How I learned to play piano 🎹 

That’s true everyone who plays well, don’t necessarily teach well.

My pastor would say that all the time. "You have to invest in yourself." Get yourself the right tools to raise you up. Runners need proper running shoes, football players need cleats and pads. Be it a book, a copier, a drill set; whatever you need to make you better and more efficient, invest in you.

Some of y’all are so lucky to even have someone to learn from☹️ where I’m from, your eyes and ears are your best friend.

Kevon, I appreciate how you catch a "quickening" in the midst of providing Godly Wisdom! You're still preaching! #IFeltThat

It’s true even for gifted people... when I was younger I actually taught myself to play (of course I didn’t Know how to read notes but back then they had A,B,C etc on the keys so I would write them down and try to creat my own songs) and then my mom put me into piano lessons bc she how much I liked it and when I took those lessons it really brought out the talent and I was able to improve it .

That quick word on players/coaches--HEY! LOL

i was one of the many that DM'd and asked about how to get my playing to the next level.. Kevon suggested lessons, best decision i've ever made, especially being self taught for 2 years... the lessons just reinforce and add so much more to it.. promise

I took piano lessons when I was a kid but school got in the way. Now that I am older, I wanted to be good at it, so I gifted myself a piano keyboard. Been practicing a lot lately. I hope I get good at this! Thanks for the wisdom :)

Errythang shiny ain't gold... that is to say that although I'm grateful for the free information that is readily available on the internet, you have to do your due diligence and vet the information before you jump in headfirst. Some things are worth payment as well. Like those Jordan's that I see people line up for @ 6AM. Now I'm not that girl, but I have no problem paying for things I deem important and useful. If there's a will, you'll make a way. Thank you for that good word this evening....👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

Great advice!👍🏽 My 17 year old daughter has been taking piano lessons for almost 9 years. Once she began to take it serious (practicing without being told to) we got her a keyboard. A year and a half ago, we invested in a nice used upright piano. Because her pieces are longer, her lessons went from 30min to an hour. For the past 2 and a half months, due to social distancing, she has been constantly practicing on her own. Her piano instructor offered lessons via Zoom, but my daughter declined because she prefers a more present hands-on approach. We'll be glad when everything safely gets back to normal.

So wonderful and gracious I appreciate you and PREACH 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

This video just gave me a new perspective. I think sometimes it's a thing of pride to be able to say one learnt music by hear. But this video has humbled me.

“Invest in your musicians!” These words are golden!!!

So on point with investing in ourselves and our musicians

That’s right !!! I learned to play trumpet in 2 months for basic scales. 2 octaves. 6 months later 3 octaves and in now play in church. But how? I practice almost 8 hours a day!! I even bring my trumpet to bed with me!!! 4 months ago; my wife would laugh at me, now she doesn’t - maybe a bit. and still learning -!!

Thanks so much for posting this, Mr. Martin. My friend is a musical prodigy and though took a few lessons and even music college doesn't really believe in lessons. I was trying to do it on my own and it was pretty hard. But you know what, I am not him! And now I find out I can still go to heaven as well!

Fred Hammond voice: "Come on somebody, Come on somebody!" 😂 3:10

I needed this message. I’ve never had a mentor so the struggle is real.

I’ve been paying for my lessons for over 2yrs. It’s the best decision I have ever made musically.

I like this dude heh.. spittin str8 fye ... Gotta invest.. I been playing for over 20 years and still listening..still practicing...still learning new songs.. still studying the chord charts.. still working on bettering myself.. do it folks.. it's a new decade and new season.. turn up and master those gifts and talents you have!! It'll pay off!! Thanks bruh fuh pointing this out because we need a reminder every now and then!!!

I love this guy. GOD BLESS YOU BRO, MORE GRACE TO YOU. CAN YOU PLEASE TEACH US SOMETHING IN THE KEY OF E. MANY THANKS

You're right about this...."invest in yourself "

You'll get into heaven.. 🤣🤣🤣

As a musician I loved this video cause it’s all truth man 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

🙌🏽🙌🏽...sounds like music you listen to while roasting chestnuts on an open 🔥...😊😊

I have no problem getting lessons. There are no musicians in my area that offer such lessons. I really do want to improve my skills for my church, and love your style of play! I’ve been self taught my whole life, playing by ear, I’d appreciate if you gave tutorials.

This is great ! I have been with lots of well known ( famous) bands and musicians ( Chick corea, Jean Luc Ponty) etc and I studied from the age of 9. Berklee gave me the finishing touches that I will be working on forever. I teach at a Julliard satellite school in my area. I also know amazing musicians that never had a lesson...but that wasn't and isn't me. I really enjoy your videos, they're fun, their great, they're thoughtful and you play your ass off. Thanks for this video though.... this one really makes a statement I couldn't agree with you more. Happy Holidays

I love your HONESTY. Not just in this video but regularly! It's so necessary!! People need to see Christians don't just have everything together like they act like they do.

