Secrets For Playing Pop Music On Piano

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you for watching! Get in touch with us so that we can help you liberate your piano playing and ask for our Free Resources Pack: www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com/contact/

[@anwmus]

Please, what’s the pricing for the courses - I cannot find this information on your website?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

@@anwmus drop us a line at [e-mail]

[@johnapple6646]

I'm a piano teacher still figuring out how to deal with my students requesting to learn pop songs. This may be the most important video on the subject I have ever seen. Thank you for making this!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

@@johnapple6646 I'm so glad you've found this helpful, playing and teaching popular music is definitely a dark art!

[@jonrubin60]

@contemporaryschoolofpiano Thanks--very good info for solo piano (with fundamentally looks like you're playing octave bass in Left Hand & chord in Right Hand). But could you please do a similar video for pop piano in a group setting? Especially what is the method for 2-handed piano voicings when playing with a bass player (and singer handling the melody)? I presume the bass player does not want us playing/doubling the bass note in their register? I'm expanding my learning from jazz, where pianists focus on rootless 2-handed voicings so we don't interfere with the bass! But our usual jazz voicings with 6th/9ths/13ths really don't seem to work in the pop setting! Please address--thanks!

[@RaddMann3]

I have been playing piano for my whole life. You have taught me some great things at age 63. Thank you.

[@AndrewOkus]

I'm a self taught Jazz-Rock and Pop-Black Gospel pianist. 53 years experience playing with the biggest names in the business. I can sound like Elton, Leon Russell even the great Michael O'Martian. Rhythm is the most important thing to have in your feel. Learn all your voicings of every chord. And one of the most important things I taught myself is how to reharmonize a tune. Good video.

[@ktd9]

Lessons from a Real PRO..😍🙏⚡️⚡️💜

[@andybarker8787]

This is precisely why I always advocate all piano students, learn your chords (not from written notes, learn the structure) and then train your ear. This is critical. Listen and transpose to your instrument then you are unshackled from the chains of terrible sheet arrangements. A little bit of work and I promise you that you will be able to listen to a song, sit down, figure it out and play it in no time. Your style, your way.

[@jimmyponds5504]

andybarker: For/with me, you hit the note on the head with your comment, "learn your chords (not from written notes, learn the structure).... " I am too "note oriented," if that is the correct description of my lack of learning chords. As your comment recommends, I need to learn the structure of chords!

[@andybarker8787]

@@jimmyponds5504 it will change how you approach and see the keyboard and music. Look up some chord lessons online and practice major and minor chord inversions and root positions without sheet music and so much I’ll open up to you. You will read music so much better for doing this too.

[@susanmorrison8403]

I don’t think there is anyone else out there who touches how to create pop music on piano like this. Thank you for this understandable explanation! So good!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

@uklum yes, I am a big fan of this approach- it makes life much easier to just sing the melody. But so many people want to play the tune on the piano too, and I can understand that. I had to learn these skills for my days when I was a piano bar cocktail pianist!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for your kind words: we are currently promoting a course which is a cumulation of my life in music education. If you'd like to find out more you are very welcome to email us at [e-mail] with the subject line "Complete Musician" and we have some discount vouchers available to our fans across the web. Your support is very much appreciated and valued!

[@DV-mq5fv]

Berklee College of Music

[@prashram7781]

please check out Jason Zac- nathaniel school of music

[@benedictdsilva3954]

Good for Classical players.. We just picked it up on the way...

[@BoSong]

groove, chord and then whatever melody that fits. the holly grail of composition.

[@ronleonardi]

This is pretty much exactly how i've been teaching piano for many years, and it's amazing how few adults and even kids today, still are not taught these essential skills, so many teachers out there ONLY teaching classical technique, and reading treble and bass clef.... GREAT SKILLS for sure to have, but not as useful for playing contemporary pop music, as one might expect. Thanks for spreading the word.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Amen!!

[@paddyknits]

I’m a professionally trained pianist but have wondered my whole life how to approach popular music. This video summed up all of the issues I’ve had with popular sheet music and provided solutions to them. I owe you a subscription to your school! Thank you immensely for taking time to post this and answer my questions!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Dear Paddy. Many thanks for this, I'm so glad you found it useful, It is a matrix isn't it!

