Billy Joel - Master Of The Key Change

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Let's explore She's Always a Woman, Anthony's Song, Uptown Girl, Vienna, and Honesty to look at the way Billy Joel weaves us in and out key centers, using motifs, bass lines and subtle tricks of music theory.
Video recorded using
Earthworks SV33
Korg SV-1

[@StratsRUs]

You are a knockout.This video is a prime example of why you stand apart from the rest. You sing the song, feel the song , appreciate the narrative, lyric, melody AND can explain the theory. Amazing ! The full real deal.

[@EixtremeDrummer]

I fully agree.

[@pierlu5083]

​She's really amazing...Billy Joel would say: "she's ahead of her time"🙂 P.s. Joel wrote "jewels"❕️

[@billyvitale8994]

Absolutely....Aimied talent and knowledge enabled her to comprehend stuff like this...the fact that she can explain it to mere mortals in simple terms..but she is not just technical..she feels the music...which is essential in being able to actually explain it in a way that others can comprehend..thanks Aimie. Keep it coming.

[@challism]

Billy is absolutely the master of the bridge. He has stated that the bridge is his favorite part of the song. He is such a musical genius.

[@stevesincock941]

Yes he said that and yes he is

[@carlosgaspar8447]

and he wrote the album.

[@jasperdevries1726]

@@carlosgaspar8447 which is not his favourite - at all

[@robbiesanford351]

As a self taught piano/keyboard player for over 40 years, I really love your videos!!! I'm a HUGE Billy fan and have played all the songs you went through, EXCELLENT job!!!! I look forward to more from you!!!! Thanks!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

He really has that almost Bach-like ear for leading tones. It makes the music sound as if it has always existed, and Joel just uncovered it. Like the sculptor ‘uncovering’ the sculpture with their chisel.

[@da_great_mogul]

Listen to McCartney please.

[@Simrealism]

What makes Billy special is not that he's a genius, but that he finds writing music very difficult and has to work really hard. It doesn't come naturally for him.

[@Avery_4272]

Part of Billy Joel's genius is knowing the importance of musical surprise in a song. Damn great lyricist, too. Thanks for honoring him, Aimee.

[@christophercoughlin9493]

He is a brilliant, brilliant composer of music and lyrics. Took me years to appreciate how good he is.

[@quailstudios]

Billy Joel has always been one of my favorite artists/songwriters. His singing style changes from song to song and his writing is brilliant.

[@shop970]

It's some top notch writing. Up with the finest of timeless works. Because it contains classical runs. Open melody. Great intervals. Harmony. Then his lyrics and great voice. . . it's all so well done. Like a song that was always there.

[@ivanb8126]

You described very well the magic of Billy Joels's music!

[@shop970]

@@ivanb8126 thx. Then singing his melodies is another way to absorb his writing work style! . Songwriter master. Arranger.

[@-Mark_F]

Great video. Always loved Billy Joel from the start. Still to this day (some ~40 years later) finding that some of his lyrics still apply to things in my life.

[@Photologistic]

Thanks for playing Vienna. Thats my favorite, but then it’s not in his anthology book.

[@jackharriet4814]

Thanks Aimee for such an illuminating and beautiful video, and acknowledging the genius of Billy Joel. It seems that he never quite gets enough of this type of appreciation and he deserves it. Musically he's up amongst the very best.

[@joeblakeukeman]

Thank you, Aimee, for your generosity and great ear, and for taking us on the tour! ♥️

[@DavidWoodsGuitar]

As a self-taught guitarist, there is no better challenge than taking a Billy Joel song and making it work on acoustic guitar. Thanks, Aimee for covering the master.

[@randomgraham4302]

I just started my journey of learning music theory and trying to learn to read music as a beginner guitar player, and despite being overwhelmed I find your videos informative.

[@AimeeNolte]

Awesome. Great to have you aboard. Check out my playlists to find a little order to my videos

[@lpadron13]

He's a one man Beatles. There was a stretch from the late 70's through the end of the 80's where every album was a perfect blend of melodies, styles and genres. If anyone's the great american songwriter it's Billy Joel.

