I can't thank you enough for your channel. I took up piano last year at age 66 and I've known from the beginner that my goal is to learn cocktail piano. Your style is just what I've been looking for - "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". Blessings to you.
Most likely not intentional, but part of the melody sounded like cat stevens - Father and son! Lovely tune nevertheless and of course amazing explanation as always!
Yes indeed! It's the rhythm at the start and the jump to a sixth (uses in a Csus4 in F&S, IIRC) that makes it a bit reminiscent of it. Glad you liked the tutorial!
Thanks Greg - let me know how you get on! Is part of this comment missing, by the way? A standard… what? Please do let me know because feedback like this is always useful…!
Basically any note from a chord that has the same function as the chord you're playing. So note D is a subsidiary harmonic to chord F major in the key of C, because it belongs to Dm, and both Dm and F have a subdominant function in that key. Make sense?
Hi Bill! I recently picked up piano playing and really enjoy your videos. I don't know if you've already covered this, but would it be possible with a video that explains how to write a fitting chorus-chord progression for an already made verse? Keep up the good work!
Bill, just wondering, could you please do a video on ii V I licks for jazz, say in C Maj? Just to give us an idea of sone jazzy licks over this progression? Thank you
@@BillHilton Bill sorry for bothering, am I correct in saying that, obviously jazz standards change key a lot, go through various ii V I keys, and a good way to identify this is to look for Dominant 7th chords, ie the V? I assume its good practice to take the chord progression of a standard and practice soloing over it yes? Thank you
@@S24W2 No problem at all. In short, yes and yes; although when it comes to the former question, sevenths can sometimes be added for colour and as part of non-diatonic sequences, so it pays to look at what's going on in context :)
Weird question but I was wondering why in England they use the terms crotchet and quaver instead of eight note and quarter note? Is England the only country that uses those terms?
I think those particular terms are UK-only, but different languages have a wide array of different terms. German uses the same system as the US (whole, half, quarter etc, but obvs in German), but French has a different one still (a quarter note is a "noir" and a half note a "blanche" etc) then Italian and Spanish have different ones.
Bill i have a question for you they say that jaz pianist Bill Evans had a very distinctive style of interchanging left and right hands when he'd play is this true? what would you say about how Evans's style was compared to other jaz piano musicians such as ARt Tatem or well all those others. I'm sure stevie wonder had strong Jaz influences you can sometimes here them on albums like music of my mind or even songs in the key of life e.g. track 4 disk 1 contutution (medial term for a soft tissue injury) you asked me to let you know how i'm doing and i'm doing great i'm on a role and loving the journey i feel my jaz progress isn't as fast as i'd like as i am classsicly trained. Kindly reply and good luck everybody
Yes, to an extent - he certainly had a very mobile left hand. It's worth bearing in mind that a lot of Evan's most celebrated playing happened in trios with highly competent bass players - Chuck Israels, for example - and many of his l.h. chord voicings are far removed from the root of the chord, because the bassist would fill it (or something like it...) in. Actual interchange between hands predates Evans as a major technique, though: Bud Powell (who Evans claimed as his single biggest influence, IIRC) also used a very mobile left. I'm glad to hear you're progressing, and don't worry if it's a little slow: nobody ever progresses as fast as they'd like (or plan to, or expect to...). Keep plugging away!
Hi Bill, I am enjoying every video of yours that I watch. What determines how a chord is named - a 9th or sus 2? 11th or sus 4? Perhaps you have already answered this in another video.
It basically comes down to which of the notes are in the chord, Barb. Csus2 will be just the notes C, D and G - no more, no fewer. On the other hand C9 will have some or all of C, E, G, Bb and D. Does that make sense?
Yes, though the label might depend on the context, Eddie. Can you remind me where I mentioned this in the video? I can't recall, and if you could point me in the direction of it, it might job my memory so I can give you a better explanation....!
@@BillHilton 22:48 propably the 9th of the dminor9 is the e from the f major7. But I am wrong, because the 7 from f chord would be an e flat. ☺. Thank you very much for your explanations of the chord. These are the best lessons I can find about that, specially with the left hand progression. And a Happy New Year
The short answer is... you decide! Try them all and use your ear to decide what works. I'd probably use a mixture of full chords and shells, all in root to start with. Try it and see (or, rather, hear)!
Was hard to follow once you started playing around the 5 or 6 minute mark. I think it would’ve been easier if the notes you were playing were also highlighted when they are being played.
Yes, point taken, Esther - I've been looking for a way of doing that for a while. I could do it with manual animation in Keynote or something similar, but it would take _hours_ to do each couple of bars. I'll keep looking for solutions, though!
I can't thank you enough for your channel. I took up piano last year at age 66 and I've known from the beginner that my goal is to learn cocktail piano. Your style is just what I've been looking for - "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". Blessings to you.
Thank you, and you're welcome!
Looking forward to spending some time on this series. Best I've seen so far for someone who can play but have never locked onto cocktail.
The way you impart your knowledge is step by step clear, conscientious and lovely- thank you
I love how there are no haters of music... A worthy series!!!
Thank you, Kunal!
Bill this is really a gem. I was looking for that background movie music in Film Noir. This is it!!! Thank you.
You're welcome - glad you liked it!
Hey Bill,
Can't wait to watch.
Been wanting to learn cocktail piano for a while now.
Oliver
Glad to hear it, Oliver - I hope you like it!
Thanks Bill. As a beginner jazz pianist this helps alot. 👍
Love the Blues as well and boogie Woogie style in beginner to intermediate level
Thanks Jeff - glad you liked it!
Excellent teaching! Sounds a bit like “Father & Son” by Cat Stevens but cocktail piano style.
Looking forward to this series, Bill!
Glad to hear it, Sean!
Thank you friend!!! im learning a lot!
