Lesson 14 of 25PianoIntermediate

Second solo section & turnaround

Let's take a look at the second solo, which is a big build on chord I and really explodes into chord IV. Demonstration and analysis.

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25 lessons (1h 21m) · 1 free
    • 01. How to play the intro

      5:46

    • 02. First solo section & turnaround

    • 03. Second solo section & turnaround

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    • 04. Variations on the solos

    • 05. Variations on pinetop smith lick and glissandi

    • 06. Variations on second solo buildup

Lesson transcript

Music Lesson: Analyzing the Solo Section

Okay, so let's look at this next solo section, which essentially is a big build on chord one.

Chord Build and Transition

  • Chord Seven: He makes a seventh chord and really sort of explodes into chord four with some cool ideas.
  • First Playthrough: I'll play it for you once, and then I'll break it down so you can learn it note for note. We'll break that down even further so you can look at the individual ideas and develop your own improvisations using them.

Here we go: 2, 1, 2, 3, 4.

And then he's into another verse.

Breakdown of the Section

What have we got?

  • Build Up: We've got a big build, or maybe he goes to the seventh.
  • Recording Insight: On the recording, he may sort of hit that circumstance, maybe by mistake. We don't know. It doesn't matter, because it's all about the energy and the vibe, which again sort of recalls the introduction.

Whether that's conscious or not, who knows?

Glissandi Technique

It almost sounds there that he was actually going to go for one of those notes, because he starts it, but instead opts for the glissando.

So, then he does that.

  • He either voices it like that, or it might just be,
  • I sort of naturally put that D on the top.

Again, it doesn't particularly matter for the vibe of the solo, as long as it's all played with the right attitude.

Important Tips for Performance

  • Glissandi: Make sure with the glissandi that you get right to the top of the piano. It's almost accelerating as it goes as well.
  • Repeated Notes: Here, that last one he plays a little quicker to give him time to get up to the top.

Previously it's:

  • One, two, three.
  • This one just anticipates it.

Final Rundown

So, the rundown at the end is essentially kind of going down a sort of G minor 6.

  • 2, 3.
  • He's alternating between that third to that.

Then it's the same thing all the way down. You could carry that on.

Practice Guidance

So, yeah, you can practice that bit by:

  • Essentially using two hand positions with that little run up to it:
    • 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4.
    • 2, 2, 3, 4.

And into the thing.

For me, that's just a really hip thing.

Left Hand Technique

In fact, on the left hand there, he's playing octaves not.

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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'.

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