Lesson: Exploring Brit Pop with "Helicopter"

Hello, I'm James Beckwith. I am a pianist, composer, and keyboard player.

Welcome to Your Musical Journey

Today, we're diving into "Helicopter," a piece created by Rock School for you. We're going to explore Brit Pop, the vibrant music of the 90s.

Artists We'll Explore

• Blur
• Oasis
• Other great British bands from all over the UK.

We're going to focus on huge sounds! This piece is originally a guitar composition, but we're going to play it on the piano.

Getting Started

At the beginning of our musical journey, let's talk about the two hands on the piano:

• Right Hand: Plays the melody. This is the line found in the top stave.
• Left Hand: Plays what we call chords. This adds depth and richness to the melody, making it sound more interesting.

When played together, the combination creates a much bigger sound.

Instrument Textures

If you were playing in a Britpop band, you might hear the melody on a Hammond organ or another instrument. If you have a keyboard at home, I highly recommend trying different sounds to appreciate the various textures this piece can present.

Playing the Piece

1. Left Hand Patterns:

   • A mixture of minims and semibreves.

2. Right Hand Patterns:

   • Mostly crotchets and quavers, with an occasional minim thrown in.

Achieving the Right Feel

The piece moves fairly fast, but the melody is slower. Therefore, it's key to prevent the sound from being too rigid.

Using the Sustain Pedal

• Your piano or keyboard has pedals. The right-hand pedal is the sustain pedal.
• When pressed, it sustains the sound and blends colors beautifully on the piano.

Demonstration

• I'll play the beginning of this piece without the pedal, followed by a demonstration with the pedal. Listen to how much longer the sound lasts with the pedal engaged.

Expression and Moderation

While the pedal is a powerful tool for expression, remember:

• You're at the beginning of your musical journey.
• Avoid overusing the pedal. It can muddy the sound if used too much.

Pedal Technique

Press the pedal down at the start of the bar and release it at the end of the bar or when the harmony changes. This will create a cleaner sound.

Crossover Technique

One tricky aspect is the crossover of hands at the very beginning. Here's how it works:

• Although the right hand plays the melody, the left hand moves over it, giving the impression that the left hand is playing the sound.

Don't worry if it feels challenging when practiced separately; this is a common occurrence in music.

Importance of Fingering

Fingering is key!

• Often, incorrect fingering becomes a habit, especially in the rock world where many are self-taught.
• When practicing, pay careful attention to how you will develop the line.

Left Hand Chord Fingering

• Start with 5 and 3, move to 3 and 1, then to 2 and 4.
• In the B section, begin with 1 and 3, then 2 and 4, and down to 3 and 5.

This pattern creates a smooth line, making speed easier down the line.

Recap of Key Points

1. Watch for the hands crossing over at the beginning of the piece. Work on this with your teacher.
2. Use the pedal wisely for atmosphere and color, but avoid overuse.
3. Nail down your fingering. It will save you time and effort in the long run.

Practice Recommendations

• This piece is designed to be played with a backing track.
• I recommend practicing alongside both the piano and non-piano accompaniment.
• A metronome can be incredibly useful!
  • If the piece feels too fast, start slower (perhaps around 100 BPM) and gradually increase your speed.

Conclusion

Before you know it, you'll be rocking out in no time. I've truly enjoyed learning and playing this piece with you, and I hope you have as well!

Playing rock music is always a fantastic experience. So keep rocking, and see you next time!