Mason Blake
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey is one of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. The piano arrangement of the song is copyrighted by Journey and spans five octaves of the piano, with lyrics and performance instructions included. Playing this song on the piano can be challenging, especially the part after the main chorus. However, learning it can significantly improve one's piano-playing ability, as it requires practice and a solid understanding of hand coordination. The song's unique sound has sparked discussions among pianists and music enthusiasts, with some trying to emulate the style of pianist Jonathan Cain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Don't Stop Believin' |
| Artist | Journey |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Learning strategy | Practice each hand separately first, then together |
| Technique | Pedal on each chord change |
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What You'll Learn
Learning 'Don't Stop Believin'' on piano
Learning to play "Don't Stop Believin'' on the piano is a challenging but rewarding endeavour that will improve your piano-playing ability and make other songs that used to be challenging seem easy. It will, however, require a lot of work and practice.
A common mistake people make when trying to play a piece with both hands is not having each hand rock solid separately first. Always practice each hand separately first. Start with your left hand, as this is often the more challenging part, and you will have more energy, focus, and concentration at the beginning of your practice session. A useful strategy is 'chunking'—breaking up the piece into smaller and smaller sections, then gradually increasing the size of the 'chunks'. Focus on mastering one small section at a time before moving on to the next.
Another tip is to practice with a metronome to keep both hands on tempo. Pay particular attention to transitions between forte and piano, making them smooth and gradual rather than abrupt.
When it comes to pedalling, opinions vary. Some people recommend pedalling on each chord change, while others suggest pedalling for each note. Experiment with different pedalling techniques to find what sounds best to you.
Sheet music for "Don't Stop Believin'' is available online, displaying the musical notation across five octaves of the piano, along with lyrics and performance instructions.
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Sheet music for the song
Some pianists have commented that the song is difficult to play, particularly an instrumental section which they claim is "unpianistic" and difficult to play with the right hand. However, this may be due to the arrangement of the sheet music they are using. Pianists experiencing difficulty with certain arrangements may want to try alternative arrangements or rework the music themselves.
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Playing the dum-dum-dum part
Playing the piano part in Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'' can be challenging, but with practice and the right techniques, anyone can master it. Here are some tips to help you play the famous "dum-dum-dum" part:
First, let's talk about sheet music. Some people find that certain sections of the sheet music for "Don't Stop Believin'" are poorly written and difficult to play, especially bar 25. If you come across such sections, don't be discouraged. Consider reworking them or finding alternative arrangements that better suit your playing style and hand size. Online platforms like MuseScore can be a great resource for finding sheet music, but keep in mind that the quality of the arrangements may vary.
To play the "dum-dum-dum" part effectively, it's essential to maintain a consistent tempo throughout the song. This includes both the louder and quieter sections. Practice with a metronome to ensure that your hands stay in tempo, and work on making smooth transitions between forte and piano. Additionally, try playing along with the actual track to help you internalize the rhythm and match your playing speed with the band.
For the chorus, you'll be playing eighth notes with your left hand and chords with your right hand, hitting the first and the "and" of beat 2. Counting out loud or drawing lines on your sheet music can help you match up these notes accurately.
Finally, don't forget to utilize online resources and communities dedicated to piano playing. Websites like Pianote offer tutorials, practice-along features, and sheet music libraries to help you improve your skills and learn popular songs like "Don't Stop Believin'". By seeking guidance and feedback from experienced pianists and fellow learners, you'll be well on your way to mastering this iconic song.
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Learning the song hands together
Learning to play with both hands together can be challenging, but with practice and patience, it can be achieved. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you learn to play "Don't Stop Believin'" with both hands together on the piano.
Firstly, it is important to remember not to start with your right hand, even though it may seem easier. You want to begin with your left hand, tackling the more challenging part first while your energy, focus, and concentration are at their peak. The left-hand part is syncopated, rarely playing a note on the downbeat of a measure. Instead, it often has a note tied over from the previous measure.
The next step is to employ the concept of ""chunking." This involves breaking down the piece into smaller sections and gradually increasing the size of the "chunks." Start with your left hand, using the finger pattern 5, 5-4-3-1, and practice this slowly and perfectly four times. Then, move on to the next chunk and repeat until you have mastered all the sections. This strategy helps build muscle memory and ensures you learn the song accurately.
Once you have the left-hand part down, you can introduce your right hand. Hold out chords with your right hand while continuing to play the melody with your left hand. If this step is challenging, break it down into smaller chunks and repeat them until you feel comfortable. Remember, it is crucial to take your time and not rush through this process.
Finally, you can attempt to play the entire song with both hands together. This is where the "Added Note Strategy" comes in. Gradually add one note at a time to the right-hand pattern with the left hand until you are playing a complete section. Practice each chunk multiple times to reinforce muscle memory.
Remember, learning to play with both hands together takes time and practice. Don't be afraid to sleep on it and come back the next day to give your mind a rest and approach it with fresh eyes. With persistence and patience, you will eventually be able to play "Don't Stop Believin'" fluently with both hands together on the piano.
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The song's chorus
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey is a challenging song to play on the piano, but learning it will level up your piano-playing ability. The song is said to have one of the most iconic rock anthems of all time. It is played across five octaves of the piano.
The chorus of the song, "Don't Stop Believin', doesn't hit until the end of the song. The chorus is the most memorable part of a song and is often the part that gets stuck in people's heads. In "Don't Stop Believin'", the chorus is also the title of the song, which makes it even more catchy and memorable.
When playing the chorus on the piano, there is a dum-dum-dum part that can be tricky. Some people recommend pedalling on the B, while others suggest pedalling on the F# and then again on the B to get a clearer sound. It's important to practice with a metronome to keep both hands in tempo, especially during the quieter section, to make it a smooth transition from forte to piano.
Additionally, when trying to get both hands playing together, it's recommended to start with the left hand first and break the piece into smaller sections ("chunking"), gradually increasing the size of the "chunks". This helps build up the muscle memory and coordination needed to play the song smoothly.
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Frequently asked questions
"Don't Stop Believin" is a rock anthem by the band Journey. The song's chorus, "Don't Stop Believin," doesn't hit until the very end.
Learning to play "Don't Stop Believin'" on the piano can be challenging, but it will level up your piano-playing ability. It is recommended to practice hand separate first, starting with the left hand as it is harder than the right hand. A strategy called chunking can be used, which involves breaking the piece into smaller sections and gradually increasing the size of the "chunks".
The "dum-dum-dum" part in "Don't Stop Believin'" refers to the instrumental after the main chorus. Some pianists recommend pedalling on the B, while others suggest pedalling on F# and then again on B to achieve a clearer sound.
It is important to practice with a metronome to keep both hands in tempo. Additionally, focus on transitioning smoothly from forte to piano.
