If you would like to learn how to play scales, chords and arpeggios in a quick, fun and accessible way, download my piano finger guides at this link: stan.store/martinfinnmusic
The first album I purchased was Elton John’s Greatest Hits. It was 1975, I was 14. I played that over and over looking at the album cover and liner notes. Great memories and such awesome music.
He really influenced my piano playing, and it took me way to long to realize that. His use of sus chords and the triple feel style really changed the way I played!
As a kid in Edinburgh I learned piano. Got my 1st classical diplomas. But I abandoned my Victorian teacher when she battered my fingers one too many times with the lid or knitting needle 😢. Beatles ending, Elton taking off at the time I would have loved to play their styles... Your explanations are clear and almost inspire me to relearn... but I'll just keep plodding on with guitar/ harmonica/ songs. See if I can inspire more kids to learn piano with you. Thanks!😊😊😊😊
It's funny which songs people get exposed to. I think Amoreena is the more slept on song. Honkey Chateau as an album had more recognition than Tumbleweed Connection. I hear Mona Lisa's and Mad hatters get played way more than Amoreena, which I only hear if I play it. Purely personal though. I'm sure you could look at statistics and debate which song is better
@@christianjensen7699 Mad Hatters is a better song to play solo on piano. Amoreena in terms of complexity and overall symphony obviously "better". Do you have a link to a good Amoreena Cover (piano/vocals)? I will learn this song though. Thanks for the tip.
@@captainalpaka1551 I haven't been able to find a particularly impressive cover, nobody really plays it. There are a few instrumental piano versions floating around, but mostly everything is bad home video and bar recordings. I like Amoreena a lot for the lyrics. "Living like a lusty flower" reminds me of the William Faulkner line "I feel like a wet seed wild in the hot blind earth". And I want a woman who will run through the fields with me. You know?
So amazing!! I hope someday you can dedicate individual videos to quick lessons of songs, just covering each chord change in this brisk style. Each of these snippets is so informative, I wish I could have a peek at the rest of each song with the same accuracy.
@@martinfinnpiano Thank you for considering! It would be a unique approach to teaching, one that you've already nearly perfected. Either way, can't wait to see more.
These videos are the absolute best man, I’d love to see a Bob Dylan video because I feel like even though he’s a very simple player there’s some great tracks in there like Ballad of a thin man and went to see the gypsy. Great for beginners like myself!
Hey! I just wanted to say that I really enjoy these type of videos because they help me to understand the different ways of playing the piano. It helps me a lot. Greetings from Argentina! ❤
Thanks! One could probably add a few more "styles" to Elton's playing. The rhythmic interplay between his thumbs comes to mind which stands out in Ticking (from Caribou) for one example. Also, he varies dynamics a lot to make what he's playing more complex sounding. I think of it as 3-dimensional: pitch being left and right while dynamics is up and down.
You're right of course and the more comments I see the more I wish I could redo it - maybe I can! I would certainly add the R&B and funk elements on songs like Honky Cat etc..
Glad I stumbled over this, been a hobby pianist and Elton John fan for over 30 years I've played many of his songs simply by ear and instinct not really thinking about what I was doing. It's great to get a clearer picture of what's actually going on there! Thank you!
My pleasure. Until I saw some piano transcriptions and really got the nuances I was just feeling my way too. He’s the ultimate classical turned pop player for me. :)
@@martinfinnpiano Elton John's first album (the one with "Your Song" on it) will always be my favourite, probably as he appeared to be closest to a classical style on this one. He of course came up with epic tunes later on as well, but I really like the somewhat symphonic style of his first album.
Thank you very much, Michael! Very kind of you. Yes, we're very musical here in Ireland. Our traditional music is really something and has had a huge influence on American folk music among others. Keep watching! Martin
😊 I always really loved Elton John growing up. My mother was always the piano wizard, I played guitars, for now as adults I've really grown to love playing the piano. Excellent analysis in breakdown... This really rocks dude
Elton is the man. Yes, funny how you go back to the sound you grew up with as a kid again and again. There is so much in his music to discover. Thank you for your kind words and good luck with the playing! Martin
I thought I had a pretty good handle on most of Elton's habits and tricks, but your insightful analysis and playing alerted me to some tiny nuances, which I recognise as important on hearing them isolated. For instance, the primary accent falling on the anticipated (2&) backbeat chords of "Your Song", which really brings the groove to life.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I had the same experience when I discovered a great book called How To Play Elton John with accurate transcriptions. So many things in there that were so familiar to my ear but that I had never known how to play. A game changer for me. Also, it’s essential that you listen to the isolated piano tracks. A lot of them are on RUclips. Good luck with it all. :)
You totally missed his 'R&B' style (Tumbleweed, Madman and some of Honky). Listen carefully to his comping on Madman, it's amazing. Then he turned poppy 😞
Really nice analysis! An AI could play a song in the style of Elton John, but neither "it", nor anyone inspecting the neural network would have any idea what exactly makes the song sound like an Elton John song. AI is still a long, long, long way away from competing with masterful analyses like this one.
