Thank you for watching! Get in touch with us so that we can help you liberate your piano playing and ask for the Free Resources Pack: www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/contact/
I clicked on here because of the UA-cam algorithm and I’m glad I did. I love this song and your lesson is really good. You just don’t teach us how to play it, but you give us a good understanding of the layout of the chords. Thank you
I’m 60. I’ve been a guitarist most of my life and started into piano during Covid. I’ve also been listening to this song since I was an adolescent- it brings me great joy to learn it on piano! Thx🇨🇦 Subscribed
I am an adult learner . One of my most favourite songs on piano. Your way of teaching is perfect. I am stuck in my ways trying to teach myself. I may be a long time . Your help is very much appreciated. If only u were in the south of england
Thank you so much for emphasizing the importance of the chords instead of playing the melody. I am finding it to be so much more fulfilling and satisfying to play the chords.
Tom clearly loves this song, and can sing it, given he's not using any vocal enhancements. His playing is spot on. I play this in a very basic way, but he shows you can use the chord additions on just about all the song, without it becoming repetitive. Great teaching. What a pity more teachers from formative struggles with this magnificent instrument put often young children off for life. My teacher, aged 150, used to rap you on the knuckles with the edge of a ruler if you didn't hold your hands up properly. I didn't return to the piano for years.
Well, this is the best possible outcome of when the UA-cam algorithm suddenly works perfectly without demand! Wouldn’t I love this song since 50 odd years and wouldn’t I be drawn to music and playing instruments (though probably being one of the lousiest wannabe musicians), I most definitely wouldn’t have cared to watch and listen to this video! It’s made stunningly perfect and the presenter has such great narrative abilities, that even someone like me is able to take away some advantages! Subscribed instantly 😘! Chapeau! Very well done, thank you 🤗🥰😘!
So much passion for playing, the song and for music in general. Simply makes you want to learn the song because it sounds so awesome. Thank you from the ❤. 🙏
Thanks to you Tom, I have managed to get to grips with most chords and this one definitely helps me along the way. I also love Elton John's music, so spot on for me.
Love, love this lesson. I just spent 2 hours at the piano, watching and rewatching until I got this under my hands! So much for getting anything else done 😅😅😅! Greetings, with much gratitude from Canada!!
Great tutorial and very informative. Really captures Elton’s style wonderfully. One thing I’d like to mention that I really enjoy that Elton does. In the Cm walkdown, when he gets to the A flat major 7th he plays it (I believe without the third in the right hand) and then goes to an F minor with that same Ab in the bass. It’s a nice little movement.
This particular song brought me back to the piano after so many years away from this magical instrument. Thank you so kindly for this masterful insight on this masterpiece.
I love your teaching. 54 returning to piano since i quit as a teen. My fingers remember a couple of classical pieces, but it has been a long time. Now I just want to play and sing contemporary music for myself. Thank you for your lesson. It will take time to learn but I am going to work at it.
Thank you very much for your education, Tom! I just want to say that you have a great style of teaching, it’s very clear, and speaking of clear, your room is a fantastic sounding room. If that’s a natural reverb from your room, it is exceptional. And the piano sounds fantastic.
I've been playing this song for a while now and didn't think to add those sus2 chords. Really does add alot of interest to your playing. Great tip, thanks.
Thank you, Tom! I haven't watched all of your videos yet, but from what I've learned from you so far, I find you to be an absolute treasure and among those in the top tier of instructors/performers for piano pop music with vocals. I'm always inspired by your example to become a better player and performer. I've been playing this song the same way for 2 years, but now I can see how to break loose and experiment with different inversions and juice it up with those added 2nd notes.
Brilliant lesson. I wish I could attend your school. I think I would have been an incredible piano player, but life took me in other directions. Thank you for helping me find some of it again. 😊
It's never too late - we have many students later on in life - still improving, still moving forward. It's all in our mind - www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com
You are a great teacher. Coming from classical piano I struggle a bit with the way chords are notated but doesn’t matter. One point that could be interesting is to show the harmony structure . But most probably not that important if one intends to just play. Once again, thank you.