[@timball8429]

Genius! I never heard that idea of “changing her mind” flipping back to the original key. Ah, man!!!

[@octatonicgardenmarcospi4978]

You should arrange an interview with him before Rick Beato does it. And, please, with you two at the piano. Great analysis!

[@MartinMichiels]

You've got a great singing voice ! Thanks for this wonderful video !

[@danielhkhk7283]

Shes always a Woman is one of my top three Billy Joel songs. So great. Love your playing and voice too.

[@davidhoxit4274]

I have a deep admiration for Billy Joel, thanks for sharing❤️❤️❤️

[@Steven66b]

I learned piano playing Billy Joel songs. Bought sheet music for his first 6 albums because Sears sold each album on cassette for $3. Not a bad way to learn. Terrific video.

[@Dom2Wan]

This might be the only tutorial on youtube that made me tear up. (Yeah, Billy Joel does that to me.) Great job of relating his ideas across his oeuvre.

[@ragingriccor9999]

These songs alone are showcase Billy Joel’s phenomenal songwriting technique. Not to mention Zanzibar and Rosalinda’s Eyes.

[@rigilchrist]

I'm not a musician, but I enjoyed this analysis. I've seen Joel live and am old enough to have seen his whole career. Thanks!

[@leemiddleton8318]

Every time I see your videos I fall in love again.

[@jzuffoletto]

What a wonderful breakdown by a wonderful lady and musician about my all time favorite Billy Joel Song. Thank you!

[@matthewgoldberg1461]

Aimee the bridge at 21:08, with the descending bass line, is Jobim’s “How Insensitive” in key of Gm. Gm D/F# Fm6 C/E Eb6. Also Chopin’s Prelude in Em #4

[@christophercoughlin9493]

And the changes are so smooth.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Billy Joel learned classical piano 🎹 when he was young. (So did I. 😃) Later on, he learned jazz. Those 2 are a good 1 and 2 punch 👊 for learning modulations. Another Billy Joel song which has modulations is Baby Grand. Jazz influenced. Underrated. Good 👍 analysis Aimee.

[@pedrop7330]

After watching your videos, all that remains is to thank you for this waste of generosity and pedagogical height. You have the gift of explaining complex things with simple language, something only within the reach of good teachers, who, in addition to having a lot of knowledge, know how to transmit it at all levels.

[@mikecannon3044]

Wow! Beautiful Aimee! ❤

[@jasonsan9517]

This was a fun “listen” and very cool video! Thanks for the information and for posting!

[@lov4music895]

I have alot of his music, he is one of my favorite Artists.

[@HarryFullerCT]

This was so much fun Aimee! Thanks. Billy Joel’s key changes always hit that certain spot that knocks you off balance in such a good way. She’s Always A Woman is my favorite of his that and Summer, Highland Falls, and Vienna, such a great song off of the great The Stranger album.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

She’s always a woman and summer highland falls are challenging songs that have steady fingering throughout the song.

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Aimee you sound best singing this type of music. I’ve watched your vids for years. You sound natural here. Release some pop trax like these here…they’d sell easily.

[@winddealer1]

Thank you Aimee, for all the years of gifts you have given us on your KZbin channel. This episode in particular pushed me over the fence to Nebula. Thank you for your inspired journeys over all these beautiful pieces. Through your gracious insights I've begun to appreciate these pieces with a fresh outlook. Need to take a listen at your Steely Dan episodes again also. Product of the mid 70s . Back to Nebula for more exploration.

[@dalestephens1588]

If only you could get him for an interview for an hour or so to talk about all these amazing and unorthodox moves that make his music so timeless! Make it happen Aimee!!

[@JCloyd-ys1fm]

Very nice arrangements! Thanks for the breakdown.

[@NessieJapan]

From the title I knew it would be Always A Woman. Thanks for the breakdowns.

[@surferles589]

He is a genius

[@davidhartley94]

Amazing, Aimee!

[@kevinlynchcomposer]

Thanks for bringing us along, Aimee.

[@saiki5270]

Thanks for sharing this inspiring video. Your voice is amazing so beautiful.