[@Gottenhimfella]

There are many reasons why pop music's sheet music is generally so limited (unless it's a "transcription" by someone with deep understanding). One is that the publishers figure that their target market is dilettante players, who are either wanting to play without a singer (in which case they need the melody on the keys) or with a singer who needs a lot of prompting and support (ditto). And over time this has created the misunderstanding that the instrumental backing of a pop song includes the melody. As pointed out here, usually it does not, and in most cases, it would ruin the effect if it did. Setting aside this key limitation, the dilettante target market is why the underlying arrangements in sheet music are typically so inauthentic and ineffective. It's very complex and daunting to do a really faithful transcription with grace notes, flams, passing chords, swing time, tempo and meter changes, etc etc. The music would have to cost a lot more and most of the musicians who would play at that level don't really need sheet music in the first place. So demand would be negligible.

[@Gottenhimfella]

Another issue: sometimes, far from doubling the melody, the instrumental backing plays a contrasting melody ("counter melody"), and an extreme example which piano players will relate to is "Lady Madonna", for example the six bars starting "Friday night arrives without a suitcase" feature a strong countermelodic motif on the piano which is so strikingly different, rhythymically as well as melodically, that it takes a serious effort at disassociation to manage to play it in strict (bouncy groove) time while singing it convincingly.

[@Hannah-rl3ng]

You are such a great teacher.. Step by step clear explanation..

[@37BopCity]

A really excellent video, thank you. I agree with "Chords! Chords! Chords!" and singing the melody over them, but as an intermediate level piano player I would have to also add "Left Hand! Left Hand! Octaves and Fifths! Octaves and Fifths!" That took me a long time to start getting the strength and ability to move in time with the right hand, and make it sound simple and easy.

[@colinmaharaj]

3:20 What I deduced a while ago is putting the melody on the piano is good for a musical solo act, but knowing the chords and for me I play the bass along with it, is good enough to accompany someone who can sing the song. Or maybe I can play the chords and bass, and try to keep up by la-la-ing or trying to sing

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes. That's it.

[@lauraroberts2250]

Always felt I was lacking because I knew chords but couldn't read music. Your lesson has given me confidence. Thank you. And extra thanks for the Hotel California chords! I'll be having fun with them today.

[@rafaellaurenti6026]

Wow, I became flabbergasted by the way you performed the Hotel California song. I wish I had these neural connections.

[@smileydoug]

Fantastic! You are truly a virtuoso. And your audio sounds great, too! Noticeably improved sound engineering over your earlier stuff. Sound quality deserving of your amazing playing. I have so much to learn. At 62.5, I fear I do not have enough time left to play as beautifully as you (tear rolling down my cheek).

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Wow, thank you!

[@marionandrews9510]

Well I am 72 next birthday in September and I’m still going strong. You have to make the best of the time available. Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy the moment now!

[@blehoo1]

he is not a virtuoso but has an excellent ear and great sense of rhythm.

[@johngill]

I really think this is the single best video on piano playing I have come across, and I have seen a lot. So much valuable information here. Thanks doesn’t cover it.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks, I'm delighted to know you've found this helpful!

[@aznt06]

Agreed!! This has summarized and pointed out the key points pianists can keep in mind when trying to translate pop songs into piano.

[@picopicolomini1607]

To me an ignorant music lover this was conceptually an ear opener. Now I really appreciate the art of arrangement

[@marionandrews9510]

This a fab video showing how important it is to understand and learn songs from the bottom up.: chords, groove, melody, arrangement. Tom’s video’s are always a great learning tool and inspiring. Thank you.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for your kind words: we are currently promoting a very ambitious course which is a cumulation of my life in music education. If you'd like to find out more you are very welcome to email us at [e-mail] with the subject line "Complete Musician" and we have some discount vouchers available to our fans across the web. Your support is very much appreciated and valued!

[@londislagerhound]

This video was a revelation. Love it.

