Transitioning into the Chorus

Now we're going into a chorus built on this riff I've looked at quite a lot in my other courses. Essentially, it's just an elaboration of the C triad and the F triad going between them.

The Swing of the Riff

The way that Pete Johnson drives this riff in the chorus really swings and takes it up a gear. He's changing the accents in the bar, so here's what we have:

• Playing Around with the Riff: As you approach it, try playing around a whole 12-bar progression, changing where you accent things.
• Dropping Down the Octaves: Consider dropping down the octaves at the end for a different feel.

Tips for Solidifying the Riff

• Get it Under Your Fingers: Work on getting that riff nice and solidly under your fingers.
• Adding the Fifth: You could even play it with the fifth at the bottom; it makes it sound a little larger and more pronounced.

Incorporating New Ideas

From that riff, he transitions into another idea played at the top of the piano, which sounds fantastic. Then, we're into a nice single note run again, followed by that riff once more.

Creating Rhythm and Vibe

• Driving Rhythm: We shift into a driving rhythm, using just one note.
• Intentional Play: You can create a vibe, even throwing in some cool stuff when played with the right intention and rhythm.

The Beauty of Variations

I love how he transitions down to a two-note thing, layering this little pentatonic idea underneath. The way he throws it around the bar and accents it is remarkable.

Practical Application

I'm going to demonstrate by playing a little. I'll go around a 12-bar progression, playing in slightly different places. While I may exaggerate it by doing it many times, the main idea is clear:

• Experiment with Placement: Try placing these riffs in different parts of the bar.
• Engaging the Listener: This approach can throw the listener, which is cool; it creates excitement to be slightly challenged before finding the path again.

Embracing the Experience

I love that feeling of being thrown off a cliff, only to land on a ledge and find your feet again. That moment is definitely part of the excitement of music!