Rounder Boogie Woogie

[MrEipod]

I mean for my class ;-)

[MrEipod]

You the best ;-)

[rounder2u]

Hi Mr Eipod

Thanks!

But I'm not the best. Not by a far stretch. Please, check out the boogie woogie pianist 'freakyhead20' here at YouTube. He really is a Master of boogie woogie!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[ivan89705]

In the left hand of keys could be done patterns of all kinds boogie. This my advice to progremmers.

[LigerZeroBusterEagle]

Was that a Nerdfighter sign at the end that I saw?

[rounder2u]

Hi LigerZeroBusterEagle

Nothing that I'm aware of :-) I just did that for fun, without deeper thoughts.

But when I read your comment I had to check out the Nerdfighter sign, and, sure, it's pretty close!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[michail571]

it's not great , it's SUPER GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rounder2u]

Hi michail

Thanks!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[rounder2u]

Thanks Diego!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[cky12qxz]

Hi again, WHAR DID YE LEARNETH THIS?

[rounder2u]

Hi cky12qxz

It's a composition of my own. I picked a few riffs and cross-rhytms, a 5/4 chorus and a 7/8 chorus against eight to the bar, etc, and put it all together.

This is not a 'classic' boogie woogie (except for the left hand pattern), but more of a riff-based boogie woogie.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[AZmodelnumero18532XT]

Care to take this dance, Rounder? XD Great music, man. I admire your skills, I noticed that your right had was better than your left. 5/5, keep playing!

IF NOT FOR THE SAKE OF YOUTUBE.

DO IT FOR ME.

XD

[loonies125]

that was pretty damn immense mate! 5/5! honestly, i never usually listen to music like this but this just is amazing! best of wishes to you and as you say, keep swinging!

[rounder2u]

Hi loonies

Thanks!

I have seen from your channel that you are interested in trains. You can check out the outstanding boogie woogie 'Honky Tonk Train Blues' by Meade Lux Lewis. E.g the version from 1935, before those years when he started to play his song way too fast. Honky Tonk Train Blues is based on Lewis perception of steam powered trains, and one can easily picture those trains rolling when listening to his classic boogie woogie.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[cky12qxz]

Btw greeeat video. I SEE YOUR LEGS BOUNCING!!!!! I kno i couldn't help it too. ;]

[rounder2u]

Thanks cky12qxz!

Yes, both of them... I hope they know what they're doing :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[cky12qxz]

What of chord is that called at 1:53? I know how to play them but what are they called?

[rounder2u]

Hi cky12qxz

The chord at 1:53 is a F6/A. This means a F6 with A as the lowest note in the chord. The F6 is built on the notes F, A, C and D.

One nice thing with this block chord is that

- if you only move the thumb one step left, to Ab, you'll have a Bb9/Ab chord.

- in you only move the thumb one step right, to Bb, you'll have a C9sus/Bb.

By only moving one finger (the thumb) you cover chords for the whole 12 bar blues progression: F, Bb, and C.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[rounder2u]

Hi cky12qxz

There are quite a number of ostinatos in this song. Boogie woogie is often built up by ostinatos with variations.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[soundattacker]

awsome bit of boggie woogie its really varied.

im saying this becase alot a musicans are really repetetive but you definetly had foot my stomping

[rounder2u]

Good to hear soundattacker. Thanks!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[AZmodelnumero18532XT]

Greetings once more, rounder2u, I greatly enjoy this music, you did a perfect job. Smooth, and from what I can see, not one mistake. Happy Holidays,  AZmodelnumero18532XT.

[rounder2u]

Thanks AZmodelnumero18532XT for your kind words!

Unfortunately, my left hand is not that good in this take... It's uneven because I cut the last eight note in the bar short most of the time.

I'm happy with my licks/my ideas in this boogie woogie, I just wish I had a better left hand. During my take at 'Going Up The Country' I'm using the same left hand pattern, but play it better.

Check out videos by Eeco 'freakyhead20' for really good boogie woogie videos!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[AZmodelnumero18532XT]

Ahh, cool. You seem friendly too. Hey uhh, can you accept my friend invite? XD, I would like it accepted. AZ.

[chuckrangers001]

really*

[chuckrangers001]

dude ur reakky good thanks again

[rounder2u]

Thanks chuck!

The left hand notes (in G) are G, G, B, G, D, G, E, D and the fingering is 5, 5, 3, 5, 2, 5, 1, 2 - if you are interested in playing boogie woogie. This left hand pattern is one of the most common left hand patterns in boogie woogie.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[atimus203]

Your style shouldn't be defined by riffs you know. Some of the best pianists play very short phrases and sound terrific. Try to emulate your favorite artist on the piano. Whether they are harmonica, saxophone, guitar players, etc.

