Things You'll Need:
- Piano
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Step 1
Begin by learning basic piano technique. Learn all of the 12 major and minor scales and how to play them on the piano.
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Step 2
Take lessons or instruction on basic music theory to learn how to notate key signatures on the staff. Recognize them immediately upon seeing them within a musical selection. Practice, with the help of a teacher or tutor, identifying keys and playing a scale or small musical selection in that key.
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Step 3
Memorize all of the major and minor scale keys and learn how to play them upon command. Work on playing the scales at rapid tempos without the help of sheet music before moving on to the next step.
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Step 4
Learn the different kinds of modulation in music. They include common chord modulation, chromatic modulation, enharmonic modulation, common tone modulation, sequential modulation, direct modulation and their basic structures. Know the circle of 5ths principle, which distinguishes pivot chords and classic modulation areas within musical selections.
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Step 5
Practice playing scales within the circle of fifths; for example C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, C#, G#, E flat, B flat, F, C. This circle represents the relations between diatonic scales or common modulation. Note that tonal music typically progresses using the circle of 5ths so key changes can be reasonably guessed by using this method.
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Step 6
Always pay attention to the measures approaching when playing music. If possible, circle key change signatures to guide you through the transition. Before you play a song, play a scale within that key signature. Look for other key changes within the song and play those scales as well.
