Kent, you get the Nobel prize in my book. I have played music, one way one the other for over fifty years, and these are the most crystal clear, inspiring, and humorous lessons I have ever had. I see by the huge number of comments on day one of this post, that we all feel the same way. We love you, Kent, keep Em coming.
ZigZag...You've just been awarded the top comment of the week! (or year for that matter). Can't tell you how much I appreciate the comment and how it's encouraging to me to keep motivated. Please write to me at kenthewitt@hotmail.com so I can tell you a personal story about your handle. Thanks!
Agree. I always come back to you Kent when I ever have a question or a doubt and you always have the answers. You are in my librairie since I started 3 years ago ,it was too advance at the beginning but everything makes sense today with your enormous details help . Thank you , your opposite :) NBG
Kent, I loved your story about Louis Armstrong! In the early 1960's I was Stage Manager on a Frank Sinatra Special. As Stage Manager one of my duties was to assign dressing rooms to the guests on the show, and I held the keys to all of the dressing rooms. We were doing a rehearsal with the band and Louis was there along with Frank and Nelson Riddle. As they ran through the music Louis was standing there with Frank who was holding the score in his hands and Louis was standing next to him, but with no trumpet. Louis turned to me and said, "Ron would you mind going up to my dressing room and getting me the mouthpiece out of my trumpet case?". Of course, I said, "Sure, Pops, whatever you need". My heart was pounding with excitement. He added, "You'll find a little compartment on the right side in the case. There will be two mouthpieces there. I need the bigger one". I ran across the stage and up the stairs to his dressing room and opened the door. The well-worn leather case lay on his bed. It must have been very old. It had the odor of smoky nightclubs and bars and bus rides and all the stuff that was part of this great musician's life. It was the keeper of the Holy Grail of Jazz. I was opening the Ark of music. As I carefully unlatched the case, tears came to my eyes as I saw inside a row of carefully arranged handkerchiefs that partially concealed the sacred horn. The inside of the case was red velvet that showed the signs of wear and the little compartment was opened with a piece of ribbon attached to the door. Inside, the two mouthpieces lay side by side. I took the larger one carefully in my hand which was now touching the lips of this giant of Dixieland, and closed the top gently. I left the dressing room quickly, almost forgetting to secure the door as I was so overcome with emotion and ran down the stairs, wiping my arm across my face to get rid of the tears before I gave the mouthpiece to Louis. He took it gently from my fingers, as Frank looked on, and said, "Thanks, man! Thank you very much!" Nelson gave the downbeat and the orchestra began playing as Louis put the mouthpiece to his lips and played his first 4 bars without the horn, but through his mouthpiece. When it came time sing, Frank sang very softly, saving his voice for the show. It was a strange duet, done so quietly. I don't even remember the song, but that moment remains vivid in my mind.
At the beginning of the video, you mention how important it is to follow what inspires you and motivates you. Well I have to tell you that you and your videos inspire me immensely! You are an amazing teacher, and I'm so grateful that you choose to make these videos. Endless thanks to you!!!
Thank you! That's my reward....your words. Most difficult part is that I needed to take a few years off of my life to figure out my path. But your affirmation makes those wasted years worth it...so I hope you will find your inner truth and purpose.....and blessings!
Thank you Kent for taking the time to make this recordings and teach the different techniques that can be use to play the piano and sound better. I love your channel…. God bless you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Just marvelous. This "beginner series" is pure gold. I think your capabilities as a teacher for those of us who are teaching themselves at our own pace for our own enjoyment is "beyond category," as Ellington used to say.
Your words about finding your true calling are an inspiration. I'm staring down the barrel of 60 and haven't found mine yet, but I'm not giving up. I love your videos for the music...and for the wisdom. Thanks!
As a singer growing up with great stories from my parents, who were also singers, I just loved hearing about how you were so touched! Thank you for sharing. You should get a copy of the new Frank Sinatra biography book "In the Wee Hours" by his late-in-life "friend/companion/road manager, Tony O. It will bring tears too. See you in heaven.
Thanks Kent for leaving us with our mouths open to those of us who thought we played something on the piano. This is how a teacher teaches those of us who think we know something when in reality we know almost nothing. Signed: A beginner.😢😃
Kent ,thank you at last I got the off beat explained after hundreds of videos that couldn’t teach It the way you do as all your lessons. You are probably the best teacher on the planet. NBG
Mr. Kent Hewitt, you are a bad man and I do mean goooood. When you brake it down to where I understand it, you have done your job. All I need to do now is pratice your technique. Thanks for a great lesson and I will be checking out the rest of your videos. Peace
Thanks, Renan...I have to get to that! Coltrane was a big influence to me in the 60's and I played that song all the time. I've lost touch with it and my right hand stretch has been diminished by a hand problem, but I will try to do it...McCoy was The Man!
I love all your videos. Thank you soooo much for your clear explanation. Just watched "love me Tender " and that's what I'm trying to get better at with expanding the chords. Best to you. Corinne
man... you are like the zen dog. I was an accountant after my first degree... then i didnt like it much because I didnt get to use the creative side of me as much as I liked to. So i went back and studied math and then computer science which eventually got me back around into starting music later in my life. i know what you mean, do what you love and the rest will come.
