How to Play Out Like Brad Mehldau

How does Brad Mehldau approach dissonance in both harmony and improvisation? Brad is arguably the most influential pianist of a generation, and he has a very unique approach to dissonance and playing out. In this modern jazz piano tutorial, we explore some ways in which he does that.
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[@NoahKellman]

My bad, had comments turned off at first! They're good to go now, so let me know if you have any questions :)

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Very nice video. I've listened to Brad's Solar a few hundred times, and was always intrigued by the fact that at least three times on the Eb maj he seems to play an E natural major, but makes it sound good. Or maybe it's something else with an E natural. I wonder if you happen to be familiar with that. I once chatted with Brad and Larry Grenadier after a show for about 10 minutes. I was impressed and grateful for their kindness.

[@kwixotic]

Brad was a tuning customer of mine when he was living in L.A. I once asked him if he could give me some lessons but of course he wasn't able. His rendition of the song "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" features in You Tube is nothing short of remarkable.

[@eduardoinke2943]

What a nice personal anecdote. I bet you have many other stories with other "Greats" in the L.A. area. Congratulations!

[@kwixotic]

@@eduardoinke2943 Yes but Brad was certainly among them!

[@jakereosti]

The thing Brad Mehldau does where he plays contrapuntally and squeezes the melody in there in various ways in the left hand as well as the right. Playing a melody as a bass like in Solo on Solar on Art of the trio 4. What stands out about him to me is his motific development and his ability to continue playing the melody.

[@xualexanderweihang9194]

The world needs jazz videos like this!

[@phanjazm]

Brad does! I love how he goes in and out so fluidly.

[@NoahKellman]

Agreed, such a big fan of how he pulls it off

[@jangerdes9245]

Great video, thank you! I‘m a classically trained pianist but diving more and more into Jazz and as you I’m a big fan of Brad Mehldau‘s playing!

[@alexandrawestcott7654]

ha! ditto here!

[@jeremybruger1983]

Great job Noah! Thank you 🙏 I work on Brad's stuff every day too... Brad is the greatest pianist of our time man

[@NoahKellman]

Agreed, Jérémy! Really glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment

[@nathanielbrice8725]

These concepts are gold!

[@richardbruhn6690]

More Mehldau please! One can never have enough! I like his classical oriented piano music too.

[@NoahKellman]

Absolutely! I'll have more coming. What's your favorite classical-oriented music of his?

[@richardbruhn6690]

@@NoahKellman I enjoy Elegiac Cycle but I haven't heard all of his stuff yet.

[@jimhendricks88]

Love your work! Best analysis I've seen of Mehldau's work! I'd call it C (add 4) or C (add F), 4 instead of sus, since nothing is "suspended"; it's stable tonic. Also, when descending, use flats (and sharps when ascending). Cma to C#o to Dmi to D#o (and Gmi9 to Gb13 to Fmaj). Cheers, and awesome work! I learned a good bit here tonight.

[@98BlackTransAm]

not gonna lie this was pretty bradass

[@NoahKellman]

Hahahah you got me with that one

[@wolfchapz7669]

Dude Noah if mufuckin Billy Mays says it’s swinging then bro..... you’re swinging hard af

[@OM-md6ki]

Thank you bro.. Keep getting more and more advanced... do sum sunra and Jacob collier lessons

[@HankusMaximus]

Brilliant lesson! The dissonance formula concept is so useful

[@bradforddavis6497]

Agree. These cross tonalities / dissonance formulas, however we view them, open things up in a big way. Gorgeous, interesting, exciting. Thanks Noah. Great class!

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, Henry! Appreciate the comment :) yeah I love thinking of dissonances in that way, or like a “formula” for playing out.

[@NoahKellman]

@@bradforddavis6497 thanks, Brad! Glad you enjoyed it. If you ever want to check out a Mehldau album, maybe try Art of The Trio 1 to start off, great album.

[@multicelled]

Fun video! I love Cadd4. I think the "Brad" sound of it is a kinda bluesy lick played over it. So yeah the minor third over Cadd4 is very Brad.

