Ragtime Piano Legend Johnny Hodges Reveals Piano Secrets

[@rollingstone3017]

My goodness. 20 yrs ago we were standing there listening to him on Main Street. He turned and asked if I’d like to play. I played a Joplin rag, and he was gracious enough to compliment my meager performance. Didn’t even know his name til now, but never forgot how he made me feel 🤩🤗

[@yragcom1]

In 1982, I worked at Disneyland, and loved to go in after work and watch Johnny play. He is still as amazing and now as he was back then. His "12 Street Rag" is a AMAZING display of sheer skill and dexerity.

[@rodterrell304]

The more I listen the more of a legend he becomes. This guy is just a joy to watch

[@richardcabeza9596]

Johnny Hodges was my piano teacher in the mid 90s. He would have me cover for him at Northwood's Inn when he was overbooked. He's a great guy! I wish I could have studied with him longer than I did...

[@edsmithmusic951]

Can we see you play, mate?

[@richardcabeza9596]

@@edsmithmusic951 I have just a few public pieces on KZbin. Channel is SumPianonstuff. Someday I'll get around to publishing more...

[@edsmithmusic951]

@@richardcabeza9596 let me have a look. Thanks ☺

[@rogerioesposito2170]

Lucky for you, my friend. Greetings from Brazil.

[@babygeemusicofficial]

He’s my cousin! ❤❤❤

[@KristenMosca]

This makes me so happy!! Reminds me of my couple lessons with him. He is the master! Miss that guy. Thank you for this!! 🙏🏻

[@zombe0]

I would probably never have found out about this legend if it wasnt for your channel. Thank you!

[@jollylawyer9999]

Its really Tom Brier. I luv your video btw

[@keithjones2340]

My mother should have beat me when I quit piano 60 yrs ago.

[@guitargod6997]

Or perhaps just lashed you to the piano bench once a day. Great and illuminating video!

[@a320214]

I disagree : when you like piano, nobody should push you but you just NEED to play . See today kids : do their mother tie them down to their playstation ? and you know the answer... 50 years ago, my parents didn't punished me taking my desert at lunch, no : they locked the piano with the key.

[@guitargod6997]

@@a320214 I agree. My comment was a modest joke. But when I was growing up we had the option to play outside, watch three channels on TV, or learn to play an instrument or some other 'fine arts'. Music can be totally addicting for some of us. Apparently for kids gaming is as well. I know my preference.

[@TorBruheim]

It is almost never too late. If you have mobility in arms and legs you should give it a try.

[@lpa9974]

People don’t always realize the importance of music to them. Can you imagine your favorite movie (or any movie, video game, etc.) without music or sound effects (see Andrew Huang)? Star Wars would not be Star Wars without the epic music of John Williams!

[@HansKuhlmann]

That's incredible how fast Johnny can jump with his hands and hit the right keys.

[@heidikuzma3605]

KZbin is great, but there is nothing in the world that can replace the deep relationship between teacher and student.

[@RobertOrgRobert]

It’s a real treat to hear a musician playing live today

[@yuvalagam2]

It's safe to say that both Johnny Hodges are legends.

[@lorenzo_pianoman]

both Johnny*

[@gonzalodossantos3176]

@@lorenzo_pianoman Johnny Hodges is also the name of a really important jazz sax player

[@trelkel3805]

It's the left hand jumping that gets me, you have to put in a lot of dedicated practice to get it up to speed without thinking about it.

[@jollylawyer9999]

Left hand jump amazing huh? Watch this video and you might probably explode. This guy is Tom Brier kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXTLf4iNaa2nhpo

[@ginohernandez3770]

Johnny Hodges = LEGEND.

[@AmatriceBand]

boy I'm going to see the full interview . he is so fluid.Learned a lot by just looking at the way he plays

[@koomber777]

I'm sure if I keep practicing one day I'll be able to see his hands.

[@rodterrell304]

I remember talking with Johnny one day at Disney and he asked me to play a tune but I was too scared and he was so amazing that my little chords would have been an embarrassment. Johnny, you are amazing and an all around neat guy.