Thanks so much, A B for the affirmation. I learned that concept from Arnold Patent, although I realized it first in my late 20's. So you have to find your truth within and your true purpose in life, and what make to enrichened and happy. so...swing loose, brother!
Omg so inspired I wish I could play that stride, maybe… I have small hands and those big spread 1-7th-3rd voicings in LH, phew! Love, love this Satin Doll, Kent, thank you!
For the past few years I've had no grasp of piano theory, instead opting to play in a pure improvisational and intuitive manner. Your piano tutorials and lessons have allowed me to understand the piano in a way I never have before, it's really transformed the way I play. Thank you Kent!
Kent, you are a deep and amazing musician to teach with passion and humor as you do. For me personally, just retired from 9 to 5 and putting 2 amazing sons thru college... and wanting to accompany myself (singing the greatest jazz standards I grew up hearing from my parents records!), you have provided clear access to those beautiful chords I would hear a talented pianist play, while lost in performing/singing the story-lyrics as written by Gershwin, Ellington, et al. I'm a sponge - as Bill Evans said in one of his interviews - Maybe my "bucket list" dream can still come true. God bless you my friend. Vivien.
Hi Kent this is video is really amazing and very fruitful for me because I asked you a question about chord voicing, shells in particular, and you've referred me to this site and I'm particularly grateful for that, this has just opened my eyes as a non-pianist and I think that that you making me fall in love with piano, your teaching is so wonderful and magical. Now I can see the light from the darkness i had about the piano...man you are one of the greatest teachers I've ever had in music. Thanks.
Wonderful comment, Andile and very encouraging to me. to keep going. Please continue watching by checking out my playlists: ua-cam.com/users/KentHewittpiano88playlists?view_as=subscriber
@@KentHewittpiano88 Wow, I just couldn't believe it, you are so kind to record so many instruction videos for free. But I understand your heart and where you are coming from. Blessings, and prosperous New Year. Thanks.
I think your story led you here. To one day give back to all of us learning from you. Learning Jazz, learning piano. Learning Musicality. Good thing you followed what you knew was your purpose and truth. Or else we might of never benefited from your knowledge. 🙏🏼
That's exactly what I was saying. So maybe it's devine providence, or a super-natural force, or destiny, or God. Whatever it is, always try to the truth with.
Thanks! Richard. I have lots more personal anecdotes, but I don't want to come off like I'm too self- absorbed...so I might have to prompt the ADEM to tell the stories! I'm glad you told me that you like them ...that's encouraging me to tell more.
Hi Mr. Hewitt, Good day to you. I got an eye opener In this lesson when you began to explained your movement thru the major chord progressions of this piece, the idea of using these major and minor 7th chords, it clicked, the light bulb flashed !, it brought me back to your first video in this series Beginning Jazz lessons, when you were explaining how one must understand how the scales are constructed and the chords that are produced within each scale. I watch every video you put out, but I stay with the beginning ones for now because I want to make sure I get a full comprehension of each lesson not only in mind, but in my fingers as well, for me the two must match, if you know what I mean, what I perceive mentally and understand,I must also be able to preform physically without question, i.e. with my hands, then I move on, it's all about that discipline thing you spoke of. Thank you so much for todays lessons and please keep them coming. Take care and God Bless.P.S I dig the threads your wearing in this one. they truly fit the criteria, Cool Jazz. Player..
Keith, your explanation sounds like you have exactly the right approached to the process that internalizes the knowledge and skill. Thanks for telling me!
Kent - it’s a pleasure. I only started the piano recently but it’s great to have somebody to relate to who’s so passionate about jazz as I am ! Hopefully I’ll master the II-V-I soon enough !
Yours is the best overview I have found on learning jazz piano. I am new to piano, coming from playing guitar, and your videos are giving me the path to follow. Thanks!
Your videos are always fantastic and informative! As a player with next to no formal guidance in the basics i.e. LH voicings like you introduce here, this video is a godsend! Thank you for always taking the time to break up the exercises and explaining them thoroughly.
WOW this is simply AMAZING, got hipnotized by the ending.... ive just started watching your videos and learning jazz with you and just wanted to thank you for being the greatest teacher i've ever had. awesome work! :)
Kent, I had just added Satin Doll to my To Learn list when I got the notice about your video! Again, there is so much in your video to keep my going for a good long while. Thanks again for all you do!
Great lesson! Lots of good stuff and doable, now off to "We'll understand it better bye and bye" for later this morning, I have Monk doing it, gotta work on the words though...also incorporate some of these ideas, liked how it works so well on the stride, Thanks!
Wonderful. Great teaching. Millions thanks. I want to learn playing jazz for long long time and just don't know where to learn. I will start practicing, I hope I can follow. thank you thank you.
Thank you! Please check out all my easy videos to start with. You will find my categories on my channel page. Also I suggest you check out my special tips for UA-cam, showing how to slow down the videos and use rewind to review sections. ua-cam.com/video/Ad9jDd2Dwtc/v-deo.html Here's a link to the Easy Jazz Vids: ua-cam.com/play/PLFuMibnl_h5aTaUnQpBtsc6p1ZsLsxagq.html
Hello Kent! Your lessons are interesting and easy to follow. Thank you for your efforts - I love jazz piano and hope to play reasonably well soon! Your lessons are great help!
cool words man. thanks for your great piano skills and instruction, from an old student60 man but loving the piano all my life I have time to learn more now cheers..the good scotch tastes better though....