Thanks for being so important to my musical education. Was really hoping for someone to explain Elton John’s amazing piano style. Also wouldn’t you mind deliberating the “And the house fell down” solo please. Or Take me to the pilot live
Yes, those are different enough to be a different style. I would call it a ballad style. I may need to update this video! Someone else asked about the funk style on Honky Cat and others..
Hi, a question concerning the half time style expanded to arpeggios. Does he uses the highest note in the arpeggio to play the anticipated backbeat isn't it ?
Hi, good question! That’s certainly the case for the most part with Your Song and come to think of it as good rule of thumb for any half time songs by EJ that I can think of. Great observation. Martin
@@martinfinnpiano His music is perhaps as piano-heavy as his singer/songwriter peers Lennon and McCartney at the time. His piano hits include, just to name a few in chronological order from 1970 through 1978 (his second stint in the music business), "Maybe You're Right", "I Think I See the Light", "Sad Lisa", "Miles from Nowhere", "Tea for the Tillerman", "Sitting", "Silent Sunlight", "Sweet Scarlet", "Foreigner Suite", "The Hurt", "How Many Times", "King of Trees", "Bad Penny", "Majik of Majiks", "Remember the Day of the Old School Yard" and "Randy". An episode on his unique piano style would be great! His hymn "Morning Has Broken" doesn't really qualify, since Rick Wakeman provided the piano bits for it in the studio on the spot.
OMG. You’re right! Would you believe that I only realised that after. Someone else was talking about his ballad style on Harmony and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I’ll have to remake it!!
If you would like to learn how to play scales, chords and arpeggios in a quick, fun and accessible way, download my piano finger guides at this link: stan.store/martinfinnmusic
EJ was one of my greatest musical influences growing up in the 70s. Thanks for making this video!!!
Hey, that's great. Me too, although I discovered him in the 90s! One of the real greats.
The first album I purchased was Elton John’s Greatest Hits. It was 1975, I was 14. I played that over and over looking at the album cover and liner notes. Great memories and such awesome music.
What an amazing series of videos man.
Thanks for that! I'm really enjoying making them. It really requires a lot of digging and research which I love.
He really influenced my piano playing, and it took me way to long to realize that. His use of sus chords and the triple feel style really changed the way I played!
Really? That's great. Me too. I just love that half time groove and I do those incidental sus chords all the time - probably way too much!
As a kid in Edinburgh I learned piano. Got my 1st classical diplomas. But I abandoned my Victorian teacher when she battered my fingers one too many times with the lid or knitting needle 😢. Beatles ending, Elton taking off at the time I would have loved to play their styles... Your explanations are clear and almost inspire me to relearn... but I'll just keep plodding on with guitar/ harmonica/ songs. See if I can inspire more kids to learn piano with you. Thanks!😊😊😊😊
Superb analysis! Many thanks!
Glad you liked it! Thank you for the support!
This series is so good man. So clear. Really insightful and great communciation. Keep them up.
Thank you very much. I really try to make it accessible. I'll keep going!
This is a fantastic insight into Elton John's techniques. Thank you so much!
I hope so! Thank you very much for the support. :)
One of his most underrated songs is Mona Lisas and Mad Haters.
Thanks for the Video. I'll study it.
I must confess - I don't know either of those. You study my video and I'll go study those.. :)
@@martinfinnpiano It's one song called 'Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters'. :D
It's funny which songs people get exposed to. I think Amoreena is the more slept on song. Honkey Chateau as an album had more recognition than Tumbleweed Connection. I hear Mona Lisa's and Mad hatters get played way more than Amoreena, which I only hear if I play it. Purely personal though. I'm sure you could look at statistics and debate which song is better
@@christianjensen7699 Mad Hatters is a better song to play solo on piano. Amoreena in terms of complexity and overall symphony obviously "better". Do you have a link to a good Amoreena Cover (piano/vocals)? I will learn this song though. Thanks for the tip.
@@captainalpaka1551 I haven't been able to find a particularly impressive cover, nobody really plays it. There are a few instrumental piano versions floating around, but mostly everything is bad home video and bar recordings. I like Amoreena a lot for the lyrics. "Living like a lusty flower" reminds me of the William Faulkner line "I feel like a wet seed wild in the hot blind earth". And I want a woman who will run through the fields with me. You know?
So amazing!! I hope someday you can dedicate individual videos to quick lessons of songs, just covering each chord change in this brisk style. Each of these snippets is so informative, I wish I could have a peek at the rest of each song with the same accuracy.