Your lessons are so inspirational. And you are teaching us piano theory or maybe I should say understanding how to make things sound good. Whatever it is, it’s so good.
Great job! In my opinion, this is how music lessons should be structured: There is always more than one solution to playing a piece. Best regards Eddie
Super fantastic Tom. The chords alone with the groove stand on their own. And thanks for finally demystifying those embellishments that give the chords an even richer character.
I've been playing for many years, I agree that Eb is a nice key on the piano. As you say, don't be afraid of 3 flats. I learned "Mr Blue sky" on piano in Eb and "Pure Imagination" from Wily Wonka" as well as a few others tunes too. The blues scale related to Cm works well too and as you say fits the fingers very well.
10:11 can a beginner learn chords and play like this. Did learn to read simple sheet music many years ago and haven't played since, but bought a yamaha digital piano to try again to learn. Love what you did on this video. Better than playing melody in right hand.
Just recently found your channel and I'm liking your content; and this tutorial on this classic is fab. Its given me a better understanding of what is played etc. Would love to see you to do a similar tutorial for ABBAs Dancing Queen🙂
Coming from a classical music background and trying my hand at pop and it seems like voicing is something I didn’t notice as much like with your example of squeezing the suspended second to the third. Voicing is huge. I think Tori Amos does that a lot?
Loved this lesson, but it is very similar to the video you released a while back with 3 Elton John songs. In that one, you gave the Cm chord progression ending with Cm/Ab. In this current video, the last chord is Abmaj7. Both sound okay, which one would you say is preferable? I got used to playing the Cm/Ab, but I love your use of both shapes at the 11:16 mark where you hit the Cm/Ab for the pause and then switch to the Abmaj7. Really a beautiful lesson on a beautiful song.
What a great tutorial. Thanks Tom. I really want to take THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN: Piano Essentials course. The currency exchange rate (U.S. Dollar) is killing me at the moment. Maybe some day.
Actually, Elton John uses different inversions every time he plays the song. This tends to be the way popular music operates. It's about playing the chords - and knowing what inversions and suspensions you have available to you. Quick clarification the song is in the key of Eb major, so there are no A# it's, Bb/D. As for the pause in the bridge, he often clusters up the notes from an Ab lydian mode, but I don't think there is really much use analysing it as if it were jazz. I've heard Elton play Ab6, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Bb9/Ab in this same part over numerous live recordings. For most part, Elton uses triads and limits most of his dissonance to suspended 2nd and 4ths and occasional 7ths and 9ths. This is what characterises his harmonic style.
Thank you for watching! Get in touch with us so that we can help you liberate your piano playing and ask for the Free Resources Pack: www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/contact/
I clicked on here because of the UA-cam algorithm and I’m glad I did. I love this song and your lesson is really good. You just don’t teach us how to play it, but you give us a good understanding of the layout of the chords. Thank you
Welcome to our channel - we've got tons of material like this! Enjoy and lovely to meet you.
@@contemporaryschoolofpiano
Great lesson! Thanks!
I’m 60. I’ve been a guitarist most of my life and started into piano during Covid.
I’ve also been listening to this song since I was an adolescent- it brings me great joy to learn it on piano!
Thx🇨🇦
Subscribed
Please post some videos of your guitar or piano playing.
I am an adult learner . One of my most favourite songs on piano. Your way of teaching is perfect. I am stuck in my ways trying to teach myself. I may be a long time . Your help is very much appreciated. If only u were in the south of england
Thank you so much for emphasizing the importance of the chords instead of playing the melody. I am finding it to be so much more fulfilling and satisfying to play the chords.
Timeless song and a great breakdown. Thanks Tom.
Tom clearly loves this song, and can sing it, given he's not using any vocal enhancements. His playing is spot on. I play this in a very basic way, but he shows you can use the chord additions on just about all the song, without it becoming repetitive. Great teaching. What a pity more teachers from formative struggles with this magnificent instrument put often young children off for life. My teacher, aged 150, used to rap you on the knuckles with the edge of a ruler if you didn't hold your hands up properly. I didn't return to the piano for years.
Well, this is the best possible outcome of when the UA-cam algorithm suddenly works perfectly without demand!