[@markmallinder7618]

You explain this so well and I admire your passion and your talent for putting this across with such enthusiasm. It’s so natural and comes across really well. I’m going to follow you from now on and hope to learn some more. P.S You also have a beautiful voice. x

[@pitchman3]

GREAT teaching of Billy Joel's chords and use of them. I am a piano player and play by ear, and found this video interesting and cool. Good singing, too.

[@Weaseldog2001]

As a guitar player, this is one of the things I envy about keyboard players. I used to try to work through Billy Joel's later songs on guitar, especially this one. Maybe it is time to try again.

[@mikemolaro4198]

So great. Love your voice, stellar pitch, and yes...awesome analysis of a master!

[@andrewstillwell1191]

That was awesome 👌 👏

[@fad23]

I started studying Always a Woman for my audition book. Since I barely read music, I didn't catch the key changes on paper, but the number of time signature changes really blew me away.

[@sharatssaxophone]

You might be the best music teacher I've ever had.. Thank you!

[@meiwolfy]

Great video Aimee… thank you as always

[@44totalmassretain]

Learned more from you in one exposure than in the last30 years. FeelingBlessed.

[@martijnvanbeek4387]

Aimee, I love this walkthrough! And you singing along is incredible to listen to. Love your voice too:) I especially liked your singing improvised lyrics on what note to go to. Thought that was fabulous. Happy thanksgiving from the Netherlands

[@musicfrommicksroom]

I love Billy's music! He is truly a genius! I also really like your dissection/analysis... however, your voice is amazing!

[@fredrickmendelsohn606]

Great analysis Aimee

[@ratghost25]

For even more breathtaking chord changes, you have to listen to Billy's "Zanzibar" from 52nd Street. Even jazz legend Freddy Hubbard, who plays the Trumpet solo, stated that Billy is a master composer and songwriter.

[@carolynrugh768]

Great video! It gives me a new appreciation for Billy Joel, and you explained things so well. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Interesting fact: in classical music theory, that Gb7 chord in the key of BbM is called a German 6th chord. It's one of 3 different Augmented 6th chords built on the flat 6 of a key. Interesting that it shows up in "Vienna".

[@MrGarlandSnow]

Billy joels album the stranger IS my happy place.

[@coolnath99]

Nice analysis. When I saw the video I thought which song is she going to talk about? Maybe Uptown Girl or Always a Woman. Brb I need to listen to more Billy Joel now.

[@chong2389]

Nothing says 'late 70s-early 80s' more than a pop ballad based on the circle of fifths! 😁 Thank you for the nostalagia trip!

[@jasonkesser]

What a great video

[@timtigerjazz]

The way you sing it is wonderful, and your, understanding, chords and fingering fabulous, well done.

[@newbeartrucks4422]

Thanks for all you do

[@PressingMyLuckTruck]

I loved this video, Aimee! Great job as always.

[@ChristianBrown-sc3pk]

Excellent Work

[@MegaJohn144]

Thank you for giving me a renewed appreciation for Billy Joel. I really loved two of his songs: "Uptown Girl" and "Rosalinda's Eyes". But, I have had this video on my Watch Later list for about a week, and every time I see it, I think about "She's Always a Woman to Me". I never liked that song until I started thinking about is. For me, this version is key, and I think he may be singing about a particular woman, but in a way all women in general -- as they are or as they are capable of becoming. Women do have a way of bringing out the best and the worst in a man. That's quite a superpower, and I hope more women will realize this and figure out how to use it for good. She'll bring out the best and the worst you can be. Blame it all on yourself, Cause she's always a woman to me.

[@gisellechacon7081]

Such great timing on this one, Aimee! I'm in the process of pulling together material written over decades into a cohesive album, and found an over dependence on descending baselines in my writing (I love the voice leading). Thanks for this tour of Billy Joel's incredible chord mastery and the application of classical and chorale cadences and modal progressions in pop music. Mind blown! Super tutorial as always, thanks!!!

[@AimeeNolte]

Good luck!

