Gospel lick
Lesson time: (3min 20sec)
Paddy breaks down a versatile gospel influenced lick, which James Booker uses in Black Night.
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This lesson is part of the course Play Authentic New Orleans Piano
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Lesson transcript:
Right Hand Riff Lesson
All right, cool!
Let's look at another really sweet little right-hand riff that Bookie uses quite a lot. It's kind of a slightly more gospel-influenced riff, I would say, which sounds a bit like this.
The Movement
It's based simply on this kind of movement in the key of G, essentially outlining a G7 chord with that passing note.
If you break that up, it sounds like that.
Putting It in Context
You can use this, for example, in Black Knight.
"Yeah, so I was definitely slightly overusing it in that little demonstration, but it was just to show you how you can use it on the different chords."
Booker certainly uses it a lot when he goes up to the 4 chord. There's one 12-bar segment where he repeats it several times. He plays it with so much power; it's great to listen to!
Versatility of the Riff
It's a lick that you can use in all kinds of different contexts. It's definitely worth learning in as many keys as possible.
- Perhaps learn it by going around the cycle of fifths, slowly at first.
- Aim to learn it in every key.
So, if you're playing, you could use it in a tune that has a different feel.
For example, that one which was sort of based on "Somebody Changed the Lock".
There's another little lick that Booker uses that you can incorporate into your improvisations!
About the instructor
Paddy Milner is recognised as one of the leading blues piano players in the world - he is currently keyboard player of choice for Sir Tom Jones, following several years with the late, great Jack Bruce - but he is also a superb original songwriter and a distinctive singer. Just read the praise from the likes of Dave Brubeck below! His playing was featured on the soundtrack for the hit 2019 film 'Rocketman'. He has twice won the award for Best Keyboard Player in the British Blues Awards, and he holds a long-standing residency as a founder member of the Ronnie Scott's Blues Explosion at the world-renowned Ronnie Scott's club. His current group LONDONOLA plays homegrown British music with a strong dose of New Orleans spirit, and his collaborative group JAWBONE goes from strength to strength following the release of their self-titled debut album. "I love it... there's a guy who can really play the piano" - Dave Brubeck "I highly recommend it. Somehow things start to feel much better!" - Jack Bruce "The best blues piano player in Europe..." - Blues Access, USA "Impressive & original" - The Times "Dazzling" - The Independent Across his courses, Paddy breaks down authentic blues shuffle, slow blues, boogie-woogie, rock 'n' roll and New Orleans piano - right down to three classic boogie-woogie songs - so you can learn these styles from one of the very best in the business. read more