First break

Paddy Milner
Paddy Milner

Lesson time: (3min 37sec)

In this lesson, Paddy teaches you how to play the first break of Pinetop's Boogie Woogie

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This lesson is part of the course Learn Three Classic Boogie-Woogie Songs
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Lesson transcript:

Music Lesson

Introduction to the Break

So let's look at the first break. Now, this is the point where the main vamp, the main groove stops. And we got this break in the dancing with a cool, cool kind of piano figure going on.


Recalling the Introduction

We've got this. Now hold yourself. We've got this, which again recalls the introduction. It's built on that C7 chord.

  • You know, there's something about a seventh chord which kind of wants to do something.
  • It wants to go somewhere.

So it's got this extra sort of energy compared to just a regular triad.


Transitioning to the Percussive Element

Now stop. Remember, there's that percussive thing coming in again. One thing that can be tricky when going into a percussive section like that is to actually play it in tempo.

  • So try with the metronome, going from, you know, even just playing random things just to get that rhythm kind of locked in.
  • You don't want to be speeding up or slowing down on those tremolo, tremolos.

Practicing the Roll

Now stop. He says. They got that little roll.

  • I'm kind of, again, sliding off the B flat to the B.
  • You might want to play it with individual fingers.

In the left hand, I'm playing it like that: then octaves.


Understanding the Chord Progression

Then we've got that chord followed by that again. This is quite a hard one to make out in the recording. I kind of heard a ninth in there.

  • That's going down the kind of broken chord on a C dominant 7.
  • And then this chord, maybe it hasn't got the D in it.
  • Maybe it's just that, it does sound like that is the voicing.

Then this G sharp, which is sort of an augmented fifth, something you'll hear a lot in Romantic music, especially from the Romantic period, like Rachmaninoff and stuff like that.

So again, it just wants to go somewhere, like something wants to happen.


Conclusion: Transitioning to the Next Section

And it's a great chord for saying, "Now, boogie woogie." Then we're into the next section.

About the instructor

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. "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

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35 lessons (2h 23m)
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