Tag Archives: blues

Video – Arlo Guthrie Sings and Plays Piano – Live Performance

Arlo Guthrie plays piano and sings live in this video of him performing “City of New Orleans”. “City of New Orleans” was composed by Steve Goodman and is a nostalgic story about a train route from Chicago to New Orleans. Arlo first recorded the song in 1972 and it has been widely associated with him ever since. In 2005, Arlo travelled on that train to arrive in New Orleans to raise money for musicians after the devastating Katrina Hurricane.

Arlo Guthrie was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1947. His father, Woodie Guthrie was famous for writing and singing social protest songs, and Arlo has kept that tradition and composed and recorded many. Arlo Guthrie, in addition to being a singer, composer, and musician, has also done some acting. He is most recognized from his portrayal of himself in the film “Alice’s Restaurant”, named after the hit song he wrote. Arlo Guthrie is an American legend and has contributed so much to the Folk music genre of America.

When some of my students are taking their keyboard lessons and piano lessons, the subject of how to play piano while singing, often comes up. Playing while you sing requires a different technique than playing solo. Arlo gives a wonderful example of how easy it can look in this flawless performance.

Some Albums by Arlo Guthrie
Together In Concert (1975), with Pete Seeger
Amigo (1976)
The Best of Arlo Guthrie (1977)
One Night (1978)
Outlasting the Blues (1979)
Power Of Love (1981)
Precious Friend (1982)
Someday (1986)

info about Arlo Guthrie

Piano Lessons, Keyboard for Beginners, Portland Oregon – Children, Adults

If learning piano is something you have been thinking about for some time, here’s some of the things you can expect learning to play piano or keyboard. Learning piano is a wonderful new skill that you will have for years. It’s a very personal endeavor, and can be exciting and adventurous. You will begin to appreciate music in a way that you never imagined. Listening to music is great, but being able to play it will give you an entirely new level of understanding.

Individual private piano lessons will give you a weekly opportunity to work on new music and stay on a smooth course. I teach students from the age of 4 and up. Many students begin lessons as adults. I love working with beginner students. It’s great to watch their progress and see them explore the world of piano and keyboard music. Students decide which direction they would like to take the lessons. Some students prefer to work mostly on learning to read music. There is so much wonderful music to learn on piano; Classical, Pop, Blues, New Age, Folk, Jazz. Other students may wish to add blues improvisation, theory, and perhaps songwriting. I want students to have a fun experience learning to play and feel a sense of accomplishment right from the beginning. My studio is comfortable and relaxed place to study piano.

Norm Zarr
503-771-4611

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Video – Keith Jarrett – Somewhere Over the Rainbow Piano Solo Tokyo 1984

Here is a wonderful piano solo of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow “ by Keith Jarrett. Known for his blisteringly fast and beautifully emotional harmonies, Jarrett is considered by many as the best jazz pianist in the world.

Keith Jarrett is an American pianist and composer. Jarrett began piano lessons before his third birthday. At the age of five he appeared on a TV talent program, and continued to display prodigious talent as a young child. Jarrett gave his first formal piano recital at age seven, playing Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and two of his own piano compositions.

Jarrett has performed and recorded with numerous famous artists worldwide. His enormously successful career, performing jazz and classical music, spans decades. He is best known for his jazz standards, original jazz solo performances, jazz trio work, and classical renditions. His legendary and stunning virtuoso live piano solos are known for their complexity and originality. Jarrett’s improvisations draw from traditional jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music. His modern and artistic way of engaging the keyboard is unique. There is simply no other pianist that possesses the remarkable skills he has. Keith Jarrett has received countless awards and recognition for his piano playing and compositions, and is an icon of American jazz.

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Piano Lessons & Keyboard Lessons
Portland, Oregon

503-771-4611


Having fun is the best way to get students relaxed and ready to learn new things at the studio. There are so many wonderful pieces of music to learn, from Bach to Beatles to Ben Fold. Reading music, playing by ear, blues improvisation, learning about melodies and chords, recording a video animation with music; there’s always something exciting to work on. Playing piano is a great way to take time off from the busy world and do something for yourself. Kids have lots of fun; so do adults.

