How to Play Piano Like Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has risen quickly to platinum level of stardom over the past few years. Her songwriting skills mixed with her incredible piano playing talent make her sound unique and highly creative in a musical world filled with copycat talent. Learn how to play piano like Alicia Keys and begin to capture some of your own creativity using her method and style of playing to activate your inner soul diva.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start by taking some basic piano lessons if you don't already know how to play. Learn the basics of music theory so you can well versed on reading music and understanding musical chords and scales.
2. Learn the classical influences that influenced Keys as a piano player. Know that Alicia Keys is a classical trained pianist first and foremost, and her piano playing is technically very clean and accurate.
3. Listen to Keys' various albums; "Songs in A Minor" plays heavily on her piano background. Listen for her phrasing and method of piano playing while listening to her music. Also pay special attention to the hip hop and soul influences that shape her music as unique.
4. Look online for a piano transcription of some of Keys' songs; you can find "Songs in A Minor" for piano at many online stores or music stores nationally. Learn the basic song on piano, playing it straight technically and working up to a more stylized version.
5. Add in various dynamic phrasings and the often intense pedaling that Alicia Keys uses after learning the basic song. Practice singing along with your playing to help you really capture the soul in Alicia Keys' music.