You are such a great mentor for a person who are unable to read a music score like me. Thought it was impossible to play this song especially with a locked hand technique, but I finally acquired this technique with this song. Thank you so much!
+Firman Rasyidi I'm very happy to hear that.... and thanks for telling me. Your comment is the type of thing that keeps me going! check this: ruclips.net/video/iRqfNDuB3sk/видео.html
It's incredible. I don't speak english but the music language is universal. Simply beautiful, nineteen years old girl here for learn the art that I have loved forever. Thank you so much!
I think one of the coolest sounds that can be created at the piano: The locked hand technique! Play like Nat King Cole, George Shearing, Kent Hewitt etc. This video shows how this smooth sound is created and it is well worth the studying. Well done and many thanks to Kent. More on this technique please?
piano daja Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the positive feedback. I just posted another video on locked hands technique for Fly Me To The Moon, with a more detailed explanation. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
The best example I know of this is definitely Bill Evan's take on Green Dolphin Street. So in a way, it's like playing a big band Sax soli all on the piano. Amazing!
That's right. I have to listen to Bill Evans on that cut again. He was a master of that style and many others. My favorite is of course George Shearing,.... under appreciated.
Hey!! Thanks for the video!! I have been trying to adquire this technique some weeks and I still don’t know how to practice and learn it, but I will keep going!! Great video!
Yes great stuff, that's really what made George Shearing famous with his quintet. It's certainly a clever way to play the tune doubling up the melody note. But for me he really excels in his later solo work and with Neil Swainson.
+p1anosteve I have not heard his work with Neil Swainson, I tend to like the early works. I have played with 2 of his vibraphonists- Emil Richards, and Warren Chiasson, and also his bassist Brian Torff, who lives near us. Thanks!
I appreciate the comment...I have a right had deficiency which cause the 5th finger to bend inward. It happened in recent years and I had unsuccessful surgery. So I just try to adapt to my limitations.
***** Hi Paul,Please check out my other video on locked-hands technique on the song Fly Me To The Moon. Just Google my name on RUclips and scroll down until you see the video. Also I'd be happy to write out a score if you'd like, sometime in the near future. Thanks, and I'm glad you like my videos.
Thank you very much! I was practicing piano with your video, did the C6 practice and you know what happened? I wrote my first gospel for like five voices, obviously the base and the soprano singing both the melody. Thanks for that great exercise and thanks for the inspiration 💚
That thing what you call a locked hand technique, It sounds something like you are entering a groovy night ballad hotel. it sounds marvelous . Sound of heaven right there.
If you listed to music by Nat King Cole, George Shearing (especially), Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and many others, you're going to hear it quite often.
***** Thanks, Paul! I already sent a reply to your email. I appreciate your comment and please view my other videos and send me a comment and/or question...it all helps to keep me going. All the best, Kent
To understand why the diminished chord works is when you think of it as the upper structure of a V chord, so a linear line up the scale can be locked as 1, V, 1, V where the V is the upper part of the V7b9 chord,(which is a diminished chord) and the root is not being played, only the melody is in octaves and and the chord tones are an inversion of a I (6) chord. another song this technique works well on is I'm in the Mood for Love (even Mary Had A Little Lamb ;) )
Thank you for all your beautiful lessons. Regarding the locked hand technique, I would like to know if you are using the pedal and, if the answer is yes, how you use it. Thanks!
+Mio Mau Thanks for your comment! Use the pedal sparingly and carefully with this technique so you get clarity from chord to chord. Only when the tonality is the same can you sustain. I like to use the pedal for a legato sound in jazz, but have to be careful using it too much w/ locked hands. Your ear will tell you what sounds good. Thanks for asking!
Thank you for knowing that Milt Buckner contributed the locked-hands style to piano. And thank you for mentioning it. Commonly the credit is given to Shearing. Phineas Newborn, Jr. contributed the technique of playing passages in unison two octaves apart. And at lightning speed. See the youtube video of him playing "Oleo." Oscar took up the technique for a while. Eventually he noted it was Phineas's innovation and, for some reason, he stopped playing this way. Phineas noted once that he developed this technique by playing the Hanon exercise book. He noted all the exercises were in the key of C major. He began to play them in various other keys. And then he separated his hands by two octaves as he played. Once he got adept, he incorporated the technique into his playing of jazz tunes. George Wein, who wrote the liner notes to Phineas's first album, noted that he was faster than Tatum and that he had never encountered a musician of such young years with such consummate mastery of his ax. In the 1960s Leonard Feather wrote in Downbeat: "Phineas Newborn, Jr. is the greatest living jazz pianist." Oscar died in 2007 at 82. Phineas died in 1989 at 57. Phineas's playing is much deeper emotionally--sometimes profound--than Art or Oscar. And he is deeper into swing. There's more variety in his interpretations of standards than there is in the other two great geniuses of jazz piano.
