Styx Breaks Down “Come Sail Away” On The Piano

[@PianoteOfficial]

Get a breakdown of the song on our blog >> www.pianote.com/blog/come-sail-away-piano-tutorial-lawrence-gowan/

[@felikspodolak2983]

Hey could u do a cover of the chain by mac fleetwood please

[@Ilurk247]

I actually had to give that ending a standing ovation. Bravo to Mr. Gowan and thank you Pianote for featuring him.

[@MKPiatkowski]

Been a Gowan fan for 40 years. This was such a treat!

[@chicagofan76]

I just saw him and Styx around a month ago. Enjoyed his breakdown. Gowan is the most energetic keyboard player I’ve seen.

[@brywool]

Such a cool guy and great musician. Humble as hell, too. Bravo to Lawrence, not to mention Dennis DeYoung who wrote and sang the orignal. Very cool lesson.

[@tonyalberto4075]

Spectacular Gowan !! Thanks Pianote

[@wilsonfamily5228]

Wow. An amazing song written by Mr. Dennis DeYoung and performed by the incredible Mr. Lawrence Gowan.

[@jfoberg]

Wow, great that Gowan gave us the gift of breaking down the keyboard performance for us. One of the best songs ever

[@Dshizzle78]

Gowan is amazing!!

[@bakerfx4968]

Holy crap he’s amazing. So humble for being so legendary. This might be one of my favourite videos on KZbin lol Now if only I could play it…

[@pepperdog2039]

he did not write this dennis deyoung did

[@bakerfx4968]

@@pepperdog2039 ok cool. What does that change about what I said lol

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

He isn’t really legendary. He plays with a band that was made famous by songs not written by him. Very few people know him by name or sight. Dennis DeYoung is legendary.

[@bakerfx4968]

@@jonkrispeterson6678 boy do I have some news for you about most famous musicians… Never heard of Dennis deyoung so I guess it depends on age/crowd etc

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

@@bakerfx4968 well, he wrote over 1/2 the songs that Styx is known for. Lady, Babe, Come Sail Away, Paradise Theater, Mr Roboto, Don’t Let it End, and The Grand Illusion.. Gowan is a 20 year fill in because someone got in a fight. There isnt a single song he has written that has gotten significant radio airplay. All those listed are either certified Gold or Platinum.

[@Thierryoutdoors]

Wow. Just wow. Undisputable mastery of the Keyboard, a fantastic voice, a great personnality and a humility and will to teach us. A great man. Thank you!!!

[@EdMelendez]

Wow! Whoever wrote this song is a total and complete genius.

[@pepperdog2039]

dennis deyoung

[@renecents]

@@pepperdog2039hiya. I suspect Ed was being ironic. Have a goodun! 👍

[@PikesvilleAl]

Hard to believe he isn't in a band.

[@jcarrolljr3052]

Dennis DeYoung was the composer/songwriter and original vocalist

[@wilsonfamily5228]

And the guy performing it in this video is even better…just saying

[@lostinspace2026]

Just saw this live in concert nothing better the voices were 100%

[@ericfirkey9860]

What a special lesson...Thank you

[@Struthio_Camelus]

This. is. AWESOME! I've loved this song for four and a half decades.

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

6 decades ... 70's , 80's, 90's, 00's, 10's and 20's = 6

[@Struthio_Camelus]

@JohnnyMegabyteCanada 2024 - 1977 = 47 years, or 4.7 decades.

[@beatorres2019]

Had the pleasure of seeing STYX.. You, Mr. Gowan, LIVE in Kelowna, BC..OCT. 2022. The show, and this song was magical! It's always been a favorite as a teen and thru the years. I have attempted to learn on my own. Thank you for this breakdown. It's perfect!

[@gtyrone83]

I just came here confirm I've been teaching my daughter the intro correctly. I didnt expect a master class on the whole song :-) Gowan is the only one who could properly fill Deyoung's shoes in Styx.

[@pacard33]

This was the first song I learned when I took up the piano at 13 years old. That glorious sonatina melody has never left my consciousness. One of the greatest song's Dennis ever created.

[@robfrydryck127]

Thank you so much for this in depth gift. I wish more bands did this. Styx rocks

[@eliasmenasse2837]

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo ! Gowan the tutorial and the solo performance !!!

[@ALAINHARDY-l8x]

Wow !!! that's GOWAN !!!! Amazing Musicians !!

[@joetahoe777]

Oh my! This lesson is great. One of the best I’ve ever seen. Extremely detailed and I can’t wait to master it. Thank you for taking the time to show us the little nuances that are sometimes impossible to figure out. I am forever grateful.

[@raymondpierson595]

Nice job! There's a lot of technique there that I lack, but it inspires me. I haven't seen Styx in 42 yrs but I will see you guys in April in Connecticut..! Till then!

