How To Memorize (a complex song) - "Lush Life" , Jazz Piano Tutorial
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2017
- "Lush LIfe" by Billy Strayhorn. Considered one of the greatest (and most complex) jazz ballads. Jazz piano tutorial explains concepts for memorization of songs. Breakdown of form, chord progression, harmonic and melodic relationships for this complex song. Go to website for free scores and to view jazz piano book. htttp://www.kenthewitt.com/
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Regardingthe comment below about Kent's book I just want to say I purchased the book and he'd no problem what so ever. Kent was very responsive to my questions and easy to communicate with. I also highly recommend his book. Thanks for all u do. Dick
Many thanks, Richard. There was a issue with communication, and limited email when I was in Maine. It's easy to miss an email occasionally. It's settled now and I'm shipping the book out to the subscriber tomorrow. I appreciate your comment...and of course value anyone who would order my book.
Thank you Kent - Long live the brilliance of Billy Strayhorn!
I'll echo your statement, "brilliant"....and he isn't appreciated enough. (wrote this song at 18).
My sister sang that song in her Barber shop quartet Fanatix Connie Noble tenor. Super fun.
Amazing!
Glad you're back KH! Been working on jazz blues with my teacher, and have found myself going through some of your old videos on the topic.
That's great to hear...sometimes the older ones, that are good, don't get watched so I appreciate your comment.
Hi Kent,
I've been watching your videos for a few months off and on, and I enjoy your very direct and meaningful approach. At age 80, I'm still actively playing jazz and cabaret piano after 65 years and never tire of learning new things. Jacob Collier has been my latest mentor since he was 17, although he has no idea.
One little thing about the last section of the verse on "Lush Life", where you mention the natural minor scale -- the beginning uses a D natural, putting it into an F dorian mode. Try playing it with a Db (F natural minor) instead and see how it doesn't work as well (sounds like the Batman theme!). Now if we go into the next phrase, it becomes clearer that Strayhorn's D natural makes more sense since it repeats the first one an octave higher.
There's no rule that I know of that says you have to remain in one mode or another, so you certainly have a right to your own preference -- in fact, I sort of agree with you. :)
Whatever the outcome, thanks for all you're doing and say "Nuts" to your alter ego.
My favourite version has long been Nat King Cole’s. I always marvel at how good his intonation is with such a complex and chromatic melody. Even from being a kid, he’s always been my favourite pianist as well.
Thanks for the breakdown! Great stuff.
Nat was one of our truly great musicians, both piano and vocal. He was highly respected by all the greats that followed him.
Enough to keep me going for the rest of the SUMMER!! Nice!
Hope your summer's going great, Frank. Greg told me how much he enjoyed meeting you both.
Greg is one of the finest people we ever met!
I'm a better player because of you, sir. Thank you for your generosity, intellect, formidable talent and musicianship, your sense of important concepts that players need and appreciate, and your outstanding communication skills. You're a rare gem, Kent Hewitt. Hope you have a swingin' holiday! Recommending your materials to all I meet that could use them.
Thanks so much for a stellar comment! It's very affirming and encouraging to keep me going. I don't know how I'm doing unless you tell me.
Fantastic tutorial as always. Unbelievable that Strayhorn was 16 when he wrote this!
That is unbelievable!
I adore this song Kent. Thank you for another inspirational video😊
Thanks, Corinne, it's one the greatest jazz ballad standards...it a class all it's own.
Nice playing
Love it!
Thanks!!
I'm not the greatest pianist but people are always impressed by how many songs I have memorised. I think the two tricks are 1) realising how similar a lot of the standards are and 2) if you can remember the lyrics and the melody, then everything else about the song comes very easily.
Thanks..That's a good tip, A Aegerter. Knowing the lyrics often helps to remember the melody...then you just have to find the right chords...not always that easy.
Extraordinary !!!tutorial !! Deep willing to explain from A to Z ... Even non advanced folks like me can succeed to play all chords by studying it slowly . The all theory is over my current knowledge but am learning music theory ! Interesting enough those who created jazz did not learn this theory before to create it ( sort of inversion approach 😊)
I like your comment, which is perceptive. They created it before they were able to analyze it.
I'm glad to help out. The reason is that we play by ear a greater portion of the time, rather than by intellectual methods However it's very useful to have intellectual concept. Check out my playlists to select the level and category you want: th-cam.com/users/KentHewittpiano88playlists
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luv it!
luv ya, brother!
As a singer, this is my most difficult song so far but it helped my in many areas... and still does. big fan of Lady Gaga's version BTW.
Thanks for telling me...I'm glad I could help out. Have you heard her with Tony Bennett?
@@KentHewittpiano88 Oh yeah sure! Also great! And then Queen Latifah, wow! Great tutorials, by the way!
Very happy I just found this - Thanks!
Thanks for the comment!
Fabulous playing, Kent! Tough tune.
Tough tune but satisfying when you work at it and learn it. Thanks so much, Jay!
I think it's the greatest jazz tune ever written While you were beautifully uncovering the acrobatics involved in the creation I remember that this is a song about careless drinking and Strayhorns genius allows him to capture the boozy unsteadiness in this series of complex changes. Just brillisnt
Thanks for a great compliment...especially because you understand the song and it's message...and as a jazz musician growing up in the 50's and 60's ...I've experienced this first hand.
Really fine !
Appreciated!
Brilliant playing. I never really noticed the Gershwin influences on Strayhorn's writing until now. (Glad you made it back from Maine safely. I'm surprised there wasn't an outstanding warrant there for ADEM.)
