Play Piano Like It's The Wild West: A Stride Piano Tutorial

TABLE OF CONTENTS
0:00 Demonstration
0:16 Introduction
1:10 Learning the piece
9:04 Some theory
Stride Piano was a natural outgrowth out of Ragtime, and its unique sound is immediately recognizable: A swing feel, coupled with an alternating bass-chord "stride" motion in the left hand. In this lesson I will teach you how to play a short stride piano piece, and then we'll talk a little bit about its underlying theory and how to make it your own. This tutorial is great for intermediate pianists.

[@cirkmannzirkel8229]

Thanks! Maybe you can make an add-on with a bit deeper insights into the cadences used in the piece (I just noticed the 2-5-1, but there's certainly more to it), the chords used in the right hand and the approach patterns - that'd turn it more into understanding the piece rather than just memorizing it.

[@513BRAM]

I've been watching and subscribed since before covid. Your tutorials have helped me so much on my musical journey. The enormous range from beginner basics to advanced chord voicings, rhythmic ideas, jazz, and classical has enabled me to play regular gigs in multiple styles. I am so very grateful to you and the knowledge you share. The way in which you teach is so accessible and stress free. Thank you for the gift of piano. I wouldn't be here without your tutelage and calm demeanor. The joy I've found playing and learning changed my life. Cheers, and thank you again... it's important work you do.

[@MangoldProject]

Thanks. It is the thankful replies like yours that keep me posting. Much luck in your continuing musical journey!

[@thesaint7380]

perfectly explained, as always, thank you so much !

[@fabiancosster2992]

This is a very good lesson thank you very much😊

[@cecilkelley7565]

Great!

[@billhasty5197]

Pure Platinum, MangoldProject does it again. Thank You.

[@MangoldProject]

You mean pure Plutonium! :)

[@billhasty5197]

@@MangoldProject Well I guess we could go with that. You are the BOMB.

[@withoutword2888]

It'd be great if there's analysis and tutorial about Japanese jazz fusion style like Casiopea.

[@TobiasRieper-jx9lq]

Yes

[@MangoldProject]

I never heard about these guys before but I'm listening to them now and quite dig them, so expect a lesson sometime in June hopefully!

[@withoutword2888]

@MangoldProject Oh god, I never expect this. Your videos are rly informative, I appreciate it!

[@user-cp2wo9dv8z]

Buen ritmo, me gusta

[@MangoldProject]

Gracias mi amigo

[@robertjenkins2578]

I hope my comment will be useful. I have always loved the stride style, even as a young boy. But I didn’t know what to call it. It was the joyful bounce and “round” full chords (not much dissonance) that I loved. I came to the Starlight Waltz (John Thompson book 2). I thought: finally, something I love to play. But that was the end of stride until a popular piece came out much later called Alley Cat. I got the sheet music and myself to play it.
As you point out, the style is very adaptable to many styles of music.
I can really, really use this video because the first part is within my reach. And I will enjoy learning it. It may be different for students who are more attracted to modern jazz and improv; the latter part of the video is probably more useful to them ( and probably beyond my reach as a player).
I hope you, in future videos, find a way to build in some old time saloon style stride as a stepping stone toward your more sophisticated styles. Thanks.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I'm also using the John Thompson Book (in French). I made lots of progress using it, I love the method.
I've gone back to book 1 several times, using it as a sightreading guide but also just making sure I've got the basics down.

[@opale1572]

👍👏

[@arthurbrands6935]

Thanks for this. It re.inds me of watching James Booker, the Bayou Maharaja, playing at the Maple Leaf, wondering where he grew
that third hand from.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I'm using stride as I play my scales. Time to put it into music. Merci.

[@jonathanwingmusic]

I wouldn't necessarily play or write in stride myself (it's a bit old timey and quirky for my tastes), however I've been wanting to improve my left hand skills in the area of leaps - and it seems like practicing stride would be a great workout for the left hand the way it has so many octaves + leaps alternating very quickly. I'll give it a try!

[@MangoldProject]

I remember reading an interview by Harry Connick Jr. who said the left hand of most pianists he knows is super whimpy, and then proceeded to demonstrate his (very impressive) stride skills.