Pete Johnson's Roll 'Em Pete Riff
Guy Chambers explains how 'No Regrets', written about Robbie Williams' split from Take That, uses the music to complement the song's reflective mood.
What's in the course
24 lessons (2h 1m) · 2 free
01. Introducing Basses & Practice Tips
1:06
02. Building Boogie Basses
Free lesson6:22
03. Developing Basses Further
10:17
04. Minor Basses
3:02
05. Walking Basses
7:05
06. Getting Creative With 8-To-The-Bar Basses
5:33
07. Jimmy Yancey Style Latin Basses
2:07
08. Developing Your Own Basses - Rhythmic Ideas
6:04
09. Developing Your Own Basses - Harmonic Ideas & Suitcase Blues Study
8:08
Lesson transcript
Right Hand Boogie Woogie Language
So, let's carry on looking at this right hand boogie woogie language. I'm going to show you four or five different little musical ideas which come from the repertoire that I use a lot.
Pete Johnson's Musical Idea
First of all, let's look at this little musical idea that Pete Johnson uses. He introduced this in the first chorus of "Roland."
- Key Elements:
- It's a very simple idea.
- It's built on fourths in the right hand.
- It creates a strong, solid sound.
The Chord Progression
The chord progression is: G - C - A - D.
In context, he brings it in after the introduction. It comes in on the four.
- It sets up the rest of the run.
Experimenting with Placement
Let's look at ways you can use that idea. You can play around with where you place it in the bar.
- Obviously, Pete Johnson places it on the fourth beat, which essentially aims for beat one.
- But why not start it in different places?
I'm going to play around with a 12-bar progression using that, placing it in different spots.
Combining Ideas
I'll be mixing it up with some of the thirds and sixths that we looked at before.
- Obviously, I may be overusing it just to show you how it sounds and where you can use it.
- Remember, you can repeat it; you don't just have to play it once.
Conclusion
There you go! It sets up the remainder of the line.
So, that's a little idea from Pete Johnson.
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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.
