Welcome to the Play Smarter piano lesson series with Miss Brenda! This four-part video set is designed for young pianists and beginner musicians who are ready to build their confidence with chords and real pop songs. In this mini-series, we’ll use colorful tools, simple techniques, and one catchy Taylor Swift song to make learning piano fun and achievable!
Each video includes visual aids like a color-coded keyboard and chord chart, plus Brenda’s proven teaching method to help students not just play, but play smarter. Parents — feel free to follow along too!
Use the thumbnails below to jump to each video, and don’t forget to download your matching resources if you’re part of our Music and Me Academy.
Chord Chart for “Our Song” by Taylor Swift
📌 If you’re located near Stockton, Missouri and would love in-person music lessons for your child, Miss Brenda is currently accepting new students. Contact info is at the bottom of the page!
Click here to watch the first episode.
Welcome to the first lesson in the Play Smarter series! In this video, Brenda introduces you to two essential tools for beginners: the color-coded keyboard chart and the guitar chord chart adapted for piano chords. You’ll see how the notes are color-coded on both charts to help you quickly recognize and connect the sounds and shapes of chords on the piano.
In this Play Smarter lesson, Miss Brenda teaches you how to build your piano chords from the ground up, play them with confidence using a tried-and-true method, and switch smoothly between chords in a progression. Whether you’re just starting or reviewing, this method is simple, effective, and fun!
- Build major chords using the keyboard chart
- Practice a consistent hand shape for playing chords
- Learn smooth chord transitions using a progression
It’s time to Play Smarter and put our practice into action! In this lesson, Miss Brenda guides you through a fun play-along of “Our Song” by Taylor Swift. You’ve learned how to build and switch chords — now let’s use that skill in real music!
- Review the chords used in “Our Song”
- Practice smooth transitions with the progression
- Play along and build confidence with a popular tune
Ready to level up? In this Play Smarter lesson, Miss Brenda shows you how to add your left hand to “Our Song” by Taylor Swift! We’ll walk through how to make your left hand just as active and confident as your right, so your playing sounds full and fabulous.
- Learn simple patterns to use in the left hand
- Coordinate both hands while staying in rhythm
- Practice with real music and feel the progress!
Thanks for learning with us in the Play Smarter series! We’ll be adding more songs and skill-building lessons soon — so be sure to subscribe to Miss Brenda’s YouTube channel and check back here for updates.
👉 Got questions, ideas, or a song you’d love to learn? Leave a comment or reach out — we love hearing from our families and students!
Let’s keep making a joyful noise!
Music and Me Academy 
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