Billy Joel #1 - How To Play Piano Man Intro

[hopoflogg]

this is my favorite song. Thank you so much for helping me learn it!!!!! It took me like a week to get down to perfect but it was SO worth it! Thanks SO much!!!!

[pianojohn113]

@hopoflogg Good to know the video worked for you, and congrats on learning it. :-)

[mige1370]

thanks again john, now i can play the song completly,in my group. really helpme.you are a great musician !!!!

[pianojohn113]

@mige1370 That's great, glad it helped you!

[mige1370]

thanks !!!!! for your lesson ,great ! dont know your name but thanks again........

[pianojohn113]

@mige1370 You're very welcome, and the name is John! :-)

[PilottiSeba]

It's a great tutorial! Really help me! Seriuosly!

[pianojohn113]

@PilottiSeba Glad it worked for you!

[Thats350thanks]

Amazing tutorial mate.

[pianojohn113]

@Thats350thanks Thank you. :-)

[Mynamesuckstoo]

Never played piano before and I got the start nailed! Can't wait to finish the whole thing!

[pianojohn113]

@Mynamesuckstoo Cool! Keep up the good work!

[NinaisCRUNKwithAlice]

Where did you learn this from? I learned totally different!

[Cecidlsv]

Thank youuuuuuu, you're a fantastic pianist. Thank you very much for the video

[j0ej0nasrocks98]

I was successfull becoz of u.. Thx alot...

[TaylorShae95]

this is a really great piano tutorial! this is helping me out alot. this is the hardest song ive tried learning so far. but i like a challenge and im enjoying it! in the right hand im just haveing a trouble transitioning (in the begining) from g,c,e,g (c chord) to the g,b,e,g (g chord).. im kinda stuck there right now, but i think if i just practice the transition for a bit that i will get it eventually! thats the downfall to short fingers :) but thank you again! your a great pianist!

[pianojohn113]

@TaylorShae95 Keep working at it, you will get it. If you have trouble reaching all of the notes, leave off the top note on the RH and just play three of the four notes in the chord. Have fun!

[TaylorShae95]

@pianojohn113 thanks again :)

[SupaDrogs]

Haha amazing! I know how now, only problem is my hands are too small to reach the chords xD. Great tutorial anyway!

[pianojohn113]

@SupaDrogs That happens, so you can leave the octave notes off and just play single notes in the left hand, if that helps.

[musicandhearts23]

could you please please pplease do Captin Jack by Billy joel!!

[adawgmashmash]

Thank you! My friends are very impressed!

[pianojohn113]

@adawgmashmash That's great - keep up the good work!

[unicornlivesinbanff]

this is the first song i learned. my piano instructor was very amazed, since it was my first year of lessons. thanks!

[pianojohn113]

@unicornlivesinbanff Cool, congrats on learning it!

[Zenolijo]

Damn, thought it was easy at the beginning.

When the second hand came up after 5min, i got messed up totaly lol

[MultiTrombonePlayer]

You wouldn't happen to have digital sheet music for this, would you? I can never memorize songs, and I always confuse myself when I try to make anything on to my digital sheet music program. I'm really dedicated into learning this song, but I can never find sheet music for the piano only.

[pianojohn113]

@MultiTrombonePlayer I don't have the sheets for it, no, but if someone transcribes it for me, I'll be sure to let you know.

[nahjustkiddingnic]

Your videos are so down to earth and just quick and easy to jump into. Keep up the good work

[pianojohn113]

@nahjustkiddingnic Thanks, I appreciate it!

[Sarah25737]

Wonderful video. I don't how to read piano music and don't know that many chords, I just really remember where to put my hands and you make it kind of easy to play my favorite songs. I can play the intro cause of you, And it sounds amazing. Thank you. 

[pianojohn113]

@Sarah25737 Very glad it helped you out, Sarah, and congratulations on learning this one. Kudos to you!

[port753]

now i got harmonica to learn

[8kcht3]

Piano John you are awesome :P

[unowho3]

Thanks

[malayalamification]

If I have a harmonica, what chords do I play with my right hand if I my left hand plays the 3 notes as per your instruction (I plan to use a brace with the harmonica)? Thank you.

[pianojohn113]

@malayalamification The right hand would play exactly what it plays in the verse section, as if you were singing the part, but instead of singing it, you're substituting the harmonica.

[PianistKid09]

I remember watching this waay back in 2007 or 2008. I've never stopped playing it ever since, thank you :D

[pianojohn113]

@PianistKid09 Awesome, congratulations on keeping it going!