Please see my beginner improvisation videos for more help. Start with Easy Improvisation Exercise. It has 316,000 views, so it must be popular.ua-cam.com/play/PLFuMibnl_h5bA7Um3IZ38R1kelnoRTPYc.html
Thanks Kent, You're a treasure and very generous with the lessons and sheets. I will be purchasing The Book. To me it sounds like Dave Grusin uses the 1st inversion on his great album 'Homage to Duke' on this one.
Dave Grusin is a great pianist, producer , and arranger. Have you heard James Taylors Christmas album? It's one of our favorites and Grusin plays on it and did the arrangements.
Hi groovy cat, this lesson is exactly what I was looking for. I worked myself through your circle of 5th, block-chord, II-V-I and inversion-lessons and did a lot of drills...I mean really a lot during the last few weeks (months). I am able to play some melodies supporting the chords and do a little right hand improvising while playing different II-V-I progressions (I am not really good but I just do it). Recently I reached a point where I asked myself, what to do with it now and beyond that. Your new video for beginners gave the answer perfectly. Now I am practicing this little but fine piece of music with full block-chords and I like the idea of having a practical based exercise to learn further things from doing all these II-V-Is. It is a fantastic way to understand the theory even more. As you said, theory does not mean a lot without the practical side. Thank you so much for your efforts. Not only giving these free lessons but also the scores written out for us is simply amazing of you. My inner joy by making and understanding music more deeply is growing day by day. I am deeply thankful and wish you all the best and joy from the things you do.
I am happy that you are happy :) Yes, you are a great inspiration for me. I started out at (nearly) zero one year ago and I never thought I would come to that point I am now. I am really not very good but I understand things now better and I can play and arrange things I couldn´t before (I played keyboard in a band the late 90th but I never learned anything out of it - I just did the things I had to). It is still very hard to advance and sure it will be. The hardest thing is getting the jazz groove and off-beat swing into the fingers ... but it also is a very joyful and innerly satisfactory process. I guess it will take years till I can play Satin Doll like you do at the end of this video, but that is fine for me. ZEN told me patience and starting each day as a beginner. You encourage me to go on and I understand now that this process, maybe better said this way, will never end. I just walk on, thats all. Via your channel and the other "pupils" here I sense we are all connected somehow. I want to make a complimet. It is unusual refreshing that you are, having a history in music, so unpretentious and humorous. I think you really found your inner center and learned the important things what makes life appraisal (I hope I could express that with my limited English knowledge).
Greetings from Australia! Love the series! Has aided both myself in my jazz studies and my piano students. Keep it up. What brand/type of metronome are you using?
Hey! Thanks for a great lesson. You mentioned you took up music later in life? How old were you exactly? I'm interested because I'm 30 and I have only been playing music for a year. I feel like I have progressed fast but every time watch one of your videos I'm like "well I'm never going to be able to move my fingers like that!".
How much practicing do you do? If you keep at it you can catch up in 3-5 years -10 at most.....so you have plenty of time. I started playing piano as a kid, but not a profession until late 20's. Aptitude has a lot to do with it.
At least 3 hours a day of physical practice, maybe a 6 hour day once or twice a week. And then about 3 hours a day of theory study (mostly UA-cam). I'm very lucky to be able to do all that at my age. I worry if I'm wasting my time and I see a physiotherapist to make sure I'm not destroying my tendons! It was about 18 months ago that I learned where middle c is. Now I'm trying to get into minor II V I improv across keys. Thanks for the encouragement!
This is really very good. I only have to look at each tutorial 20 times and I Inch a touch more forward. My chum Dick Hyman say I only Need 10.000 hours bevore I can Play chopsticks with the correct fingering, Love it Kemt
Thank you Mr. Hewitt! You are one groovy cat! The bee's knees! Cats pajamas! I appreciate(love) all your lessons. I was wondering if you could help us with a Thelonious Monk tune. 'Round Midnight'. 'Blue Monk'. Thanks, again
Must agree with previous posters--there's always a valuable life lesson at the beginning. Great tutorial, and many thanks for being so generous with your knowledge and time! I believe you snuck some 'Barry Harris' in there for your final version, didn't you? (Do we need to post bail for ADE man? Haven't heard mention of him since he left for Newark.)
Max,...He went to the rodeo...he's conned some of the broncos into letting him ride them and go easy. I'm glad you heard the Barry Harris and I appreciate all that you said in your comment!
I'm doing satin doll as I text.. are those notes played in in swing.. isn't that a long and short sound but in a triplet feel.. also I can play the tune basically by ear ..ties and rest which should be the easiest are harder for me I think my hand should be something .. this seems a little impossible ..I tried metronome and it basically interpreted with my thinking process on these kind of songs.. so I'm using the left hand and I tried something new today I say rest and and hold. I've never done before.. as long as I say something my counting stays constant.. I sent you info earlier at your hot mail address. so now on first measure I say 1 and 2 and hold and 3 and four and...it seems that the word hold is not a crisp word like rest which say hands off. I am also playing the notes by ear every so often reinforcing the values..