[rounder2u]

Hi atimus

Thanks for your comment! I agree fully with you, that one shouldn't build one's style upon riffs. The great jazz guitarist Jimmy Raney is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of non-riff, non-cliche based top-notch playing.

Regarding this song, it's not a 'classic' boogie woogie except for the standard left hand bass line.

So what is it? Well, it's a riff-based boogie woogie composition :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[atimus203]

Still sounds great, keep keep that boogie woogie spirit alive.

[rounder2u]

Thanks atimus!

(I think this composition is OK, but I didn't get the left hand going well in this take... to jerky and cutting the last eight in almost every bar)

Anyway, I really like the classic boogie woogie of e.g. Pete Johnson (one of Ammons, Johnson and Lewis). Pete has the best boogie woogie touch in my opinion.

But now I'm concentrating a bit on the jazz blues side of the Hammond B-3 sound :-) as you have noticed if you have checked out my recent uploads.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[AZmodelnumero18532XT]

Also, I have a suggestion to learn.

The Honky Tonk

One of the coolest blues-and most popular- tunes.

Play on

Dylan.

[rounder2u]

Hi Dylan. I suppose you mean Honky Tonk Train Blues, composed by Meade Lux Lewis.

That's really one of the best boogie woogie songs.

'cam1987' here at YouTube has recorded a very good version of the song that I recommend higly!

But I pass up :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[AZmodelnumero18532XT]

Another kick-ass video by Rounder2u

Thanks man, been a real help when I need something to listen to

Play on

Dylan.

[rounder2u]

Thanks Dylan!

[silvester59]

great - well done - wish i could play like that.......

[rounder2u]

Thanks silvester!

Start with the left hand pattern, but play it more even than I did here, and play only the left hand until it's a part of you, and then start adding those right hand licks. If you're willing to put in the time you can play like this.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[BollPer]

hahaha! awesome xD i so love that start! great job dude! =)

[rounder2u]

Thanks BollPer!

That short intro with octaves is maybe a bit 'different' :-)

[TheKnightatDawn]

sweet song, how long did you take to learn it?

[rounder2u]

Hi KnightatDawn. Thanks!

I'm sorry, but actually I don't know how long it took learning this song.

What takes most time is to get the left hand going steady, light swinging (and at this take I wasn't there yet. The left hand is too jerky, etc).

The right hand is playing a number of licks I like, gathered over time and finally put together to choruses in one song.

Then it takes some time to memorize what order those different choruses should be played in.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[Udanoir]

groovy

[rounder2u]

Thanks Udanoir!

[ExpressStaveNotation]

A real neat boogie study in repeated RH riffs and cross rhythms. Very useful!

[rounder2u]

Hi Express Stave. Thanks!

This is not a 'classical' boogie woogie, but instead as you say - a boogie woogie study - a kind of boogie woogie 'etude'.

If you'll find it useful, I'm delighted :-)

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[Moore0806]

Hi, these are brilliant!

I love tunes like this and i am sad to say that i didn't live through these times to see them properly hehe =]

Just wondering but is this a hard tune to play? and what grade are you piano if any? Cos i would like to buy the sheet music but i don't want to if it is to difficult =]

Thanks,

Moore0806

P.s i am subscribing i like it that you reply to all of your comments ( Well nearly all ) It shows that you respect people's opinion =]

[rounder2u]

Hi Moore. Thanks! Yeah, it would have been wonderful to see Johnson, Ammons, Lewis and other classic boogie woogie masters perform.

I can't give a good answer to if this tune is hard to play.

If you would like to try, I strongly suggest that you start by learning the bass line (click 'About This Video' to get the description).

When you're comfortable with the left hand, add one of the right hand choruses.

I have no sheet music for this. It's a composition of my own.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[kw231263]

Sounds great

[rounder2u]

Hi kw231263. Thanks!

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[steverabb]

Gotta add a boogie number to my stuff someday!! That's great! Thanks for posting!

[rounder2u]

Hi steve. Thanks!

This boogie woogie is of a simpler riff-based type, but check out videos here at YouTube by 'freakyhead20' if you prefer the 'classic' boogie woogie style played at pro level.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[stephfromfrance]

Thanks a lot! I learn by myself and your roadmap will be very helpfull. I Know "freakyhead" and "shawncheekeasy" and more. Ive got 3 vidéos on line and I hope to be able to upload boogie woogies soon .

[stephfromfrance]

Very amazing ! that's great! I try to do the same but I'm far behind you. Any advice or exercice to help me synchronize Left & right hand ?