[UsAsiansEatRice]

sheet music would be great

[ilovefleetwoodmac]

Thank you so much! I had never even touched a keyboard before yesterday but I can already play this with ease... Billy & EJ are my idols. your videos are amazing! So thank ya :)

[pianojohn113]

@ilovefleetwoodmac Glad it worked for you! Enjoy. :-)

[Leeuwloek]

Help! :( I am stuck with the BGB / GBDG and the AFA / FEFEC. When do you play the A and the FA?

[pianojohn113]

@Leeuwloek Which section of the video is that? Let me know the time stamp and I'll be able to help you out a little better.

[heyitscory23]

Haha you sound like my theory teacher but you can actually teach.

[Jimmyprm44]

this helped me so mutch thx

[canuckss16]

@pianojohn113 Ok no worries, thanks for the reply

[canuckss16]

You don't happen to have the sheet music do you?

[unowho3]

What key is this song in?

[pianojohn113]

@unowho3  It's in the key of C.

[ThatThingByTheShed]

He sound like Cave Johnson to anyone? "I like a lotta notes! Sounds good!" Great tutorial anyways.

[meghanmarino]

this is an amazing tutorial. thank you so much.

[retardtothethirdprod]

Hello johnny! I Posted my own version of this song, thanks to you of course, hope you check it out!

[pianojohn113]

@retardtothethirdprod I just watched it, great job! I like how you added your own touches to the verses and the solo. Well done. :-)

[TheAlbinoboy19]

you sound like dan akryod

[jayhickeyjayhickey]

This is great!! The one thing I don't agree with is that you keep insisting that it is so important to play it exactly as Billy Joel wrote it. It's not necessarily a bad thing to make some changes or to add a little of your own style to it. Even Billy Joel himself mixes it up a little when he plays it live sometimes.

[pianojohn113]

@jayhickeyjayhickey I'm not sure that I insist that they play it exactly the way Billy plays it, I'm just showing how it's done on the record. It's always important to add your own touch to it, so I do encourage people to do that. You need to keep the essential elements of the song, but adding your own touch is also necessary.

[NoDestinyLive4Now]

Love this! Thanks @pianojohn113!!! Brilliant! How long did it take you to learn this? But then I'm an "absolute beginner" haha

[pianojohn113]

@NoDestinyLive4Now Glad you liked it, thanks. I think it took me a few weeks to get it just right, but that was many years ago!

[adrian101z]

Thank you so much :D

[pianojohn113]

@adrian101z You're very welcome. 

[tripp1123]

Who the hell dislikes this video?

[LTDproduction]

You are awesome John. You do the songs how they are PLAYED by the artists. No shortcuts. That's the way to go! Keep it up

[pianojohn113]

@LTDproduction Very glad you liked it, thanks. :-)

[jnannie1]

Whoever disliked this video, is a JERK! I dont see any reason why ANYONE would even consider disliking...

[NOseargent]

Looking forward to be able to play this one. Thanks a lot.

[baileaf08]

this is great man. thank you so much for this video.

[NNGD94]

I love your tutorial, I have always wanted to play this song the way Billy Joel plays it. But is there anywhere I can find the sheet music for this? :)

[pianojohn113]

@NNGD94 There are sheets out there, but most of them have glaring errors or leave out notes. You might try the Billy Joel Keyboard Book, which as I recall had a pretty good transcription.

[1dgkonig]

this song is in 3/4 time?

[pianojohn113]

@1dgkonig Yes, 3/4 time.

[SirFrankoman]

This is one of my fathers favorites songs, and we were listening to it and I told him I'd learn it on piano for him. He didn't believe me. It took me about 2 minutes to learn the intro rif alone from this video, which would have taken me probably half an hour to learn by ear. Coming from an advanced piano player, you are an excellent teacher and it is much appreciated. THankyou :)

[pianojohn113]

@SirFrankoman Very glad it helped! Congrats on learning this one so quickly.

[TheAlphaWolfer]

I was wondering what kind of piano you have. I own a keyboard but would like to purchase a real piano without spending huge amounts of money! If you have any advice i would love to hear it

[pianojohn113]

@TheAlphaWolfer  It's a Boston GP-163. Acoustic pianos are best, as opposed to digital keyboards, but they tend to be more expensive. You can often get a good deal on a used piano, so you might check local estate sales or want ads for people who are trying to unload theirs.

[Majopiano]

Thank you very much.

[Majopiano]

So what are the intro chords if you have a harmonica?

[pianojohn113]

@Majopiano You play it the same way as if you were singing it, just play the harmonica in place of the lyrics. The pattern on how to play that is on my next video in the series, How To Play Piano Man, Main Part.

