I discovered your channel not long ago and have been watching tutorials after tutorials and you are an amazing man. I am a 20 years old girl and have been playing piano for 13 years but I only know how to play classical music and how to read a music sheet. What I am looking for now is to learn how to add soul to the music, how to improvise and your videos are just perfect for that. You are very generous to share your talent and I thank you so much for the help you have given me. Music helps me go through a lot and you are making it easier for me. Hope you are having a great day ! - Liza
That's a wonderful comment, Liza, and your words are sustenance for my soul. Please keep watching and write to me when something resonates with you...I'm so happy you told me. Wishing you many blessings and may music bring you much joy. Please watch this (my story) and tell me yours. ruclips.net/video/MUEtC5Nosig/видео.html
So happy that you've featured this tune. Was the first Monk tune I ever learned many years ago and still one of my favs. As always Kent you provide a wonderful perspective on the old masters. Really brightens up the day watching your tutorials.
These are tremendously educational. Thank you so much Mr. Hewitt. I’ve been obsessed with Monk lately -he’s nothing short of genius. It’s sad to me as a bipolar person that he wasn’t treated for his mood disorders, but in a way jazz is the best treatment. The ability to start thinking musically and to collaborate with like minded musicians is a gift I thank God for every single day. And undoubtedly, your videos have helped me get to the level where I could start playing with other musicians. You are a blessing mr Hewitt. I’m going to play this song with a badass jazz saxophonist this weekend. Keep being amazing my friend
Thanks so much for an awesome comment...so helpful to me! I'm glad to help out...and have always loved Monk...he is a genius and I had the advantage to hear him a few times in New York and opened with my trio for his band in Hartford.
More monk would be killer.. absolutely learned from this. I'd be interested to see more detail on his passing half step resolutions. You're the man. The best jazz teacher on RUclips, and I've seen all the big ones.
Thanks so much for the great honor. Please write to my email for more info and check out my playlists here: ruclips.net/user/KentHewittpiano88playlists
Thanks Kent for this lesson, I love Monk tunes so much ! One of my favourite pianist, Junior Mance passed a few days ago, it's great loss for the blues and jazz lovers, if one day you could do a lesson about his style, it would be wonderful.
Kent, I take a moment to write these words to you, to thank you for your great contribution to all of us who study music and especially like jazz. Since I started studying piano about 6 years ago, I found your RUclips videos, and since then I have not stopped following you, your very particular sound and the exquisite sound of your piano, is a source of inspiration to continue with music. I have many ups and downs in my life as an amateur musician, and your videos many times have given me back that desire to learn to one day become the pianist I want to be. It is difficult for me because I am 28 years old, and I started studying piano at 23 (although I was a drummer from 13 years old to 23, although sometimes I still play drums, and it is an instrument that has given me a great foundation) Studying an instrument as complex as the piano as an adult is a great challenge for me, and people like you greatly contribute to my motivation to continue studying, so I wanted to take some time to dedicate these words of thanks to you. I hope your videos continue for a long time so that many other young people like me can continue to enjoy your magic and your talent. Kind regards from Argentina, sorry for my rather poor English, I'm using a translator while writing. thanks for so much Kent, blessings on your life !!
Wonderful, Martin. THANK YOU so much for writing and your kind words. I'm so happy I can give you inspiration...that gives meaning to my life...and so I say God bless YOU! I hope to continue to be an inspiration and you will have much joy in learning jazz piano. ruclips.net/user/KentHewittpiano88playlists
How can you not love a Monk video with a beautiful song performed by the top of the crop teacher & performer K.H. I loved Monk's powerful style & also his grace...
The great privelage was to open for him ...years after I had met him in NYC. That was an honor .I apprecaite it more now .... than when I was young. Thanks, Phyllis!
I'm a guitarrist (student, can't improvise over these tunes fluently) and I love these videos, you can hear all the notes from the chord, in guitar we simplify the voicings: m2 and maj2 are difficult to play in chords, anyway this year I'm going to college and I'll have piano lessons, can't be more excited, love your videos Kent, greetings from Chile!
Kent H, this "Ruby, My Dear" and your "Round Midnight" videos are among your best, absolutely essential. Yes, these videos are so inspiring in the playing and the lessons so generous and helpful. More Monk standards ? YES. Maybe "Ask Me Now" and "Pannonica" ? In your "Round Midnight" lesson,Your attention to the Intro, coda, the end of the bridge and that essential move to GbMay/G/ Ab7 I guess you call it, are much appreciated. Your playing of these standards is wonderful, remaining true to yourself while honoring the compositions. You mentioned hearing Monk with Johnny Griffin at the Five Spot. I bet that was 1958- the year of the Riverside LPs "Thelonious in Action" and "Misteriososo." (?) It doesn't get better than that. BTW, It is fascinating to hear about your first encounters with these artists, like Jimmy Heath teaching "Round Midnight" chenges, and that you first heard Bill Evans in the trio with Gary Peacock. Thank you for what you do, and the way you do it.