[@aaronp0324]

Oh my God. So good!

[@altpraize6708]

This is one of my favorite songs. I've tried for years trying to figure this out. Thanks for this video!!!!!

[@PianoteOfficial]

A pleasure! Tag us as soon as you learn it please :) We would love to see you play this.

[@miketomasini346]

One of the greatest voices in Canada 🇨🇦

[@RobsonNogueira29]

Awesome!!! Thank you, Mr. Gowan! Thank you, Pianote!

[@ImpliedMusic]

Rock royalty laying down a classic tutorial. awesome.

[@sushifanatic37]

what a treat 🎉❤

[@catman1050]

Like a fine wine...better with age! Magnifico!

[@w0mblemania]

This is so good. You can just see the professionalism and showmanship and craft at work. I'm a computer programmer by trade, but this is by far the hardest thing I've ever seen. I just don't understand how people do it, how they can read, memorize, improvise those chords, melodies. It seems like magic. I've tried to learn, but I'm just not cut out for it. :(

[@khx73]

Just imagine how many times he's played those notes... the muscle memory would be so ingrained. It is amazing

[@bakerfx4968]

@@khx73you also have to appreciate that he knows all the theory behind too though, I definitely don’t lol

[@renecents]

Hello. Um, he is a fine musician, clearly, and probably a nice man, but if someone just copied you code and demonstrated how clever it was without acknowledging you as the author, I assume you’d be annoyed? Well, that is pretty much what he did here: he didn’t write it, he is demonstrating Dennis DeYoung’s craft, not his own. Have a goodun.👍

[@PikesvilleAl]

@@renecents Low class move taking credit by omission. Image someone playing Beethoven or Mozart and pretending they wrote it. He knows damn well most people under 30 or so have no knowledge this is a Dennis Deyoung song

[@rwharrington87]

What a fun guest to have on. I was always neutral about Styx. Only once I saw them live did I appreciate just how epic this song actually is.

[@1TheShawnster]

Pretty superb piano, considering Dennis started as an accordion player! A nice tribute to his genius by Gowan!

[@michaelcasey7057]

Incredible! Absolute legend! Thank you, sir.

[@i_am_the_ember]

My song❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤. I love this song so much

[@RodStewartFaness]

This was very informative, and loved the way Gowan let us into his mind a bit on the way he interprets the melodies, lyrics, and performance as a whole. (I also had to dig out my 1970s double decker Lowrey organ to learn along with this - worth it!)

[@nettynette8697]

LOVE this song!!

[@darkfallfx]

Great video. My only grip is it would have been nice to say who wrote this beautiful song in the beginning of the video.

[@matthewfischer4338]

Absolutely incredible and inspiring!

[@ryno6101]

Absolutely love this ❤❤ Pianote has out done itself

[@PianoteOfficial]

We love Gowan!!!

[@MournfulMystic]

This is great! One of my favourite 70s songs

[@livefree6455]

Standing ovation! Thank you.

[@Slobberthegoat]

Lawrence is a legend.

[@MrFlintlock7]

I've always loved this song, but until I saw Gowan play it, I had never FELT it. What a MASTER!

[@boldizzle]

This is one of my all time favorite songs and I was considering trying to learn it on Piano and Drums and then this video drops! Couldn't be happier!!!!

[@Leo-lp4zh]

Thank you for sharing. Such a great explanation (theory and demonstration)...learned alot from this video!!

[@boxerfencer]

I really liked this live rendition much more than the mr roboto one and i dont even like this song but loved mr roboto as a youth! Gowan's voice and style suites this song and his piano playing was impeccable!

[@karenfal8448]

Wow! Love all Styx music. Still a beginner piano player though. Rock on!

[@bbotzong]

Wonderful video! What a blessing to hear him perform. Styx has been a favorite of mine for many years. I saw Dennis DeYoung sing as Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar which was phenomenonal. Every member of that group is an awesome musician. Thanks Mr. Gowen for sharing your talent! I look forward to seeing you live again!

[@Lcngopher]

I still remember my part for this song from our marching show my sophomore year of high school, fall of 2009. The theme was styx. I played clarinet and we had the eighth note figures in the opening. We had to practice those quite a bit so thats likely why its still there.

[@MysterDoktor]

Thank you for this ❤

[@maval4537]

Beautiful performance!

[@mtiefen62]

This was awesome! I sure hope you engaged Mr Gowan for more than this one project?

[@curtisbrown3847]

That was brilliant and fantastic for sure! A great song excellently done Mr. Gowan 😊🙌🎶

[@pepperdog2039]

dennis deyoung wrote it and played it

[@curtisbrown3847]

@@pepperdog2039 yes I knew that but Gowan does a great job with it

[@larrykutz2405]

Love it!! Thank you Pianote! Caroline

[@gabrielerod]

Que chingón! gracias por compartirlo con nosotros, una gran inspiración

[@WAYNESVILLE]

I just saw them in Shipshewana and they were amazing!