[@mwesterholm]

killer closing story!

[@quint555]

As a drummer with very little knowledge of chords, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it does all sound really pretty! Enjoyed the vid!

[@DavidVeslocki]

The title of this video was ambitious-but the lesson VERY effective, authentic and practical! im working on my chops as a secondary instrument and really appreciate this!

[@bryanwest9216]

Thanks Noah, Brad is also my favorite piano player. Love the insights.

[@davidrosen9711]

Killing playing

[@aurelienguitare7483]

Very great job. That's the first time I see a video about out improvisation interesting

[@richardbruhn6690]

Great insights - I call CEFG an add 4- I find it in choral voicing a lot- Eric Whitacre likes it.

[@NoahKellman]

Ah yeah, I’ve heard him use it too. I like that- add4 makes the most sense to me also! Thanks Richard

[@jonasaras]

When trying to name the substitute chord for Eb diminished on "Nobody Else But Me", one has to do a little intervallic detective work. Firstly, if there is a tritone (the B and F), those two tones can be eliminated as potential roots. There IS a series of thirds (Eb, Gb, Bb, Db, F) which spell out an Eb minor 7 chord. The "B" is a -13. In addition to the notes that are already present within the structure, another possible root for this set of intervals is "Ab". I would exclude "Bb" as a possible root because it contains a -9 interval with the "B" and it forms an incomplete 7-9 chord which breaks the overtones series. However, if you add an Ab to those intervals, that objection goes away. The -7 underneath the -9 softens the dissonance. #equalintervalsystem

[@jonathandeutsch3991]

noah- at 1357 youre talking about eflat aeolian. and the first minor sub also comes from aeolian. but at 13:57 you call it dorian, and thats a different scale altogether.

[@antoniog2854]

Love Brad Mehldau and love this video! Keep them coming! Thank you!

[@NoahKellman]

I will! Thanks for the comment, Antonio 🙏

[@fjzingo]

Wow, amazing stuff…will take a year to work this into my palette! Brad is one of my absolute favourite players.

[@Djedgida]

Oo baby. Great playing Noah. And so helpful.

[@NoahKellman]

Rick! Thanks 🙏 awesome to see you on the tube. Makes me happy to know you’re watching these videos.

[@kwenzasibeko8050]

This is the best video I have watched on KZbin. I also really appreciate the length of the video where you go into depth :-)

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Kwenza, really glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.

Hi! Great work! I really admire your work. The chord in point 6 is Eb eolian, or Ebm9b13, it's a modal sound contrasting whit doric sound of Dm7

[@theofficialdowbrain]

Wow, the secrets of Brad Mehldau!

[@NoahKellman]

Doing my best! I’m sure there are many more 🤣

[@tinajackel]

such a cool video! thank you very much!

[@Coocoocachoo809]

Amazing work. Please continue this up for other artists on KZbin!!!

[@chrishajianmusic4136]

Noah!!! This video and all of yours are so amazing! You are such a gifted musician and composer and I was completely engrossed in what your were demonstrating! Thank You so much!

[@NoahKellman]

Chris! Thanks man means a lot that you were watching! Would love to catch up soon hope you are well

[@jonasaras]

I took a handful of lessons from Brad when he first moved to LA. He wasn’t really able to articulate what thought process, other than “I like to move things by step”.

[@vivien1252]

I thought I was the only one obsessed with Brad's music. Thank you so much for this video. You've given me work for the next 5 years :)

[@alexandrawestcott7654]

no - He's my favourite too

[@belllll]

one more here

[@e.d.1642]

Great thanks Also Abm9/Bb is actually Bb7sus4b9, you can indeed use either Ab dorian (m7) or melodic minor (m6/maj7)

[@tinajackel]

i would think about that chord as a four minor chord: IVm :)

[@redmondfella]

Fantastic lesson. Thank you.