Hi Kent. Great tutorials! i'm learning so much from you. I've been a pianist from a young age and jazz has always been a stlye i've wanted to learn and now, thanks to you i am able to do that. There's one thing that's confusing me in this tutorial which is your section on left hand II-V-I chords and adding the 2nds and thirds etc in the right hand. The thing that's throwing me is that you play the 1st and 3rd of a G7 in your left but then you hit an F and an A in your right. I get that the F is the Dominant 7th but the A is really throwing me off. Please forgive me if i have got his wrong as i'd hate to second guess your supirior talents it's just that i understand the logic behind all the other concepts except this one and it's really bugging me. Is the A purely for harmonic reasons?
I'm way too late to be useful but just in case anyone has the same questions, A in a G7 chord is the major 9th (which technically makes it a G9). It's not a necessary note but it helps to add some color and fill out the sonority.
Kent, you get the Nobel prize in my book. I have played music, one way one the other for over fifty years, and these are the most crystal clear, inspiring, and humorous lessons I have ever had. I see by the huge number of comments on day one of this post, that we all feel the same way. We love you, Kent, keep Em coming.
ZigZag...You've just been awarded the top comment of the week! (or year for that matter). Can't tell you how much I appreciate the comment and how it's encouraging to me to keep motivated. Please write to me at kenthewitt@hotmail.com so I can tell you a personal story about your handle. Thanks!
Hi Zigzag. I feel the same. I think we are all connected somehow, like e.g. some ZEN teachers said long before.
Kent just remember, I'm the one who first said you should get the Nobel Prize for music!
Agree. I always come back to you Kent when I ever have a question or a doubt
and you always have the answers. You are in my librairie since I started
3 years ago ,it was too advance at the beginning but everything makes sense
today with your enormous details help . Thank you , your opposite :) NBG
I just discovered Kent a couple of months ago as I was starting my adult beginner journey. He is the man. One of the best teachers I’ve had so far.
Kent, I loved your story about Louis Armstrong! In the early 1960's I was Stage Manager on a Frank Sinatra Special. As Stage Manager one of my duties was to assign dressing rooms to the guests on the show, and I held the keys to all of the dressing rooms. We were doing a rehearsal with the band and Louis was there along with Frank and Nelson Riddle.
As they ran through the music Louis was standing there with Frank who was holding the score in his hands and Louis was standing next to him, but with no trumpet.
Louis turned to me and said, "Ron would you mind going up to my dressing room and getting me the mouthpiece out of my trumpet case?".
Of course, I said, "Sure, Pops, whatever you need". My heart was pounding with excitement.
He added, "You'll find a little compartment on the right side in the case. There will be two mouthpieces there. I need the bigger one".
I ran across the stage and up the stairs to his dressing room and opened the door. The well-worn leather case lay on his bed. It must have been very old. It had the odor of smoky nightclubs and bars and bus rides and all the stuff that was part of this great musician's life. It was the keeper of the Holy Grail of Jazz. I was opening the Ark of music. As I carefully unlatched the case, tears came to my eyes as I saw inside a row of carefully arranged handkerchiefs that partially concealed the sacred horn. The inside of the case was red velvet that showed the signs of wear and the little compartment was opened with a piece of ribbon attached to the door.
Inside, the two mouthpieces lay side by side. I took the larger one carefully in my hand which was now touching the lips of this giant of Dixieland, and closed the top gently. I left the dressing room quickly, almost forgetting to secure the door as I was so overcome with emotion and ran down the stairs, wiping my arm across my face to get rid of the tears before I gave the mouthpiece to Louis. He took it gently from my fingers, as Frank looked on, and said, "Thanks, man! Thank you very much!"
Nelson gave the downbeat and the orchestra began playing as Louis put the mouthpiece to his lips and played his first 4 bars without the horn, but through his mouthpiece. When it came time sing, Frank sang very softly, saving his voice for the show. It was a strange duet, done so quietly. I don't even remember the song, but that moment remains vivid in my mind.
What a great story. You're a rich man to have that memory in your heart. Nobody can ever take that away from you.
I love how you explain every detail. Great storyteller!
Wow
At the beginning of the video, you mention how important it is to follow what inspires you and motivates you. Well I have to tell you that you and your videos inspire me immensely! You are an amazing teacher, and I'm so grateful that you choose to make these videos. Endless thanks to you!!!
Thank you! That's my reward....your words. Most difficult part is that I needed to take a few years off of my life to figure out my path. But your affirmation makes those wasted years worth it...so I hope you will find your inner truth and purpose.....and blessings!
Thank you Kent for taking the time to make this recordings and teach the different techniques that can be use to play the piano and sound better. I love your channel…. God bless you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
You are very welcome!
Just marvelous. This "beginner series" is pure gold. I think your capabilities as a teacher for those of us who are teaching themselves at our own pace for our own enjoyment is "beyond category," as Ellington used to say.
I like that phrase "Beyond Category"...some things are like that...thanks for the compliment and reference to the Duke.
Mr Hewitt you are an incredible teacher your lesson are so easy to understand that very few teachers have that talent. God bless you
Thank you, Alfredo, I appreciate your support and affirmation. Without that...I am nothing.
Your words about finding your true calling are an inspiration. I'm staring down the barrel of 60 and haven't found mine yet, but I'm not giving up. I love your videos for the music...and for the wisdom. Thanks!
That's a superior comment, and I appreciate you kind words very much!
