Tag Archives: piano

Video – Arlo Guthrie Sings and Plays Piano – Live Performance

post, , , , , , , ,

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

Video – Terrific Solo Blues Piano – Mary Lou Williams

post, , , , , , , ,

This is a terrific example of stride piano blues. Mary Lou Williams plays a wonderful solo blues at age 70. Her accomplished style of combining strong right hand blues melodies and her legendary stride piano left hand are showcased in this recording.

Mary Lou Williams was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1910. She was a jazz and blues piano player, composer, and arranger. In her long career, she recorded and arranged hundreds of songs. She also wrote music and arranged for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Some of her close friends included Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie and many more great musicians.

Although Mary Lou Williams never took piano lessons, she learned how to play all by herself. She was extremely gifted as a child and very motivated to learn. At the age of 6 she was already earning money playing the piano. By the time she reached 14 she was performing with Duke Ellington and became well known as a professional musician throughout Atlanta. Her remarkable skill at the keyboard, especially at such an early age, astounded most everyone she met, including Louis Armstrong. Her career lasted over seventy years, and she has left a huge repertoire of recordings as well as memories for the many people who got to hear her perform at music events and festivals. She was truly an inspiration to many upcoming artists.

Some Mary Lou Williams Recordings
From the Heart
Mary Lou’s Mass
Black Christ of the Andes
The First Lady of the Piano
The Zodiac Suite
Roll ‘Em

more on Mary Lou Williams

norah jones playing piano

Video – Norah Jones Playing Piano on Sunrise (Live in Amsterdam)

post, , , , , , , , ,

Here is a wonderful video of Norah Jones and her band playing “Sunrise” live in Amsterdam in 2007

Norah Jones is one of the best selling artists of today. Possessing an unusually beautiful voice, her fabulous recordings have made her the top Jazz artist of the 2000-2009 decade, as named by Billboard magazine. Norah began her professional career in 2002, and immediately became a very popular artist.

Norah Jones began singing as a child, in church choirs and took piano lessons. In High School, Jones sang in the school choir and played in a band. At the University of North Texas (UNT), Jones majored in jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers. She met Jesse Harris whom she began collaborating with. Shorty afterwards, she returned to New York City and started a band with Harris.

Some of the people that have influenced her music are Billie Holiday and Bill Evans. Jones, in addition to being singer, is also a songwriter, guitarist, and actress.

Some of most popular songs include:

“The Nearness of You”

“I Think It’s Going to Rain Today”

“Don’t Miss You at All”

“Seven Years”

“Sinkin’ Soon”

“Humble Me”

 

more on Norah Jones

 

piano keyboard teacher

Increase Your IQ – Piano Lessons For Children & Adults

post, , , , , , , , ,

Piano teachers have always known that people who take piano lessons or keyboard lessons tend to have better cognitive skills that increase their success at school, at work, and in daily challenges. Recent research has quantified this with some statistical results.

Although most people think of IQ as a trait you are born with, studies now show that it is not static. IQ levels can change over the years and increase when people are given just several weeks of cognitive training. One study showed scores increasing over 15% for some students. Researchers have drawn a strong connection between music lessons and IQ level. Glenn Schellenberg, psychology professor, University of Toronto, has demonstrated that music lessons result in a higher IQ throughout one’s life. Six years of music lessons can markedly increase a child’s IQ score by an average 7.5 points.

In one recent study, researchers found that musicians that are active 10 years or more continue to show higher IQs beyond the age of 60. IQ scores fluctuate during a person’s life. Learning new skills stimulates the brain the most. People can increase their IQ by engaging in activities that are intellectually challenging. Complex school studies, work, relationships, and problems solving will result in increased IQ.

from the WSJ

Video, Chick Corea Akoustic Band Piano Solo “Spain”, Montreal Jazz Festival 2004

post, , , , , , , , ,

This is a fabulous live piano solo of Chick Corea playing “Spain”, his classic tune, at the Montreal Jazz Festival 2004. Chick Corea’s music has a very distinctive percussive style, and is often accented by unison playing. His legendary playing is also noted for his fresh melodies and ethnic influences.

Chick Corea is an American jazz pianist, and composer. Corea began piano lessons at the age of eight and also began composing early in his career. His influences include bebop artists Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, and Horace Silver. He has recorded both on acoustic piano, electric piano, and electronic keyboards. Many of his songs are now considered jazz standard and have been performed by numerous musicians. Chick Corea is considered a jazz luminary, along with Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and Keith Jarrett. His is one of the most influential jazz composers of the last 40 years. During his career he has been nominated for 51 Grammy Awards and has won 15.

more on Chick Corea