Wouldn’t I love this song since 50 odd years and wouldn’t I be drawn to music and playing instruments (though probably being one of the lousiest wannabe musicians), I most definitely wouldn’t have cared to watch and listen to this video!
It’s made stunningly perfect and the presenter has such great narrative abilities, that even someone like me is able to take away some advantages!
Subscribed instantly 😘!
Chapeau!
Very well done, thank you 🤗🥰😘!
Very enjoyable lesson. Clear and logical,thanks Tom.
So much passion for playing, the song and for music in general. Simply makes you want to learn the song because it sounds so awesome. Thank you from the ❤. 🙏
Thanks to you Tom, I have managed to get to grips with most chords and this one definitely helps me along the way. I also love Elton John's music, so spot on for me.
Can't beat Elton John for great songs at the piano.
Love, love this lesson. I just spent 2 hours at the piano, watching and rewatching until I got this under my hands! So much for getting anything else done 😅😅😅! Greetings, with much gratitude from Canada!!
Well done! Bravo.
Great tutorial and very informative. Really captures Elton’s style wonderfully. One thing I’d like to mention that I really enjoy that Elton does. In the Cm walkdown, when he gets to the A flat major 7th he plays it (I believe without the third in the right hand) and then goes to an F minor with that same Ab in the bass. It’s a nice little movement.
@@avrumykalter867 very well said. It's a lovely progression! Iconic.
This particular song brought me back to the piano after so many years away from this magical instrument. Thank you so kindly for this masterful insight on this masterpiece.
I love your teaching. 54 returning to piano since i quit as a teen. My fingers remember a couple of classical pieces, but it has been a long time. Now I just want to play and sing contemporary music for myself. Thank you for your lesson. It will take time to learn but I am going to work at it.
Thank you very much for your education, Tom! I just want to say that you have a great style of teaching, it’s very clear, and speaking of clear, your room is a fantastic sounding room. If that’s a natural reverb from your room, it is exceptional. And the piano sounds fantastic.
You're very welcome!
I've been playing this song for a while now and didn't think to add those sus2 chords. Really does add alot of interest to your playing. Great tip, thanks.
Thank you, Tom! I haven't watched all of your videos yet, but from what I've learned from you so far, I find you to be an absolute treasure and among those in the top tier of instructors/performers for piano pop music with vocals. I'm always inspired by your example to become a better player and performer. I've been playing this song the same way for 2 years, but now I can see how to break loose and experiment with different inversions and juice it up with those added 2nd notes.
Brilliant lesson. I wish I could attend your school. I think I would have been an incredible piano player, but life took me in other directions.
Thank you for helping me find some of it again. 😊
It's never too late - we have many students later on in life - still improving, still moving forward. It's all in our mind - www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com
Thank you Tom, that was SO inspirational!
My pleasure!
Even by your lofty standards this is a great lesson, Tom, and I love your singing, too!
Another great tutorial, Tom. Thanks.
I can't decide if it was you or me who enjoyed this more! ❤
Haha : Touché
You are a great teacher. Coming from classical piano I struggle a bit with the way chords are notated but doesn’t matter. One point that could be interesting is to show the harmony structure . But most probably not that important if one intends to just play. Once again, thank you.
Your lessons are so inspirational. And you are teaching us piano theory or maybe I should say understanding how to make things sound good. Whatever it is, it’s so good.
Very good.
Light, but involving and illuminating at the same time 👍
Great job! In my opinion, this is how music lessons should be structured: There is always more than one solution to playing a piece. Best regards Eddie
Yes. That's so true. One song has many ways. Best wishes.
Super fantastic Tom. The chords alone with the groove stand on their own. And thanks for finally demystifying those embellishments that give the chords an even richer character.
I really love this tutorial! Thank you so much - for sharing.
I've been playing for many years, I agree that Eb is a nice key on the piano. As you say, don't be afraid of 3 flats. I learned "Mr Blue sky" on piano in Eb and "Pure Imagination" from Wily Wonka" as well as a few others tunes too. The blues scale related to Cm works well too and as you say fits the fingers very well.