Thanks, Mark, for the great comment and info. I love your references because I see you know your jazz history. Please write to me at my email address so we can connect...because I'd love to talk "shop" w/ you! kenthewitt@htomail.com
You will learn from my video on Barry Harris" diminished 6th video. In the key of C ….D diminished is functioning like the V7b9 chord... it has the same notes (except for the root G) and generally is moving chromatically to an inversion of the C chord. Check out this video: ruclips.net/video/AF67azWnMvw/видео.html
I play jazz guitar and piano so I can answer your question. Not really. Chord melody on guitar is not playing block chords (locked hands) particularly (though one could here and there, but it won't really sound that good on guitar if you over do it, and even then, you can't imitate locked hands in any significant way. ) So chord melody on guitar just mimics a pianist who plays chords and melody ( plays a song sans vocalist ) in an impromptu arrangement from a lead sheet. Thing is, playing that way on piano is never referred to as "chord melody" ( it's not a novel way to play the piano, it's rather expected of a lounge pianist, and, as such, much more common ) so its only referred that way on guitar, and the only reason it is that because it's a novel way to play a guitar from how it's usually played ( strumming or playing single notes ) in the last 30 years or so, guitarists have felt the need to give a name, "chord melody".
hi Kent Thank you so much for your video. i like so much learning by simply looking at your hands on the keyboard. Anyway , it should be great to have some simple scores , to help me , are them available ? thanks again
Hi Jean...Yes, there are many free scores on my website here: www.kenthewitt.com/id38.html The simple scores will be connected with the simpler videos. If you go to my channel and click on playlists you will see all my categories including Easy Jazz Lessons. Also here's a tip for viewing looking at hands: Try slowing down the pace of the video without changing the pitch: While the video is running, just go to the settings under the video (a wheel icon), select the option: speed, then select .5. That will play the video slower or at half speed w/o changing the pitch. You can also forward and reverse the vid using the > < tabs and stop or start the video using the space bar. Let me know if this is helpful...thanks!
A great lesson you could share would be some of the Erroll Garner licks.....especially how he does that rocking-back-and-forth thing in the right hand and how he determines that ding-dang indiscernible bass chord. I'm a Garner FREAK.
Kent, Another great video! On the subject of technique, I've lately been experiencing pain in the top joint (closest to my fingernail) of my right index finger. Any recommendations as to how I can be playing more efficiently? Thanks! Blake
That's a difficult question. All musicians have pain issues from the repetitive action of one's limbs, as do athletes. I have a problem w/ my pinky on the RH...so I'm now trying to use it less. The index finger is very important. You could try seeing a doctor or alternate (holistic ) doctor. Or you could try changing your technique..... meaning use that finger less, let it rest, hoping in time it will get better. Also you could get into a really healthy regime of good exercise, cut out sweets, coffee, alcohol, try to exercise or swim every day...and lay off that finger, until you see results.
+Hatem Ibrahim Hatern, please go here: www.kenthewitt.com/id38.html scroll down to the notes or song title you are looking for. At the website the left side tab reads: Music Downloads. Thanks!
It's unlikely that I would play a score exactly as it's written. Call it poetic license if you like. It's sounds much better when I interpret a score how I feel at the moment. That's what makes it jazz. So that means I'll change some notes or add embellishment or change the rhythm. I never play the same piece the same way twice.
I'm really glad to hear that....and I love a challenging question like yours...it's not exactly easy to explain it in a couple words.... but I tried. Thanks so much!
@@KentHewittpiano88 no it makes sense, I've been watch a lot of your other video's, especially improvisation, and see that you know your chords like the back of your hands it makes sense that you would play it differently from how the sheet music is.
I never said that someone is " better " than another !! Shearing was a great pianist who used many differents techniques inspired by Teddy Wilson, Buckner, King Cole, Tatum and Garner until he developped his own technique and became famous playing in chord especially together with 1 vibes and 1 guitar during the 50ties and 60ties... But as for me, I think Buckner as more groove and swing when he plays blocks chords than anybody else....Listen to him here on YouT : ruclips.net/video/5wR_9T-fx94/видео.html
Yes, you're right....how dare me. I should have been a big Red Garland fan early on, but not until later in my life. He always took a back seat to Miles, Bill Evans, Oscar, Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, Bobby Timmons, but he was an important part of Miles sound on the Prestige recordings. That''s how we learned to play. So thanks for the comment....and I'll try to make up for it.