As a singer growing up with great stories from my parents, who were also singers, I just loved hearing about how you were so touched! Thank you for sharing. You should get a copy of the new Frank Sinatra biography book "In the Wee Hours" by his late-in-life "friend/companion/road manager, Tony O. It will bring tears too.
See you in heaven.
Thanks Kent for leaving us with our mouths open to those of us who thought we played something on the piano. This is how a teacher teaches those of us who think we know something when in reality we know almost nothing. Signed: A beginner.😢😃
Thanks for reminding me about this video. My philosophy student friend always said "the more I know, the more I don't know".
Thanks a million Kent. It's just pure pleasure listening to you play.
Thank you, Carlos...your comment means a lot to me!
Kent ,thank you at last I got the off beat explained after hundreds of videos that couldn’t teach
It the way you do as all your lessons. You are probably the best teacher on the planet. NBG
Wow!...thanks for an awesome comment!!
Love your videos! Greetings from Colombia, South America
Thank you, Mao. I wish life wasn't so short...I'd love to have more time to travel.... and visit Columbia someday.
By far you are the most knowledgeable teacher I have ever seen. Your book also helps me so much. Much better than private lessons I have tried.
Thanks, Michelle, that's a great comment and affirmation for me!
That's the best comment I could ever receive, thanks and blessings, Michelle!
Mr. Kent Hewitt, you are a bad man and I do mean goooood. When you brake it down to where I understand it, you have done your job. All I need to do now is pratice your technique. Thanks for a great lesson and I will be checking out the rest of your videos. Peace
Cool, Roger. Please check out my playlists and categories. Thanks for the comment.
ua-cam.com/channels/dmjw5sm9Kn83TB_rA_QBCw.htmlplaylists
This is a high valuable master class for free - you are generous man Mr KH - thanks!
Thanks for the affirmation...you keep me going!
Great lesson. I would love to see you playing "My favorite things" .
Thanks, Renan...I have to get to that! Coltrane was a big influence to me in the 60's and I played that song all the time. I've lost touch with it and my right hand stretch has been diminished by a hand problem, but I will try to do it...McCoy was The Man!
came for jazz, but i also got a life lesson right off the bat. great video, you're an inspiration!
Thanks for telling me!
I'm always glad to see you in my feed.
I appreciate the comment!
I don't get why anyone would down vote this video. He's clear, concise, and very easy to follow!
Thanks for the vote of support!
I love all your videos. Thank you soooo much for your clear explanation. Just watched "love me Tender " and that's what I'm trying to get better at with expanding the chords. Best to you. Corinne
Today's performance was also very good. Thank you very much for entertaining me. From Japan.
Thank you for the compliment and encouragement!
Hey Kent! Such a delight to hear you play and also the incredibly clear explanation you give. Thanks for your generosity and good humour
Thanks so much for the great comment!
Hi Kent, can you do a comprehensive lesson on what possible changes can be made to the 2 5 1 progression, please? And show us some examples. Thank you
Thanks Kent for this one !a new pleasure !
Thanks for listening
man... you are like the zen dog. I was an accountant after my first degree... then i didnt like it much because I didnt get to use the creative side of me as much as I liked to. So i went back and studied math and then computer science which eventually got me back around into starting music later in my life.
i know what you mean, do what you love and the rest will come.
Thanks so much, A B for the affirmation. I learned that concept from Arnold Patent, although I realized it first in my late 20's. So you have to find your truth within and your true purpose in life, and what make to enrichened and happy. so...swing loose, brother!
Omg so inspired I wish I could play that stride, maybe… I have small hands and those big spread 1-7th-3rd voicings in LH, phew! Love, love this Satin Doll, Kent, thank you!
Go for it!
For the past few years I've had no grasp of piano theory, instead opting to play in a pure improvisational and intuitive manner. Your piano tutorials and lessons have allowed me to understand the piano in a way I never have before, it's really transformed the way I play. Thank you Kent!
Sammy, that's so kind of you to tell me...and it keeps me going, .... thanks to you!
Kent, you are a deep and amazing musician to teach with passion and humor as you do. For me personally, just retired from 9 to 5 and putting 2 amazing sons thru college... and wanting to accompany myself (singing the greatest jazz standards I grew up hearing from my parents records!), you have provided clear access to those beautiful chords I would hear a talented pianist play, while lost in performing/singing the story-lyrics as written by Gershwin, Ellington, et al. I'm a sponge - as Bill Evans said in one of his interviews - Maybe my "bucket list" dream can still come true. God bless you my friend. Vivien.
Hi Kent this is video is really amazing and very fruitful for me because I asked you a question about chord voicing, shells in particular, and you've referred me to this site and I'm particularly grateful for that, this has just opened my eyes as a non-pianist and I think that that you making me fall in love with piano, your teaching is so wonderful and magical. Now I can see the light from the darkness i had about the piano...man you are one of the greatest teachers I've ever had in music. Thanks.
Wonderful comment, Andile and very encouraging to me. to keep going. Please continue watching by checking out my playlists: ua-cam.com/users/KentHewittpiano88playlists?view_as=subscriber
@@KentHewittpiano88 Wow, I just couldn't believe it, you are so kind to record so many instruction videos for free. But I understand your heart and where you are coming from. Blessings, and prosperous New Year. Thanks.