[@windysynth]

Great tour of the sound track of my youth. I particularly like the way he uses the 3rd in the base to move through the changes, and of course that C, C/D, D7 thing. Thanks for this.

[@jerryballard371]

Billy was interviewed by James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio years ago, and he noted how a good bridge needs to be able to stand on its own as a song. He does that in spades here. I always listen for that now and am amazed how seldom songwriters accomplish that. More often they’re just time filler to get back to the hook.

[@bobbygadourymusic5476]

Great video, Amy! Thank you!

[@G5Hohn]

That earthworks mic sounds great-perfect for your voice.

[@carlosomaroviedohaito9431]

You have done a wonderful job of analysis with the popular artist that I have admired all my life. Gosh, you are completely sensational. People like you made me love music, and for some time now I have been watching your videos with great interest and I must say that I also feel deep respect and admiration for you. Thank you for such enriching content.

[@AimeeNolte]

Wow, thank you!

[@etamommy]

I cannot appreciate (well understand I can still appreciate) the music theory here but your voice is fantastic and the song comes even more alive when you sing it. (never wild about the lyrics on this love song for some reason though your explanation of them helps me appreciate those too).

[@charlesstiebing9231]

great! I thank God for you and billy joel!

[@davidroberts2476]

Hey Aimee, I just found you and have fallen in love with your channel. I'm a 76-year-old retired Jazz drummer who has at this late stage in life decided I want to learn how to play Jazz piano. I've played with some great Jazz artists in my life, Herb Ellis, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Eddy "Lockjaw" Davis from the Count Basie Band, Pete Condoli, Alan Zavod, to name a few. I've been a drummer playing professionally since the age of 8. Now retired and bored, I'm going to switch to learning Jazz piano as my 2024 New Years Resolution. I'm excited for the challenge, especially after finding your channel. Wish I had had a chance to back you on a gig. Any thoughts at what I should concentrate on as I go into this new journey.

[@AimeeNolte]

Look at my playlists on my KZbin homepage, David! That should give you an idea. Thanks for your nice note!

[@davidroberts2476]

I've also worked with two other female Jazz Pianists/Singers in Arizona you may have heard of, Judy Roberts originally from Chicago, and the late Nadine Jansen, who used to play flugelhorn with her right hand to solo and piano comp with her left hand at the same time, and then set her horn down on the piano and would piano accompany her singing. Both are and were great female Jazz pianists. Judy Roberts still performs in Chicago and around the Scottsdale, AZ area where she's now retired. She's also on KZbin as well. Thanks for your kind advice as a newbie to your channel.@@AimeeNolte

[@thaddeusrobinson6866]

I adore this song; so beautiful! Another one that has some wild ass movement is Uptown Girl; truly inspired song writing and its so thoroughly Billy Joel! 🙌🙌

[@StratsRUs]

Did you watch all of it ?

[@JumpingCow]

This was a fantastic survey, Aimee, and quite inspirational. You think an artist is great, and then when someone like you digs deeper, you start to understand some of the "why". My favorite Beach Boy song is "Caroline, No", btw.

[@vittoriobarbaro5527]

It’s My Life by Talk Talk is also great in changing key

[@lastdaysguitar]

Looks like Rick Beato has some competition! :) Great job, Aimee NEW SUBSCIBER! :)

[@AimeeNolte]

He’s the reason I got on KZbin in 2016 😄 Look up our video together on his channel! Thanks for the sub!

[@JDkeyzz]

Thank you Aimee Great video! Love You !

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Thanks! Great job.

[@a.s.s._art]

Great!

[@andrewclack6599]

Great video; thank you! This is probably my favourite Billy Joel song and one of the best examples of his musical ingenuity. Another notable ballad with a great key change is ‘Just the way you are’ which changes key in the second part of the chorus then transposes back for the next verse. He went through a phase (I think it was a trend in the 80’s) of writing ballads that have fast intervals (like scenes from an Italian restaurant, and John Miles “Music” for example) but I prefer the pure ballads. Perhaps Billy’s most emotional songs is “Lullaby” - what a song!

[@ThisMichaelBrown]

Fantastic!