[ChuiGumIII]

Thanks Man... Your AWESOME!!! =D

[muan4muan]

thanx 4 making me a "PIANOBOY"!!!!!

[TheGLOBETROTTER101]

thanks



[CLutChProDigYrap]

THANK U SOO MUCH  ur teaching=pure awesomenessocity

[pianojohn113]

@CLutChProDigYrap  lol, thanks. :-)

[poples20]

love it it is easy to under stand

[MonsterManFilms]

Thanks for showing me how to play this song! 

[pianojohn113]

@MonsterManFilms You did a great job with the performance, congratulations! Feel free to post your video as a response to my Piano Man tutorial videos.

[Massacyre]

Thanks to you and your parts of the tutorials I know how to play piano man quite well now. The only problem is the solo. I just cant do it fast enough to sound right, my fingers all get muddled up. But thanks for all your help anyway

[pianojohn113]

@Massacyre Yes, the solo is tricky, and takes some work and patience.. it will come to you at some point, though, so don't give up. :-)

[JacobWergerTV]

you sound like charlie from outsourced

[bassNvocals]

First, I love the pace of your video tutorials. It's not too slow or too fast...just right for me. No unnecessary yapping, plus you'll put a graphic up showing the notes you're playing. Nice! I also like that you play the whole lesson through as a short demo. These are the BEST tutorials for any instrument that I've found on youtube. Thank you so much!!! Second, I love that you show us how it's played on the recording or at least note when you've deviated from the recording. Awesome job!

[pianojohn113]

@bassNvocals Thanks very much, I appreciate the kind words! Glad the vids have worked for you.

[666Sinned666]

plzzzz i really want a music piece of this~~~

[Adam54545454]

Does anyone else have the music only come in through one speaker?

[FabianLatinoX]

Thank you maestro, you always do the very best of each song.

I'm learning to play this song,when I can play it, I will show it on youtube, i would be proud if you take a chance to have a look to it.

Thank you again.

[pianojohn113]

@FabianLatinoX Yes, let me know when you post it, I'd love to see it.

[Tigertwixy]

Thank you so much :D I bought the sheet music but it didn't have this on it, your instructions were really clear and helpful :D Thank you!!!!! :P

[oCrunkMonkeyo]

wow, this is incredibly well put together, you really know your stuff man! Thanks.

[KingLeonTheFirst]

@pianojohn113 I gotta question about the intro, when you do the first piano roll with Bb B and C, can you play the Bb with your index finger then thumb B then middle finger C, so you don't have to use the little space higher up the keys? I dont take lessons, and I found this way works. Is that acceptable, is it still a "roll"?

[pianojohn113]

@KingLeonTheFirst Absolutely, you can do it that way.. I use fingering that's most comfortable for me, and you should do the same, any way that works best for you. There are some "rules" for fingering among classical pianists, but I ignore them all the time!

[lukerobin01]

@pianojohn113 Haha, tell me about it. That's why I gave up piano lessons. I was sick of you have to stick that finger there and you've got to sit in a certain posture. I've learned loads more watching youtube vids, saved me a load of money and most importantly FEEL the music which apparantly is something you can't do during lessons. I guess rock fans and classical pianists don't always mix :D

[bripirie]

Thanks so much for the time you took to make and share this. Excellent, excellent instruction - I feel I've learned more about music and piano from your tutorial on this one song, than I learned in 6 years of classical piano training. Thanks!

[SSuperCuriouss]

Such a great clear and "patient" teacher. Thanks.. I will prob watch this a million times to get it, but I'm up for it ! :)

[scottman77]

John, if I am playing the intro with my harmonica what are the corresponding chords I am supposed to play with my right hand? Thanks so much for your videos!

[pianojohn113]

@scottman77  The best thing to do if you have the harmonica is to play the chords by themselves, mirroring the way you play them during the singing parts. In other words, instead of singing, you're playing the harmonica part, and accompanying yourself with the chords.

[gmwayand]

We love this version of Piano Man. Thank you for taking the time to do this, it has sparked interest with my son. He has been playing the piano for 6 yrs. and we were wondering if you have located sheet music for this.

[pianojohn113]

@gmwayand That's great, I'm glad your son enjoys this song. I don't have any sheets for my version here, but there is a very good transcription of the original in the Billy Jeol Keyboard Book.