Speaking facts!!!!!!!!

5 years of classical music school (ages 12-17) 9 years worship team (ages 19-28) I'll be 30 in 4 months. I really appreciate those years....

YOU BETTER PLAY. **Screams in jazz-church** Edit: As a music educator, I couldn't agree more with everything you're saying. I appreciate your transparency. Thank you for being who you are. There are many free resources out here, RU-vid being one of them. Not everyone can pay for lessons starting off, but the goal is repetition and habit. It's like a resolution. You can't give up when February hit. Growing takes time. (Also, teachers who were classically trained often show students how not to harm their body while playing. I only mentioned classically due to how in-depth my university teacher was. ) Also, I fall under the camp of classical lessons for a base for all genres. I love jazz, I play it professionally and I minister for church. However, getting back into classical lessons made my jazz theory stronger. Wishing all the best! Oh, and one more thing. Congrats on your album, I will be purchasing!

You have the most gospel jazz piano I heard, I hope you can make series about how you make gospel song jazzy

Mann, I really appreciate how human & practical you are on your advice to learning music. And your so on point with so many thing. None of that instant mess some people push. I’m a Bassest of 40 years now, and I’m still learning. thanks again for your honesty in encouraging people to use the right path we’re learning their craft.

So true, for some people private lessons and constant coaching or at least some pointers in the right directions are a must. Others can have more grit to do it themselves

I really don't see why a person would give a thumbs down to this video. What he is saying is truth.

He is so right. Only a very small percentage of people singers/musicians get to a higher caliber without a coach/teacher of some sort. Even those at the top of their game or those we consider the best of the best have a teacher/coach.

So true....investment in any craft is key!!!

I died "you heard that right there".. i knew he was stunting 😂

Preach Bro, my parents couldn’t afford lessons and I came up during a time when people didn’t want to show you anything nor let you watch them. I was blessed to have Rev. James Glover some elders show me a few basic things. As I got older I got many books on scale and chords. So young folks, take advantage of this great technology. I wished it was as advertised back in my day. Thanks Bro for this video✊🏿

Gospel truth... I've had it both ways on various instruments and trust me nothing beats a physical teacher as awesome as RU-vid is and all (I've learnt to play an instrument solely from RU-vid) its just so much easier asking a person how to do something than searching and searching for a particular thing, trying to phrase your question to a machine called the internet for it to understand

Amen and there is no problem with you giving us a free RU-vid lesson.

Absolutely, lessons are very beneficial. It always helps to have a solid foundation in what every you do! Oh Shawndo!

I love your spirit. I watch all of your videos. God bless you.

You are a blessing, sir...

You Gotta Be willing to Invest in your self that’s a grip Rite there

This is a great video! Everyone need to watch this!

Yo fam! I just clicked on your thumbnail because I liked the title. I'm a pseudo musician, not piano though, even though I own about three different keyboards including a daw workstation. I just use it to flesh out ideas and to better understand harmonies. I play guitar and bass. I've always marveled at the ability of some musicians to multi task doing two or three totally different things at once, especially piano players. I just have to say I appreciate you keeping it real. I could probably use some guitar lessons myself and quit trying to learn it all on my own. Good advise. Even better advice is to find a GOOD teacher. I've always said anyone can instruct but only the truly gifted can teach. I believe a true teacher will find your level of understanding and meet you there. Everyone processes information in their own unique way. Anyway, I appreciate your candor and your humor, you had me rollin. Keep droppin that science fam.

Excellent advice kind sir!

Kevon really good speaking about Piano LESSON

I started the same way as you, age 6. At 60, I find it goes back to knowing (without hesitation), scales and chord progressions. I 'know' my blues scales, but had no fluemcy. Now working on speed. I could play 2-5-1, now drilling them for proficiency. I'm finally feel I'm getting somewhere!!!

I agree brother. I took lessons in both guitar and piano and it does make a difference because through humility there's always someone better who can, through quality critique make u better. I was doing guitar lesson but had to stop due to the Covid 19 virus. I been focusing more on piano and using you tube and yousician to help me through practice. I hadn't taken piano lessons in about 6 years but I still remembered the basics. Taking lessons is so much better if u can. Hey brother thanks for these videos. I want to learn from you and get to that next level.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 ya preaching ya preaching!! Good advice. Invest in YOURSELF...IF you reallly want it.

My sister and my grandmother play by ear.....what a blessing....for some reason it comes and goes with me. I have to get lessons. I wish you could give virtual lessons.

A music teacher and a motivational speaker all in one person. Brother you are truly anointed.

"Everybody that can play is not necessarily good teachers" very true. I grew up playing keyboard in church and people always ask me to teach them how to play. They even offer to pay me. My reply is always "I would love to teach you BUT I don't know how 🤷🏾‍♂️".

I agree there’s nothing wrong with getting lessons. You have to start somewhere. Having someone who is a versed player/teacher show you only helps you.