[@richardallen1961]

That was GROOVY. KIller arrangement on Hotel California

[@martinleonard77]

Best piano teacher and videos on the web. 👍

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for your kind words: we are currently promoting a very ambitious course which is a cumulation of my life in music education. If you'd like to find out more you are very welcome to email me, with the subject line "Complete Musician" and we have some discount vouchers available to our fans across the web. Your support is very much appreciated and valued!

[@compojeron6144]

This is exactly how I’ve been thinking for years about playing pop music on the piano, but I’ve never heard anyone explain it so clearly. I’m very happy with this video, thank you.” 😊

[@michellemonet4358]

Thanks. Loved that Classical version of Hotel California. 😂😂 Im inspired now to try that!

[@melanietabroff1167]

wow - this video resonates! i play classical and always wondered why i struggle with pop. thanks for breaking it down so clearly- it’s been fun to play along :)

[@adriandrake4208]

I’m learning chords and inversions for Radioheads’ ‘Creep’…you are so right, it’s very hard to vary it enough to get the ‘groove’. Thank you, you are an excellent teacher; the only one to highlight this important aspect.👍

[@blehoo1]

you are spot on here - I was classically trained in a conservatoire but assure you the skills I learnt playing in bands as a teenager are every bit as useful in the high school classroom I teach and helping young people form bands etc. It's all about chords, being able to voice the melody at the top by using inversions which gives your left hand freedom to create rhythm through octaves, 5ths and passing notes etc. When you get into playing with vocalists and other musicians your job is then to actually play less and add more to the groove picking out lines in the spaces etc. Great video mate.

[@camillajani1953]

OMG I learnt sooo much just from one video. Phenomenal ❤ I m signing up for course 🎉

[@smtaylorz]

Thanks for a simple but complete way to approach playing music for the beginner!

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

A simple but powerful lesson. Thank you very much.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

You're very welcome!

[@msgingerjourney]

This is excellent! I'm trying to get off the page. No easy task. You break it down so well. ❤

[@monikasadauskaite7368]

That melody in Chopin's style sounded really cool.

[@paulinemartinbarrell3277]

Thank God I've found you, Tom! I want to play like this! Got my pack!!! Thanks!

[@chrishelbling3879]

What a great video. Former HS piano teacher here. I was given a method book to use, filled with public domain tunes like "When the Saints Go Marching In." Kids weren't digging it, shocker. Next year, 6 weeks to learn the treble clef for the RH, then on to lead sheets & pop tunes. Always asked them, What song do you want to learn, and made lead aheets for them, rarely more than 6 triad chords. All as you say here, I confirm.

[@peterkarba2954]

One of the best lessons in piano I ever got. Thank you so much.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks, I'm glad you found it useful!

[@martinda7446]

I saw your ad. Charismatic, gentle, wonderfully creative and a beautiful player and performer. Er. If I wasn't a straight guy... So I did the next best thing and subscribed. Really a delight to watch and learn. So glad to find you.

[@billsoden]

You are my new go to for piano videos Tom. This is great, giving so many nice options to work on, and good choice of song examples too! Many thanks and keep up the good work.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

You're very welcome!

[@cripzrus]

Outstanding piano skills and presentation just witnessed there.

[@bostjanovamuzika]

Thx for the tips. I belive the hotel california you practiced for quite a while :) sounds absolutely great

[@ОксанаБорщевич-ы6щ]

Thanks for explaining pop for me!

[@KevinB-pd3me]

That Hotel California arrangement was epic.

[@knowledgeiseverything7621]

Standing ovation! You can't see me but here I am giving you a standing ovation! Brilliant! Thank you for your time and for sharing your knowledge. Deepest gratitude!

[@terada1444]

Oh! What a sensational lesson. This has to be one of the best tutorial videos on the Internet and complimented by a really cool teacher.

[@ThisGuyDude]

Incredible insights. Truly revelatory. The bit about vocals carrying the melody and piano serving up the chords was so helpful to understand why I'm having difficulty. I need to back up and focus on chords.

[@wojteknarczynski9502]

Thank you for the liberating words of piano wisdom

[@jasonbourne488]

This video resonated with me on so many levels. Most of all it now made me feel more confident because you clarified why certain songs don’t work as piano solos. Many many thanks.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThisGuyDude]

Stunning arrangements. Wow.