KH, I don't know which of THREE of your "video themes" I most anticipate/cherish: (1) Bill Evans- his unique approaches to both standard tunes & his own originals ( his harmony & style) (2) How to play the Monk standards and other essential jazz standards, both originals and the Great Am Songbook, I guess you call it. Without imitating the inimitable parts of the Monk style; seemingly more analyzing the essences of the compostions for others' styles ( ?) (3) The style and treatments/ originals of Bud Powell and Barry Harris ( I consider Barry Harris almost the genetic son of Bud Powell with incredible insight into) KH, even a fledgling like myself can see and hear that you ILLUMINATE all 3 of the above, in selected parts of the spectrum as if by the prism of instinctively generous and therefore clear teaching. I am not over-effusive to say this. "The truth helps," and you provide some of it in every video. God Bless you, KH.
Hey Kent. Great to have you back. This brings to mind an.interesting ep in my life. Years ago while i was at ccny i met Walter Booker. He had this huge apartment on Amsterdam ave. Graciois man that he was he allowed me to practice with my band in one of the.rooms . He.introduced me to this great drummer we called Toots. Yep it was Thelonious Monk.s son. At the time i was not even trying. To play jazz _ just working on my own compositions. Mr Booker gave great advice and encouragement. Then one day he went back to his home.in California. Immediatly following his departure these two suspect cats that were in the apartment hit us with a bill for a year and a half worth of studio time. I knew that Mr Booker.had.nothing to do with it. I have this song Ruby my Dear on Vinyl. Old album called Bud Powell plays Thelonius Monk. It would be great to hear you live brother! Be well and keep em coming!
Thanks so much, Warren, for sharing that extraordinary experience. I heard Walter at Bradley's back in the day. You and I are compadres I'm sure...are you still in NYC?
Great video ! I would love to go deeper in Monk's music and concepts in future videos. Peter Bernstein says that "Monk's music is dealing a lot with the stuff that we're leaving out" I find that really true and essential as a guitar player. Love to learn things from you piano players !
Thank you Mr. Kent! I’m so thankful for all of your videos, so helpful.😎 Also, you should check out Philip Bailey’s cover of this song. It’s really nice.
I cannot wait to dig into the Monk. Beautiful, Kent. Would you be willing to do an in depth analysis of Monk solo piano version of Crepuscle w Nellie or Evidence? Just like you did here, but geared for intermediate players?
I'll give that some thought...as much as I dig Monk (and I saw him live 2 times) I find it daunting to try to analyze or understand him or play like him...same for Erroll Garner...they are so unique and so accomplished on a higher level. I've been creating videos for 5 years and just started attempting to do Monk.
Good choice this one - I like dissonance anyway but putting it in the melody is cool. gives a very melancholic sound. Monk was a real pioneer. amazing you played support at his gig. (Tips - I was in a Cafe in Paris last year - near the Eiffel tower but nothing fancy. 1 course light lunch for 3 and 50cl of wine between us €78 - Waiter said: no tip included. He did NOT mean he wanted a tip - he meant - I know it's overpriced and I don't expect a tip!)
Kent, you are such a generous musician, you do nothing but give, sharing your vast knowledge and top class musicianship with everyone for free. It really is amazing. How can I buy a hard copy of your book - I live in Scotland, is that possible to arrange ?
Great video!!! I am a beginner pianist, maybe a little more on the intermediate side but still just started 2 years ago. What would you recommend for someone who wants to begin learning Monk? Should I focus on certain easier tunes before even attempting to learn his music?
Get his transcription book, and work on the easier tunes. Blue Monk is a good one to start with. I have video here: ruclips.net/video/_yqlGUsVC10/видео.html
greetings from the other side of new york, the land of chicken wings and the electric chair. time to break out the manuscript book and transcribe a few things from this. thanks. thanks for sharing your roots with us too, that's far out you got Monk's autograph and hung out with him :O
Yes, Arrow...fortunately I was born in the perfect generation ...the 40s after the war...so I got to the right age to go to NYC to hear all the greats. That all plays into why I'm here writing to YOU. Thanks so much!
Monk very rarely played 10ths. He played way more fifths and Dom7's. It doesn't hurt to roll them but try to not just do it from the bottom up, vary it you know? Root, third, seventh; third & 7th, then root. Find your own way, but hey, listen to Errol Garner, he had small hands too.
