Play Piano Accompaniment Like Elton John
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Same chords. Totally different sound.
Take one of the most famous piano parts ever written. Most people play it one way. Elton plays it another, and it sounds completely different.
The first difference is so simple you could try it right now. Put an Eb in your left hand, keep it there, and play the chords on top. One note, and the whole thing sounds bigger.
That’s just the beginning. Elton’s accompaniment comes down to a three step system. Once you have it, you can drop just about any chord into it.
First, you’ll learn Elton’s chords, including the Bbadd2 that gives his sound so much color.
Then you’ll lock in the Elton engine, the one rhythm that drives the entire song.
Finally, you’ll add five of his signature techniques, like up and down arpeggios, gap hits, and the climb & fall fill that completely caught me by surprise.
There’s also a bonus lick at the end with some crunchy high chords.
You’ll walk away with an accompaniment that sounds like a finished record, not just someone playing chords.
Writer
Jonny May
Jonathan May is a pianist from Southern California who specializes in many styles of piano. At age eighteen, Jonny became the youngest pianist to perform at Disneyland. Each week he entertained thousands of guests with his arrangements of American classics and Disney songs. Jonny has also performed with the Youtube...
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