We use cookies to personalise content, serve ads, and analyse traffic.
Lesson time: (9min 34sec)
This lesson is part of the course Play Authentic Slow Blues Piano
Watch a preview of the full course below.
Lesson transcript:
Cool! In this lesson, we're going to look at that little riff which is built around a G9 chord, or around a ninth chord. We'll explore various ways we can vary that and the things it can lead to.
It's something that Johnny Johnson uses a lot. If you listen to the start of "Wee Wee Hours," a Chuck Berry recording, you'll hear Johnny Johnson's incredible piano work.
This essentially comes from the G9 chord. The ninth is the ninth note if you're going up the major scale.
You can incorporate:
All these little rolls and embellishments make it feel almost like a vocal line.
"Imagine a kind of wail... a little vocal fall-off, that's kind of what the piano is imitating."
It can shift to a different inversion of that same idea, still incorporating the ninth, but in a different position.
There are all sorts of things you can do with this riff. It can extend into more gospel contexts:
"James Booker uses that a lot, especially in 'Black Knight,' a great slow blues."
"Different keys have different character, which helps define various styles."
You can perform this riff:
Feel free to be expressive:
"Make a noise; you don't have to be polite all the time."
In terms of practice, focus on:
I'll try to include more in the PDF for you to practice this concept further.
So, let's move on to the next lesson!
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