[@PC-ku1nn]

Hi, Noah, I think you missed it, but at 13:56 it's not Eb Dorian (because that scale has Cb instead of C). It could be an Eb Dorian b6, but I think B Lydian would be easier to think about. Anyhow, thank you for the breakdown and your tutorial videos, I found your channel amazing, definitely more geared towards intermediate-or-above people, not too friendly for beginners. But it is nice to always push the knowledge boundaries, great for growth! Thank you, keep up the good work!

[@PrashantSamlal]

Eb aeolian

[@MeeeKaaaL]

The stache is great!

[@NoahKellman]

Hah thanks!! I was insecure about it 🙃 glad you like it

[@solenelle]

This is an amazing video. Thank you.

[@MehrSpaamSpaHabenHaben]

Great Work!

[@ThalesF75]

Brad rules.

[@eternalrainbow-cj3iu]

Hi Noah that Bmaj7#11 over Eb or D# or Cb Maj7 # 11 makes merely aelion meaning derived from cctatonic descending( Bb combined with ascending and just taken the Ambigu maj7 with a 3rd in the.bass to give it a classical association...

[@davidolahmusic]

Great video as always and even better experience you had with Brad. Thank you very much for sharing that. It is very inspiring. I have similailr experience with Kenny Garrett. He was so kind and listening to me. We just took a selfie together and chat a little bit after his masterclass which was awesome as was his concert. 🤓😎💝❤🙏

[@NoahKellman]

That’s awesome, Dávid! Love hearing stories like that. Really amazing when our idols turn out to be kind and gracious :)

[@davidolahmusic]

@@NoahKellman yes, I had a crisis in music at that time and I never forget the way he said that I had very good questions at masterclass and asked me what instrument I play. When I answered that I play the alto, his eyes just went shining and he told me to keep working on anything I am working now. Moments like these are gold.

[@AlanBlackman]

I now just write C 4/3 for that last harmony you talked about....not perfect but my bass player knows what sound I mean!

[@Cooper349]

Great explanation my friend!!

[@edwardvivenzio5843]

Thanks Noah,great stuff,always learning from you!

[@NoahKellman]

You're welcome, Ed! Glad you enjoyed it man;

[@Bashanvibe]

I want to go back and check some of those records you mentioned

[@garybennett2946]

Great video Noah. Very inspiring. I'll talk with you February 26th at 12:00 p.m.

[@Matt-nv2qg]

number 7 I'd go with F^7sus2/C

[@markmoran1455]

Awesome lesson. Really useful stuff

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, Mark. Glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the comment.

[@leckal]

Very cool lesson, thanks man! I really enjoy your output, also on facebook. First Mehldau moment I had to think of when hearing you speak about dissonance was the bit at 5:16 in "And I Love Her" on the 10 Years Solo Live Album. So beautiful. He's the master :)

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks, yeah he is! Appreciate the comment :)

[@anthonypocetti]

Good stuff ❤

[@DAVIDBACHMUSIC]

really great stuff here! thanks!

[@NoahKellman]

You’re welcome, David! Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the the comment 🙏

[@russellhoffmann775]

Hi Noah, Absolute great stuff. Thanks for your inspiration as well as Brad! A minor correction 13:56, not Eb Dorian, but Eb Aeolian. I think of it perhaps as a displacement , maybe more a Bbsusb9/Eb, stretching its functional tonal confines.

[@juananglero66]

Gm7 is a sub chord for Eb Maj so he raise a 1/2 step and resolved.

[@leo.israel]

This is great! I actually thought you’re gonna give an example from nobody else, but you. Which would also be a great lick I’m sure!

[@NoahKellman]

Hahah yeah for sure!! Well hopefully now you can go in and listen and hear what he’s doing more easily

[@leo.israel]

@@NoahKellman that's for sure! He's style is truly unique, and what a great moment you both had by the way! Just made me like him even more! ps. You should think of doing a Tigran analysis, would be amazing! cheers!

[@CharlesAustin]

C/F/C.. from Steely Dan ? The nu chord.. thanks for this.. awesome work.. I’m a fan of BM too. !!