[@richardblocher599]

WOW! You did it again Tom, Thank you very much for sharing this insight with us. I had no idea, how. At least I can go ahead and establish my groove. Thank you, God Bless. Richard B

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks, Best of Luck with it all!

[@claude5125]

Thanks for your answer…Appreciated

[@davidlawrence3425]

Brilliant- thanks !😊

[@AndyA1234]

I'm a bassist and when learning a song by ear I listen until I can sing the bass line in my head. Knowing the chords allows me to have a good idea of the notes that would fit within a given key centre. I learned before the advent of KZbin so repeated dropping the needle on vinyl or rewinding a cassette was the only way to learn a song without sheet music. Even then the sheet music only had chords & the melody but no bass clef. Ear training is a must.

[@jxclark13]

One of my students sent me a link to this video. Solid stuff. I had the hardest time figuring out how to teach pop music to students, which is funny because playing it is the thing I do best. Even now, you had some explanations that will help me better explain it to my students. Keep up the good work of spreading the groove!

[@ChadDippyDora]

I’ve immediately subscribed. A no bullshit, instructive lesson. Thank you! (Not that I can do much of it yet…)

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

It all starts with chords! Then you are 60 percent there!

[@minpn8344]

This is the video i need to learn about playing pop music on piano

[@TheTrtmrt100]

Great lecturer, thank you Mr

[@vgx33]

I thought I was doing something wrong that when I tried to learn my favorite popular songs from sheet music, 99% of the time they don't sound or feel right. This video confirmed that I wasn't just out of my mind. I can figure out chords but not the rhythm so what you said about groove is so helpful.

[@elysiaestee3123]

Outstanding, as always! Such timely and relevant advice for all of us scouring the web for pieces and advice. I must learn how to play Hotel California like this. That's my new goal, Tom. Thank you again!!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Its a great chord progression to play with!

[@michellemonet4358]

Mine too

[@fromt789]

Great presentation - one of the very best. Thank you. Look forward to more from you. Houston Texas

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks!

[@citysim7375]

Was lucky enough to learn the "chord way" to play by my piano teacher and an Italian piano bar player. Must send a link of this video to quite a few older piano students around who fail with pop music! Awesome!

[@MaPa60]

Whoo, this was a standout tutorial!! I can use this when writing songs on my keyboard, section by section, on the white keys (transposed to the root). Yeah, that's where I'm at on piano, but I'm loving this.

[@troyng9551]

Thank you, Mr. Donald for teaching me piano on KZbin

[@mellyju]

So incredible thank you.

[@slawekiwanek402]

Great explanation. Thank you !

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Marisha_Piano]

Hello, my dear friend! Thanks for sharing this wonderful lesson!🎹🎼🎵🎶💜 Like👍. Very nice! Always be healthy and happy! Have a great day!

[@davidpauker]

Some real priceless Golden Nuggets of info in this here tutorial!! I learned sooo much.Can't thank you quite enough sir!

[@rikkidikkidoo]

As a relative newcomer to keyboards, although a musician all my life, this video articulates very nicely what I have been instinctively feeling about playing pop songs. I tried things like Piano Man, a fantastic song, but honestly it sounded rubbish just played straight. Now when I look for new material I focus on how I can add my own stamp on the music through improvisation and it is much more satisfying. Thanks for a great video.

[@mhunter1969]

This is ABSOLUTELY fantastic!! I bought a Hotel California sheet music arrangement and struggled.. Just played the chords and BAM!!! Super easy. Thank you.. so awesome!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's it!

[@_anbh0143]

wow that was really enlightening !!i wish i can play like you one day !! keep up the good work sir and may god bless you🙏🙏

[@THEjohnnymoose]

So glad i came across this channel, this video really opens my mind and makes me think of music in a new sort of way!

[@richardcasey4439]

As a classical pianist, this is outstanding

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for your kind words Richard.

[@andiiman3496]

Brilliant demo, and as a long time arranger keyboard player much more inspiring to me than many piano tutorials have been, to learn/play more piano style

[@MsTessG]

I started piano lessons at the age of 9 and wrote my first song the same year. I'm 59 now. It's beyond me how people can play the piano and not play by ear. How can you not learn where those sounds are on that keyboard? I understand I may have a better ear than average but I firmly believe if you practice it, any pianist can train their ear. It opens up SO much more enjoyment.