[@joemiller9856]

Aimee- just love this video. Big fan of BJ.. your voice is lovely as well. 👏👏

[@artielundberg7125]

Not one sour not in the sing along 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️. How does she do that?

[@rapunzelz5520]

It would be so cool if we could interview Billy J and ask him about his process in writing one of these. Does he internally hear the whole chord in his head? Does he have the melody in mind and then he fools around to find the progression? There must be some innate, unique, maybe unconscious sort of way that he can do this. Something that the rest of us don’t have.

[@parkihong]

❤❤❤❤❤thank you for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@theheartmachine1]

The SV1 is almost as beautiful as you! Wonderful explanation of the song and theory

[@MonsterPianoPlayer]

at 13:40 in the Video you are playing the Gb7 chord, which then moves to the F7 chord, and then resolves to the Bb Major chord. The Gb7 chord is known as a Tritone Substitution Chord, or in short version, a Tritone Sub. Instead of playing a C minor or C Minor 7 chord for the II Minor Chord of Bb you can "Substitute" it with a Dominant Chord that is a Tritone distance away. A Tritone is equal to, just as it sounds, 3(tri) whole tones away from a Note(above the Note or below the Note). So 3 whole tones away from C is F# or Gb. So instead of playing it as Cm7 to F7 to Bb, he plays it as Gb Dominant to F Dominant to Bb, or Gb7 to F7 to Bb, or written in theory as bVI7 to V7 to I, or: [V7 of bII] bVI7 V7 I Gb7 F7 Bb That Gb7(he downwards-arpeggiates the E(or Fb) to Db to Bb to Gb), or bVI Dominant, is also known as a Sub-Dominant Chord and it happens to be the V7 of bII. So his Melody Note of Db becomes the 5th of the Gb7 Chord, and then he Sings the Db melody note again over the F7 chord which makes the Db(C#) the #5 of the F7 chord, thus making that chord an F7(#5). That Db also happens to be the b3 of Bb, which makes it a "Blue" note, or "Bluesy Note", used in the Blues extensively. And that is what he is precisely doing with the Melody there. Being "Bluesy" with it. Billy Joel is Awesome!! 😎 He is such a Great Song Writer and Musician and Singer and Entertainer and a Gentleman and a Scholar. MonsterPIanoPlayer

[@colinellicott9737]

Love it! Thought you were originally going to explain Honesty's keys, but was surprised to see you did Only a Woman, and moved to Honesty through Vienna, and Uptown girl. Throw in an Italian Restaurant and you have the makings of a musical ; )

[@Yestojoy1234]

Aimee, I particularly love your piano playing/singing on Always a Woman! And now I'm inspired to go listen to Rosalinda's Eyes - that song's intro alone is bliss to my ears! :-)

[@arnauorengoguardiola1616]

The chord progression of 'She's Always a Woman' reminds me of the one of 'Fly me to the Moon'!

[@joe44850]

What a fantastic breakdown of a modern day Mozart. I would love to hear you deconstruct some of Elliott Smith's compositions like Pretty Mary Kay or Sweet Adeline.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

More like Beethoven, his favorite composer.

[@TH-ox5ig]

Thanks!

[@iancampbell7171]

Absolutely aurally satisfying ! Always loved Billy, since I first bought 52nd Street when My Life broke the radio. And now......what I've always subconsciously thought (is that a thing ?) : Layla, as in the lead in to the credits in Goodfellas is so reminiscent of Movin' Out (or chronologically visa versa, I should say)

[@briandillon8041]

Your voice is amazingly beautiful

[@Markstun]

Thanks for the great video! There’s a song by Bill Evans called ‘Comrade Conrad” that goes through all 12 keys (Based on Autumn Leaves)Also the Song “Awaken” by Yes in the middle section

[@camiloespinazo]

Great video, thank you

[@davidjohnson1654]

Aimee, you have such a lovely voice! Oh wow, I just thought, to the tune of "Honestly," .... try this... "Ai - a - mee , you've such a lovely voice. Everyone comes near to hear you.".... and yes, I put an extra syllable in your name, lol, but hey, Mick Jagger does it with "Angie..." lol