Taking a Chance On Love - improvised solo piano lesson. This is another midi file created some time ago that I have reconstructed as an instructional video. It was done after listening to the great pianist/conductor Andre Previn's version on his solo piano Album 'Andre Previn Plays Songs By Vernon Duke' - but is not a transcription - I just stole some of his basic ideas! (like the little repeating figure at bars 8 - 16, the abrupt key change at bar 26 and the 'Stop time'thing on the out chorus.) I have annotated it - experimenting with labelled arrows to more clearly define the music being referred to. The transcription was created from the piano solo using a computer program. Be careful taking too literally the note values if you are reading the transcription. A free-to-download better quality version of the video(that can be clearly read - and without the clipping that Youtube has seemed to add to the audio) is at www.bushgrafts.com A printable PDF version of the transcription is on my instructional DVD (details on the above website). Click on http to see the Youtube video in better quality
'Hymn To Freedom' - (Oscar Peterson) - jazz/gospel piano lesson. I have since found that there is a transcription of one of Oscar's versions. Those who are looking for a fairly simple one to play could perhaps play the first piano-only chorus of this. This was improvised from a basic leadsheet with chords and melody. This leadsheet, and a full printable transcription are on my DVD - for over 9 hours of video and over 140 transcriptions www.bushgrafts.com
This is the second video lesson I have done that is based on this tune. The other, in a different key, was an improvised accompaniment to jazz singer Michelle Benjamin - www.youtube.com I have used a number of different solo jazz piano techniques in recording this one. It was completely improvised from a basic leadsheet, and the notation derived from the midi file that I recorded along with the audio. This video is also available for free download at www.bushgrafts.com The transcription is on my DVD - details are on my website.
Nardis - jazz piano lesson. This tune (attributed to Miles Davis - though he apparently never recorded it) has been played by quite a few jazz pianists - notably Bill Evans. There are several excellent versions on youtube - try the version by 7notemode - www.youtube.com This I did some time ago as a midi file - and using computer software was able to transform it into a video lesson with piano and notation views, as well as some annotations. The printable transcription is on my DVD - www ...
Part six (encore and finale) of my classical piano concert at sea. This is an improvised encore written in the time and key signatures given by audience members.
This is one of Dave Brubeck's most beautiful compositions - from the best selling 'Time Out' album. It is quite unusual in form. One feature of the original is the sparkling arpeggios that Brubeck plays up the piano - while I have not copied exactly the notes played by Brubeck, I have shown a few different options in creating these (relatively) easy to play, but impressive sweeping arpeggios. See 2:42, 3:38, 5:44 for some examples. There is a free to download copy on my website at www ...
If you can manage HD mode, try this in full screen mode - it is very clear!. Most of my instructional videos have been either solo piano, or videos using my own backing tracks. This is a little different as I use a computer generated bass and drum track - one produced by PgMusic's amazing 'Real Tracks' feature. The backing on this track was created in Pg music's great program 'Band in a Box' using their 'Real Tracks' feature.(www.pgmusic.com). I simply typed the chords in, pushed record, and ...