[rounder2u]

Hi steph! Countless of others are so much better than me. Anyway, here is my take on how to be really good:

1)The secret is the left hand! A boogie woogie/blues left hand should be rock solid, steady pace, free from the right hand.

2)Practice if possible many hours a day.

3)Listen and learn licks, create your own phrases.

4)Record and listen to yourself to find weak parts to improve.

5)Improvise many 12 bar blues/boogie woogie solo choruses while the left hand is playing the bass line.

[rounder2u]

I would also like to add: Search and check out boogie woogie videos here at YouTube by 'freakyhead20'. He is a very, very gifted boogie woogie player and he has uploaded many boogie woogie lessons. The first lesson is aptly named 'boogie woogie lesson 1'.

Keep swinging,

Rounder

[bloozeman101]

cool!

that sounded great!!

[rounder2u]

Thanks bloozeman!

Keep swinging!

[vedeomaster]

that was purely awesome!

Keep up the good work

[rounder2u]

Thanks vedeomaster!

I'm satisfied with my composition :-)

But I'm not satisfied with my boogie woogie left hand :-( as I'm not there yet, when it comes to the right boogie woogie groove (I'm e.g. cutting the last quarter short in most of the bars). I will upload a better version (with a better left hand) of this song somewhere in the (not too distant) future I hope :-)

Keep swinging!

[freakyhead20]

your getting better..keep going! :D

[jukingeo]

NICE! This is where the P-120 shines! Excellent key action and the sound is great. To me this was the FIRST affordable and REAL sounding digital piano. Nice 'Boogie' number. If you can do that I am sure you can handle quite a few ragtime numbers as well. I always found these difficult as they are just so fast! Keep up the good tinkling :).

[rounder2u]

Hi jukingeo. Thanks for commenting :-) The 'Grand Piano 1' sound is great in my opinion. I'm a lousy ragtime player :-( as I have enormous difficulty playing left hand stride piano style. I'm very impressed though by players that have mastered that difficult left hand style - jumping around octaves effortlessly :-)

Keep swinging!

[alexkamysz]

Hows the key action on that Yamaha?

[rounder2u]

Hi Alex. It's considered by many to be a bit on the heavy side. You can check the site Harmony-Central to read tons of user reviews for this keyboard and others. Keep swinging!

[zoljaman]

well i looked your hands your left is faster and better then right one :) im left hand so my problem is right hand but im practicing toby the way i listen every day this video and i will say again great you are playing very good piano :D

[zoljaman]

oh my god! you are great! i just learned how to play boogie woogie on my synthesizer thank you!!!

by the way you are playing very good piano :)

[rounder2u]

Thanks zoljaman! Boogie woogie is a very difficult art form to perform in a true real good light swinging way. And my left hand is unfortunately not good in this take, but I'm practicing to improve it. The right hand though shows a few useful licks I hope :-) and the notes and fingerings for this often used left hand is in the description. If this tune have inspired you, I'm happy! Keep swinging!

[beprul459]

I like this better than the p140 i wish they put this back on shelves.

[69B3]

Good job, really enjoy your playing skills. My timing is terrible and something else I have to work on.

[rounder2u]

Thx 69B3 for you comment! Well, in boogie woogie the timing is absolutely essential, otherwise the all-important swing feeling will be lost to a lesser or greater extent. I have difficulties with my left hand timing as I have written in earlier comments. Only one way to go: listen to good boogie woogie and practice!

[rounder2u]

Thanks Lacrimosus! I hope to be able, when I have time, to upload a new version of my boogie woogie, with a better, improved left hand groove. So, you've got the same model :-) The Yamaha P-120 is quite good. First and foremost the 'Grand Piano 1' but also the 'Jazz Organ' setting, with good headphones.

[Lacrimosus]

Really good man!!! (I've got the same piano:it's a Yamaha p- 120 =) )

[mosman123]

you rock

[rounder2u]

Thx mosman123!

[goldenballsdetecting]

\nice comp rounder, your streets in front of me.

Ron.

[rounder2u]

Hi Ron. Thanks for your comment! I'm working every day to get a better left hand (e.g. stop jerking it up and down all the time and hold it much more stable and stop cutting the last two eight notes in every bar), but it's a real challenge for me.

[cam1987]

Well done Rounder! I agree with Tomas, your hands are very synchronised.

Very interesting composition too...I like it!

Cam :)

[rounder2u]

Thanks Cam! I think the composition is OK, even though it is a little bit like an 'etude', consisting of riffs that I like. The weak part is my lousy left hand swing but I'm trying to improve it, and then I'll upload a new version of this song.

[rollingbass]

Wow! Its a little bit rock´n´roll Boogie. You have good timing. Keep those video coming!

[rounder2u]

Thanks Mr. Rollingbass!