I think your story led you here. To one day give back to all of us learning from you. Learning Jazz, learning piano. Learning Musicality. Good thing you followed what you knew was your purpose and truth. Or else we might of never benefited from your knowledge. 🙏🏼
That's exactly what I was saying. So maybe it's devine providence, or a super-natural force, or destiny, or God. Whatever it is, always try to the truth with.
Thank you Mr. Hewitt, two great lessons today! You always have funny anecdotes, such as the one with you with Chet Baker.
Thanks! Richard. I have lots more personal anecdotes, but I don't want to come off like I'm too self- absorbed...so I might have to prompt the ADEM to tell the stories! I'm glad you told me that you like them ...that's encouraging me to tell more.
Incredible step by step tutorial, this is the way to teach Kent, you are the best!
I'm happy you like my style and the feedback is very helpful. Thanks!
My dear Kent, you are a Genius!:)
I appreciate the compliment ...but I don't think so. But you are dear to me.
Yes Kent, you are genius. Wish i saw your video since i was a kid :(
Just subscribed, thanks for the great tutorial. love from Indonesia.
Hi Mr. Hewitt, Good day to you. I got an eye opener In this lesson when you began to explained your movement thru the major chord progressions of this piece, the idea of using these major and minor 7th chords, it clicked, the light bulb flashed !, it brought me back to your first video in this series Beginning Jazz lessons, when you were explaining how one must understand how the scales are constructed and the chords that are produced within each scale. I watch every video you put out, but I stay with the beginning ones for now because I want to make sure I get a full comprehension of each lesson not only in mind, but in my fingers as well, for me the two must match, if you know what I mean, what I perceive mentally and understand,I must also be able to preform physically without question, i.e. with my hands, then I move on, it's all about that discipline thing you spoke of. Thank you so much for todays lessons and please keep them coming. Take care and God Bless.P.S I dig the threads your wearing in this one. they truly fit the criteria, Cool Jazz. Player..
Keith, your explanation sounds like you have exactly the right approached to the process that internalizes the knowledge and skill. Thanks for telling me!
Totally enjoyable lesson! sounds fabulous and you make it look so easy! Will give it my all.
Thank you Kent!
Thank, Stella, I appreciate the comment and good luck. Keep listening.
Kent - it’s a pleasure. I only started the piano recently but it’s great to have somebody to relate to who’s so passionate about jazz as I am ! Hopefully I’ll master the II-V-I soon enough !
I'm sure you will...and I'm so glad you connected with me!
And what a left-hand skill...."chapau, monsieur Hewitt"!!!
Great lesson Kent, fabulous! You explain things so clear. I just love your style.
Thanks so much!!!
Yours is the best overview I have found on learning jazz piano. I am new to piano, coming from playing guitar, and your videos are giving me the path to follow. Thanks!
That's a great comment, Curtis. It's good to know I'm on track....thank you.
Your videos are always fantastic and informative! As a player with next to no formal guidance in the basics i.e. LH voicings like you introduce here, this video is a godsend! Thank you for always taking the time to break up the exercises and explaining them thoroughly.
I appreciate your thoughtful comment and it keeps me going!
That song has been one of my favorites since my early 20s. And now I can see a path to being able to play it. Huzzah!
Dan, you are a supreme cat!
Louis Armstrong: Sitting in the sun
"Yeah , sittin' in the sun
Counting my money
Happy as I can be"
Thanks for sharing this beautiful video
Satchmo...he's the man, thanks!
Lovely playing at the end, gotta transcribe it!
19:50
Many thanks!
Refreshing to hear reference to key principles in the opening. Great lesson too! Thanks again.
Thanks for both comments...very helpful to me!
I love your lessons, Kent!
Thanks for telling me!
Kent is a philosophical jazz machine!
Now all I need is some technical skills...thanks!
Wonderful lesson, as always. . Thanks a million.
Many thanks for the comment!
WOW this is simply AMAZING, got hipnotized by the ending.... ive just started watching your videos and learning jazz with you and just wanted to thank you for being the greatest teacher i've ever had. awesome work! :)
Thanks for the great comment and compliment. I appreciate your watching and writing to me...keeps me going!
Thank you, Kent. You're a great educater and jazz pianist. Love the quotes and the suit!
Great comment, Greg ...particularly because you like the quotes and suit!
Excellent! Muchas gracias! 👍🏼
Kent, I had just added Satin Doll to my To Learn list when I got the notice about your video! Again, there is so much in your video to keep my going for a good long while. Thanks again for all you do!
I appreciate your comment and support, Jim!
Thanks for your perspectives on all!
Great lesson! Lots of good stuff and doable, now off to "We'll understand it better bye and bye" for later this morning, I have Monk doing it, gotta work on the words though...also incorporate some of these ideas, liked how it works so well on the stride, Thanks!
Great comment and helpful to me!
Very exciting and interesting!!:D)Thank you for sharing,Kent!!Happy new week!~~Macky:)
Thanks, Macky, it's good to hear from you again! All my best wishes!
this beginner tutorial is exactly what i need. Thanks for keeping this tutorial for us. i'll always looking forward your next video !
Thanks for the comment and affirmation!
in keeping with your beginnings - these are lessons you can bank on!! Great break down, as always - the passion is compelling!!!
Thanks, Don...great words of encouragement!
Kent, Thank you so much for all of your lessons! I absolutely love them and I also enjoy your talks in the beginning! Much love from AZ!
I appreciate your comment and support...keep watching!
