Polyrhythm
Polyrhythm is when we have two or more rhythms existing simultaneously. The most commonly used polyrhythms are the “two on three” and “three on two”. Shown below are two examples of polyrhythms. Figure 1 Figure 2 In figure 1, the left hand is clearly playing the basic pulse of a 3/4 time. The right hand…
Swinging in sixteenth notes
Sixteenth notes are often neglected by many when improvising over a swing beat. Observe how pianist David Newton demonstrates the use of sixteenth notes in his solo, at 3m33s of this video. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxFIot-2s3U] The basic rhythm for a swing beat is as shown in diagram 1 below Diagram 1 Thus an improvised melody maybe played…
Video Tutorial of Robin Thicke’s “Lost without You” by Jermaine Giggs
I personally love the song by Robin Thicke, called “Lost without You”. It is simple, consist of only 4 seventh chords, and it is so groovy! Jermaine from Hear and Play explained how he dissected the song in this 33 minutes video. [HTML1]
Learn Bossa Nova, with Piano Transcription
Learn Basic Bossa Nova Comping Styles, with Piano Transcription of 7notemode on The Dolphin 7notemode did a wonderful youtube clip on this bossa nova tune, The Dolphin. Here is the piano transcription of the head: piano transcription of the dolphin by 7notemode (PDF) The basic bossa nova pattern looks something like this Of course…
Learn Stevie Wonder’s song Overjoyed
Transcription and Video of Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder, a very talented singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist, wrote this beautiful song titled “Overjoyed”. Here’s the video clip. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edxYCXaQLaw] And here’s the transcription of Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed in PDF format: Overjoyed-Stevie-Wonder-Transcription A simple song with some nice harmony and beautiful modulations. Do keep in mind…
Tension and Release Beat
Much has been discussed on Pianologist about the tension and release beat of a bar. This knowledge is crucial when it comes to applying Forward Motion Concept in jazz improvisation. Most music students have been taught to differentiate the strong and weak beat of a bar, but just to make sure no one is left out,…
Listen by Beyonce Knowles Transcription Transposed
Dreamgirls Listen by Beyonce Knowles – Solo Piano Video with Free Transcription / Sheet Music Transposed to C key
Broken Vow by Josh Groban, Solo Piano Video and Free Sheet Music
Learn how to play solo piano version of Broken Vow by Josh Groban, with free sheet music in PDF, and video as guide
Learn how to play Harlem Nocturne by Alicia Keys
Learn how to play Harlem Nocturne piano intro by Alicia Keys, with video and transcription / sheet music