[@moreme40]

Awesome ! I’ve always loved this song

[@marylouisehagan2786]

Amazing! Love this!

[@ferdieortega3937]

Thank you, Mr. Dennis DeYoung.

[@kellypacheco2671]

Lucky me, first piano lesson taught by Mr Gowan!! Inspiring! Thank You for sharing your incredible talent 😀

[@MKPiatkowski]

OMG, that's amazing!

[@catherine6653]

Pretty advanced for me, but I will try. This is an epic Styx song. Love it ❤.

[@elainel8321]

I’ve always loved this song and now I love it even more!! This is an amazing video. Saving this to my playlist so I can watch it over and over ❤⛵️🌌🚀🪽

[@kirremtremmeh6495]

Thank you pianote I wanted to learn this for my family 😭

[@jimmyhowe7883]

Wow! Nice in-depth analysis. The most amazing thing about this is that it was written by a man who had no formal music education or training. Dennis DeYoung deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. Dennis’ keyboard solos blow my mind like nobody else’s. Sing For the Day springs to mind.

[@張翠娟-z9y]

Great job🎉thank you for sharing❤太精采了👍

[@bayusukmadwiputra]

Sehat selalu untuk semuanya. Salam dari saya di indonesia. Terima kasih. ❤❤❤

[@GeorgiaSwag]

Thank you for the breakdown of this timeless masterpiece. I actually wondered, how you actually played the trills in this song...cant believe i found this!!

[@eaglepass5170]

Amazing!!!!

[@fhhubbard]

AWESOME!

[@z-man7883]

This song got learning the piano

[@ign_ite]

I'd never listened to this song and I just discovered it's beautiful

[@outcastcwd]

It seems impossible to me that there are people who've never heard this!🤯 Now you have to listen to all of the rest of their music! 👊😁👍

[@chrismusso6569]

Thank you!

[@tinkarobert]

ComeSailAwaycellent

[@СергейШацкий-ы4я]

Класс!!! Это просто Космос!!!

[@Craig2760]

After successfully playing this on the air piano for 45 years, maybe I'll give it a go on a real piano for a change!

[@youellfamilytube2022]

This is great! Can I request Criminal Mind as a tutorial encore?

[@mule71]

Yes! This! Some of Gowan’s own material demonstrated please. 🙏🇨🇦

[@q12305]

Спасибо

[@TogonzoMedia]

What I find amazing here is how a lowly accordion player from Chicago cobbled together this song one night and it has made classically trained pianists the world over like Larry sit forward and take notice. He broke it down brilliantly here because Dennis simply couldn't. Denny has been consistent about explaining how he has always composed songs by ear and keeps noodling along until it sounds right.

[@PikesvilleAl]

Who could be better at teaching you Styx's classic hit "Come Sail Away" than the maestro himself? -THE GUY WHO WROTE IT

[@DrKeyz777]

How does he layer in the lead synth patch? Is this a patch on the Roland or another Midi'd source? Obviously the piano is layered four times here but I'm curious. I did see the VK module sitting on top for the organ stuff. I also wondered about his live rig and setup.

[@MKPiatkowski]

I was wondering about that too.

[@tarterp]

Scrolled the comments for the same question. His "Come Sail Piano" you can see the four layers and it is basic Roland sound, but then he swaps to what I believe is a mix of Roland sounds and input, because of the green light, I would love to know how he had the piano programed!

[@DrKeyz777]

@@tarterp I know Styx uses back tracks for vocals so it wouldnt surprise me if some of these synth parts are part of that. I know they want a "perfect" show every time but man, I cant stand playing to backing tracks. You lose the ability to freeform the song.

[@randyschmuki3173]

Love ❤it!

[@bondjapan]

Envy the ease with which you play.

[@vincentlau8876]

Epic.

[@rajsteven1440]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@steveboydstun3124]

Thank you can you teach Renagade?

[@michaelbeeministries2020]

Wow! If you wrote this stuff, then you are Truly Blessed. 😀👍

[@jcarrolljr3052]

Dennis DeYoung is the composer/songwriter and original vocalist

[@michaelbeeministries2020]

Okay. Thank you 👍

[@jcarrolljr3052]

I have the privilege of jamming with the original band on Saturday mornings when the twins and I attended UW- Whitewater. I was still a teenager when my band fuzzy opening act for REO Speedwagon in 1972 at Road America. Of course I had to perform Come Sail Away with my cover band as leave vocalist and rhythm guitarist. Are you play keyboards but I don't think I can play it as well as you can. Where did 50 years go?!

