Early Rock Keyboard 6-Pack

Lessons

• Lesson 1: Great Balls of Fire - Piano Lesson

  Great Balls Of Fire was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. It was recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957. Rolling Stone magazine ranks it as the 96th greatest song ever. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 3 chords that make up the 12-bar blues progression that is used in the song. 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. We’ll also take a look at some of the licks in this fun early rock song.

• Lesson 2: Shake Rattle And Roll - Piano Lesson

  Shake Rattle and Roll was written in 1954 by Jesse Stone under the songwriting name Charles E Calhoun. It was recorded by both Big Joe Turner and Bill Haley in that same year. Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song in 1956. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 3 chords that make up the 12-bar blues progression that is used in the song. 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. We’ll also take a look at some of the bluesy licks in this fun early rock song.

• Lesson 3: All Shook Up - Piano Lesson

  In this lesson, we learn the song “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley. In it we discuss the structure of this simple 3-chord song, we play it with all chords in root position, then using the next nearest inversion of each chord. Finally, we transpose the song to a different key to fit a lower voice. All in all, this is a good example of how to learn a song.

• Lesson 4: Can't Help Falling In Love - Piano Lesson

  Can’t Help Falling In Love is based on an 18th century French song called Plaisir d’Amour. The version of the song recorded by Elvis Presley was written and recorded in 1961. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the rhythm and 6/8 meter of this song. As we usually do, we’ll be breaking down the chords of the song. In addition to learning the chords, we will talk about the structure of the chord progression AND how to transpose the song to another key. This is a great simple song to help in understanding chord NUMBERS and how they assist in key transposition.

• Lesson 5: Blueberry Hill - Piano Lesson

  Blueberry Hill was published in 1940 by Vincent Rose. It was recorded by a number of artists in the 40’s, including Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, and Louis Armstrong. However, it is the 1956 rock and roll version by Fats Domino that is best known. It’s that version, that I teach in this lesson In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 7 different triads used in the song. Two of them are played with an added 7 – so I’ll explain how to add the 7th 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 describe the 12/8 time signature and the signature baseline of this classic early rock song.

• Lesson 6: Unchain My Heart - Piano Lesson

  Unchain My Heart was written by Bobby Sharp. It was recorded by Ray Charles in 1961. Another great rendition of the song was released in 1987 by Joe Cocker. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 4 that are used in this song which is based on a minor blues progression. Two of these chords are played with an added 7 – so we will talk about adding “the 7” note 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. We’ll also take a look at some of the licks in this fun early rock song.