I may end up doing just that. People seem to like the format. Thanks for the feedback.
@@martinfinnpiano Thank you for considering! It would be a unique approach to teaching, one that you've already nearly perfected. Either way, can't wait to see more.
Always cranking out high quality content. Thanks Martin.
Thanks for that Bill. I'm so glad you like the videos. :)
These videos are the absolute best man, I’d love to see a Bob Dylan video because I feel like even though he’s a very simple player there’s some great tracks in there like Ballad of a thin man and went to see the gypsy. Great for beginners like myself!
I'm getting so many requests to do one on Bob Dylan. I really have to start researching his different styles. Thank you.
Thanks, it is useful and interesting
My pleasure! Thanks
Hey! I just wanted to say that I really enjoy these type of videos because they help me to understand the different ways of playing the piano. It helps me a lot.
Greetings from Argentina! ❤
Glad you like them! Thanks for your support. Good luck to you from Ireland!
Thanks! One could probably add a few more "styles" to Elton's playing. The rhythmic interplay between his thumbs comes to mind which stands out in Ticking (from Caribou) for one example. Also, he varies dynamics a lot to make what he's playing more complex sounding. I think of it as 3-dimensional: pitch being left and right while dynamics is up and down.
You're right of course and the more comments I see the more I wish I could redo it - maybe I can! I would certainly add the R&B and funk elements on songs like Honky Cat etc..
WOW! Excellent! Thank you.
Thank you. :)
Wonderful piece! Thanks for sharing. I've been playing Elton for years and this video is helpful in my studies.
My pleasure. Elton is his own universe.
Awesome walk through. Thanks very much. Looking forward to seeing what else you have here on youtube.
Thank you very much. There is a fair bit up there at the moment but I'm only getting started believe me!
7:30 sounds like Billy Joel also
Yes, it’s got vibes of My Life, right?
@@martinfinnpiano Yes sir
Thanks so much mate for articulating a lot of what I arrived at on my own.
It is really enlightening and helpful ,
Glad to help. I know what you mean. Sometimes it’s good to have a few things validated like that!
Glad I stumbled over this, been a hobby pianist and Elton John fan for over 30 years I've played many of his songs simply by ear and instinct not really thinking about what I was doing. It's great to get a clearer picture of what's actually going on there! Thank you!
My pleasure. Until I saw some piano transcriptions and really got the nuances I was just feeling my way too. He’s the ultimate classical turned pop player for me. :)
@@martinfinnpiano Elton John's first album (the one with "Your Song" on it) will always be my favourite, probably as he appeared to be closest to a classical style on this one. He of course came up with epic tunes later on as well, but I really like the somewhat symphonic style of his first album.
Great information 👍 I'm really into Elton's style of playing 🎹
Thank you, Andrew. Yes, he’s such a masterful composer, singer and piano player. I don’t even know which is the right order for those!!
thanks Martin, great vid!
My pleasure, Kevin. Thanks!
Awesome work, well done dear Martin....Bernard
Many thanks, Bernard. Really appreciate that!
Martin
Nice voice!
Do more please!
And a very nice presentation. I didn’t realise Irish folk were musical?
Oi!
Thanks so much.
Thank you very much, Michael! Very kind of you. Yes, we're very musical here in Ireland. Our traditional music is really something and has had a huge influence on American folk music among others. Keep watching! Martin
😊 I always really loved Elton John growing up. My mother was always the piano wizard, I played guitars, for now as adults I've really grown to love playing the piano. Excellent analysis in breakdown... This really rocks dude
Elton is the man. Yes, funny how you go back to the sound you grew up with as a kid again and again. There is so much in his music to discover. Thank you for your kind words and good luck with the playing! Martin
Thank you Martin, that was awesome!
Much appreciated, Chris!
I thought I had a pretty good handle on most of Elton's habits and tricks, but your insightful analysis and playing alerted me to some tiny nuances, which I recognise as important on hearing them isolated. For instance, the primary accent falling on the anticipated (2&) backbeat chords of "Your Song", which really brings the groove to life.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I had the same experience when I discovered a great book called How To Play Elton John with accurate transcriptions. So many things in there that were so familiar to my ear but that I had never known how to play. A game changer for me. Also, it’s essential that you listen to the isolated piano tracks. A lot of them are on RUclips. Good luck with it all. :)
Terrific instruction - really enjoy this video!
Thank you very much for that!
Wonderful stuff!!
Thank you very much!!
You are so talented and great at dissecting and then explaining. I love this. Thank you!
Thanks! And you are so kind to say so. Keep watching. :)
Elton John, Bruce Hornsby, simple chords, but awesome arrangements.
Yes, indeed. By today’s standards though their chords and chord progressions are about ten times as complex.
