This week's IROCKU Piano Tip looks at coloring chords with notes outside of a chord's primary chord tones; in this video tip we look at adding the second(i.e. add 2), the fourth(i.e. add 4), and the sixth degrees of the associated scale. We show practice techniques moving from the Major Triad, to the Add 2, to the add 4, and back to the Major. Adding suspensions to major triads is a technique that introduces tension and release and is used throughout pop and rock piano playing to add additional texture to your playing. 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 …
Blog
IROCKU Piano Tip – Breathing and Phrasing
This week's IROCKU Piano Tip covers techniques and ideas on how to improve your soloing through phrasing. The techniques discussed in this video include using your own breathing to create phrases-soloing while exhaling and taking a break while inhaling, much like a horn player or vocalist must do. We also cover include adding periods and commas to your phrasing in the form of staccato notes and elongated notes; adding dynamics by playing louder and softer, and adding excitement to your solos with bursts of energetic riffs. 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 …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Piano Tip – Breathing and Phrasing
IROCKU Piano Tip – Using the Sustain Pedal
This week's IROCKU Piano Tip shows how to properly use the sustain pedal. In this video we show when it's appropriate to use the sustain pedal, when it's not appropriate to use it, and how to properly employ the pedal- pedaling on chord changes and avoiding the pedal when playing chromatically or while playing riffs and runs. We show techniques on how to sustain notes using finger techniques to minimize the use of the sustain pedal to get a cleaner sound. 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, …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Piano Tip – Using the Sustain Pedal
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 …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Piano Tip – Improvisation Techniques
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 …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Featured Lesson- “Tipitina” by Professor Longhair
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 …
[Read more...] about Allman Brothers (aka “The Brothers”) Madison Square Garden 3/10/20
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 …
[Read more...] about Allman Brothers 50th Anniversary and Tribute Show
Rare Nicky Hopkins video laying down tracks for “Sympathy for the Devil”
IROCKU’s featured lesson is “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones. Here is an incredibly rare clip of Nicky Hopkins recording the original piano track on “Sympathy for the Devil”. "Sympathy for the Devil" Piano Lesson Nicky Hopkins is hands-down one of the most influential pianists in rock history. He was the Thomas Edison of rock piano generating endless innovations in rock piano style and technique. The rhythm on “Sympathy for the Devil” is one of his most recognized and the original recording was remarkably captured in this 1968 video. This video provides a one minute window into rock history. Loop it until the rhythm is firmly ingrained in your mind. Hopkin’s rhythm is solid, strong, and driving yet his wrists are relaxed and bounce lightly on the keys while each finger …
[Read more...] about Rare Nicky Hopkins video laying down tracks for “Sympathy for the Devil”
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!!! …
[Read more...] about Aretha Franklin and Billy Preston – “O Holy Night”
This week’s piano lesson is “Joy Boogie” by Chuck Leavell.
Well it’s that time of year again and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an arrangement from the master himself, Chuck Leavell. “Joy Boogie” is a joyful and explosive boogie-woogie version of the traditional Christmas classic, “Joy to the World”. "Joy Boogie" Piano Lesson There are few people who can match Chuck’s musical chops but we’ve done our best to turn this joyous piano celebration into a lesson that can be enjoyed by everyone; beginners through our most advanced piano students. "Joy Boogie" is packed with many of Chuck's signature techniques. It’s got a killer walking eighth-note boogie-woogie bass line (influenced by Ian Stewart), moving through a scale diatonically while harmonizing each chord tone with the I chord and each passing tone with the IV or V, …
[Read more...] about This week’s piano lesson is “Joy Boogie” by Chuck Leavell.