[TheRoyalBreton]

Piano John, Thank you so much. I've been taught piano from age 6 to about 10. I'm 14 now, and I've forgotten how to read music efficiently. Thanks to you, I've learned some of my favorite beatles' tunes and this song. I appreciate it alot because you've allowed me to keep playing and learning without the need for sheet music. I owe about 80% of my piano skill today to you. Thanks again! you rock man.

[pianojohn113]

@TheRoyalBreton Very glad the videos have helped you.. good to know you enjoy the same songs I do, especially at the young age of 14. Congrats!

[Faceman900]

very helpful. now all I need is a harmonica holder so I can play the harmonica part after the intro.

[pianoman129]

Thank you so much Piano John, I am not a talented pianist in the slightest, but thanks to your videos I have been able to sound like one! This song has been my ultimate goal, and I have decided to sit down and learn it. Thankks so much!!!

[pengwen44]

My hands arent big enough!

[pianogirl144]

You are a realllly good teacher. I started playing piano last year and thanks to you people have recently been asking how long i have been taking lessons. I just smile and say that I never have :) Me and my brother love playing this song now! :) I also made a wire hanger into a harmonica holder so i could play both parts at once haha :)

[pianojohn113]

@pianogirl144 That's great! Nice job learning the songs, congratulations to you. You are very resourceful with the wire hanger for a harmonica holder, I like that! Keep up the good work on the piano!

[jymjacob]

Good vid

Liked how u stuck to billys way

[Dudiez]

My hands are too small T_T

[rogersbud]

Thanks so much Piano John! I'm a beginner and I learned to play this song from your tutorials. I had to dumb things way down and it required a lot of practice. If you’re interested, I posted it. Hard to find it - rogersbud piano man cover with vocals.

Thanks again!

BTW - I sure would love to play Rockin' Pneumonia or Gone at Last if you should be inclined to post.

[pianojohn113]

@rogersbud I just saw it, I really enjoyed it. You've got nice chops with the harmonica too!

[rachelbee3]

@pianojohn113

Thank you sooo much for responing! I will check every so often for updates... keep up the great work!!

[rachelbee3]

pianojohn, my daughter is learning piano man from your youtube tutorial. Do you have the sheet music for your arrangement of piano man? we saw that you provided free sheet music for your ny state of mind tutorial and thought you might provide piano man sheet music too.

[pianojohn113]

@rachelbee3 Hi rachelbee - I don't actually have the sheets for this one, at least not yet. The transcriptions were done by another user who does them when time allows or when the mood hits, so I'm not sure if or when Piano Man will be posted. I believe it will be up here at some point, but I don't know exactly when that will be. Feel free to check back with me every so often for updates, though!

[muzicluva0]

your tutorials are THE BEST i love you soooo much for all of your tutorials

[fishkllr]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! it is rare that one finds a very thorough tutorial!

thank you!

[Magg0t4Lif3]

Great video. Definately easier to comprehend than online piano tabs.

[Bagpipe2009]

he said: "filled it in..." hehehe...hehehhe...hehhehehheh­e.... dude .... btw great tutorial

[emmanuellagrace]

who on earth could possibly dislike this? What is wrong with these people? THANK YOU FOR THE CLEAR TUTORIAL! WELL DONE!

[MultiVladimir12]

HE! i can play it now ! look on my channel or /watch?v=HFBP5g1IZvk

Thanks :D

[gamesonthepc]

@MultiVladimir12 Great dude!

[dtjesus101]

Any way you feel comfortable you say??? How rude!

[0abc21]

your voice is very rude and harsh

[pianojohn113]

@0abc21 No it isn't.

[TheGreatRakatan]

@0abc21 your response is very trollish

[denden66]

Thanks for the tutorial! The Billy Joel book has a stupid simple version that you cannot sing to. You make learning piano easy.

[TaylorKinsley]

Thanks so much. This is my Dad's favourite song and I've always wanted to learn it.

[KillerHam007]

this is a great tuturial!!! thank you

[DxvidXdmtv]

just 3 words for you: YOU ARE AWESOME

[lbiejalkdf]

thanks a lot!

[PianoGirlLovesMusic2]

I have the one that has 62 songs from Billy Joel.

[BergmanMusic]

First thing in the morning I will start learning this piece of art!

[PianoGirlLovesMusic2]

hey is there a book i can buy that has the exact same way that billy joel plays the intro? i bought one but doesnt have the intro the same way.

[pianojohn113]

@PianoGirlLovesMusic2  I believe the Billy Joel Keyboard Book, published by Hal Leonard, has the intro in it.

[anishinaabe]

could you do a vid for movin out? I bought a subscription to "webpianoteacher" and a lot of what's on there are only parts of songs.