[@mikeygoda]

cool tip at the end: take your major triad, play the flat 3rd and 6th, then the 3rd and 5th, then the root note. classic move

[@shuklajayant]

What a genius

[@urzathehappy72]

u too r just so happy this video is heartwarming

[@ericprice7870]

I wish I could give this more thumbs ups! Mr. Hodges is something else, bravo!

[@lpa9974]

Thank you so much for sharing this video clip and links to the full interview with the amazing Ragtime great Johnny Hodges. I feel so honored and grateful to be able to learn about Mr. Hodges and his musical teachings as well as his life experiences. His kind of “life stories” are what truly influence those who listen, and change lives without people even realizing it. Thank you again! PS I seldom write comments, but I have to mention that I signed up for a year of lessons with Jonny May (Piano with Jonny) which brought me to this awesome interview and has been very rewarding. Thank you and I am eagerly waiting for what comes next! (: (I truly hope this doesn’t sound too cliche or commercial because it wasn’t intended that way-Take care.)

[@PianoWithJonny]

LP A so glad you enjoyed it! Did you watch the full 4-hour interview? It’s available in the membership 😊

[@lpa9974]

Yes, the first three so far and the fourth hour soon. I can’t wait to see the next one and I’m sure that I will re-watch many times-and hope for more! Thanks. PS I think “Ragtime” Johnny Hodges should also be interviewed by NPR radio. I know there is another great saxophone player with the same name so it gets a bit confusing, but that just makes it more interesting in my opinion. Why not showcase two great musicians?!

[@1313CHORIZOMAN]

Im so glad i got to hear him live when i use to work at Disney. He was the best part of having to work ODV

[@mackgrout]

Great tips. Played a lot of rags, played a lot of jazz and blues and stride, but never heard of the rag roll. Learn something everyday!! Awesome!

[@jackalker6384]

0:14 i love the B in the bass. Its so wrong but so right. Someone needs to transcribe this, its incredible

[@aguilarrojas1608]

This is incredible...

[@ArtinSinger]

Thanks so much for sharing - he’s unbelievable 👏😎😃

[@babygeemusicofficial]

It’s so nice to see all the lovely comments about him. That’s my oh so talented cousin and a passion for music runs in the family on both sides ❤😊

[@sayetka]

What an absolute treat this video is!! Thank you!!

[@kevinrusche4547]

Crazy good! What a talent. Never heard of Johnny Hodges until now - and much richer for it! Great video - thanks! More, more........

[@shingose77music]

Wonderful!and great lesson !!so cool!!

[@charlesmccormick2625]

I now add Johnny Hodges to my all-time favorites; wow!

[@Jazzper79]

That is a real teacher!

[@vincenzo6162]

This guy is bad ass. It sounds so kool~

[@BrandonAu]

Awesome interview! I remember hearing Johnny’s amazing playing at Disneyland. Thanks for sharing. You might look into having Jason Wanner on the show somewhere down the road (another Disneyland pianist).

[@rogerioesposito2170]

I am watching this only after have been following master Jonny for a while. It is touching to see how the pupil surpasses the master... but not much ! Mr. Hodges still can play pretty much. God bless him... maybe, in this video, one might have seen both Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson of our era. I don't know if I will be able to play like that someday, most likely not. But it is stimulating to go humbly step by step advised for such an idol. All my respect and thanks to May and Hodges. They keep us moving ahead.