Blues Piano

xcv
blues piano keyboard lessons portland


“Having A Blast. Love Doing Blues Improv”

“The Pieces Are Coming Together And I Now Understand How To Play Blues”

“Playing My Own Music Is The Best”

 


blues piano lessons keyboardWhy Learn To Play Blues Piano?
Learning to play Blues Piano is a fabulous way to improve your piano playing skills. It will help you learn to play by ear, understand how music is constructed, and enable you to fly over the keys. Students who learn Blues Piano acquire a sense of freedom to play piano and keyboards effortlessly. Playing Blues on piano or keyboards is just a lot of fun. It’s creative, full of energy and emotion. Blues Piano is very cool.

Students who already read music will learn a new way of approaching the keyboard. Blues Piano can revitalize and enliven your playing. Jamming Blues Piano with friends makes a great music connection. It’s the fastest way of learning to play music with others. Complete beginners, after spending a few months learning to read music, can begin Blues Piano, learn new techniques and expand their proficiency.

While learning blues, we’ll work on some extra music theory, to round out your understanding of how things fit together. If interested, you can also learn to arrange music, and write original pieces. If you are a singer, we can look at chord styles to accompanying your voice. Adults have a great curiosity about Blues. Kids also naturally love to improvise on piano. Blues is an excellent way for anyone to use their imagination to paint musical pictures on the keyboard.

blues piano lessons player

What Is Blues Piano?
Blues is an original American music. The beauty of Blues Piano is its simplicity and creative energy. Blues is improvisational, with each repetition a playful expansion of what came before. Usually played as a twelve bar progression, there is a distinct chord and melody structure which gives it such a unique sound. Blues Piano is often played solo, and is a lot faster and more innovative than Blues generally played on guitar. In it’s more complicated versions, it sounds a lot like Jazz. Playing Blues is a whole world of music in itself. It’s artistic, and is full of soul. Learning to play Blues Piano is great way to be introduced to Jazz improvisation.

Since the 1800’s Blues has been greatly influenced all types of American music, Classical, Folk, Rock n’ Roll, Jazz, and more. Blues music can be found everywhere and is loved and appreciated throughout the world. Constantly evolving, Blues Piano music continues to excite, delight and captivate people.

Some well known Blues piano players from different time periods are: Otis Spann, Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Oscar Peterson, Randy Newman, Professor Longhair, Keith Jarrett, Michel Petrucciani.


play blues lessons piano

Blues Piano – Getting Started
You’ll see lots of ‘How To Play Blues Piano’ books. Learning to play Blues from a book is very hard. The material is hard to make sense of and students end up confused and frustrated. Learning to play Blues is best done as a one-on-one hand’s on experience. It’s the way to go. I have taught hundreds of people to play Blues Piano with confidence and ease. Beginners, after learning to read music a bit, will find Blues to be well suited for them. If you already play piano and want to learn this great American piano style, then you can begin right away. Playing Blues Piano helps students acquire a nice fluid playing style and improve all areas of their playing.

blues piano lessons improvisation

The Blues Piano Lessons
The way I teach Blues Piano is unique; developed over years of teaching, it’s easy to follow and understand. Learning to play twelve bar Blues begins with the left hand chord progression and right hand Blues Scale. You’ll learn all the necessary steps to begin improvising some really nice, fun Blues. Everything you need to know to master the basic styles of Blues will be presented in an easy to understand progression.

Playing Blues Piano is a wonderful introduction to improvisation and playing by ear. There is a special feeling of freedom and accomplishment to being able to play without music. Blues Piano will give you new energy and expressiveness in your playing. Lessons are presented to each student at a comfortable pace and according to their own personal interests.

Examples of Blues



  Some things you will learn:
Left Hand Blues Chord Progressions
Right Hand Blues Scale
Swing and Other Rhythms
Walking Bass
Rhythm Variations
Alternative Twelve Bar Progressions
Jazz Style Blues Chords & Scales
1930-1950 & Contemporary Styles of Blues


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