This month I thought it might be fun to offer some instruction on how to play Boogie Woogie! Boogie Woogie is the quintessential piano genre, with its infectious left hand rhythms and its energetic, improvisational style that has influenced countless musicians and given rise to genres of music such as rock and roll and R&B. With its roots in traditional blues and jazz, the genre showcases the piano's versatility and power, turning it into a driving force for dance floors and jam sessions alike. No other instrument can do Boogie Woogie like the piano, so I think you might enjoy giving it a try!
Some Boogie styles feature a single moving bass line, but we are going to start with a 2-note Boogie pattern that doesn't jump around too much.
This month you will begin getting used to the left hand pattern. It feels difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be able to do all sorts of things with the right hand while your left hand repeats the Boogie pattern. It's really fun, so try not to feel intimidated by the left hand figure, and trust that over time you will master it! Notice the left hand plays in "swing" which has that long-short "lazy" sound you hear in most jazz and blues from the 1930s and 40s. I discuss Boogie Woogie and Blues further in my video, and demonstrate this month's free sheet music:
Start by playing the left hand alone slowly. After you get to know the left hand pattern, trying playing it with your eyes closed. I've found that playing with your eyes closed can help you learn a skill more quickly, and since this is a repeating pattern, you can definitely do it.
In this next video I offer further instruction for Boogie Woogie #1and generally keeping a steady beat. It's human nature to want to stop between the measures and look at what's coming next. But it's very important for us to practice moving from measure to measure and chord to chord without hesitating. That's what makes the song/piece sound musical. That's what make your playing sound GOOD, even if you hit a few wrong notes. Here are some strategies for keeping a steady, consistent beat:
Happy Spring!
I hope the weather is starting to improve in your part of the world. This has been a rough year for weather disasters all over the US and beyond. Plus the recent terrible earthquake in Myanmar. I hope this blog post finds you safe and well, and that playing your piano brings you joy and peace.
If you are or you know a beginner who might like to start playing the piano with my instruction book called Upper Hands Piano: A Method for Adults 50+ to Spark the Mind, Heart and Soul - BOOK 1, I have made page by page videos on an online magazine platform called Sixty and Me. You can follow along in BOOK 1 with my 40 videos and the assignments I list at the end of each lesson for 1-2 weeks of practice. It's all free here (then scroll down to Lesson 1); all you have to do is buy the Upper Hands Piano BOOK 1 here.
Here is my Sixty and Me Author Page, and the Sixty and Me Online Magazine Platform is here.
That's all for now! Have a happy April! No foolin' - go play your piano!
Here's a few April Fools piano jokes for you:
Q:What does a chicken say when it's playing the piano?
A: Bach bach
Q: Why couldn't Beethoven find his piano teacher?
A: Because he was Haydn
Q: What key do ghosts play the piano?
A: In the spoo-key
Q: What do you get if you drop a piano on an army base?
A: A flat major
Q: What do get if you drop a piano on your child?
A: A flat minor
Q: What do you get if you drop a piano on a beehive?
A: Bee flat
Q: What's a pianist's favorite type of shoes?
A: Flats
Q: Why do pianists have such good eyesight?
A: They always C sharp
Q: What's the name of the snowman who played the piano?
A: Melton John
Q: Why did the student sell his piano?
A: Because he went Baroque
Q: What did Beethoven do after he died?
A: He started decomposing
Q: How do you make a piano laugh?
A: Tickle its ivories
Q: Why do pirates make excellent pianists?
A: Because they can operate in the High Cs
The Door was locked at the piano store, but they said they'd be back in 5 minuets
Don't date a piano technician, he'll just string you along
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