[@caesarillion]

Wush I could hear him play Bumble Boogie again like the old days at Big John's Billiards, Belmont Shore, California back in the early 70's. He was living out of a garage and a VW bus with a sun roof and a spinnet behind the front seat. John Lee was his name then in honor of his adoptive parents. How times have changed. Thanks again John for such great sounds. Paul Venne/Thailand

[@charliegregory4148]

AWESOME,INSIGHTFUL,WONDERFUL. Its the spirit that Mr. Johnnie? Hodges plays with. Highly motovational. Thank You. And another thing, I can tell Hes just having fun. If He were fired up in front of a good audience, WOW💥💣💥Thanx 🎙🎤🎹🎷🎸😎🌷🍒🍒🍒💜🍋💚

[@RedSprecacenereMusic]

What a great video, Jonny! Thank you! :-)

[@amazingcato5315]

It's been years but I knew him as John LEE. It might have been his stage name. First met him at several Maple Leaf Club meetings at the MayFair Music Hall in Los Angeles and then I found out later he plays at the Main Street Coca Cola place at Disneyland. He even let me play the piano there! Very nice guy and great piano player.

[@okiepita50t-town28]

That guy’s awesome.

[@Jack-fs2im]

cosmic a real treat.

[@enriqueernesto738]

Can you give us some hints how to improve the left hand technique there? How not to miss the right notes doing those wide leaps?

[@PianoWithJonny]

There are a ton of tips in the Ragtime Crash Course at PianoWithJonny.com 😊

[@roadchewerpe5759]

One thing i can say, take it slowly. Very slowly at first. Funnily enough, the slower you go in the beginning, the faster you’ll pick it up. I’m left handed, so I cannot really recommend much else. Just take it slowly, and have fun. Good luck.

[@gulshankhanna1687]

This is magical

[@lindamcdermott2205]

What a master! Thanks!

[@MH-il1lk]

I met this man playing at Disney and he told me about Zez Confrey. This guy is an amazing player. I wish I took some lessons with him.

[@kelguy2002]

This is so Good🤔 TOO GOOD - Seeing Johnny May Laughing like a little kid... the way WE ALL DID as kids When we saw a MASTER MAGICIAN 🤣😂🤣Mesmerize & Inspire Us 👏👏👏Thank you !!! perfect , absolutely PERFECT 👏👏👏 BRAVO MAESTRO Johnny Hodges BRAVO!!!

[@nigelworwood8530]

Brilliant and great fun. Thanks. Set me up for the day!

[@suzyflorida1193]

Terrific video! JH is so talented and seems like a great guy to hang with. Is he still playing regularly anywhere?

[@JohnDeeoh]

amazing piano player

[@FireypepperCP]

Loved his work with Ellington, never knew he was such a fantastic pianist!

[@ShadowBan_]

A Happy Lil' Fella not a surprise you weren’t aware this is a different Johnny Hodges !

[@FireypepperCP]

@@ShadowBan_ Just being waggish!

[@jazzbone080808]

Wow. This is fabulous. Love it! Working on it now.

[@caliskaterdrummer]

Man that is sick as hell

[@christopheralu8218]

Definitely inspiring

[@andreslozano5339]

2:40 5:43

[@laurentoutang8350]

Just amazing !!!🤩

[@alvaroalmara]

Incredible interview! Congratulations!

[@flippersproject]

Ohh legends 😵😵

[@timbattig6713]

My left hand needs so much work! I gotta build that foundation for my right hand to sit on top of. Jonny, you have some good left hand foundation exercises, right?!

[@PianoWithJonny]

Indeed! What type of left hand technique do you want to develop?

[@dylandecker_music]

I believe Tim is speaking for all of us when we say we could have help with the stride/ragtime left hand.

[@timbattig6713]

@@PianoWithJonny all of them, lol! But specifically in this case, I want to develop this stride style. I think part of my problem is knowing what chord structure/inversion to play when I bounce upward. I find myself overthinking those chords all the time and it slows me down. Are there "stock changes" that everyone who does this technique well use?

[@MikhailVladimirovPiano]

"Diminished, you know... Aigmented, you know..."

[@RAGEPAMMA]

I didnt unterstand yet lol

[@drummercoil]

Great ‼️

[@thevoiceinsidesomeoneelses3137]

Coolest video I've seen in a long time.

[@legomeisterlp4375]

I love his T-Shirt

[@pentatonicschoolofmusic]

Awesome

[@agc6490]

I like how in the first scene he writes the notes he is playing, like i am somehow gonna be able to read it 😂😂

[@lpa9974]

HaHa! Just keep on practicing-Before you know it, it becomes magic!!

