More improvisation ideas and techniques
With
Paddy MilnerIn this lesson, Paddy improvises a new version of the tune and shares more techniques you can incorporate in your playing: cluster chords, trills, glissandi and triad variations
What's in the course
25 lessons (2h 34m) · 1 free
Lesson transcript
Exploring Ideas for "Great Balls of Fire"
Solo Section Experimentation
"Yeah. What other things could we do on this tune? Let's have a think. I might play around the solo section a few times and just see what ideas come out, and maybe we'll look at some of those."
Creativity Sparks
- "I said a goodness of gracious green balls of fun."
- "Yeah, there are a few ideas."
Variations and Riffs
- "So, again, some really sort of heavier variations of the riff."
- "Just trying to make as much noise with that riff as possible."
Dissonance as a Feature
"I'm not really minding the cluster chords going on. On its own, that's a bit of a dissonant sound, but in terms of playing a rock and roll song, I think that's kind of pretty cool."
Chord Progressions
"Yeah. Maybe when I go to the chord four on the bridge, maybe I'd use that sort of trill on a ninth, maybe with that little gliss up to the..."
Lyric Inspirations
"I wanna love you like a lover should, so fine, so kind. God, tell this world that you might want to chew my nails into my thumbs."
Adding Texture
"Maybe some glisses coming out of that break." "Sorry, I wanted to let you chew my nails and twist my thumbs."
Song References
"I'm Real Numbs by Charles Funk. Baby, drive me crazy." "Got nas grooves, grab balls of fire."
Final Thoughts
"So, yeah, look, there are a few ideas that you could use on Great Balls of Fire as both in the verses and in the solo."
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
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.