He's back, to haunt us, but also fun to fool around with. Thanks for the great comment Max.
Received your book ken and it is a amazing jazz instructional book.
One of best I have ever come across and I have many. Sorry about the miss communication.
Thank you again.
Michael Luce
Thanks, Michael, I'm glad the book arrived and you are enjoying it. Also sorry to miss your email. Best wishes, KH
Thanks:)
13 b9 #11 ascending arpeggios love it
Righto...you got it!
Kent Hewitt or G6/Em7 over Bb+Ab
Thank You Kent, always wanted to learn this tune but as I'm not a sight reader this composition was in the "Toohard" basket...
I hear you....it's a real challenge.
Thank you very much !! I wd like to play the john Coltrane one version the piano solo is superb
All his balled interpretations were phenomenal. I'm glad you are hip to that.
Thx you enjoy the lesson nice as usual actually I heard that song in the Bob Hope movie back in the day beautiful lessons thx u Dorothy Lamour was in Bob Hope Movie too
I'm not sure I saw that one...but his movies were very entertaining. All the best to you. Emmett
Very helpful KH
Very cool, Mark...thanks!
*ALTERED DOMINANT EGO MAN*
You have one too...check this out: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alter_ego
In the first A section, you play the rising line Db Eb F Gb Ab but in explaining it you say to play an ascending minor scale which would have an E natural. Which would you say is correct?
Thanks for that!
in the original sheet music, Isn't the melody in the verse on the word "SEEMED" a Gb -with a C7(9) chord (the #11 in melody), not a G (5th) in melody?
The version I have at 10:34 has the d natural while still on the Fminor 6 chord, then when the phrase repeats at 11.44 it uses the d flat. So it has both ways. But the second time instead of F minor 6, its D flat Major 7 , berore E Dim. But as you say its all up to individual interpretation. Nice video helped me with some of the arpeggios.
;
I appreciate the comment. Miles was the master of playing different notes than written.
Great video as always Kent! Am I right in thinking that you really dig Red Garland's block chord solo on the John Coltrane version ? It's one of my favourite piano solos of all time. Any chance of you doing something on Red Garland's block chord style? Thanks!
Love Red Garland. Have used his block chord technique in some videos...need to address it specifically in a vid. Thanks for the suggestion!
In bar 3 of the refrain the melody note is G flat over the C9+11 chord according to the original sheet music.
Call it poetic (musical) license. I like the G natural to Ab because, to my ear, it balances with the Ab-A in bar 7, and thus is symmetrical, in the ascending 1/2 steps. You are right...so play whatever sounds better to you.
Your a crazy fuck, KH. I love ya
Love you too, Mustylemon!
You're an amazing person. You definetly believe in what you do, and that should make you proud. I really wish you the best in your future and hope for more great videos like this one, that really helped me to actually change from a pianist, that just played piano to waste some time to a really music loving pianist. Thanks to the things you show and tell your audience, you made me enjoy and feel music again. All I say sounds very kitsch, but its true :)
Greetings from Germany!
Thank you for the great comment and compliment. You made my day and help me to keep going!
Kay Haych
Whew
Yes, not an easy tune!
Could you do a tutorial for Poinciana by Ahmad Jamal?
I used to play that arrangement. I'll put that on my list . There is a transcription :www.amazon.com/Ahmad-Jamal-Collection-Artist-Transcriptions/dp/0793548543
Kent Hewitt ayy thanks man
Hi Ken, Looks like the first two beginning sections are 7 bars and not 8.
I didn't count them ....but this song is not predictable.
@@KentHewittpiano88 You did a great job. I had to count them a few times myself since it is so unusual. Love your videos and playing.
Alt7 ego man gives the best music advice.
LoL
He'd rather be funny than give advice.
hi kent
“I used to visit all those very gay places, those come what may places, where one relaxes on the axis of the wheel of life, to get the feel of life, from jazz and cocktails”
Hear this performed at th-cam.com/video/en2MboXPqxI/w-d-xo.html
Like
"How To Memorize?" I don't see any method for memorization here! You are just showing what the sing is. How is someone supposed to "learn to memorize" by the complex tune? I have watched other "How To Memorize" videos...none of them give any hint on how to memorize anything. I'll skip it next time!
Memorization requires a certain amount of talent in remembering how phrases and notes sound and how to lock them into you mindset... much as you might memorize a poem. But this is music, which has certain mathematical aspects. This method here will help you to do that by a numerical and intellectual technique. I have used this technique and I have memorized 100's of songs and 90 minutes of concert material for years. And if you don't believe that is possible...than your REALLY have missed the whole point of this video...so you are correct .... you can just ignore it.l
I would feel much safer knowing which chords go with the melody rather than memorizing.
What do you mean? You will know a song a lot better if you memorize it...that's how it works. But you should do whatever you're most ccomfortable with.
@@KentHewittpiano88 Thanks for your response. Sorry to disagree but in my experience it's just not safe. If I forget, lose my place-and that happens-while playing it's very hard to find it again whereas if I just know the right chord that can't happen. Having said that I should add some background. I do know a good many chords but not where or when to play them and that happened because I really started all over again. I took lessons when large animals roamed the earth and have always read music. But, I really never wanted to be tied to it like an umbilical chord, rather to know enough about music that I could put, as I said, the right chords with the melody...for my own satisfaction and a few friends, not aspiring to be a concert artist.
I sent him money for his book and he never sent it or refunded me. Never returns emails.
MIchael, my apologies, I was traveling and must have missed your email. Please write to me kenthewitt@hotmail.com I'll gladly send you a refund or the book. Thanks, KH