Sound the Gong: Music and Movement

Sound the Gong: Music and Movement

The Basics #6 - Playing Songs

Using what we've learned so far to play some songs.

Keith Davis's avatar
Keith Davis
Aug 21, 2024
∙ Paid

So far, we’ve discussed some of the basic elements of music, with suggestions about how to practice and use them. Now let’s use some of this information to begin playing songs at the piano. We’ll start with a very familiar song, Happy Birthday. Other songs that are good for this are Christmas Carols, hymns, Folk songs, Nursery rhymes, any songs with simple melodies and chord structures.

Sound the Gong: Music and Movement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If you’ve followed me at all, you’ll be familiar with the Chordie app. Let’s jump right into it. I’m also attaching a pdf of Happy Birthday.

I’m updating all videos contained in the course. You can buy the whole course here.

Practical Piano Improvisation Course

Happy Birthday

Please consider a paid subscription if you like what I’m doing.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Keith Davis.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Keith Davis · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture