My FAVOURITE piano technique - and it's EASY! 🎹

[@chasvox2]

I'm 82 years old. I must say, that you, young man, taught me more in this presentation than a lot of high brow "academics" et.al. threw at me in blizzards of incomprehensible gobbledygook when I was a lad trying to get the hang of things when it came to my long journey in music. I've written and played a lot - professionally - over the years (trombone in younger years and now only compose) - by my gut - and FINALLY got the best "grammar" lesson I can ever remember. Keep up the good work! Bless you, lad. Bless you!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thank you Charles! I really appreciate the kind words and support. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙏

[@clivewhitworth4755]

Yet again, you have taken a subject I have watched many times on KZbin from various presenters without being able to grasp, and managed to settle the defeatist in me in the opening minutes and prepare me psychologically to understand the subject and the broader subject as you unfold the subject. Thank you.

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️ Thank you Clive! I appreciate your kind words and support. Glad it was still useful 👍

[@morganahoff2242]

My neighbours let me go over and use their piano anytime they're away. Now I know what I'm going to practice the next time they go on vacation.

[@michaelkeithson]

😂 They sound like good neighbours! Happy practising 🎹

[@richardkettle1694]

Michael.... I will have to admit. You need respect for these excellent tutorials. Another saved favorite in my Michael Keithson folder.

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️ Thanks Richard!

[@HansJohnsonStudios]

I've played these chords in many compositions, just didn't know what to call them. Now I know these once mysteriously beautiful chords are called Drop 2 chords. Thank you!

[@joninio6542]

This is great (again). I'm still practicing - even at 3 in the morning when I can't play, 'cos everyone's sleeping, in my head I'm dropping the 2nd notes (from the top). Thanks again.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks! You got this! Happy practising! 🎹

[@Fusionjams]

This is what I hear every time when I listen to gospel music, finally got it, just have to put it into practice

[@michaelkeithson]

Yes! A big part of modern gospel piano. Happy practising! 🎹

[@pakdjamal]

Your no-nonsense tutorials make playing the piano so much fun and challenging. Thanks

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️ Thanks for the nice comment. Really glad it's getting you to work at the piano. Happy practising! 🎹

[@stevenflamenco9859]

A gifted teacher and an inspiration. Thank you.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Steven, appreciate the kind comment 🙏

[@Foodgeek]

This sounds a lot like Randy Newman. Thank you ❤️

[@michaelkeithson]

Yes! You'll definitely hear some of this in his playing. LOVE Randy Newman!!

[@milhamdabungu7576]

The best explanation of application of this nice concept, and trust me, I have watched many. Glad I bumped into this tutorial. Well done!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🎹

[@milhamdabungu7576]

@michaelkeithson you earned my subscription 👍🏾

[@rickoakes5612]

You always seem to inspire me to try to get to the piano and work. Blown away again! Great stuff!

[@michaelkeithson]

Good to hear Rick. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@realcygnus]

Nifty, I had no idea it had an established name but I discovered the same idea is quite nice just for pulsating arpeggiated bass lines, especially syncopated.

[@rudolfboukal1538]

This was excellent! I have watched several videos now, have shared them with other musicians, and the guilt of not giving back finally got to me. Today, I subscribed as a middle level paid subscriber on his Patreon channel. His presentations are so worth it. Thank you Michael for sharing your knowledge and gift with us so generously!! I hope this helps you to carry on the fine work you do. Greatly appreciated - rudi

[@michaelkeithson]

🙏☺️ Thank you Rudi! I really appreciate the kind comment and the support from you. It means a lot. Really glad you've been getting some value from my videos. Thanks for sharing the love.

[@LennyPrice]

Another absolutely brilliant presentation, Michael! The connection between music theory, harmony, and keyboard technique is masterful! 🎹💥

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏 Thanks Lenny! I appreciate the kind comment. Thank you

[@josefolter13]

This is pure gold.

[@tjd58]

Another flickin' wonderful tutorial Michael. I learn so much from you, seriously! Please don't stop posting you're teachings, they are so valuable to those with so much still to learn. Anyway, must go now and practice flicking my C!!!

[@michaelkeithson]

Ha! Thanks Tim! Happy practising! 🎹

[@pinkemperor]

I really loved this one! Especially the 4 note part. A big advantage of these voicings in spread mode as you presented them is that you can voicelead to other chords of the scale you are in just by shifting a tone or two up or down a scale degree and you just land on a different inversion of your target. I had a lot of nice sounds coming from that as I was following you on the piano. Also I tried keeping the voicing structure (different drop type voicings and their ornaments) fixed as is and moving it all up/down a few scale steps with the necessary adaptations in intervals. Really helps you feel the scale and its degrees and modes. Thank you again for this one!

[@michaelkeithson]

Nice! Yeah, it’s lovely and has so many gorgeous components to it!

[@ricardofranciszayas]

Thank you. I’ve never been able to grasp this. You have clarified so much for me.

[@michaelkeithson]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@aligrundy812]

At 5:00 I was like ‘ohhh, that’s what that sound is’. Reminds me of And so it goes, by Billy Joel

[@CounterRhythms]

You're hands down my favorite piano channel. I'm always delighted when I see you drop a video. And a drop 2. 😄

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Eric! 🙏 Really appreciate your kind words. Glad you're enjoying the content 👍

[@danielgolden90]

Great explanation. I finally understand drop 2 voicings.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Daniel! Glad it was helpful 👍

[@DamDominiciMusic]

I love this guy so much

[@michaelkeithson]

I love you too ❤️😉

[@andrewmuir6606]

Watched a ton of your videos so just wanna say thanks for all your hard work.

[@michaelkeithson]

🙏☺️ Thanks Andrew!

[@EugenioMatos1]

Dear Michael, this is an extremely useful video, very well organized and explained. As a pianist and composer, I have always created exercises to explore the harmonic possibilities on the piano. Thank you very much for the rich insights and beautiful examples! However, I was unable to receive the PDF, even though I tried more than once. I even checked my spam folder to make sure it hadn't arrived. See you soon!

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey Eugenio! Thanks for the nice comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. Apologies about the pdf, if it still hasn’t come through please drop me an email at [e-mail] and I’ll send it over manually. 👍

[@mattroot4040]

Thank you Michael! Best drop two voicing tutorial on how to apply it in your playing!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Matt 👍

[@kennykelley8874]

I want to say thank you for giving us the tool to unlock drop - 2 voicings, I just subscribed and looking forward to more lessons.!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks for the sub Kenny! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@official_koo]

One perfect usage of arpeggiating drop 2s was in Light of the Seven score by Ramin Djawadi. That C minor drop 2 to F minor drop is divine! Thank you for this video

[@javierjuarez4127]

This is an amazing class!!! The best I've seen in my 30 yrs of playing piano. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏 Thank you Javier! I appreciate the kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍

[@danielgolden90]

Sounds like modern gospel talk music. Love it

[@jameskyuli1988]

Very good teacher ...keep it up

[@purplezoid1]

Hands down the best piano instructor on youtube and we all know there are ALOT of them. Very clearly presented and also very inspirational with the perfect dash of humour. Thank you Michael 🙏🏻🎹🙏🏻

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏 Thank you kindly good sir, that's very generous! Glad you enjoyed this one 👍

[@SoundChanneluk]

And so it goes. What a tune. Hadn’t heard it before and it’s now a favourite ❤

[@michaelkeithson]

Yeah, such a beautiful song. Glad I’ve introduced it to someone new! 👍

[@davidchukwuocha7052]

So excited to hear you talk about this cause this is a technique I use a lot.