SO GOOD! So true! I'm gonna share this with my peeps ...btw, your playing is amazing Kevon

Good advice, but you’re funny at the same time lol 😂

I just canceled my piano lessons, because my teacher kept wanting early payments and she said they would be late if I didn’t pay it by that time. 😕 I hope I’ll find somebody else soon. Until then RU-vid is going to be my teacher

3:17,,ohhhh,,lol encouraging message

That was excellent advice. Thanks for informing musicians that though they are gifted that it doesn't make you any less of a musician for taking lessons if only too hone their skills

This just blessed me. Thank you sir!

Thank you brother for your advice... 😊

Thank God for you and your gift. 🌝 God has you on this platform for a reason. Yes we get some laughter, but the message is key. Bless you. ☺️ more your speed leave that whistling for the other fellow. 😂🤣😂🤣

Kevon what I can see in your heart is that thing called LOVE💓

Great advice

Love!!!

Thanks Kev.. I am a guitarist and I follow lessons still on RU-vid. That track at the end though.. I felt that

Kevon i love how you play basically piano chord Awesome progression

I was lucky to have a dad that could play so I learned my basics from my father, but the more advanced I started learning on my own.

Word! Word!! Words!!! Deep words from pastor kevon Carter hallelujah 🙌🙌

I can basically play whatever anyone shows me but what I want to master is when and why to play those fills, scales, passing chords. "Feel"

Very Sound Advice!!! Awesome

You're a hero!

Brutally Honest and straight to the point I love it!!! I knew a phenomenal bass player but when it came to teaching me how to play it was a different story as you said "everyone is not a teacher". Thanks again and Happy New Year!!

Kevon and them shouts.."heyyyy" 😂😂😂 Love you bro. Well done!

Thank you, well said!

Kevon.... You Re so funny.. But man... I really love everything you said... Straight to the point

So true! Love you from Israel ❤️

So true ..I have been telling that so many kids who want to learn ..

Always start practicing on songs that you already know the words and melodies too! And learn how to play songs in the original key, that will get you familiar with different keys! And don't just listen to songs but listen to the bass, listen to the drums, and see if you can play those licks whether it's guitar or piano, Most songs repeat the same pattern or progression over and over, so learn those common progressions then apply them to songs, take for instance the song clean up what I messed up, it's the 16251 progression over and over, the more you practice that song you will hear that progression in many other songs

Amen!! Learned something off of that. Thank God I got the gift of music to where I teach my self easily and pick it up but your preaching her ‼️ can’t lie.

He’s so right about taking lessons. Playing keyboards is hard! Lots of notes at the same time, and they all have to be right

It's hard to take you seriously... you speaking facts only man😎😎

Amen brother! Say THAT a million more times. Thank you for all of your videos, but definitely this one. Anything that's worth doing is worth doing well especially if you are doing it for God. Invest in the gift that God has placed in you regardless of what it is. Be blessed!

I couldn't agree more. Thanks for putting this out!

"Hey! Come on! I feel this!" ( quickening). My husband and I (both musicians) LOVE to watch this man's videos. He has the oil and the laughter. INCREDIBLE.

I agree! I invest in my gift. We need to perfect what God has gifted us to do. We must grow!

Yes Kevon! I remember u being our young organist at St. James AME church!

“You gotta be willing to invest in yourself.” 💯

Totally relate. I play for my school choir by reading music but I started playing for my church having to play by ear. I taught myself how to read music in 8th grade and just started lessons. Even I’m reading music in my lesson, learning my scales, and my chords help me a LOT to play for my church.

I literally just got out of bed and went back to practice. I’ll be calling my instructor in the am

Thank you for sharing this bro I appreciate it

Honestly I been telling people for years, it’s not that many prodigies in the world and even some of the best of them still took lessons. You won’t find a NBA player or NFL player who just came to team practices and games make it for they had coaches, mentors, and most importantly Trainers to overlook their progress, guide them and advise them on how to be better. 2020 let’s make it a year of not being prideful or ashamed to receive some help, I know I do!!!!!!

That was a great short talk ..surely I will try that.

I took lessons at the local college. Pretty cheap. Different teaches and different styles each semester, but ALL classical. Currently I take classical lessons twice a month and I have learned SOOO much. Yes, I already have been playing gospel at church for several years, choir director etc. But I also have had to opportunity to play at Catholic, multi-cultural, country and Christian rock style churches. It’s NOT the same BUT taking lessons and understanding music and some theory definitely helps me to be more versatile. Still praying for that super on my natural though 🙏🏾😊

I’m learning from RU-vid. Private Lessons don’t fit in my budget lol.

Thanks for the advice, keep doing great things!

Love the inspirational talk on getting a teacher .. Kevon has laid d difference ...gotcha💪

Hear and Play is my teacher. Love the videos and courses. Try it I tell you it helps.