The 'B' section on the right hand
Lesson time: (4min 56sec)
Tom teaches the right-hand melody of the tune's B section, using the lyrics as a guide to where each note sits.
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This lesson is part of the course Learn Swing Standards on Piano with Tom Seals
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Music Lesson: The B Section
Okay, so the B section. Now we're going to start on D up here with our little finger on D.
I always say I like to sing along. If I have the lyrics in my head, it helps me to gauge where the melody is meant to sit.
Lyrics Breakdown
-
First Line:
"Darling, I guess so."- Third:
- Little finger on D
- Fourth finger on C
- Second finger on A
- Back to fourth finger on C
- Sequence: D, C, A, C
- Lyrics: Darling, I guess.
- Third:
-
Next Line:
"My mind's more at ease."- Sequence: C, D, C, G, E
- Breakdown:
- Fourth finger on C
- Fifth finger on D
- Fourth finger on C
- Second finger on G
- Down to your thumb on E
- Lyrics: My mind's more at ease.
Playing it Together
I'll play them two at tempo so you can see where they fit.
- Lyrics:
"Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease." - Sing it in your head:
1, 2, 3, 4:
Darling, I guess my mind's more at ease.- 1, A, 2, A:
- 2, 2, 3, 4.
- 1, A, 2, A:
Next Section
The next line is very similar to the first line of the B section, but we had a little pickup.
- Lyrics:
"But nevertheless."- Sequence:
- Start again with C.
- Fourth finger on C
- Fifth finger on D
- Back to fourth finger on C
- Second finger on A
- Back up to the fourth finger on C.
- Lyrics: But nevertheless, C.
- Sequence:
Playing All Lines
I'll play all three lines for you from "Darling, I guess."
- 2, and 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Slower:
- "Darling, I guess" starting on D:
- 1, A, 2, A:
- 1, 2, 3, 4: C.
Vocal Section
The next line:
- Lyrics:
"Why stir up memories?"- Sequence: Down to the B, down to the A, down to the G.
- Notes: Just three notes: Why stir up memories?
Putting It All Together
Now, let's put all four of those sections together from the D of "Darling."
Ready?
- 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4:
Wise stir up memories.
Then we're back to the A section:
- At tempo:
Wise stir up memories. - Quickly back into the A section there.
Song Structure
The form of this tune is A, A, so the A section twice, then the B section, and then back to A.
This structure is known as AABA form.
Conclusion
I'll play from the B section, going straight into the A section so you can hear how it sounds.
And that's the end of the B section.
About the instructor
The mantle of UK Piano Man has long been held by Elton John, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. Over the past five decades no one else has come remotely close - until now! Fresh from his sell-out "Let The Good Times Roll" tour, Tom Seals - "quite possibly the future of jazz and blues" - has the world at his fingertips. His virtuoso soloing, excellent improvisation skills and distinctive voice have led top industry figures to hail him as the UK's finest boogie woogie and blues pianist and vocalist. Still in his mid-twenties, Seals has already played sold-out shows across the globe, including London's legendary Ronnie Scott's, a stunning performance at Birdland Jazz Club on Broadway in New York, and work alongside Jools Holland. Notable appearances include: Cheltenham Jazz Festival's 'Gregory Porter & Friends' Jools Holland's 'Boogie Woogie & Blues Spectacular' Birdland Jazz Club, New York City British Summer Time - Hyde Park Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Gisburne Park Pop-Up Montreux Jazz Festival Cropredy Festival The Steinway Two Pianos Festival Glastonbury Newark Showground "Drive-In" Blenheim Palace In his course, Tom throws open the secrets behind his playing - showing you how to swing standards at the piano, build authentic boogie woogie and blues lines, and find the freedom to improvise, so you can become the ultimate Piano Man yourself. You can read Tom's full biography at www.tomseals.co.uk. read more