Music Lesson: "Hold On, I'm Coming" by Isaac Hayes

Hi there, I'm Paddy. In this lesson, we'll explore the Rock School Piano Grade Five piece, an arrangement of the classic tune "Hold On, I'm Coming," written by Isaac Hayes and sung by Sam and Dave. This piece is a fantastic example of a classic soul tune, featuring a real funk vibe in the arrangement.

The Importance of Time and Groove

When playing this arrangement, especially with the backing track, remember that time and groove are everything.

• Introduction:
  • The original includes a sax melody.
  • I encourage you to listen to the original Sam and Dave recording on Stax Records, a significant soul music label that created the majority of soul records along with Motown.

Getting Into the Feel

• Start Feeling the Tempo:
  • When the drummer counts in, begin to feel the groove.
  • As I always say, try to get into the feel as soon as possible.

"1, 2, or 1, 2" , you should already be feeling it when it's time to play.

• Movement is Key:
  • Don't hesitate to move while playing.
  • This is dance music. Feel free to tap your feet.

"This is music about dancing. It's about really feeling it."

Dynamics and Groove

• Transition to the First Verse:

  • Add a bit of pedal and increase the dynamic going into the verse, to provide movement.

• Locking Down the Groove:

  • The groove is essential and runs through the verse and middle eight.
  • The right hand should play solid quarter notes (crotchets) while providing a framework for the bass line.

• Emphasis on the Beat:

  • Feel an emphasis on beat two, where the snare hits on the drums, which is a crucial element of the groove.

Chord Progressions

• Key of A Flat:

  • We are in the key of A flat, leading up to the D flat chord.

• Left Hand Technique:

  • The left hand should pump away and could be played staccato, but be cautious as this might sound stiff.
  • Listen to the original recording to capture how the bass player articulates the rhythm.

"There are all kinds of ways of articulating that. Do have a listen to the original."

Middle Eight and Guitar Solo

• At bar 21, the left hand becomes more prominent as the right hand plays simple chords.

• The D flat section (middle eight) introduces a contrasting chord sequence:

  • D flat for four bars
  • C flat (new chord)
  • D flat
  • E flat

• During the guitar solo (bar 29):

  • Play simpler chords underneath to create space for the guitar.

Repeating and Building Intensity

• DC Alcoda Repeat:
  • After the guitar solo, use the DC (da Capo) to return to the top of the song and repeat.
  • When reaching bars 15-16, jump to the coda, repeating the introduction but with more driving intensity.

"You can hear that increase in intensity as you approach the end."

Ending the Piece

• Using Pedal Effectively:

  • Use more pedal towards the end but be sure to lift it during chord changes to prevent a muddy sound.

• Final Run:

  • This section features a tricky unison line where both hands play the same notes.
  • Practice gradually with a metronome, starting slow and building up speed.

"Practice with the metronome at a slower tempo until you've got it."

• Finish strong with a solid last chord to bring the piece to a close.

Conclusion

There you have it!

"Hold On, I'm Coming" is a fantastic tune on the Stax record label performed by Sam and Dave. I really love this music, and I hope you enjoyed this lesson. Good luck with playing the piece!