[pianojohn113]

@anishinaabe I should have "Movin' Out" posted soon, yes.

[Joseph88keyz]

lol..I couldnt figure that intro out to save my life. thanks!!  :)

[Bmastertjuh]

I've never played piano before and now I can play till 4.00 :D

[ghuffnaglee]

Great video keep it up!

[smaidi94]

do you happen to have all of this as sheet music?

[greblerfamily]

Thanks for the tutorial it's been great. I've spent a few weeks on this piece but it's really starting to come together. I do have a question - when Billy Joel plays this in concert, he plays a little prelude to it - do you know what it is and if so, it would be great to get a little tutorial on it.

Thanks again for the great tutorial

[pianojohn113]

@greblerfamily Glad you liked it. I've heard that prelude he plays, it's very nice.. I think he has a few different versions of it. I'll try to find one and post something.

[salo586]

oye tu video esta muy bien pero se traba al reproducirlo de nuevo pero muy bueno me gusta la cancion :)

[Zodion89]

and how do i play it if i do have a person on harmonica?

[pianojohn113]

@Zodion89 You can just play the chords the same way that you do on the verse, without the melody notes on top.

[Zodion89]

@pianojohn113 i dont understand, i dont play piano that long so.

[pianojohn113]

@Zodion89 Take a look at my tutorial video of the main part of the song, and where I show how to play the verses.. that's how you would play it. Just substitute the harmonica for the part where you'd be singing.

[BasSOAD]

How have you placed your camera when you film playing piano? Can't find a good way to put the camera like that.. Pls answer ; )

[pianojohn113]

@BasSOAD I have a special stand that I use which fits over the piano, and the camera is placed in a small slot. It doesn't allow for much movement of the camera, but it works fairly well for my purposes.

[alexanada1]

@BasSOAD

[BasSOAD]

@alexanada1 mkay?

[roppinHD]

Another very helpful tutorial, can you give tell me where i can find the sheet music for this?

[pianojohn113]

@roppinHD There are a few sheets available online, I don't know how many of them include the intro, though.

[randomvids224]

I'm amazed at how well you can play this.... :) great tutorial!

[MTK4000]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial, sounds great! I'm trying to get back into the piano so I transcribed this to sheet music and am practicing it. Meanwhile I have to figure out how to get my bass voice up to G4...

[pianojohn113]

@MTK4000 This song is very hard on the voice.. even Billy Joel has lowered it a full step to sing it now. :-)

[Harfang407]

@MTK4000 Hey MTK4000, any way you can share the sheet for this part? I'm trying to get it into Sibelius, but it's not exactly an easy thing to do? Would be great !

[jspunkify]

Love your teaching style any way to incorporate some country classic piano songs please....IE. Last DATE, Crazy, beat me daddy eight to the bar etc...

[alonaefr]

Can I find somewere free notes of this?

Great post!

Thank you!

[tonus888]

Thanks mate , awesome, will practice this

[Shmoo95]

Thanks for the great tutorials. Is it possible for you to do a tutorial on Thunder Road? Thanks

[AWSUMUSctwa]

Learning to play this actually made this my favorite song. Thanks for posting these videos.

[zetomesq]

Thank you, John. This isn't just one of my all time favorites but also one of the songs which make me want to learn to play the piano.

[pianojohn113]

@zetomesq Glad you liked it. I hope you do decide to learn piano.. the world needs more musicians.

[zetomesq]

@pianojohn113 I should have written "MADE me..." - I finally took the plunge last January. That's why I found you and several other piano teachers here... Alas, I haven't practised as much as I should, so I haven't made a lot of progress yet...

[acromatis]

An entire train car on their way to the Rally to Restore Sanity singing Piano Man by Billy Joel. Truly an awesome video, it's the most recent upload on my page. You should really watch it.

[pianojohn113]

@acromatis I just saw it, what a cool spontaneous performance! Would love to have been there.

[jlubez]

excellent videos, i've been trying to figure this out for a while, i was actually pretty close. Your videos are great man i was forced to take lessons for a wile and hated it, but this is great. I even stopped playing for a while until i saw my friend play this song when i was inspired. Turns out he learned it from these videos! Much appreciation.

[pianojohn113]

@jlubez Very glad to have helped you out, and good to know you're playing again.. I hated lessons too, btw! :-)

[Aktof]

Great stuff man! Thank you very much for being a great teacher and giving us a awesome learning tool!

[pianojohn113]

@Aktof  No problem!

[raffaelegr]

there is no SOUND!!!!!! I CANNOT HEAR ANYTHING