Hello, I am 74 years old and started playing the piano two months ago. I am on page 110 of Alfred’s Basic Adults Course. I do not have a teacher and have found these videos invaluable; I am sure they have saved me many hours of frustration. Thank you for all your work in producing these videos. Jim Smith.
Man, I had the hardest time wrapping my head around the melody of this. Usually, after just one or two run-throughs with just the right hand I can grasp what the melody is supposed to soundlike. This one took some work.
Understanding the unevenness of quarter notes for the blues is easier to grasp if you listen to the blues. I have always loved the blues. Listen to some of the old stuff for piano and acoustic guitar. Robert Johnson, etc. It will help you get that rhythm down. Kind of boppy.
Love the observations about not using thumbs on accidentals when not necessary and the clear fingering demonstration. I was sliding my finger from the F# to the G because I thought they were too close! Thanks! I actually didn't see until the second time through, in the 6th measure that the F natural is played with the 4th finger, so it actually changes there.
This video is a life saver! I've been following your advice to try to figure out all the rhythms myself before watching the videos, but I never would have figured this one (and some of the previous blue and jazz-style ones) out on my own. Thank you!! And a random, basic question: I notice myself holding my breath a lot when playing. Any advice on how to practice relaxing and breathing?
You are welcome. As for breathing, that has to be practiced also. Most people tend to hold their breath when playing. Try to make it a point to breath with the phrases when you can. If not, write in breath marks when you can to help you remember to breath there.
Hey mate, thank you for your video, they are all great. I have improved a lot thanks to you.... seeking for a piece of advice here: I really don't like this kind of music, do you still recommend it or can I just skip it until the next topic RH extended position?
Hello. Two question: 1) Do you ALWAYS "swing" the 8th notes when it's blues, unless otherwise is written? 2) If so, how do you know if a piece is "blues" to begin with? I understand that blues has a fixed 12-bar chord progression, but I mean other music may use that particular sequence of chords as well, no? Thank you for your work BTW, greatly appreciated.
Oh, sorry about the confusion. I mean when you start learning a piece, before playing with both hands, many teachers suggest just learning the treble part. Then the base. Then play 'hands together'.
@@petertowneya it's just a good way to learn, separate hands at first and join them together once you can play both individually, even if at a slow pace I'm guessing the melody is usually trickier and more memorable, but I don't think which hand you start learning with really matters
Hello, I am 74 years old and started playing the piano two months ago. I am on page 110 of Alfred’s Basic Adults Course. I do not have a teacher and have found these videos invaluable; I am sure they have saved me many hours of frustration. Thank you for all your work in producing these videos. Jim Smith.
You're welcome.
Way to go, Jim! I'm just starting, too, but at 56, but you have a head start on me!
Man, I had the hardest time wrapping my head around the melody of this. Usually, after just one or two run-throughs with just the right hand I can grasp what the melody is supposed to soundlike. This one took some work.
I gave up trying to figure out the melody as a whole, you really saved me lots of frustration.
Understanding the unevenness of quarter notes for the blues is easier to grasp if you listen to the blues. I have always loved the blues. Listen to some of the old stuff for piano and acoustic guitar. Robert Johnson, etc. It will help you get that rhythm down. Kind of boppy.
Thank you for the video!
You're welcome.
Thanks a lot sir, you really helped lot of people fiddling around in frustration
You are welcome.
Love the observations about not using thumbs on accidentals when not necessary and the clear fingering demonstration. I was sliding my finger from the F# to the G because I thought they were too close! Thanks! I actually didn't see until the second time through, in the 6th measure that the F natural is played with the 4th finger, so it actually changes there.
Glad it was helpful!
the uneven eights took most of my time.
This video is a life saver! I've been following your advice to try to figure out all the rhythms myself before watching the videos, but I never would have figured this one (and some of the previous blue and jazz-style ones) out on my own. Thank you!!
And a random, basic question: I notice myself holding my breath a lot when playing. Any advice on how to practice relaxing and breathing?
You are welcome. As for breathing, that has to be practiced also. Most people tend to hold their breath when playing. Try to make it a point to breath with the phrases when you can. If not, write in breath marks when you can to help you remember to breath there.
How do I know if the eight notes at the end of the phrase is, (bum/bumbum/bum) or (bum-bum-bumbum) I think you play it the second way.
The 8th notes are long-short.
Hey mate, thank you for your video, they are all great. I have improved a lot thanks to you.... seeking for a piece of advice here: I really don't like this kind of music, do you still recommend it or can I just skip it until the next topic RH extended position?
I is up to you. Try to get what lesson there might be in it and move on. Hopefully, you will be OK with most of the pieces.
Hello.
Two question:
1) Do you ALWAYS "swing" the 8th notes when it's blues, unless otherwise is written?
2) If so, how do you know if a piece is "blues" to begin with? I understand that blues has a fixed 12-bar chord progression, but I mean other music may use that particular sequence of chords as well, no?
Thank you for your work BTW, greatly appreciated.
Yes, it is the style of the music. If you are not sure, try it both ways and go with the one you like best.
Thank you for posting this video. Could you please tell me why you start practicing the piece in the treble instead of the base?
You are welcome. I don't understand your question. I practice it where the notes are in the music.
Oh, sorry about the confusion. I mean when you start learning a piece, before playing with both hands, many teachers suggest just learning the treble part. Then the base. Then play 'hands together'.
@@petertowneya it's just a good way to learn, separate hands at first and join them together once you can play both individually, even if at a slow pace
I'm guessing the melody is usually trickier and more memorable, but I don't think which hand you start learning with really matters
@@acidset Thanks man. I'm stuck in a happy place dividing my spare time between electric piano n' guitar.
Thanks. I bet the melody, key, and eightnotes were off putting for most.
You're welcome!
Thank you sir! Are you playing long- short-long-short for the eight notes as in the previous song (Got Those Blues)?
Yes, I use that style in all blues music.
I'm starting to run into a problem with your videos' playback. It goes in a few seconds and then just won't buffer.
This sounds like a connection problem. I've tested the videos out and they all play fine for me.