You are such a great mentor for a person who are unable to read a music score like me. Thought it was impossible to play this song especially with a locked hand technique, but I finally acquired this technique with this song. Thank you so much!
+Firman Rasyidi I'm very happy to hear that.... and thanks for telling me. Your comment is the type of thing that keeps me going!
check this:
ruclips.net/video/iRqfNDuB3sk/видео.html
It's incredible. I don't speak english but the music language is universal. Simply beautiful, nineteen years old girl here for learn the art that I have loved forever. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your appreciation of the music, it really means a lot!
love how you gave a easier version at the end for beginners like myself! thx Kent you're the best!
Very welcome!
I think one of the coolest sounds that can be created at the piano: The locked hand technique! Play like Nat King Cole, George Shearing, Kent Hewitt etc. This video shows how this smooth sound is created and it is well worth the studying. Well done and many thanks to Kent. More on this technique please?
piano daja Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the positive feedback. I just posted another video on locked hands technique for Fly Me To The Moon, with a more detailed explanation. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Exactly what I was looking for, thank you Mr hewitt
Most welcome!
Wow that was so amazing! The base line and it's rithm were so good
Thanks for the compliment!
The best example I know of this is definitely Bill Evan's take on Green Dolphin Street. So in a way, it's like playing a big band Sax soli all on the piano. Amazing!
That's right. I have to listen to Bill Evans on that cut again. He was a master of that style and many others. My favorite is of course George Shearing,.... under appreciated.
Thank you. Well explained and joy to watch. 🙏🔥
Thanks so much!
Wow! man! Love that tecnique! Your feeling is amazing!
Best comment of the day 5/10/17...you got it, bro!
Hey!! Thanks for the video!! I have been trying to adquire this technique some weeks and I still don’t know how to practice and learn it, but I will keep going!! Great video!
Check out my playlist for more help with this.
Currently learning this song. Very helpful analysis.
Thanks for telling me!
Very nice, thank you.
Thank you too!
Yes great stuff, that's really what made George Shearing famous with his quintet. It's certainly a clever way to play the tune doubling up the melody note. But for me he really excels in his later solo work and with Neil Swainson.
+p1anosteve I have not heard his work with Neil Swainson, I tend to like the early works. I have played with 2 of his vibraphonists-
Emil Richards, and Warren Chiasson, and also his bassist Brian Torff, who lives near us. Thanks!
You have beautiful hands... thanks from those of us who can hear it but can't explain it.
I appreciate the comment...I have a right had deficiency which cause the 5th finger to bend inward. It happened in recent years and I had unsuccessful surgery. So I just try to adapt to my limitations.
Please show us more on Locked Hands Style.
***** Hi Paul,Please check out my other video on locked-hands technique on the song Fly Me To The Moon. Just Google my name on RUclips and scroll down until you see the video. Also I'd be happy to write out a score if you'd like, sometime in the near future. Thanks, and I'm glad you like my videos.
Okay... they were some of the nicest chords I have ever heard. A tutorial for the first song alone would be amazing haha
+LEWIEH100 It's a classic. That's why I have loved George Shearing's style and his band ...I have so many of the recordings. Many thanks!
Thank you so much
You're most welcome
Thank you sir!
You are welcome!
Thank you very much!
I was practicing piano with your video, did the C6 practice and you know what happened?
I wrote my first gospel for like five voices, obviously the base and the soprano singing both the melody. Thanks for that great exercise and thanks for the inspiration 💚
Thanks for telling me that it was an inspiration!!
That thing what you call a locked hand technique, It sounds something like you are entering a groovy night ballad hotel. it sounds marvelous . Sound of heaven right there.
If you listed to music by Nat King Cole, George Shearing (especially), Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, and many others, you're going to hear it quite often.
I love the Locked hands Style and this song thanks for sharing.
***** Thanks, Paul! I already sent a reply to your email. I appreciate your comment and please view my other videos and send me a comment and/or question...it all helps to keep me going. All the best, Kent
Can you do a tutorial?😩
Check out my playlists on this subject....or write to my email; for help!
