Here's the master list of all the techniques you'll learn in Project Captivate, as well as an estimated time to learn them. You can use it to start planning how many 10 minute practice blocks you want to add to your routine, and map out which ones you want to learn.
You can also see each of these in action by clicking the “Watch In Action” dropdown menus.
To find out more about Project Captivate, click here.
1. Arpeggio Sweeping
Estimated Time to Learn: 3 to 8 weeks, 10 mins/Day -A flashy technique that involves crossing over your left and right hand to create dazzling runs.
Here's an example of Arpeggio Sweeping in the song “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea.
Here's an example of using Arpeggio Sweeping to end a song (Berzerk by Eminem).
Here's an example of a song I used the “Spam Technique” on to really learn Arpeggio Sweeping well (the Spam Technique is basically when you over-use a technique in a song for the purpose of learning it. I'll talk more about that in the “Training Plan” section)
2. Arpeggio Flares
Estimated Time to Learn: 3 to 6 weeks, 10 mins/Day -Right Hand arpeggio runs used to add some flash to your song when you have some space in the melody.
Here's an example of an arpeggio flare in “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy (starts at :28)
Here's an example of a “Trickle Down” arpeggio run in Coldplay's “Sky Full of Stars” (starts at :13)
Here's an example of “cycling” in Katy Perry's “Wide Awake” (starts at :58)
3. Machine Gun Octaves
Estimated Time to Learn: 4 to 8 weeks, 10 mins/Day -An alternating octave technique that creates incredible-sounding runs and fills. Also great for endings and transitions.
Here's an example of using Machine Gun Octave Sweeps in the song “Rude” by Magic (starts at :34). In this example they're used as a transition between the verse and chorus.
Here's an example of Machine Gun Octaves in the song “Holy Grail” by JT and JZ (starts at :42). For this example, there was a rap part that wasn't really playable on piano, so I just filled it in with Project Captivate stuff.
4. Octave Flares
Estimated Time to Learn: 3 to 8 weeks, 10 mins/Day -Quick octave runs designed to add some beef to your melodies.
Here's an example of Octave Flares in the song “Sugar” by Maroon 5 (starts at :32)
Here's another example in “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry (starts at :53). I used it as a transition in this example.
5. Left Hand Arpeggio Patterns
Estimated Time to Learn: 1 to 4 weeks, 10 mins/Day -Smooth, beautiful left-hand patterns. I've tried tons of these, these are my 5 top ones people love the most, and the ones I use consistently in songs.
Pattern 1: Here's an example of the first arpeggio pattern in the song “Show Me” by Chris Brown and Kid Ink.
Pattern 2: Here's my “Secret Sause” pattern, on the first YouTube video I ever did! “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne:
Pattern 3: Here's an example of the “hit + octave” pattern in “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus.
Pattern 4: Here's an example of the 9th chord pattern in Conor Maynard's “Vegas Girl”. It's the part right at the beginning when you press play. I modified it a bit to make it work better for this song.
Pattern 5: Here's an example of my favorite Left Hand Pattern in the song “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift:
6. Jump Bass Left Hand Patterns
Estimated Time to Learn: 2 to 6 weeks, 10 mins/Day -These are good Left Hand patterns to use if you want a more upbeat, fun feel. Also great for adding power and energy to songs.
Here's an example of Jump Bass in the song “Sugar” by Maroon 5:
Here's another example of jump bass, this time in the song “Berzerk” by Eminem.
7. Machine Gun Chords
Estimated Time to Learn: 1 to 4 weeks, 10 mins/Day -A great technique when accompianing a singer or instrumentalist. It creates an open, ambient sound.
Here's an example of how to use glissandos within a piece, “Trouble” by Taylor Swift.
Here's an example of using glissandos to mimic a vocal slide in the song “Maps” by Maroon 5.
Here's an example of ending a song with a glissando down (Counting Stars by OneRepublc)
9. Trills Technique
Estimated Time to Learn: 2 to 4 weeks, 10 mins/Day -Trills are a great way to add some pizzaz and sparkle to a melody, especially if it's a relatively boring melody by itself.
Here's a way I used tremolos to end a section in the song “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay.
Here's another example of tremolos in action, in the song “As Long As You Love Me” by Justin Bieber.
11. Rolled Chords
Estimated Time to Learn: 1 to 4 weeks, 10 mins/Day -Rolled chords are a quick technique you can add into any melody just to give it that extra edge and sparkle.
Here's an example of a bunch of rolled chords in “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry. Notice how they add some emotional depth to the melody.
Here's an example of step-wise rolled chords in the song “Heart Wants” by Selena Gomez. These don't add the same emotional depth as the other types, but they're super easy to do and they still add some sparkle to the song.
12. Training Plan
-This lesson will give you the overall training plan to learn these techniques as fast as possible. Insights on how often to practice, what order to learn them in, and what keys to learn them in.
13. Implementing Into a Song
-Knowing all these techniques isn't any good unless you can put them into a song and make them sound cool. This lesson will walk you through my 7-step process to build a song from scratch using the “Lego Block” method. You'll get an over-the-shoulder look as I build out a song.
To find out more about Project Captivate, click here.
Email me if you have any questions, zach@bestpianoclass.com.