[@Michael-j7s5r]

Another great video! Ty for always having useful content!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Michael! Good to hear. I aim to please ☺️

[@goodtreasureministries9008]

Great video!! Easy to understand. I’ve played for years but haven’t understood the concept of drop 2 voicing.

[@michaelkeithson]

Glad it was helpful 👍 Thanks for the comment.

[@opengroovejam]

Great job👌

[@Darcity1]

This is the BEST I have ever heard explained with great exercises to get familiar with! THANK YOU!!🙌

[@michaelkeithson]

Ah, thanks a bunch for the nice comment. Glad you feel that way. Happy practising my friend! 🎹

[@Clarity-808]

Please don’t stop making videos! I love them. Thanks for sharing in such a chill way that’s easy to grasp.

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️ Thanks for the nice comment 🙏 Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@jameskyuli1988]

You earned my subscribe ...you make it very simple to undstand

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks James! Glad you liked it. Appreciate the sub 🙏

[@AndreasDelleske]

Now I know exactly how "And So It Goes" came to life... long before you mentioned it ;) I guess every great piece has such an original "birth" moment out of some minimal idea.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Very nice - thank you.

[@OssianEMills]

Thanks for this. Thanks to Open Studio, I’ve been aware of Drop2 for a while. But it was just now at @17:00 that something clicked. When I was in music school, my Jazz prof had me playing piano with four fingers (pinky & index on each hand) only. He was teaching me Drop2 and I had no idea.

[@michaelkeithson]

Glad you is were able to take something from it 👍

[@jade8538]

Hi Michael, Kevin J. here. This was *such* a valuable tutorial ... it elaborated beautifully on the material we discussed during our last lesson. It's incredible how much mileage and color one can get out of simple diatonic chords when employing the various drop 2 voicings. I'll be working on these techniques before our next lesson (which I hope is in the not-too-distant future)!

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey Kevin! Glad you enjoyed it. Happy practising! 🎹 Hope your wife's recovery is going well.

[@MrFedemoral]

not only this is killer content, you seem like an extremely nice guy. thanks dude!

[@michaelkeithson]

Ah, thanks man! Appreciate the kind worked. ☺️🙏

[@lois2911]

Thank you, sir. I have finally got it. You have made this very easy to understand. Now, that's great teaching.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Lois! Glad it was helpful.

[@lyndarosborough869]

Wow ! You are a great teacher … Thank you for this ! 🎉

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏 Thanks Lynda! Glad you liked it 👍

[@robertrafaj8790]

I love your content! Perfect for guitarists!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Robert! Glad it's useful 👍

[@chantguitare6007]

Thank you Michael !

[@michaelkeithson]

You're very welcome!

[@SubhansVault]

thanks a lot, I am gonna learn this !!

[@eneojoechajohn6625]

Amazing,more idea 💡 sir

[@alexv4907]

Great video. Thanks!

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Alex

[@Firetracks]

Approved! 👏🏾🔥

[@michaelkeithson]

🙏☺️

[@Yogimana11]

Been following your channel for some time. Great video.Always learning something new from you. Thank you, Micheal:)

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks! Glad you've been enjoying the content and finding it useful. Thanks for the comment and support 👍

[@aharown-yt]

At 5:00-06! Sweet. Now I get it. That's like magic.

[@YogevMontekyo]

excellent video. great content and nice tips as always. thanks !

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏 Thanks Yogev!

[@maxboaventura1767]

Thank you! I need to learn this 😆

[@basslobster]

Thank you! You rock. You're the best!

[@davidlulow6541]

Thank you Michael!!!

[@2Yards]

Oh my…really nice.

[@PaulPavlenko-u1z]

Thanks for your helpful tips man! I know alot but you make me know more and more.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Paul! Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@danacalhoun3705]

Nice as always - thanks

[@davidn.7767]

As Always great Job explaining!

[@michaelkeithson]

☺️🙏

[@BobMcKinstry]

I finally understand!