Wonderful. Great teaching. Millions thanks. I want to learn playing jazz for long long time and just don't know where to learn. I will start practicing, I hope I can follow. thank you thank you.
Thank you! Please check out all my easy videos to start with. You will find my categories on my channel page. Also I suggest you check out my special tips for UA-cam, showing how to slow down the videos and use rewind to review sections. ua-cam.com/video/Ad9jDd2Dwtc/v-deo.html
Here's a link to the Easy Jazz Vids:
ua-cam.com/play/PLFuMibnl_h5aTaUnQpBtsc6p1ZsLsxagq.html
God bless you and thank you for all the videos , you are great Humman and a teacher
Bless you for a very encouraging comment!
Thanks Kent for another great lesson. You are very generous.
I appreciate the "thanks"!
Hello Kent! Your lessons are interesting and easy to follow. Thank you for your efforts - I love jazz piano and hope to play reasonably well soon! Your lessons are great help!
Thanks, A. Your comment is the best affirmation I could get...so thanks for encouraging me and helping me, and keep going forward.
Awesome video. Thanks so much for taking the time. Peace.
I appreciate the comment.
cool words man. thanks for your great piano skills and instruction, from an old student60 man but loving the piano all my life I have time to learn more now cheers..the good scotch tastes better though....
I'm glad to hear it. I'm writing an appendix to my book, and now's the time! Thanks!
sweet! (belated) thank for this series! Just started and loved your improv at the end
I'm glad people are still watching it...and thanks for the comment!
I love your life advice! Very nice and helpful! The lessons are superb, too.
Any advice comes from my own inkblot...only my opinion. Thanks for the comment.
The last segment of Satin Doll was spectacular - I must learn how to improvise and sound like you!! Back to Night and Day......
Please see my beginner improvisation videos for more help. Start with Easy Improvisation Exercise. It has 316,000 views, so it must be popular.ua-cam.com/play/PLFuMibnl_h5bA7Um3IZ38R1kelnoRTPYc.html
thank you I will..
Thank you for the lesson
My pleasure!
Love the improv section Kent.
Thanks, Robert, for telling me! Keep watching!
Wonderful!!!!
Thanks so much!
Good job 💪
Thanks ✌
Thanks Kent, You're a treasure and very generous with the lessons and sheets.
I will be purchasing The Book.
To me it sounds like Dave Grusin uses the 1st inversion on his great album 'Homage to Duke' on this one.
Dave Grusin is a great pianist, producer , and arranger. Have you heard James Taylors Christmas album? It's one of our favorites and Grusin plays on it and did the arrangements.
@@KentHewittpiano88 thank you, I will check it out.
Thank you Kent you are a real inspiration.
Thanks the greatest compliment anyone could give...blessings!
Great video Kent! :) keep it up! :)
With your encouragement ...I'll do that!
Hi groovy cat,
this lesson is exactly what I was looking for. I worked myself through your circle of 5th, block-chord, II-V-I and inversion-lessons and did a lot of drills...I mean really a lot during the last few weeks (months). I am able to play some melodies supporting the chords and do a little right hand improvising while playing different II-V-I progressions (I am not really good but I just do it). Recently I reached a point where I asked myself, what to do with it now and beyond that.
Your new video for beginners gave the answer perfectly. Now I am practicing this little but fine piece of music with full block-chords and I like the idea of having a practical based exercise to learn further things from doing all these II-V-Is. It is a fantastic way to understand the theory even more. As you said, theory does not mean a lot without the practical side.
Thank you so much for your efforts. Not only giving these free lessons but also the scores written out for us is simply amazing of you. My inner joy by making and understanding music more deeply is growing day by day. I am deeply thankful and wish you all the best and joy from the things you do.
I'm proud of you, cool cat. You just made me happy...I'm glad I'm inspiring you to learn and improve with music...you'll never regret it.
I am happy that you are happy :) Yes, you are a great inspiration for me. I started out at (nearly) zero one year ago and I never thought I would come to that point I am now. I am really not very good but I understand things now better and I can play and arrange things I couldn´t before (I played keyboard in a band the late 90th but I never learned anything out of it - I just did the things I had to).
It is still very hard to advance and sure it will be. The hardest thing is getting the jazz groove and off-beat swing into the fingers ... but it also is a very joyful and innerly satisfactory process. I guess it will take years till I can play Satin Doll like you do at the end of this video, but that is fine for me. ZEN told me patience and starting each day as a beginner.
You encourage me to go on and I understand now that this process, maybe better said this way, will never end. I just walk on, thats all. Via your channel and the other "pupils" here I sense we are all connected somehow.
I want to make a complimet. It is unusual refreshing that you are, having a history in music, so unpretentious and humorous. I think you really found your inner center and learned the important things what makes life appraisal (I hope I could express that with my limited English knowledge).
Great way to review/or build comprehension.
DEAR KENT...always amazing lessons... thanks
best regards... Santiago
Thanks, Santiago, for the comment and keeping in touch! Best wishes, always. KH
Another great video!
Thanks for telling me.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Those stride ideas are very helpful. Switcharoony!
Mark...Thanks for the compliment!
I am from Brazil. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment!
"Welcome finger popping daddies!!" lol I laugh every time.
Awesome videos! Thanks for all your hard work making and sharing these.
