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irocku / March 31, 2020

IROCKU Piano Tip – Improvisation Techniques

This week's IROCKU Piano Tip covers techniques and ideas on how to improvise over a simple chord progression. The techniques discussed in this video include shifting finger patterns within a mode, intervals and octaves, using your thumb and your pinky as your home base to add color to a phrase, and the 'call and response' approach to improvisation. Levels: Intermediate-Advanced. IROCKU Piano Tips cover piano techniques and fundamentals, improvisation, rhythm and groove, progressions, rhythm patterns, piano accompaniment, music theory and riffs. Click here for more: IROCKU Piano Tips Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join …

irocku / March 20, 2020

IROCKU Featured Lesson- “Tipitina” by Professor Longhair

This week's lesson is one of New Orlean's most iconic songs, "Tipitina” by Professor Longhair. "Tipitina" piano lesson “Tipitina” is a simple 8-bar blues progression but it highlights three elements that uniquely define New Orleans piano style. The left-hand pattern uses a traditional syncopated blues, boogie woogie New Orleans bass line while the right hand melody is a repeated pattern based on the New Orleans piano flourish that we commonly hear in Dr. John, Fats Domino, and Huey Piano Smith’s melodies. The New Orleans style is rounded out with a turn-around and ending that is distinctly different than the go to turn-around that every blues performer plays. Our Lesson addresses all three of these New Orleans piano elements with the Improvisation driving home the New Orleans …

irocku / March 11, 2020

Allman Brothers (aka “The Brothers”) Madison Square Garden 3/10/20

"The Brothers" tribute concert to honor 50 years of Allman Brothers music was a true homage to the band's history. For those of us who had the pleasure of joining the band members before the show, the most asked question was "who are going to be the special guests". There were no special guests. And none were needed. With guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks out in front; Allman Brothers original member Jaimoe on drums along with Marc Quinones of Widespread Panic and Duane Trucks; Oteil Burbridge on bass; and with pre-Allman band member Reese Wynans on organ and Chuck Leavell on keys, the only person who could have added any more talent to the lineup would have been Dickey Betts. Given the unease and fear of the corona virus, the "The Brothers" played to a sold-out Madison …

irocku / March 3, 2020

Allman Brothers 50th Anniversary and Tribute Show

On March 10, former members of the Allman Brothers Band will be reuniting at New York’s Madison Garden to pay tribute to their lost brothers and to celebrate 50 years of ABB music. Brothers lost from the original lineup are- guitarist Duane Allman, keyboardist and vocals Gregg Allman, drummer Butch Trucks, bassist Berry Oakley, and brothers lost from subsequent lineups - bassists Lamar Williams and Allen Woody, and guitarist Dan Toler. The tribute band will include members from their most recent lineup - guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and original band member and drummer Jaimoe Johanson. They will be joined by pianist Chuck Leavell, drummer Duane Trucks, and organist Reese Wynans. The Allman Brothers played their first show in 1969 and played …

irocku / December 20, 2019

Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston – “O Holy Night”

Here's a musical treasure from Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston to help bring in the holiday. A moment of magic from two of America's greatest musical prodigies. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Chuck and the irocku team. Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …

irocku / December 18, 2019

Last Chance Before Christmas – 30% Off

Holiday Special 2019- 30% Off All Annual Memberships and Annual Membership Gift Certificates Holiday Special 30% Off Use coupon code: Holidays2019 Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Coupon is valid December 12-December 24,2019 …

irocku / December 10, 2019

A tale of two Capricorn Studios piano players

In the spirit of the Capricorn studio revival this month we are featuring two Capricorn recordings and the piano players behind these great recordings. "Jessica" was recorded at Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia and released in 1973. “Jessica” has proven to be one of Capricorn’s pivotal recordings. The piano solo on "Jessica" was performed by Chuck Leavell; a piano solo that pioneered improvisational rock piano. "Jessica" is this week's featured irocku piano lesson. Click below for the piano lesson and sheet music: "Jessica" piano lesson Here is another lesser known tune recorded at Capricorn Studios. “Shanty” was recorded by Jonathan Edwards in 1971 and released on Edwards’ debut album, Jonathan Edwards which included his gold record single, “Sunshine”, one of the Vietnam era’s …

irocku / October 15, 2019

A Rare Solo Show With Chuck Leavell

An Evening with Chuck Leavell Friday, December 13th, 2019 Mill Town Music Hall - Bremen Ga Time: 7:30 PM with the Randall Bramblett Band About Chuck: Chuck Leavell has been pleasing the ears of music fans for more than 40 years now. His piano and keyboard work has been heard on the works of Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, John Mayer, The Black Crowes, George Harrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Indigo Girls, Blues Traveler, Train, Montgomery-Gentry, Lee Ann Womack and many, many more. In addition to being a well established pianist/artist in the music industry, Leavell is also a published author, long time tree farmer, co-founder of the popular website The Mother Nature Network, and keeps busy with his advocacy work on behalf of the environment. At the age of 13, Chuck got …

irocku / October 9, 2019

Can You Learn to Play Piano Online?

Reprint from South Florida Reporter - Sep 10, 2019... In the 21st century, anything is possible thanks to the internet. In the past, learning a musical instrument used to require taking sit-down lessons with a trained professional. Now, individuals can conveniently teach themselves with online classes. Websites that provide people with resources such as live or pre-recorded video lessons are quickly growing in popularity. As a result, professional piano lessons are more accessible than ever. The appeal of such online learning sites is largely due in part to the flexibility that they offer. Unlike traditional sit-down lessons, these websites allow people to learn on their own time, wherever and whenever is most convenient for them. As online learning becomes more popular, …

irocku / August 17, 2019

Utterbuzz Interview: Chuck Leavell Discusses New Album, Live Dates, Upcoming Tour With Mike Mills

From Utterbuzz Interview: "Chuck Leavell has played keyboards and served as the musical director for The Rolling Stones since 1982, and is currently on tour with the Stones. He was a member of the Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, and has also toured and recorded with Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Gov’t Mule, John Mayer, and many more. On June 22nd he released his 7th solo album Chuck Gets Big, featuring rock and R&B classics such as “Route 66”, “Honky Tonk Woman”, “Statesboro Blues”, and others performed with a big band. Leavell found some time in between Stones shows to perform the material from his new album recently at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, and after the show Live For Live Music contributor Brennan Carleycaught up with Chuck to …

irocku / August 14, 2019

Rebroadcast-Chuck Leavell & His Big Band- Livestreamed on Relix

https://youtu.be/s-voqbHUrKo RELIX will be rebroadcasting the Chuck Leavell & His Big Band Concert from Gramercy Theatre in NYC on 8/15/19 @ 9:00 EST. Sign up. Click here to join the Livestream. Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …

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