[@HonkyMonky]

14:12 Ebm7(b13)=Aeolian mode from Gbmaj

[@brucejeric6701]

I love it!!! Breaking the rules. We’ve been told for decades not to use the 4th( 11th) With a major 3rd. I’ve said bullshit since I was first into jazz in school in 1970. I liked the dissonance. Always have. Thank you for sharing this video

[@NoahKellman]

I wholeheartedly agree! Thanks for the comment, Bruce 🙏

[@mellotones]

I was literally going to comment on your older Brad videos today asking for an updated version lol

[@NoahKellman]

Hahah no way! Yeah it was... about time LOL

[@JuanGaliardoMusic]

Hi Noah! I love your videos. They are brilliant as well as your playing. I think an easy way of thinking of the first substitution is to play the IV minor of the key. Also I think of the B Lydian/Eb as an Eb aeolian sound (Ebm9b13). About the last example I think of it as an Ionian sound (including the modal note in the voicing) Keep the good work!

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Juan, thanks so much for this comment, that makes a lot of sense actually! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

[@JuanGaliardoMusic]

@@NoahKellman Thanks Noah! I´ll keep watching your videos :)

[@MrLightning20]

When you said this is a lick I took from nobody but me at first I was thinking it was an encouragement statement to create your own licks bc I thought you said you got that lick from yourself lol 😂😂 until I realized it was the song

[@NoahKellman]

Hahaha that’s funny- glad you figured it out!

[@blevens7251]

I have used formula #1 for a while without naming it. It occurs in Coltrane's ballad "Naima."

[@NoahKellman]

Ah yeah, good point! Thanks Rob

[@LonzCantiLife]

bruh your dress game is as good as your piano playing lmao i really be seeing you out here fitted up! 🔥🔥🔥

[@andipeking2476]

❤️ it

[@MsVibrato]

Do you have tips for transcribing tunes? especially the voicing.

[@kimbullard770]

nice one, buddy

[@NexttMusik]

The mustache adds a bit of "jazz pianist" to the look bro😂

[@NoahKellman]

Hahaha I know what you mean!

[@kwixotic]

I’ve gone over this video a second time because I consider what you put out here possibly helpful. However to really do Brad justice in the effort to encapsulate his playing into seemingly workable formulas, you’d be much better served by actually having any number of his renditions of songs featured and THEN specifically illustrating what the concepts you employ are. That way we more authentically understand what it is you are attempting to get across. However, you do have a very well developed technique.

[@mybiggrin]

Thank you! No.6 was a little confusing or unclear, but I’ll figure it out. Can you do one on Jacob Collier?

[@piggyfly00]

What’s your approach in understanding the harmony of unrequited? @noahkellman

[@XitlalicProductions]

Curious, around the 10:37 mark you're talking about adding a minor ii to set up a tritone sub for the V. You play, D-9 | Ab- D7 | C Maj . Is that D7 supposed to be a Db7? So, that it is the tritone sub?

[@kwixotic]

There's some really good stuff you've displayed here. I think it would be helpful if you put out a pdf on it if possible.

[@NoahKellman]

For sure, may have something in the works :)

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks for the comment!

[@curlymyhero]

Should remain this, How to play like Noah Kellman. Anyway, that grand piano in the b/g would sound more jazzlike for these teaching type videos. Hint, hint

[@NeilRaouf]

fantastic! i just vasically listen to the music! BM is a wonderful arrist. and so are you!

[@danjacobson1365]

Another great video ....thanks Noah. How about a dissonance formula video using Herbie Hancock's ideas ??

[@NoahKellman]

Love that idea! Herbie has been in my mind. Will do my best to get one out sometime in the hopefully not too distant future :)

[@pitullo70]

I found very inspiring when you say you can use the B Lydian over the Eb diminished chord on Point N.6.. Is there a rule for it? It's great! Are there other option of scales to use over the diminished chords? (besides the usual ones) Thank you

[@blaisegeorges1935]

Hello Noah. What's the song you play at the begining ? Best

[@vincet9419]

Have you plan translate un french version your books ?