To understand why the diminished chord works is when you think of it as the upper structure of a V chord, so a linear line up the scale can be locked as 1, V, 1, V where the V is the upper part of the V7b9 chord,(which is a diminished chord) and the root is not being played, only the melody is in octaves and and the chord tones are an inversion of a I (6) chord. another song this technique works well on is I'm in the Mood for Love (even Mary Had A Little Lamb ;) )
Thanks for the comment...that's exactly right!
very good
Ilsuk Kang Many thanks for the positive feedback! Please subscribe and check out my other videos.
I've already saw your awesome clips..
Among your nice works, I like to watch 'But not for me' so much
Ilsuk Kang Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Master!
Thanks, student!
brilliant
+Dan Norris Thanks so much for the affirmation!
I love this!!!
Thanks! Claiton
Thank you!
+BAwesomeDesign BAwesomeDesign, Thanks for the thank you. I'd love to see some of your art!
The key on his 1953 Columbia album is A minor
It’s A flat in the real book
It probably was Ab...because that would be Fm....the recording might have altered it.
Thank you for all your beautiful lessons.
Regarding the locked hand technique, I would like to know if you are using the pedal and, if the answer is yes, how you use it. Thanks!
+Mio Mau Thanks for your comment! Use the pedal sparingly and carefully with this technique so you get clarity from chord to chord. Only when the tonality is the same can you sustain. I like to use the pedal for a legato sound in jazz, but have to be careful using it too much w/ locked hands. Your ear will tell you what sounds good. Thanks for asking!
this is amazing ive been playing piano for 6months i can Sort of do this But cooll man
+prophecy HD Keep up the playing...I'm glad this has helped.
3:33 what song is this?
Taking a Chance on Love!?
Thank you for knowing that Milt Buckner contributed the locked-hands style to piano. And thank you for mentioning it. Commonly the credit is given to Shearing. Phineas Newborn, Jr. contributed the technique of playing passages in unison two octaves apart. And at lightning speed. See the youtube video of him playing "Oleo."
Oscar took up the technique for a while. Eventually he noted it was Phineas's innovation and, for some reason, he stopped playing this way. Phineas noted once that he developed this technique by playing the Hanon exercise book. He noted all the exercises were in the key of C major. He began to play them in various other keys. And then he separated his hands by two octaves as he played. Once he got adept, he incorporated the technique into his playing of jazz tunes.
George Wein, who wrote the liner notes to Phineas's first album, noted that he was faster than Tatum and that he had never encountered a musician of such young years with such consummate mastery of his ax.
In the 1960s Leonard Feather wrote in Downbeat: "Phineas Newborn, Jr. is the greatest living jazz pianist." Oscar died in 2007 at 82. Phineas died in 1989 at 57. Phineas's playing is much deeper emotionally--sometimes profound--than Art or Oscar. And he is deeper into swing. There's more variety in his interpretations of standards than there is in the other two great geniuses of jazz piano.
Thanks, Mark, for the great comment and info. I love your references because I see you know your jazz history. Please write to me at my email address so we can connect...because I'd love to talk "shop" w/ you! kenthewitt@htomail.com
Mark Cianciolo Thanks very much for this great account of these players!
Wait if it’s in C where is diminished d coming from
You will learn from my video on Barry Harris" diminished 6th video. In the key of C ….D diminished is functioning like the V7b9 chord... it has the same notes (except for the root G) and generally is moving chromatically to an inversion of the C chord. Check out this video: ruclips.net/video/AF67azWnMvw/видео.html
Is this basically similar to the guitar approach of chord melody?
I would imagine that it is similar....but the lining up (order) of the notes in the voicings are probably different Thanks for writing!
I play jazz guitar and piano so I can answer your question. Not really. Chord melody on guitar is not playing block chords (locked hands) particularly (though one could here and there, but it won't really sound that good on guitar if you over do it, and even then, you can't imitate locked hands in any significant way. ) So chord melody on guitar just mimics a pianist who plays chords and melody ( plays a song sans vocalist ) in an impromptu arrangement from a lead sheet. Thing is, playing that way on piano is never referred to as "chord melody" ( it's not a novel way to play the piano, it's rather expected of a lounge pianist, and, as such, much more common ) so its only referred that way on guitar, and the only reason it is that because it's a novel way to play a guitar from how it's usually played ( strumming or playing single notes ) in the last 30 years or so, guitarists have felt the need to give a name, "chord melody".
hi Kent Thank you so much for your video. i like so much learning by simply looking at your hands on the keyboard.