Can you explain the harmonizing the melody a half step down a bit further? Is that a single note just below the melody or are you saying an entire chord is played a half step below the melody? One hand chord a half step below? Two hands chord a half step below?
I discovered your channel not long ago and have been watching tutorials after tutorials and you are an amazing man. I am a 20 years old girl and have been playing piano for 13 years but I only know how to play classical music and how to read a music sheet. What I am looking for now is to learn how to add soul to the music, how to improvise and your videos are just perfect for that. You are very generous to share your talent and I thank you so much for the help you have given me. Music helps me go through a lot and you are making it easier for me. Hope you are having a great day ! - Liza
That's a wonderful comment, Liza, and your words are sustenance for my soul. Please keep watching and write to me when something resonates with you...I'm so happy you told me. Wishing you many blessings and may music bring you much joy.
Please watch this (my story) and tell me yours.
ruclips.net/video/MUEtC5Nosig/видео.html
Hahaha what timing! I just learned part of this tune the other day!! Thank you for all of your work.
Perfect! Thanks so much!
So happy that you've featured this tune. Was the first Monk tune I ever learned many years ago and still one of my favs. As always Kent you provide a wonderful perspective on the old masters. Really brightens up the day watching your tutorials.
Wonderful comment...so helpful to me, Rex. A million thanks! Please watch my video on Blue Monk.
These are tremendously educational. Thank you so much Mr. Hewitt. I’ve been obsessed with Monk lately -he’s nothing short of genius. It’s sad to me as a bipolar person that he wasn’t treated for his mood disorders, but in a way jazz is the best treatment. The ability to start thinking musically and to collaborate with like minded musicians is a gift I thank God for every single day. And undoubtedly, your videos have helped me get to the level where I could start playing with other musicians. You are a blessing mr Hewitt. I’m going to play this song with a badass jazz saxophonist this weekend. Keep being amazing my friend
Thanks so much for an awesome comment...so helpful to me! I'm glad to help out...and have always loved Monk...he is a genius and I had the advantage to hear him a few times in New York and opened with my trio for his band in Hartford.
More monk would be killer.. absolutely learned from this. I'd be interested to see more detail on his passing half step resolutions.
You're the man. The best jazz teacher on RUclips, and I've seen all the big ones.
Thanks so much for the great honor. Please write to my email for more info and check out my playlists here:
ruclips.net/user/KentHewittpiano88playlists
Thanks Kent for this lesson, I love Monk tunes so much !
One of my favourite pianist, Junior Mance passed a few days ago, it's great loss for the blues and jazz lovers, if one day you could do a lesson about his style, it would be wonderful.
Junior Mance was one of my favorite pianists back in the day, along with Les McCann, and Bobby Timmons. Loved "soul jazz". Thanks for the request.
@@KentHewittpiano88 hello Ken! could you do a Bill Evans Star eyes tutorial please!?🙂
Kent, I take a moment to write these words to you, to thank you for your great contribution to all of us who study music and especially like jazz. Since I started studying piano about 6 years ago, I found your RUclips videos, and since then I have not stopped following you, your very particular sound and the exquisite sound of your piano, is a source of inspiration to continue with music. I have many ups and downs in my life as an amateur musician, and your videos many times have given me back that desire to learn to one day become the pianist I want to be. It is difficult for me because I am 28 years old, and I started studying piano at 23 (although I was a drummer from 13 years old to 23, although sometimes I still play drums, and it is an instrument that has given me a great foundation) Studying an instrument as complex as the piano as an adult is a great challenge for me, and people like you greatly contribute to my motivation to continue studying, so I wanted to take some time to dedicate these words of thanks to you. I hope your videos continue for a long time so that many other young people like me can continue to enjoy your magic and your talent. Kind regards from Argentina, sorry for my rather poor English, I'm using a translator while writing. thanks for so much Kent, blessings on your life !!
Wonderful, Martin. THANK YOU so much for writing and your kind words. I'm so happy I can give you inspiration...that gives meaning to my life...and so I say God bless YOU! I hope to continue to be an inspiration and you will have much joy in learning jazz piano.
ruclips.net/user/KentHewittpiano88playlists
Thank you KH! Another great value packed episode.
My pleasure!
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to see next video about Thelonious Monk!
Please watch my previous video on Monk...and Blue Monk.
How can you not love a Monk video with a beautiful song performed by the top of the crop teacher & performer K.H. I loved Monk's powerful style & also his grace...
The great privelage was to open for him ...years after I had met him in NYC. That was an honor .I apprecaite it more now .... than when I was young. Thanks, Phyllis!