Really interesting, Thankyou - EJ - one amazing piano player 🎹🎶❤️
Thank you. I never tire of learning from Elton John!
Really interesting video! Thank you.
My pleasure!
You totally missed his 'R&B' style (Tumbleweed, Madman and some of Honky). Listen carefully to his comping on Madman, it's amazing. Then he turned poppy 😞
You're so right - I really only realised after how significant these elements are in his playing. Maybe a new edition??
@@martinfinnpiano I look fwd to it (I enjoyed your Nicky Hopkins video)
Amazing
Appreciate the feedback. :)
Excellent thanks you very much 😊
You're welcome 😊
Really nice analysis! An AI could play a song in the style of Elton John, but neither "it", nor anyone inspecting the neural network would have any idea what exactly makes the song sound like an Elton John song. AI is still a long, long, long way away from competing with masterful analyses like this one.
You’re right. It will be a while before AI catches up. Musicians will have their jobs for quite a while yet!
Great video, much appreciated.
It’s my pleasure. Stay tuned for more!!
THANKS a lot, well done !!!
Thank you for that. Much appreciated!
Thanks for being so important to my musical education. Was really hoping for someone to explain Elton John’s amazing piano style. Also wouldn’t you mind deliberating the “And the house fell down” solo please. Or Take me to the pilot live
Hi Alexis, thank you for your kind words. I know the recorded version of "pilot" but I don't know the other one. I'll have to take a look at them..
Merci beaucoup. Trés intérrisant.
Merci!
Very, very interesting thank you!
My pleasure! Thanks for the lovely comment.
Wonderful playing and wonderful video!
You know, there is no good tutorial for "Crocodile Rock," as EJ actually plays it, on RUclips...
I really appreciate that and I didn’t know that re Croc Rock. Gotta get working on it. :)
cool lession!
Much appreciated. Thanks!
Please do one on Rick Wright
Thank you, Warren. He was fantastic. I’ll put him on the list.
You can make a video of the piano styles of charly garcia please?
Thank you. I’ll certainly look into it. :)
Nice voice.
Thank you for that!
Amazing vid! Just wondering , what styles would Harmony or the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road be? Perhaps my favs..
Yes, those are different enough to be a different style. I would call it a ballad style. I may need to update this video! Someone else asked about the funk style on Honky Cat and others..
Fantastic
Thank you!
4 styles of Brian Wilson please!!
Yes, everyone is looking for this!
Also in his early stuff, lots of Gospel influence.
Holy Moses…
Hi, a question concerning the half time style expanded to arpeggios. Does he uses the highest note in the arpeggio to play the anticipated backbeat isn't it ?
Hi, good question! That’s certainly the case for the most part with Your Song and come to think of it as good rule of thumb for any half time songs by EJ that I can think of. Great observation. Martin
One correction, in Your Song the chorus starts with B flat on D and continues to C minor on E flat (and not on C as you did).
Thank you, but it is 100% Cm and not Cm/Eb at that point. Try it and you'll see it's the right one!
whats the piano sound your using? i like it
Hi, it’s a soft synth Rhapsody Grand by Waves. It was used on Adele’s “Hello”. :)
👌
An episode on Cat Stevens would be great!
I love Cat but his music is not really piano heavy. The only one I can think of is Morning Has Broken. Right?
@@martinfinnpiano His music is perhaps as piano-heavy as his singer/songwriter peers Lennon and McCartney at the time. His piano hits include, just to name a few in chronological order from 1970 through 1978 (his second stint in the music business), "Maybe You're Right", "I Think I See the Light", "Sad Lisa", "Miles from Nowhere", "Tea for the Tillerman", "Sitting", "Silent Sunlight", "Sweet Scarlet", "Foreigner Suite", "The Hurt", "How Many Times", "King of Trees", "Bad Penny", "Majik of Majiks", "Remember the Day of the Old School Yard" and "Randy". An episode on his unique piano style would be great! His hymn "Morning Has Broken" doesn't really qualify, since Rick Wakeman provided the piano bits for it in the studio on the spot.
Next video - the 1 style of Brian Wilson
Really? Just one? I'll have to do a deep dive and get back to you on that!
8th notes that’s BW style
Taylor Swift: *slams a screen door, sneaks out late, taps on a window*
Elton John: “And you can tell everybody, this is your song…”
Hee hee. Sounds about right.
ah...you left out my favorite style of his... his funky gospel style of Burn Down The Mission, Amoreena, Honky Cat, etc...
OMG. You’re right! Would you believe that I only realised that after. Someone else was talking about his ballad style on Harmony and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I’ll have to remake it!!
@@martinfinnpianono worries! Great videos! Can you do Tom waits Richard Manuel, and Leon Russell?