[@JarrettBrad]

That first sub of Aflatmin9 over the Flat dominant chord sound SO close to Phrygian. Its off by one note. Instead of an F natural, its F sharp. Did he play that exact cluster on the recording you referenced? Id be curious to check it out.

[@isaacrobinson8065]

Hey Noah, I really enjoy your playing. Could you maybe do a video on Mulgrew Miller? Thanks Brother

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Isaac, will definitely keep that in mind !

[@NoahKellman]

Thanks for the comment

[@simongelsdorf3556]

Great video! I love Brad's playing so much. I wanted to ask if No.3 is also possible to play if it resolves to a major7 chord instead of a minor chord? Thanks!

[@NoahKellman]

Yeah I don’t see why not!!

[@Pedozzi]

I wish i could know what brad actually pracices or practiced in his life, but there's so little information out there...

[@flinvandervurst4963]

What song do you play at the begin?

[@ChristianneNeves]

hi Noah. Would you mind mentioning again the name of the songs of Brad Meldau from where you took the examples? Thanks. I am not sure about the names when you mentioned .

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Christianne, I took the majority of them from Nobody Else But Me, also When I Fall In Love!

[@hues7072]

Could we call that last chord a c +11?

[@jeffsims5683]

I would call that Eb Chord a Eb minor 9, flat 6

[@pianotubeleonbricht9635]

Hi Noah, Great Video! I already commented this on your last video but I'm unsure whether you saw it. I asked whether you ever met Dan Nimmer and whether you could make a video explaining his style and how to play like him. Also: How many keyboards/pianos do you have?😂 Thanks for the high quality video! Bye

[@NoahKellman]

Oh my bad! I don’t know Dan’s playing all that well but I’ll do some listening and see about making a video in the future :) I have 2 pianos and 2 keyboards at the moment. Upright, grand, nord, midi keyboard (and some synths and other misc stuff)!

[@pianotubeleonbricht9635]

@@NoahKellman Wow! Thanks for the reply Noah! I find Dan's playing really interesting

[@pianotubeleonbricht9635]

@@NoahKellman Now that I think about it, Dan sort of is a bit like Oscar Peterson in some ways so you've sort of already explained his style on your channel

[@benrijkmans8983]

nice stache :)

[@arnieburgertime]

link says 'page not found'

[@NoahKellman]

I think it should be fixed now! Let me know if it works

[@arnieburgertime]

@@NoahKellman Yes, thanks Noah and a great lesson!

[@kaivrock]

My brain hurts.

[@user-zn3dm7sf8h]

I'm no longer a methodologist. Frottage? I'd love to (joke)

[@mharbaugh]

Thanks for the tips Pedro Pascal, but where's Noah? 🤣

[@NoahKellman]

Hahaha had to get a good seal with my mask 😂😂

[@matthiaslocker2009]

Makes me laugh how you copied the clichés of Brad Mehldau in the intro! I am always impressed by his left hand technique.

[@NoahKellman]

Hahah I know what you mean. Yeah I mean his left hand is ridiculous

[@spencerjones552]

Hey Noah, loved the video. Your link isn’t working. Would love to get a chance to pick your 🧠!

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Spencer let me know if it’s working now!

[@spencerjones552]

@@NoahKellman no still doesn’t work

[@NoahKellman]

@@spencerjones552 here, just put this into your browser and it should do the trick: www.neojazzacademy.com/discovery

[@NoahKellman]

@@spencerjones552 need to be the full link too

[@spencerjones552]

@@NoahKellman it worked thank you!

[@user-zn3dm7sf8h]

I no longer play my synthesizer.

[@user-zn3dm7sf8h]

I left my synthesizer somewhere. So I no longer play or aspire to play piano.

[@Caldaron]

sounds like me...

[@Mynelka]

Dude, you`ve been doing so well until you mentioned licks for sale ... don`t give the students the fish, teach them how to fish ... I`ve never heard any great piano player playing 20 licks that somebody else created for them. It makes no sense ... it`s like kids being brainwashed into believing that "compose" their own music using somebody else`s midi packs ...