Greatest teacher of all times.
Wow, thanks! ...I guess I'll have to try to live up to that accolade!!
Always been a fan of Monk even in my guitar days and now I'm trying to play piano even more a fan.
That's great...glad you wrote to me!
You look great sir!
Thank you kindly
Flawless!
Awesome that you think so! Thanks!
As always, you got that amazing energetic sir. Hope you will be happy all year long!!!
Same to you!
Sir your knowledge have blessed me! Thank you so much for sharing this.
So nice of you
I'm a guitarrist (student, can't improvise over these tunes fluently) and I love these videos, you can hear all the notes from the chord, in guitar we simplify the voicings: m2 and maj2 are difficult to play in chords, anyway this year I'm going to college and I'll have piano lessons, can't be more excited, love your videos Kent, greetings from Chile!
Thanks so much for writing. I love the guitar and I'm so glad you can benefit from my tutorials. Please swing loose!
I'm loving your attitude and the way you talk about the music, great job!
Keep it up
Thank you! Will do!
Absolutely beautifully played!!! One of my faves. 🌹🌹🌹
Many thanks!
Charming delivery. Story telling appreciated especially since so few stories are currently under construction in live music!
Thanks for listening
Love those Monk videos
Glad you like them!
Kent H, this "Ruby, My Dear" and your "Round Midnight" videos are among your best,
absolutely essential. Yes, these videos are so inspiring in the playing and the lessons so generous and helpful. More Monk standards ? YES. Maybe "Ask Me Now" and "Pannonica" ?
In your "Round Midnight" lesson,Your attention to the Intro, coda,
the end of the bridge and that essential move to GbMay/G/ Ab7 I guess you call it,
are much appreciated. Your playing of these standards is wonderful, remaining true to
yourself while honoring the compositions.
You mentioned hearing Monk with Johnny Griffin at the Five Spot. I bet that was 1958- the year of the Riverside LPs "Thelonious in Action" and "Misteriososo." (?) It doesn't get better than that.
BTW, It is fascinating to hear about your first encounters with these artists, like Jimmy Heath teaching "Round Midnight" chenges,
and that you first heard Bill Evans in the trio with Gary Peacock. Thank you for what you do,
and the way you do it.
Great suggestions, Terencio. Maybe I'll create a following of Monk lovers. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic support...so helpful to me.
KH, I don't know which of THREE of your "video themes" I most anticipate/cherish:
(1) Bill Evans- his unique approaches to both standard tunes & his own originals
( his harmony & style)
(2) How to play the Monk standards and other essential jazz standards, both originals and the Great Am Songbook, I guess you call it. Without imitating the inimitable
parts of the Monk style; seemingly more analyzing the essences of the compostions for
others' styles ( ?)
(3) The style and treatments/ originals of Bud Powell and Barry Harris ( I consider
Barry Harris almost the genetic son of Bud Powell with incredible insight into)
KH, even a fledgling like myself can see and hear that you ILLUMINATE all
3 of the above, in selected parts of the spectrum as if by the prism of instinctively
generous and therefore clear teaching. I am not over-effusive to say this.
"The truth helps," and you provide some of it in every video. God Bless you, KH.
Hey Kent. Great to have you back. This brings to mind an.interesting ep in my life. Years ago while i was at ccny i met Walter Booker. He had this huge apartment on Amsterdam ave. Graciois man that he was he allowed me to practice with my band in one of the.rooms . He.introduced me to this great drummer we called Toots. Yep it was Thelonious Monk.s son. At the time i was not even trying. To play jazz _ just working on my own compositions. Mr Booker gave great advice and encouragement. Then one day he went back to his home.in California. Immediatly following his departure these two suspect cats that were in the apartment hit us with a bill for a year and a half worth of studio time. I knew that Mr Booker.had.nothing to do with it. I have this song Ruby my Dear on Vinyl. Old album called Bud Powell plays Thelonius Monk. It would be great to hear you live brother! Be well and keep em coming!
Thanks so much, Warren, for sharing that extraordinary experience. I heard Walter at Bradley's back in the day. You and I are compadres I'm sure...are you still in NYC?
@@KentHewittpiano88 Still in New York Kent.Thank you for your great response. Maximum respect and appreciation!
Cool story! And thanks for the analysis.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great! Just great! Thank you!
Thank you too!
Great video ! I would love to go deeper in Monk's music and concepts in future videos. Peter Bernstein says that "Monk's music is dealing a lot with the stuff that we're leaving out" I find that really true and essential as a guitar player. Love to learn things from you piano players !
Great suggestion...yes, Monk's music is eternal and also an eternal mystery.
Very informative!
