4 Chords + 1 Hand Position = Great Piano Improv

Рет қаралды 7,396

Күн бұрын

One of the best ways to get into piano improvisation is with a simple four-chord exercise, so that's what we're looking at today. The slight twist is that we're going to do it in a "difficult" key - D flat major - though, as we'll see, it's not really that difficult at all. In the tutorial I go through the basic chord progression, the single hand position we'll be using in the right, and explore some of the rhythmic, harmonic and melodic techniques you can use to create a great-sounding improv.
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00:00 The improvisation
01:25 The chord progression
02:41 The basic improv principles at work
03:23 Sustain pedal
04:33 Right hand anticipation
05:49 Adding interest to the chords
06:42 Managing the dynamics
07:34 Left hand patterns and rhythms
07:58 Effective chord voicing/spacing
09:11 Relationship between the two hands
10:06 Getting started if you're new
11:08 Try asking yourself questions
12:10 Do more by doing less

Пікірлер: 31

@BillHilton 5 ай бұрын

👉Improve your piano skills with my great value Piano Packs and 3 Ebook Bundle deal: www.billspianopages.com/piano... www.billspianopages.com/bundle 👉Join my Patreon community - we're a very friendly bunch of piano learners! www.patreon.com/billhilton 👉My gear (in association with Sweetwater.com) Nord Piano. Latest model is the Nord Piano 5: sweetwater.sjv.io/Gm3RNn Rode NT-USB microphone: sweetwater.sjv.io/AWXR6a Sony DCZV1/B digital camera: sweetwater.sjv.io/3erm1n (Disclosure: I receive commission from Sweetwater if you click through and buy these or any other products from their website.)

@Jorge-qk7zj 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Bill, I love the way you teach. this improv is another hit. Congratulations and thanks

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

You're welcome, Jorge - glad you liked it!

@NotAnInterestingPerson 9 ай бұрын

I learned to play with a full-size MIDI controller under my desk. I never pulled the drawer out to look at it, so Db quickly became my "home key" for improvising since it's so much easier to move around the keys by feel (versus, say, C, which seems easier at first but is WAY harder when you don't look at the keys).

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

That's really interesting, especially because it ties in with the fact that many self taught pianista play almost exclusively by ear seem to prefer the black keys - if I remember correctly, Irving Berlin was like that, and even had a special piano made that would transpose his playing (which was always in F#...) into other keys. I guess the more distinctive pattern of the black keys (both to look at and touch) makes it easier to make sense of the keyboard in a more intuitive way?

@NotAnInterestingPerson 9 ай бұрын

@@BillHilton That's what it feels like to me (kinesthetically): more landmarks.

@FadhilAsyrafi 9 ай бұрын

This is my most favourite type of video from your channel. You simply show us "your own" song / arrangement, then explain or let us analyse the process of how your song gets performed / created. It is both enlightening and inspiring, for me. The main reason I want to play a piano is to directly perform songs I like (which usually not popular, you can't find the chords on Google). So if a piano tutorial is too theoretical (like how chords are being named, or even circle of fifth), I get confused. If the tutorial is about basic practice we already know (like scales, or arpeggios), I get bored. If the tutorial is about performing popular Top 40 songs (like Adele or Ed Sheeran songs), it is actually not confusing and not boring, but sometimes I hate the song instead and lose intetest. This is the kind of content that I can truly, truly appreciate!

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

That is very useful to know, Fadhil, thanks very much! I know for many people, this is the most useful kind of tutorial - but it's not easy to get traction with the KZfaq recommendation algorithm with this kind of thing. I know there’s an appreciative audience out there, though, so I plan to keep making them!

@joycegolden1980 9 ай бұрын

Can’t wait to try this!❤ thank you it was short and informative!

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

You're welcome, Joyce - glad you liked it!

@patriciaann6380 9 ай бұрын

Another gem Bill , thank you 😊 . Enjoy your weekend !

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

Thank you, Patricia!

@GregHarradineComposer 9 ай бұрын

Very helpful video Bill, will show this to some of my students. Love playing around in the key of D flat major!

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Greg! Yep, one of the problems I'm aware of is that I often demonstrate things in C, F, A minor... all the usual suspects. So every now and then I try to get away from that. I did a tutorial on a 1564 improv in B a few months back, and that went down well, so I thought I'd try this...

@billhasty5197 9 ай бұрын

Great Lesson. Thanks Bill.

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

You’re welcome, Bill!

@sunnyhawk Ай бұрын

Great to review this video again as I work to advance my comping skills. :)

@Pilotlon46 9 ай бұрын

Two thumbs (and 8 other fingers) up on this one, Bill. 🤲

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Lon!

@eugenegd2112 8 ай бұрын

You are a wonderful person! Take care you and your family

@BillHilton 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, Eugene - much appreciated!

@user-ty5sk4cb5l 9 ай бұрын

I really like it

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@martingerken7094 9 ай бұрын

Great explanation about "muddy" sounds, that was a reveal!

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it, Martin!

@chribra 9 ай бұрын

Great videos, I've been very motivated by them to the point that I'm thinking of buying a digital piano. I'm not an absolute beginner but haven't played for years. What would you recommend?

@BillHilton 9 ай бұрын

That's great to hear - thanks very much indeed! In terms of pianos, anything by Roland or Yamaha will be reliable and value for money. For home digital pianos I really like the Roland FP series and the Yamaha DGX series - make sure they come with at least a sustain pedal and ideally a full pedal unit. and something to stand them on (ideally a proper frame, but a strong X stand will do to start with). It's always worth having a look on eBay, because often you can get very cheap ones that haven't been played loads. If you're looking at other brands, remember to go for things that call themselves "digital pianos" rather than "keyboards", and which have weighted, touch-sensitive keys (and the aforementioned pedals...). Let me know how you get on a shout if you have any questions/need any help!