[@PikesvilleAl]

how many lies? Dennis did not write the song until 1977

[@madonobel]

Respect, 45 Cairo, Egypt

[@lukeskywalker4944]

Who could be better at teaching you Styx's classic hit "Come Sail Away" than the maestro himself? How about Dennis DeYoung, You know the guy who wrote and performed the song and the original founder and leader of Styx.

[@katherineryanmusic]

Actually insane that we get to hear his thought process and see him play!!! Everything is so intentional according to his vision, what he sees and the feeling he is going for. Absolutely even more appreciation for his musicianship & creativity and so thankful for this super rare opportunity to learn a piece from the artist themself!! Thank you!🤩😄❤️🔥🙌🙌🙌

[@GRACEEphesians146]

Well technically, Dennis Deyoung ( The founder of the band STYX) is the One who originally wrote and sings this song. He still sings it in his Solo Band since he was forced out by members in the band Styx.

[@lanerehms24]

Recently saw Styx in concert and I have to say all the disdain I’m seeing for Gowan is uncalled for. He’s incredibly talented and brings an energy to concerts unlike any I’ve seen. Of course DeYoung deserves all the credit in the world for the song but that shouldn’t take away from the talent of this man and the amazing performances he gives.

[@PikesvilleAl]

Fine, but he and the others have no moral ground tp use the name Styx.

[@newstreamtv]

Love Gowan!! Never knew he was the Dennis replacement. Now I want to see Styx 2024. He’s great

[@xavierp4097]

since 1999 !

[@pepperdog2039]

amazing that piannote didn't contact dennis deyoung to do this explanation. he performed and wrote it.

[@MKPiatkowski]

Dennis has always said he creates by ear, just noodles around until it sounds right. He wouldn't have been able to break down the chords and theory the way Gowan did.

[@pepperdog2039]

@@MKPiatkowski deyoung wrote them what on earth are you talking about.

[@MKPiatkowski]

@@pepperdog2039 It's like how some great hitters in baseball can't break down their swing because it's all instinctual. I understand that's how Dennis writes. So while Dennis could talk about the pieces he put together, Gowan was able to apply music theory (which he studied) to explain it in more detail. Which is more what this channel does.

[@pepperdog2039]

@@MKPiatkowski deyoung has a degree in music and taught in public schools for 3 years. you are right the truly great ones do not have to offer a tutorial because they are creatively superior. plus gowan's singing deyoung's songs does great disservice to them.

[@MKPiatkowski]

@@pepperdog2039 I disagree. I think Gowan does a great job of making a great song his own. Then again, I've been a fan of Gowan's long before he joined Styx and actually feel him singing Dennis' songs are a step down from his own material. But to each their own.

[@patosandoval]

eric theodore cartman is a happy kid

[@thecannabisgarden3240]

It's like when I hear that song Come Sail Away by Styx I have to sing the whole thing, I can't leave it unfinished.... Kyle "I'm sailing Away......."

[@gavinneedham2013]

Hearing that guitar solo on the keys makes it sound so much like Elton John’s version of pinball wizard.

[@davidbalan6571]

I liked that's Melody's Chords 🎹 lyrics songs ' Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton . When I having a job's worked as ♎ government I want to buying Yamaha Keyboards 88 - keys , Roland Keyboards 88 - keys and KORG LS - 88 keys ..

[@renecents]

Had Mr Gowan taken a moment to acknowledge that this brilliant tune was written and performed by Dennis DeYoung-a side-note by the webmaster doesn’t really count-I would have had a little more respect for him. Whilst he didn’t explicitly say it was his tune, he certainly gave the impression that it was. A little humility by the current owners of the Styx name, who, after all, largely owe their career to Dennis, would be a nice change of course. A pity that people have such short memories.

[@tmw3489]

Had you actually spoken about the content, you would come off as someone who had actual appreciation for music instead of some old salty boomer.

[@renecents]

@@tmw3489 Hello. Had you some intelligence and good manners you might not have sounded so ignorant. Grow up, there’s a good chap. A lovely day to you.

[@tacotony1000]

Take it for what it's worth my hat is off to GOWEN for taking the time to show everyone how his improvising of the song.

[@renecents]

@@tacotony1000 Hello, and I have no problems with LG, seems a nice man, and it isn’t that the video isn’t good, just that it would have been classy of him to have acknowledged the actual writer/singer of the song. The original members of Styx have been denigrating DDY for twenty years despite largely living off his achievements. Gowan has also been living off DDY’s work, so, as I said, I would have had a little more respect for him if he had acknowledged it. Nice day to you.

[@tmw3489]

@@renecents salty ass boomer

[@B17MIKE]

Amazing player and singer. It's a great tutorial but not too beat a dead house, but you at least mention the man who wrote it. Peace and love.

[@robertmichalscheck3072]

He’s playing rd 2000 I think