Anyway , it should be great to have some simple scores , to help me , are them available ?
thanks again
Hi Jean...Yes, there are many free scores on my website here: www.kenthewitt.com/id38.html The simple scores will be connected with the simpler videos. If you go to my channel and click on playlists you will see all my categories including Easy Jazz Lessons. Also here's a tip for viewing looking at hands:
Try slowing down the pace of the video without changing the pitch: While
the video is running, just go to the settings under the video (a wheel icon),
select the option: speed, then select .5. That will play the video slower or at
half speed w/o changing the pitch. You can also forward and reverse the vid
using the > < tabs and stop or start the video using the space bar. Let
me know if this is helpful...thanks!
great , many thanks from France
in my language its called ''playing in blocks'', i thought it would be the same in english
I have not heard that term...but that's good!
An amazing "secret" to share, even if should be common knowledge to all pianists. It isn't and so it's very much appreciated. =)
Right, it took some sharpening of the ears and analysis to figure it out, and it is pretty clever, and a universal jazz piano sound.
A great lesson you could share would be some of the Erroll Garner licks.....especially how he does that rocking-back-and-forth thing in the right hand and how he determines that ding-dang indiscernible bass chord. I'm a Garner FREAK.
Kent,
Another great video! On the subject of technique, I've lately been experiencing pain in the top joint (closest to my fingernail) of my right index finger. Any recommendations as to how I can be playing more efficiently?
Thanks!
Blake
That's a difficult question. All musicians have pain issues from the repetitive action of one's limbs, as do athletes. I have a problem w/ my pinky on the RH...so I'm now trying to use it less. The index finger is very important. You could try seeing a doctor or alternate (holistic ) doctor. Or you could try changing your technique..... meaning use that finger less, let it rest, hoping in time it will get better. Also you could get into a really healthy regime of good exercise, cut out sweets, coffee, alcohol, try to exercise or swim every day...and lay off that finger, until you see results.
Thank you Kent for the reply! Very helpful advice.
@@blakebortles23 how is the finger doing?
1:47 1:47
1:47 1:47
Beautiful lesson! do you have locked hands sheet on your book or website?
Thank you so much sir for this great lessons,but I'm sorry I couldn't find free notes on your website ... help please ..Thnx
+Hatem Ibrahim Hatern, please go here: www.kenthewitt.com/id38.html scroll down to the notes or song title you are looking for. At the website the left side tab reads: Music Downloads. Thanks!
Thank you so much Sir .... I'm a classical pianist and I wish I can play like you
A bit confused I have to admit, the way you were playing this piece here in your video is a bit different from what I see in the music sheet.
It's unlikely that I would play a score exactly as it's written. Call it poetic license if you like. It's sounds much better when I interpret a score how I feel at the moment. That's what makes it jazz. So that means I'll change some notes or add embellishment or change the rhythm. I never play the same piece the same way twice.
@@KentHewittpiano88 Ahh ok, thanks for taking the time to reply. You've actually inspired me to take piano back up again.
I'm really glad to hear that....and I love a challenging question like yours...it's not exactly easy to explain it in a couple words.... but I tried. Thanks so much!
@@KentHewittpiano88 no it makes sense, I've been watch a lot of your other video's, especially improvisation, and see that you know your chords like the back of your hands it makes sense that you would play it differently from how the sheet music is.
Nobody used this technique with more swing than Milt Buckner the creator !
He was better than Shearing!!?
I never said that someone is " better " than another !! Shearing was a great pianist who used many differents techniques inspired by Teddy Wilson, Buckner, King Cole, Tatum and Garner until he developped his own technique and became famous playing in chord especially together with 1 vibes and 1 guitar during the 50ties and 60ties... But as for me, I think Buckner as more groove and swing when he plays blocks chords than anybody else....Listen to him here on YouT : ruclips.net/video/5wR_9T-fx94/видео.html
How dare you not mentionning Red Garland when when talking about block chords ?! ;)
Yes, you're right....how dare me. I should have been a big Red Garland fan early on, but not until later in my life. He always took a back seat to Miles, Bill Evans, Oscar, Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, Bobby Timmons, but he was an important part of Miles sound on the Prestige recordings. That''s how we learned to play. So thanks for the comment....and I'll try to make up for it.
Ok
"Going to use a lot of six chords" - uses F7 all the time :D
There's always something new to learn...it never ends...and I'm thankful for that.
tasty
Thanks a lot
Bill Evans never played this song
I believe you're right. He did use the technique a lot though.