That's directly from Lord Buckley, the swingin'st cat that ever lived on the planet. Thank you, sir!
Love your introduction
You hear me...thanks!
Could you make a tutorial of Thelonious Monk - Japanese Folk song please?
Keep up the good work!You are one of the best teachers i ever had!
Great lesson!! Extremely helpful.
Thanks, John, you're helping me!
Another hit lesson! Thanks
Thank you!
Greetings from Australia! Love the series! Has aided both myself in my jazz studies and my piano students. Keep it up.
What brand/type of metronome are you using?
The metronome is a Seiko. Thanks for the compliment!
Hey! Thanks for a great lesson. You mentioned you took up music later in life? How old were you exactly? I'm interested because I'm 30 and I have only been playing music for a year. I feel like I have progressed fast but every time watch one of your videos I'm like "well I'm never going to be able to move my fingers like that!".
How much practicing do you do? If you keep at it you can catch up in 3-5 years -10 at most.....so you have plenty of time. I started playing piano as a kid, but not a profession until late 20's. Aptitude has a lot to do with it.
At least 3 hours a day of physical practice, maybe a 6 hour day once or twice a week. And then about 3 hours a day of theory study (mostly UA-cam). I'm very lucky to be able to do all that at my age. I worry if I'm wasting my time and I see a physiotherapist to make sure I'm not destroying my tendons! It was about 18 months ago that I learned where middle c is. Now I'm trying to get into minor II V I improv across keys. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Kent - No cat - I am the Lionel Guy. Satin Doll, classic tune, cool demo. 😺
• Cheers from The Detroit Mackinac Railway • Pronounced: (mac-in-aw) 🚂
Cheers, Gary, whenever I hear from you I remember my fond days of youth with my American Flyer layout. Wish I had it back today.
Man you are amazing!! Great resource
Hi Kenyon. Thanks for the compliment and affirmation...keeps me going!
Great.
Thank you again Mate from Down Under, but not down and out..thanks to your lessons.....
Once down and out, but not today...thanks!
*clears calander* Must learn this!
Glad to inspire!
you are just awesome teacher :)
Many, many thanks!
Fantastic!
This is really very good. I only have to look at each tutorial 20 times and I Inch a touch more forward.
My chum Dick Hyman say I only Need 10.000 hours bevore I can Play chopsticks with the correct
fingering, Love it Kemt
The trick is to play Chopsticks w/ one finger...I can teach you....or rather the Alternate Dominant Man can.
Hello Kent,! when you come to Brazil, he will stay at my house , okay?
Congratulations Kent.
Thanks for the warm welcome....it is so kind of you!
Thank you Mr. Hewitt! You are one groovy cat! The bee's knees! Cats pajamas! I appreciate(love) all your lessons. I was wondering if you could help us with a Thelonious Monk tune. 'Round Midnight'. 'Blue Monk'. Thanks, again
I got a little ahead of myself. I just spotted your "round midnight" video. You're the best instructor!
I'm glad you found it. Thanks for the compliment!
Must agree with previous posters--there's always a valuable life lesson at the beginning. Great tutorial, and many thanks for being so generous with your knowledge and time! I believe you snuck some 'Barry Harris' in there for your final version, didn't you?
(Do we need to post bail for ADE man? Haven't heard mention of him since he left for Newark.)
Max,...He went to the rodeo...he's conned some of the broncos into letting him ride them and go easy. I'm glad you heard the Barry Harris and I appreciate all that you said in your comment!
the drummer from Hanoi Rocks(Razzle RIP) and KH - the two best dressed in the business
That's an awesome compliment....I'll try to continue to "live up to it"!
Excellent again Kent. Can you do a tutorial on Tin Roof Blues? 😊
I'll need to get familiar with that song again. Thanks for the comment!
No worries - do you have an email address, I have a beautiful version of Dr John playing it.
I'm doing satin doll as I text.. are those notes played in in swing.. isn't that a long and short sound but in a triplet feel.. also I can play the tune basically by ear ..ties and rest which should be the easiest are harder for me I think my hand should be something .. this seems a little impossible ..I tried metronome and it basically interpreted with my thinking process on these kind of songs.. so I'm using the left hand and I tried something new today I say rest and and hold. I've never done before.. as long as I say something my counting stays constant.. I sent you info earlier at your hot mail address. so now on first measure I say 1 and 2
and hold and 3 and four and...it seems that the word hold is not a crisp word like rest which say hands off. I am also playing the notes by ear every so often reinforcing the values..
Hi Kent. Great tutorials! i'm learning so much from you. I've been a pianist from a young age and jazz has always been a stlye i've wanted to learn and now, thanks to you i am able to do that. There's one thing that's confusing me in this tutorial which is your section on left hand II-V-I chords and adding the 2nds and thirds etc in the right hand. The thing that's throwing me is that you play the 1st and 3rd of a G7 in your left but then you hit an F and an A in your right. I get that the F is the Dominant 7th but the A is really throwing me off. Please forgive me if i have got his wrong as i'd hate to second guess your supirior talents it's just that i understand the logic behind all the other concepts except this one and it's really bugging me. Is the A purely for harmonic reasons?
I'm way too late to be useful but just in case anyone has the same questions, A in a G7 chord is the major 9th (which technically makes it a G9). It's not a necessary note but it helps to add some color and fill out the sonority.