[@erikpianist6890]

Accuracy in left hand at its finest.

[@МихаилМинин-ш7ь]

Восхитительно!

[@brutalhamster365]

Обалденно играет чувак!)

[@roadchewerpe5759]

For a forward ragroll using E G C E, would you recommend using finger 3 or 4 on the C? I’m left handed, so the jumps have come somewhat easily to me, but i can only reach an octave, and the forward rag roll is a little awkward with my hands as i tend to hit an adjacent key accidentally.

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

Holy crap.

[@roflolmayopter]

Accidentally watched this video on 1.5 speed without knowing. Nearly shit my pants

[@jollylawyer9999]

Tom brier: Hold my beer

[@noah8970]

Johny’s still learning from him you can see it in his eye’s

[@I3an4ana]

2:23 2:44 4:23 5:21 6:52 7:33

[@marcoafro8234]

I love how he just keep playing rather than talking all day long.

[@DavidK85]

thanks. Very interesting :)

[@Tunz909]

Any bio info on Hodges? nothing on wikipedia?? Is he still alive?

[@innabond1055]

Superstars

[@nigelfinch3481]

Are there any cds available

[@Sean-rawlins]

2:43 Version 1. Version 2

[@caesarillion]

Pleeeze how about some nostalgia from "Hot Fingers John Lee?" Thailand Paul V

[@brutalhamster365]

What is the name of the first tune he played in the beginning? Fantastic vid!

[@TheAvgCommentator]

Sweet Georgia Brown

[@brutalhamster365]

@@TheAvgCommentator Thank you so much!😍

[@TheAvgCommentator]

@@brutalhamster365 He said it in the video but all the same you're welcome.

[@ballofaraday3806]

Qué divertido!

[@hzqzick5046]

This is great, but if u visual it on music sheets we able to understand more

[@juanmanueltellechea4981]

oh Johnny how is that you cut the interview

[@jackalker6384]

hey, i just came to this channel to see if youve uploaded anything and it turns out youve been busy. ive always been subscribed but for some reason, youtube unsubbed me.. thats weird

[@pacdaddy1518]

It actually really surprised me that he never tried Mary had a little lamb in ragtime theme. I’m fifteen and have already tried it lol.

[@lpa9974]

Hi. If you get to watch the full interview,, he does do a ragtime “Mary Had A Little Lamb.” It’s great that you did it too-so much fun! I’m going to teach it to some of my kids too. (:

[@redblue2743]

Omg at first it sounds Disney already to me. A piano playing from other planet 😅

[@EfratEliahu]

Which piano does he use? can someone tell?

[@LaterGator1425]

1:27

[@attiliomalambri]

Wow! Thank you Bill Nighy!😂

[@alanwann9318]

Total respect,so music theory is boring eh ? Look at this application.

[@amirojaghi5824]

We haven't credit card in iran ... I can't watch full interview 😔 🌹

[@davivictor9640]

OH Ship

[@spaziojobim]

That was so cool?

[@halfmanhalfcat1058]

watching at 0.5x speed so my eyes can keep up

[@lucvanwye7555]

If you turn it down to 0.25 speed it sounds like a haunted rag.

[@hezekiahdaggett2179]

Kind of jazz but stride a lot and no textures basically ragtime

[@burble987654321]

How do I master the nervous moans while playing

[@kade1348]

what

[@burble987654321]

@@kade1348 Johnny makes little noises while playing

[@roadchewerpe5759]

I think what he was doing was kinda humming the tune to himself as he played to make sure he was playing correctly, or to remember the tune.

[@SpartanTROY]

After i saw dis vid. Liszt is nothing 😢

[@stfdchiefmeyer]

Is that dandruff or glitter on your shirt?

[@Shinzo1001]

Gonna tell myself this was CGI

[@dejantodorovic6542]

Painting not playing my minth.

[@Bozzigmupp]

The sounds he make while playing sounds so weird

[@SwagLifeSeries]

Big