The Beach Boys Keyboard Pack

Lessons

• Lesson 1: California Girls - Piano Lesson

  California Girls was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. It was recorded and released by the Beach Boys in 1965 on the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 8 different triads used in the song. Several of them are played with an added 7 so we’ll talk about how to do that. There is also one chord that is played with a bass note other than the root – so we will cover slash chords. As usual, we’ll first go through each part of the song with chords in root position – then follow that up by using the technique of finding the nearest inversion. In the song specific techniques section, we’ll spend time on the introduction, the rhythms of the various parts of the song, the signature instrumental bridge, and the Outro.

• Lesson 2: Don't Worry Baby - Piano Lesson

  Don’t Worry Baby was written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian. It was recorded and released by the Beach Boys in 1964 on the album Shut Down Volume 2. It was also the B-side of I Get Around.

  In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 9 different triads used in the song. Several of them are played with an added 6 or 7 so we’ll talk about how to do that. One chord is played with a bass note different from the root of the chord – so we’ll cover slash chords

  As usual, we’ll first go through each part of the song with chords in root position – then follow that up by using the technique of finding the nearest inversion. In the song specific techniques section, I’ll discuss the theory behind the chord progressions of the verse and chorus. I’ll also show you how to play the chords of the chorus such that the keyboard essentially sings the backing vocals for you.

• Lesson 3: I Get Around - Piano Lesson

  I Get Around was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. It was recorded and released by the Beach Boys in 1964 on the album All Summer Long. It also reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 as a single. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 10 different triads used in the song. Two of them are played with an added 7 so we’ll talk about how to do that. As usual, we’ll first go through each part of the song with chords in root position – then follow that up by using the technique of finding the nearest inversion. In the song specific techniques section, I’ll show you how to figure out and play the bassline for the chorus. We’ll go over the single note accompaniments for the verses – including the midverse instrumental lick. And I’ll also show you how to emulate the very cool guitar solo in the bridge…

• Lesson 4: Surfer Girl - Piano Lesson

  Surfer Girl was written by Brian Wilson. It was recorded and released by the Beach Boys in 1963 as a single and then as the title track of the album Surfer Girl. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 12 different triads used in the song. Several of them are played with an added 6 or 7 so we’ll talk about how to do that.. As usual, we’ll first go through each part of the song with chords in root position – then follow that up by using the technique of finding the nearest inversion. In the song specific techniques section, I’ll discuss the 6/8 time signature, how to play the chords one note at a time, and also on ideas for the bass line.

• Lesson 5: Surfin' USA - Piano Lesson

  Surfin USA is a song with lyrics written by Brian Wilson set to the melody of Chuck Berry’s song Sweet Little Sixteen. It was recorded and released by the Beach Boys in 1963 as a single and on the album also called Surfin USA. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 3 different triads used in the song. Each chord is played both as a triad and as a dominant 7 – so I’ll show you how to make those chords As usual, we’ll first go through each part of the song with chords in root position – then follow that up by using the technique of finding the nearest inversion. In the song specific techniques section, I’ll show you how to use a keyboard to emulate the guitar lick intro, how to play the signature lick for each chord, and how to play the solo for the instrumental bridge