[@aliceleer6561]

I was practice that on 4 notes and i had stopped. Maybe this will be more easy. Good job 👍👍👍

[@michaelkeithson]

Hopefully it helps. Happy practising! 🎹

[@urielstud]

The octave is maybe most resonant and powerful. This has a gospel type sound, too.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Why are there so many comments saying that this was the greatest lesson they've had on an otherwise difficult subject. Maybe cuz it was? Merci beaucoup

[@michaelkeithson]

Ha! Thanks Lawrence, glad you enjoyed it 👍🎹

[@fabulouswrecks]

This is such a wonderful concept. As you say simple in its conception but so sparse and beautiful, Also of course a boon if you're composing string or horn parts, right? Thank, as always.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks for the comment Roy. Yes, this technique is commonly used in horn arrangements and big band arrangements 👍

[@artonpaper]

Very Nice....

[@scottfoster3643]

Gold

[@phanjazm]

Damn good video!!!!!!

[@jkennan]

Fantastically helpful video as usual. Plenty to get my teeth into here.

[@michaelkeithson]

Happy practising! 🎹

[@endtimes2145]

Well.. it IS very nice

[@circlemover]

Simples!!..kindest regards.

[@danielravina130]

This whole video is beautiful. Does it work with diminished / augmented / sus chords?

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey Daniel! Thanks for the questions. Yes! This concept works with everything. Give it a go! When we use more complex harmony is does have a different ‘sound’ but the technique still works. Drop 2 is commonly used in big band horn arrangements.

[@АндрейБ-ч7ж]

Best!

[@banterbanter]

Why has the algorithm only brought me to you now? 😭 Brilliant ❤🎹 Which nord piano? White grand?

[@michaelkeithson]

We’ve been waiting for you! You’ve got lots to catch up on! 😂 Glad you enjoyed it. You’re actually hearing Pianoteq, I was just using the Nord as a controller for this video. 🎹

[@Almazees]

Awsome

[@jornbobrondum]

Really love your teachings - Thanks a lot for sharing in your calm and nice way ;)

[@michaelkeithson]

My pleasure, you're very welcome! Glad you've been enjoying the videos. Thanks for the comment

[@BeachAndSnow]

Loving your videos. Do you have any videos about creating bass grooves/rhythm predominantly in the left hand but also in combination with the right hand so the real essence of the piece comes through (as opposed to just focusing on chord progressions for piece creation/development). If you do, please could you point me to it? Otherwise it would be a great video suggestion. Thank you.

[@michaelkeithson]

Hey Paulo! Thanks for the question. It’s not something I’ve done yet but appreciate the suggestion 👍 You should check out The Keys Coach if you’ve not already, I think Adam has some videos more alind these lines: youtube.com/@thekeyscoach?si=egJqx38aFwP-TZWb

[@BeachAndSnow]

@@michaelkeithson Awesome, thanks a lot Michael!

[@tubeo94]

4:56 that sounds so gospel.

[@michaelkeithson]

Yeah, this is a big part of gospel piano. 🎹 👍

[@dannyprasetya2496]

I kid you not, I have to draw guitar fingerboard diagram and notes just to see better visual on this video subject. It is tiring and arduous but Michael is always able to sparks some stuff up!! Inspiring videos as always. Subscribe if you haven’t.

[@michaelkeithson]

Thanks Danny! I appreciate the commitment to the cause. How well do these ideas translate on guitar?

[@dannyprasetya2496]

@michaelkeithson Due to the strings and tunings, it is super challenging. Still obtainable where one may use open tunings, drop tunings, trying some stretchy chords fingerings, partial capo, or my favourite, rootless chords etc. Beautiful sounds none the less. There are a lot of wtf moments to be honest 🤣🤣

[@SavedPulley]

Awesome Michael God bless in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ my friend. Liked and subscribed

[@michaelkeithson]

🙏 Thanks for the sub!

