Elton John Keyboard Pack

Lessons

• Lesson 1: Your Song - Piano Lesson

  Your Song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was released that in 1970 both as a single and on Elton’s self-titled album. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 7 different triads used in the song. Two of them are played with an added 7 and many are played with bass notes other than the root – so we’ll cover slash chords – these slash chords are a big part of Elton John’s style. 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 take you through the song front to back – detailing the Intro, Outro, and many of the signature licks in the song.

• Lesson 2: Tiny Dancer - Piano Lesson

  Tiny Dancer was composed by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was released in 1972 on the album Madman Across The Water. A ton of chords in this song, we’ll talk about all 12 triads used in the song. A number of these chords are played with an added 6 or 7 - and three are played with bass notes other than the root – so we’ll cover slash chords and how they are used to make the bassline smoother. 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. Among other things in the song-specific section, we’ll take apart the instrumental part that is used as an intro, an interlude, and an outro.

• Lesson 3: Crocodile Rock - Piano Lesson

  Crocodile Rock was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was recorded and released as a single in 1972. In 1973, it was released as a song on the “Don’t Shoot My I’m Only The Piano Player” album In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 8 different triads used in the song. In the chorus, there are 2 chords which are played with an added 7 – and one chord that is played with a bass-note different from the name 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. In the song specific techniques section, I’ll take you through the song front to back – detailing the Intro, Outro, and many of the signature licks in the song. I’ll also talk about the 1-3-4-5 and 1-6-4-5 chord progressions that are used in the song.

• Lesson 4: Rocket Man - Piano Lesson

  Rocket Man was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It appeared on the album Honky Chateau in 1972 and was also released as a single. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 6 different triads used in the song. Four of them are played with either an added 2 or an added 7. Additionally, there is a signature bassline that employs “slash chords” that use a bass note other than the chord name 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. In the song-specific techniques section, I’ll describe the specific rhythms in the song as well as the several Elton John’s licks used in the song.

• Lesson 5: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Piano Lesson

  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a great ballad written for Elton John by Bernie Taupin. It was released in 1973 – and many critics consider it the best Elton John song. In this lesson, we’ll talk about the 11 different triads used in the song. Some of them are played as “7” chords and many are played with bass notes other than the root – so we’ll cover slash chords - which are a BIG part of the “Elton John” style. 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 other aspects of Elton John’s style – such as using arpeggiated chords to drive the rhythm of the song.