“ How you look tonight” is the subject of this YouTube video. It takes you through the simple version right to the full cocktail lounge piano version.

Now this is for those who would like to improve their piano technique but it is quite a learning curve, so if you only play by ear, then give it a miss. For those who understand chord structure etc, it is quite revealing as I found. However, I am too far down the road to take so much knowledge on board. Still worth a look IMO.



Regards

Ron

Ron,

Thanks for posting that! Loved the chords in his Step 1: Lead Sheet. When we say we 'play by ear' I think generally we mean 'we play the melody by ear', and seeing those chords has really inspired me to have a go at this one .. as a keyboard player, not as a pianist. When playing those chords on a piano the music doesn't 'flow' so you have to do something with the chord and break it up into a 'shell' in order to get some 'movement'. Give me a keyboard any day where you play the basic chord and the keyboard gives you a 'backing' of drums, bass, guitar and all the other members of your band, who always do what they are told and play as you want them to. And when I play I usually have a Left Hand Voice to bring out the harmony of those chords. When I do this I find I have to send the Pad player packing or he/she falls out with my Left Hand Voice player.

Hugh

Glad you like it Hugh. Yes, I suppose most can play by ear but only so far as playing the melody line. I have still to meet the person that can play the chord accompaniment for most tunes by ear. Following this video, I now find myself concentrating on listening to the left hand part of melodies. I am also now playing sus2 chords to replace some maj chords. It is all in the harmony of those lovely chords that were played during the video.

Regards

Ron

Hi Ron. Nice one to watch. Lost me on the first note or was it when he switched it on. Perhaps not. Too much to learn at my age. But these videos do help. Makes you think. John

Hi John,

Sorry you felt it was beyond you, but you might be surprised at what little jewel of information you could pick up via watching this sort of information. Fortunately after a long musical education when I was younger, I was able to follow Jonny in the video. Yes, perhaps a bit too adventurous for people, like us, of a certain age, but I feel you are never too old to learn.

Regards

Ron

Ron ...

but I feel you are never too old to learn.

Tell that to my fingers when I'm trying to play something; and my brain when trying to record it!

Hugh