Thanks for very good lesson, Bill..Can't wait for the next !...
You're welcome - it's coming soon!
Super lesson, many thanks Bill.
You're really welcome, Peter! Do give me a shout if you have any questions on any of it!
Great stuff, Bill. Working on this now. Thanks, and nicely done.
You're welcome, Lon!
Nice one Bill! Thanks
You're welcome!
Very useful! Thank you...
You're welcome!
Most likely not intentional, but part of the melody sounded like cat stevens - Father and son! Lovely tune nevertheless and of course amazing explanation as always!
Yes indeed! It's the rhythm at the start and the jump to a sixth (uses in a Csus4 in F&S, IIRC) that makes it a bit reminiscent of it. Glad you liked the tutorial!
Noticed it too!
The melody has similarities to Brahm’s lullaby very nice video
Thank you!
Bill, I'm going to enjoy and learn from this series but it would be a thousand times better if you used a standard.
Thanks Greg - let me know how you get on! Is part of this comment missing, by the way? A standard… what? Please do let me know because feedback like this is always useful…!
Is there a link to purchase cocktail only? I already have the other two books.
Hi Barb - did you see the email about this I sent you yesterday?
what are subsidiary harmony notes
Basically any note from a chord that has the same function as the chord you're playing. So note D is a subsidiary harmonic to chord F major in the key of C, because it belongs to Dm, and both Dm and F have a subdominant function in that key. Make sense?
Hi Bill! I recently picked up piano playing and really enjoy your videos. I don't know if you've already covered this, but would it be possible with a video that explains how to write a fitting chorus-chord progression for an already made verse?
Keep up the good work!
Does your e book come in US style?
Bill, just wondering, could you please do a video on ii V I licks for jazz, say in C Maj? Just to give us an idea of sone jazzy licks over this progression? Thank you
Good idea, Sean - I'll add it to the list. Hope you're well!
@@BillHilton thanks a million Bill, that would be great
@@BillHilton Bill sorry for bothering, am I correct in saying that, obviously jazz standards change key a lot, go through various ii V I keys, and a good way to identify this is to look for Dominant 7th chords, ie the V?
I assume its good practice to take the chord progression of a standard and practice soloing over it yes? Thank you
@@S24W2 No problem at all. In short, yes and yes; although when it comes to the former question, sevenths can sometimes be added for colour and as part of non-diatonic sequences, so it pays to look at what's going on in context :)
@@BillHilton Thank you so much for your reply, much appreciated
Weird question but I was wondering why in England they use the terms crotchet and quaver instead of eight note and quarter note? Is England the only country that uses those terms?
I think those particular terms are UK-only, but different languages have a wide array of different terms. German uses the same system as the US (whole, half, quarter etc, but obvs in German), but French has a different one still (a quarter note is a "noir" and a half note a "blanche" etc) then Italian and Spanish have different ones.
@@BillHilton Interesting! Thank you Bill!
Bill i have a question for you they say that jaz pianist Bill Evans had a very distinctive style of interchanging left and right hands when he'd play is this true? what would you say about how Evans's style was compared to other jaz piano musicians such as ARt Tatem or well all those others. I'm sure stevie wonder had strong Jaz influences you can sometimes here them on albums like music of my mind or even songs in the key of life e.g. track 4 disk 1 contutution (medial term for a soft tissue injury) you asked me to let you know how i'm doing and i'm doing great i'm on a role and loving the journey i feel my jaz progress isn't as fast as i'd like as i am classsicly trained. Kindly reply and good luck everybody
Yes, to an extent - he certainly had a very mobile left hand. It's worth bearing in mind that a lot of Evan's most celebrated playing happened in trios with highly competent bass players - Chuck Israels, for example - and many of his l.h. chord voicings are far removed from the root of the chord, because the bassist would fill it (or something like it...) in. Actual interchange between hands predates Evans as a major technique, though: Bud Powell (who Evans claimed as his single biggest influence, IIRC) also used a very mobile left. I'm glad to hear you're progressing, and don't worry if it's a little slow: nobody ever progresses as fast as they'd like (or plan to, or expect to...). Keep plugging away!
Hi Bill, I am enjoying every video of yours that I watch. What determines how a chord is named - a 9th or sus 2? 11th or sus 4? Perhaps you have already answered this in another video.
It basically comes down to which of the notes are in the chord, Barb. Csus2 will be just the notes C, D and G - no more, no fewer. On the other hand C9 will have some or all of C, E, G, Bb and D. Does that make sense?
@@BillHilton Yes!
Wouldn't a rootless d minor 9 be an f major 7 chord?
Yes, though the label might depend on the context, Eddie. Can you remind me where I mentioned this in the video? I can't recall, and if you could point me in the direction of it, it might job my memory so I can give you a better explanation....!
@@BillHilton 22:48 propably the 9th of the dminor9 is the e from the f major7. But I am wrong, because the 7 from f chord would be an e flat. ☺. Thank you very much for your explanations of the chord. These are the best lessons I can find about that, specially with the left hand progression. And a Happy New Year
As I practice this first section, how do I know whether to use full chords or shells? root positions or inversions? rootless voicings?
The short answer is... you decide! Try them all and use your ear to decide what works. I'd probably use a mixture of full chords and shells, all in root to start with. Try it and see (or, rather, hear)!
Was hard to follow once you started playing around the 5 or 6 minute mark. I think it would’ve been easier if the notes you were playing were also highlighted when they are being played.
Yes, point taken, Esther - I've been looking for a way of doing that for a while. I could do it with manual animation in Keynote or something similar, but it would take _hours_ to do each couple of bars. I'll keep looking for solutions, though!
@@BillHilton ooooo yikes! WelI I can understand that. Thanks for the reply!
Wisdomrocky21