[@christhomson9507]

This is fab, Mike. Thank you. Reminds me of Shaun Martin’s Yellow Jacket which I now realise does this and throws some tasty chromatics into the mix to really spice it up. Lots to explore. #RIPShaun

[@christhomson9507]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp3GfJyfr7yEjKs

[@michaelkeithson]

Yeah, definitely. Are you familiar with the Pat Metheny tune 'James'? Shaun Martin's Yellow Jacket always reminds me of that tune, feel like he stole the first bit. This is a great version of it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6vTanyOfZl_itE

[@christhomson9507]

@@michaelkeithson That's new to me. Thanks for the recommend. Onto the playlist it goes! Lovely stuff. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your teaching style.

[@michaelkeithson]

@@christhomson9507 Thanks Chris 🙏☺

[@montalvomachado]

I wonder if that´s the thought beneath the song "James" by Pat Metheny, because this exercise sounds like variations on that music.

[@michaelkeithson]

Love that tune. Have you heard the Bob James version from his album ‘Straight Up’? So nice!

[@montalvomachado]

@ love Bob James, but never heard his version of the song. Will look it up, for sure!

[@michaelkeithson]

@@montalvomachado kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6vTanyOfZl_itE That whole album is great. Defo worth a listen 👍🎹

[@montalvomachado]

Thank you @@michaelkeithson ! Just heard it, really beautiful version of the song.

[@montalvomachado]

Thank you @@michaelkeithson ! Just heard it, really beautiful version of the song.

[@sandyswambo]

Wow! Do you give private online lessons?

[@michaelkeithson]

I do, but I have limited availability at the moment. Drop me a line at [e-mail] and maybe we can find a slot 👍🎹

[@gabepecoraro109]

What is the song called of yours that you played in the video? Is it on streaming platforms?

[@michaelkeithson]

I'm afraid it's unrecorded at the moment. Thanks for asking though 👍

[@daverwob]

This is how many chords are voiced on violin (out of necessity)

[@MrSwagden]

I love chord vocabulary, drop two is not drop the second note in a scale and it is not drop the second note from the bottom of the cord no it is drop the second highest note in a cord.

[@Spannertech728]

How to make your noodling sound like hymns!

[@s90210h]

Love this video, but I have to warn against C Major, esp for non-neurotypicals. I only truly connected with keys when I found my favourite scales and modes, the ones that connected with how i felt exactly (hungarian minor, natural minor) where better at teaching me the keyboard somehow. Being a dad now I shudder at how many kids musical toys are C Major 1 octave from C to C only. Historically D is the center note and we go from A to G around it. In short, f*çk C ;-) No I'm kidding, I love Terry Riley

[@rakatafly1978]

This technique reminds me "The yellow jacket" by Shaun Martin... Am I right?

[@michaelkeithson]

Yes! Defo. That song always reminds me of the song 'James' by Pat Metheny - feel like he stole the first bit. Here's a great version of it by the great Bob James: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6vTanyOfZl_itE

[@justinedwards6175]

My god this is sorcery. 2nd note from the top, who's was in charge of explaining that? They're fired, whoever they are

[@colinjames2469]

lol. That’s very funny

[@michaelswank6602]

I came here as a guitarist for the music theory and walked away owning a piano. I blame you. Well, that and the fact that some of this doesn't work well with 5 fingers and six strings. I never in a million years thought that I'd pick up piano, but here we are. Please don't do any lessons on French horn or oboe, as I cannot afford to be a multi-instrumentalist.🤔

[@michaelkeithson]

Ha! Michael! I love this comment, is it true though? Have you really come over the dark side? 🎹

[@michaelswank6602]

@@michaelkeithson Pinky swear! Fully weighted 88 keys melting my cortex as I switch back and forth from guitar brain to piano brain. How do you people coordinate left/right hands/brain? Dark side indeed but loving the challenges!

[@michaelkeithson]

@@michaelswank6602 That's awesome! Happy practising!! 🎹