Lesson 17 of 40PianoIntermediate

Dr John Style Turnaround

2:11

Paddy examines a turnaround inspired by Dr John.

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Paddy MilnerYour guruPaddy Milner

What's in the course

40 lessons (2h 57m) · 1 free
    • 01. Overview and performance

      2:26

    • 02. Form of tune

      1:56

    • 03. Left hand A Section

      7:01

    • 04. Left hand B Section

      5:06

    • 05. Right hand language

      5:05

    • 06. Dr John Style Turnaround

      You are here

      2:11

    • 07. Further right hand language

      5:37

    • 08. Jelly Roll Influenced Turnaround

      1:43

    • 09. Rag time riff

      2:08

Lesson transcript

Music Lesson

So, yeah, we got to the turnaround there, and I think I just played something that Dr. John plays on his turnarounds quite a lot, which is this turnaround.

Left Hand Technique

The left hand is quite simple. The overall harmony is as follows:

  • Embellishments: There are just a couple of little embellishments in there.
  • Rocking: Got that little slide at the top and then rocking with the B flat.

Now we've got that kind of thing in the left hand.

Variations to Try

You might do:

  • A little roll
  • Some little skips
  • Just a couple of little variations

Or you could go to roll every note.

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Paddy Milner

Paddy Milner

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.

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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.

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