Thanks and great to hear from you, Joe. Swing loose, brother!
Beautifull knowledge beautifull music🔥💯
Wonderful comment...thanks!
Thank you, KH, my Jazz Guru. HELLO ADEM. 🌹🌹😎🌹🌹
Absolutely!...thanks for being a groovy chick and so hip! ADEM digs you the most!
Thank you Mr. Kent! I’m so thankful for all of your videos, so helpful.😎 Also, you should check out Philip Bailey’s cover of this song. It’s really nice.
I will check it out
What IS it about Monk that soothes the soul? Thanks SO much for this wonderful tune/lesson that warms a frigid AZ night! LOVE you, KH! ♫♫ XO - M
Love you, too... Marilyn...there's a lot to love about Monk...let me tell you the reasons why. Do I have time??
@@KentHewittpiano88 It kinda amazes me how much time I THINK I have, and then the day is gone... the rabbit-hole of YT is a favorite hiding place. 🎵
Yeah, that minor second comes out big time in 'Round Midnight' and even in his rendition of "April in Paris."
I dig you, Man!
I cannot wait to dig into the Monk. Beautiful, Kent. Would you be willing to do an in depth analysis of Monk solo piano version of Crepuscle w Nellie or Evidence? Just like you did here, but geared for intermediate players?
I'll give that some thought...as much as I dig Monk (and I saw him live 2 times) I find it daunting to try to analyze or understand him or play like him...same for Erroll Garner...they are so unique and so accomplished on a higher level. I've been creating videos for 5 years and just started attempting to do Monk.
Good choice this one - I like dissonance anyway but putting it in the melody is cool. gives a very melancholic sound. Monk was a real pioneer. amazing you played support at his gig. (Tips - I was in a Cafe in Paris last year - near the Eiffel tower but nothing fancy. 1 course light lunch for 3 and 50cl of wine between us €78 - Waiter said: no tip included. He did NOT mean he wanted a tip - he meant - I know it's overpriced and I don't expect a tip!)
Thanks for sharing that story, Robin. Wish you have hung in NYC w/ me back in the 60's. Amazing jazz scene.
Kent, you are such a generous musician, you do nothing but give, sharing your vast knowledge and top class musicianship with everyone for free. It really is amazing. How can I buy a hard copy of your book - I live in Scotland, is that possible to arrange ?
Yes, please write to me at my email address. Thanks for the comment!
Great video!!! I am a beginner pianist, maybe a little more on the intermediate side but still just started 2 years ago. What would you recommend for someone who wants to begin learning Monk? Should I focus on certain easier tunes before even attempting to learn his music?
Get his transcription book, and work on the easier tunes. Blue Monk is a good one to start with. I have video here: ruclips.net/video/_yqlGUsVC10/видео.html
Of course the descending whole tone scale
Groovy cat...you nailed it!!
greetings from the other side of new york, the land of chicken wings and the electric chair. time to break out the manuscript book and transcribe a few things from this. thanks. thanks for sharing your roots with us too, that's far out you got Monk's autograph and hung out with him :O
Yes, Arrow...fortunately I was born in the perfect generation ...the 40s after the war...so I got to the right age to go to NYC to hear all the greats. That all plays into why I'm here writing to YOU. Thanks so much!
Man I love Monk!! Do you have any tips for those with smaller hands who struggle to do octaves?
Monk very rarely played 10ths. He played way more fifths and Dom7's.
It doesn't hurt to roll them but try to not just do it from the bottom up, vary it you know? Root, third, seventh; third & 7th, then root. Find your own way, but hey, listen to Errol Garner, he had small hands too.
@@jackwilloughby239 Thanks! Imma check them out.
Check out my video on playing 10ths here:
ruclips.net/video/WLoZvbeHckQ/видео.html
Your tutorials are great. Do you have any copies of your book for sale?
Absolutely...please go to my website link below the video.
18 When was that back in 98? 1898
It had to be the dark ages.
Can you explain the harmonizing the melody a half step down a bit further? Is that a single note just below the melody or are you saying an entire chord is played a half step below the melody? One hand chord a half step below? Two hands chord a half step below?
Never mind I listened to the video again and caught that you were saying the flat 9 or flat 5 is played a half step below the melody.
Okay, I see you figured it out. I'd have to watch the video again. Please write to my email if you have any detailed questions...thanks!
What would the KH channel be without the Alt7 ego man????
It would be humorless without any special personality. Thank you, Dean...you are now a member of the "elite club".
love that tune, specially Monk's version with Coltrane.
Thanks a lot Kent !
ruclips.net/video/6liAgg4SN88/видео.html
Thanks for sharing!