10:11 can a beginner learn chords and play like this. Did learn to read simple sheet music many years ago and haven't played since, but bought a yamaha digital piano to try again to learn. Love what you did on this video. Better than playing melody in right hand.
Masterfully done. I found myself just listening to you play.
Very helpful
Bravo on this instructive video! Love your warm and melodic singing.
Many thanks
Just recently found your channel and I'm liking your content; and this tutorial on this classic is fab. Its given me a better understanding of what is played etc. Would love to see you to do a similar tutorial for ABBAs Dancing Queen🙂
Fantastic lesson!!!❤
But I wish you would have slowed down a bit on the right hand arpeggios.
Will keep that in mind for next one. I think YT has a slow down feature that you could also use ?
Great analysis of a great composition, in fact, I play it on piano, and sing it.
Fabulous lunch break thanks to you, Tom! 😃👏🏻😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
A piano lunch break. Sounds great!
This just made my day !! So beautiful and I've been wanting to learn how to play this. Thank you Tom ! :-)
It's a pleasure. Happy New Year 😀
Aced it again Tom.🙏🥰🎶🎶
wow, I just discovered this channel, you are great, I love your tips, so clear simple and professional at the same time. thanks
Superbe pédagogie merci à vous
Ace lesson thank you muchly . Practise practise 😊
Thanks..well done.
Coming from a classical music background and trying my hand at pop and it seems like voicing is something I didn’t notice as much like with your example of squeezing the suspended second to the third. Voicing is huge.
I think Tori Amos does that a lot?
Thank you for this, just what I needed, really valuable!
Loved this lesson, but it is very similar to the video you released a while back with 3 Elton John songs. In that one, you gave the Cm chord progression ending with Cm/Ab. In this current video, the last chord is Abmaj7. Both sound okay, which one would you say is preferable? I got used to playing the Cm/Ab, but I love your use of both shapes at the 11:16 mark where you hit the Cm/Ab for the pause and then switch to the Abmaj7. Really a beautiful lesson on a beautiful song.
This video was awesome and I thank you for it!
Thank you for also singing.
Thankyou: I was nervous about that bit !!
Great Video 🎶👍
Very nice tutorial. Thanks for sharing!
Pleasure!
Hell yeah man
Thank you so much😅. Great song ,great tutorial.
What a great tutorial. Thanks Tom. I really want to take THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN: Piano Essentials course. The currency exchange rate (U.S. Dollar) is killing me at the moment. Maybe some day.
There are a few options you might want to explore, send me an email at tom@contemporaryschoolofpiano.com what country are you based in?
your voice is great also.
Many thanks!
Egg Cell Ent thanks for posting.
Brilliant...
Lovely
great channel!
Thanks!
Thankyou very much appreciated. Reach out to me at tom@contemporaryschoolofpiano.com, we have a little treat to say thank you for your support.
Chords are the keys To song writing on all instruments
Amazing
Many thanks
Yeh elton definitely overuses that add9 phrase alot and so do country players. Nice lesson.
Спасибо большое. Наконец-то я нашел то, что искал. Простите, что на русском пишу. Видео очень крутое!
Спасибо большое, рад, что вы нашли это видео полезным. Замечательно иметь возможность общаться с друзьями по всему миру через музыку
5:37 groove
🙏🙏🙏
You make it look too easy!
Please teach it right , its always (A#/D) , an inversión on the end of every verse , and in the Bridge when you play Abmaj7 it is a Ab11+13 ,man
Actually, Elton John uses different inversions every time he plays the song. This tends to be the way popular music operates.
It's about playing the chords - and knowing what inversions and suspensions you have available to you. Quick clarification the song is in the key of Eb major, so there are no A# it's, Bb/D. As for the pause in the bridge, he often clusters up the notes from an Ab lydian mode, but I don't think there is really much use analysing it as if it were jazz. I've heard Elton play Ab6, Abmaj7, Abmaj9, Bb9/Ab in this same part over numerous live recordings. For most part, Elton uses triads and limits most of his dissonance to suspended 2nd and 4ths and occasional 7ths and 9ths. This is what characterises his harmonic style.
This is brilliant, thank you.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you.