick to pick up. Can do it, but it will take a little time.
Went through the 101 chords and I can do that without any problem, perhaps not in every key.
Do you offer on line courses. I don see them here on your website. I like the Ray Charles blues style. I play a good number of country ballads, usually from the organ type books with the melody line and chords.
I like your style of piano and would like to learn more.
Hey John!
I’m working on putting together something that will be very helpful for online students of piano… but practicing for dueling pianos and playing really takes up a lot of my time. I’ll send an email out once I have something I can be proud of putting my name on.
Thanks for the feedback, Ray Charles rocks!!
Chris Marx
Hi Chris,
Thanks for all the lessons! I’m really learning a lot from your videos. I do have a request, though. When you demonstrate licks - I’m currently working on your version of “Great Balls of Fire” - would it be possible for you to show which beats the notes fall on? I know this sounds lame, but my right-left hand independence is not that great, and when the left hand is doing a relatively complicated boogie-woogie pattern, I have a difficult time synchronizing the right hand lick with the left hand pattern. I especially like your C7 “rolliing chord” lick in the solo, but I’m having trouble duplicating it on my own without knowing how to count it out. It would really help me a lot! Thanks again for all the great stuff and hope you’re feeling better!
Hey Chris:
My daughter has crohnes. I know exacty what you are going through.
I learned piano chords by using 2nd inversion chords ie. C gce. Can you offer sugestions.
Patrick
Hi Chris,
I really appreciate your work. Are you going to release a comprehensive course we can buy? After years of being stuck to sheet music, I like your method of learning by ear.
One thing I’d like to see is a suggested practice routine. Of course, I spent years every day, doing half an hour of boring scales. I’d love something more innovative. E.g., a drill for practicing chord inversions that gets progressively more difficult. Another for working around the Circle of Fifths, etc. That stuff that lets you “see” what you’re playing with your fingers, not your eyes
I’ve had tiny glimpses of what this feels like, and it’s amazing. This is my first week of not being stuck to sheet music! I now call notation “insects on the page.”
Thanks for everything so far.
Hi Chris,
I love your on line videos. I love the Ray Charles type piano and my favorite is
“I Cant Stop Loving You” Would love to learn this style and apply it to other country songs like “Your Cheating Heart” etc. I can play in C F G and to pick up this one in B flat will take a little doing but it is good to expand your comfort zone.
Would love an on line course that combines some country, Ray Charles type music which if probably Southern Gospel along with some good 50s songs.
This would be a great course…..
Best regards - John
One of the easiest and fastest ways for you to play piano is to learn chords”. Once you learn a few basic chords and the melody notes for the right hand, you’ll be on your way to play the songs you enjoy. You can start by learning a few basic chords well.
I just want to say THANK YOU for this awesome site. I’m SO psyched that it’s free. I recently started a band and we’ll be touring in a MONTH and I get to play keys. I was so freaked out (as in scared.. I haven’t taken piano lessons or played too much on my own in years.. let alone Rock and Country stuff) about it that I cried. The internet is a wonderful thing and I’m sure after much practicing (every night. It’s a MUST if I’m going to get up to par in time) and help with licks and such from your site I will be rocking in no time.
Thanks again!
Aubryn
Hi Chris, Thank you so much for the lessons they are definetly helping me! This might be a silly question but I just have a question about the sheet music ive been printing. There is few songs I want to learn and all the sheets have 2 treble clefs and 1 bass clef on the the grand staff I dont get it? Ive only been using one…..but am I supposed to be using both? Im a little confused about that. I dont understand how to play both if thats what Im supposed to be doing.
hi Chris, i wanna thank u for the amazing work that u have been doin, i´m learning too much with your videos, i want to play Bossa nova style from Brazil i´m having problems to watch the video, is there other way to see it? I LOVE THE BLUES LICKS, would you put more Heart and Soul music style for me please?? one love
Hi Chris;
Thanks for your web presence and piano lessons. For myself as an intermediate student, I find your videos most helpful. Currently, I’m wearing out your videos that contain references to Ray Charles as I have moved from show tunes to Bloooze.
I haven’t interrogated your entire program, but plan to. Your level of detail is very helpful as I make notes relative to your instructions and try to emulate your very classy playing.
My short range goal is to go heavier into blues with particular interest in New Orleans style trad jazz. A particular favorite is the iconic Professor Longhair, though I’m also interested in the stylings of Allen Toussaint and the riffing of Dr. John.
Beyond that, I would like to be able to play with the enthusiasm and projection of joy as evidenced by Fats Waller. But first things first.
Your lessons have been most helpful; I feel I’m progressing by using your videos and am most thankful for your generous web presence.
Again, many thanks.
Let me know where I can send a donation.
Mark Moorhead
Vallejo, CA
stepneydragon@gmail.com