The left hand of the 'A' section

Tom Seals
Tom Seals

Lesson time: (8min 9sec)

Tom Seals builds the left-hand part for the A section, turning a G6 shape into a walking bass line that climbs up to the D chord.

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This lesson is part of the course Learn Swing Standards on Piano with Tom Seals
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Lesson transcript:

Left Hand Walking Bass Pattern

Okay, so the right hand is done. As simple as that. Now let's look at the left hand.

First Four Bars

For the first 1, 2, 3, 4 bars, it's just a G.

Starting setup:

  • Little finger on the G
  • Third finger, middle finger on the B
  • Second finger on the D
  • Thumb on the E

Together, we have G, B, D, and E, which forms a G6 chord. While we won't play it as a chord, these notes create the chord:

Notes breakdown:

  • G
  • E
  • D
  • E

This arpeggiated pattern leads us into a walking bass.

Chord Progression

We will start with the first chord being G, played four times:

  1. G (4x)
  2. A minor 7 chord

Instead of playing the chord this time, we will walk up to the D chord, as shown on the chart.

Walking up:

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • C sharp
  • D

So, altogether, that makes:

Notes Sequence:

  • Four bars of G
  • A, B, C sharp, D

Finger Placement:

  • Third finger on the A
  • Second finger on the B
  • Thumb on the C
  • Second finger moving to C sharp
  • Thumb lands back on D

So we pivot on the thumb, and then this finger exercise will help in moving down the piano.

Transition to D

We will go back to D after reaching G:

  1. Start at D
  2. Move thumb to G

Progression note movement:

  • Thumb (D)
  • Third finger (E)
  • F
  • F sharp
  • G

Notes sequence (slowly):

  • A
  • B
  • C sharp
  • D
  • E
  • F sharp
  • G

Now, let's speed this up:

Speed sequence:
From A to D, down to G.

Moving Forward

From the top:

  • Four bars of G
  • To A minor (up to the D)
  • Down to G

This takes us to bars 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and we start bar seven.

Last Two Bars of the First Section

The last two bars go like this:

  • G
  • E minor
  • A minor
  • D

1-6-2-5 Progression

This chord progression is known as 1-6-2-5, and while it sounds complicated, it's simply a counting exercise.

  • G is the 1 (root note).
  • Count 1-6: E (6 becomes E minor 7).
  • 2: A (A minor).
  • 5: D.

Hence, the progression:

  • 1 = G
  • 6 = E
  • 2 = A
  • 5 = D

Practice Sequence:

Sequence:

  • G, E, A, D
  • G, E, A, down to D
  • G, E, A, D

Now, let's add passing notes in between.

Passing Notes:

  • From G to E, add F sharp.
  • From A, we could use G sharp down to D.

Revised Sequence:

  • G, F sharp, E, A flat (or G sharp) down to E flat to D.

In simple form:

  • G, E, A, D
  • And again G, E, A, D.

With passing notes:

  • G, F sharp, E, A flat, A, E flat, D.

Putting It All Together

This may seem complicated, but it flows smoothly once we integrate the right hand.

Loop Example:

  • G, F sharp, E, A flat, A, E flat, D, back to G.

Finger Placement for the Left Hand of the Entire A Section:

  • Thumb, second finger, third finger, second finger, thumb, third finger, fourth finger, second finger, thumb.

I will now play it all the way through, showcasing both versions: one with the simplified 1-6-2-5 progression and one with the additional passing notes.

First Version:

  • Four bars of G, A minor to D, down to G.

Now with Passing Notes:

  • Start with 4 bars of G.

About the instructor

Tom Seals
Tom Seals

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

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23 lessons (1h 39m)
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