[@mjsmcd]

My ear is my teacher

[@jorgeparr3002]

Awesome Dear Tom 🎉 THANK you so much Sir 🎉

[@mikaeljohansson83]

Great video and really helpful to anyone learning the piano and finding the usual songbooks useless more or less. Top notch mate😀 And to add to that is your excellent control of the damper pedal, that is a big part of getting a full sounding piano sound!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ingasauter-hartmann3084]

Excellent as usual! Thanks a lot Tom, Inga from Germany

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks Inga

[@terencebunn8318]

Brilliant thank you. Self taught on a keyboard having watched this I find I actually do 90% of it when I play piano…but had no insight as to what I was doing or why it worked, and therefore no way of improving or refining it. The single best video I’ve watched in a long time 👍

[@sweatcentralny7749]

You are the best at teaching holistic piano playing

[@arpanmukherjee4625]

Wow. The best thing I have ever seen. All the magic unfolded. As a guitar player coming to piano, this video made me feel at home.

[@RyanK3951]

helluva lesson, sir. thank you!

[@munsonHOF]

Thank you so much for making videos like this. You are teaching us so much! I’m going to buy the Groove package.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

You are so welcome!

[@billhasty5197]

You will Love the Groove pack, lot of fun and very enlightening.

[@miajiang4828]

This video is awesome! You are a fantastic pianist!

[@danhamilton1920]

Everything your saying is so right. Could I meet more people like you, dude you are ace x

[@liseauffray2119]

Great lesson! Thank you so much!

[@positivegradient]

Thanks Tom for being so awesome 😊

[@BarryFence]

I find your lessons so entertaining and engaging. Great job explaining all about groove!

[@michelprimeau4531]

That's why the piano is the easiest and toughest instrument (after the organ, hail to the king) and we love it. Melody and accompaniment.

[@debeshbhattarai]

The world gets better because of the people like you. I am amazed ....simply loved it. A treasure for all.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for your kind words and support!

[@andrewstillwell1191]

That was amazing, thank you ❤. I just subscribed to this channel.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Welcome!

[@norbertr1713]

brilliant piano-playing video. thank you so much.

[@minadelaporta8668]

Excellent video! Exactly what musician should be teaching and explain ! Also fantastic playing! Thank you

[@margueritechippendale8844]

Thanks Tom ! No words to describe how you impart your knowledge ! A legend ! 💖🩷❤️🩵💙💚✅

[@danhamilton1920]

You're answering all my queries, just by what your saying, your do right, your are the best. Thank you brother, much love x

[@billcourtney3894]

Bravo! Very groovy.

[@paulinemartinbarrell3277]

Thank you, Tom, for being real...!

[@marcellef8302]

I've just started relearning to play the piano. I agree 100% that learning chords is the best first step to learning pop songs. I can't believe how quickly I am able to play. I also prefer using lead sheets. You are an excellent teacher and you've just earned a new subscriber 👍 Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent 🎹

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Welcome!!!

[@IvanRx76]

Perfect video

[@Schienke1]

Kind of opened my eyes and ears, thanks a lot.

[@robertopontes7038]

It's amazing your lesson about pop songs! Thank you!

[@wonkastudio-johnny]

im just new to the keys and you are so right....learn chords first everything else will fall into play within time..keys to me are the hardest instrument to learn but its all about dedication...

[@b4time718]

Great stuff as always, Tom! So right about sheet music. If, for example, you take any sheet music and play it straight the way a midi file plays, it always sounds absolutely terrible. OTOH, if you just follow the chord progression and feel your way thru the arrangement you can make it come alive. I have acquired tons of sheet music over the years but I rarely "read" it. I just look at it like a lead sheet. People occasionally hand me a sheet of music and ask me to play it but if the chords aren't there I am lost. Give me the same piece as a lead sheet and I am good to go!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's it ! It's all about those chords!

[@stevenkaiser3837]

Great stuff!! Thank you again, Tom!! Love your style..

[@Garycallum]

Thanks for this tutorial Tom. As always simple and straight forward