DVD-Learn To Play Blues Piano #2

Starring:David Bennett Cohen
Studio: Homespun Tapes
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
David Cohen continues his expert instruction in blues piano, taking you beyond the beginner's level and firmly into intermediate territory. Again, the heart and soul of this lesson is in your ability to improvise, and David gives you all the tools you'll need to make up your own solos, completely by ear.

Starting his lesson with various kinds of "slow blues," the emotional and dramatic form that is the basis for so many great songs, David demonstrates variations in the basic chord progression as well as an array of bass lines, chord voicings, turnarounds and familiar-sounding riffs.

You'll then get into the "New Orleans Rumba," with its infectious rhythms and funk-based sounds made famous by Professor Longhair, Dr. John and many other Crescent City players.

Finally, David wraps up his instructional method with a rockin', straight-time boogie-woogie, giving you yet another blues format to add to your newly found repertoire.

Description

Get started playing authentic blues piano by ear! No music reading or previous piano experience is necessary. Within minutes you'll be playing a shuffle rhythm on the bass notes with your left hand and riffing on the treble notes with your right.

David Cohen is an expert player and teacher, and his step-by-step method is logically and carefully conceived. He systematically leads you through all the steps you'll need to play solid blues piano, whether as a soloist or as a member of a band.

The heart and soul of blues playing is in your ability to improvise, and there is no better way for a beginner to get started than with this superb instructional DVD. David imparts innumerable tips on style while showing you the scales, chord theory, turnarounds, endings and blues licks that will quickly make you a formidable player.

Homespun's overhead cameras give you a close-up, bird's eye view of everything that David plays, making his instruction easy to follow and user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll be able to sit down at the piano and play this exciting music.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent but requires some musical knowledge.......2007-02-19

Cohen uses a fair amount of musical terminology (like diminished chord, 6th chord, 7th chord, minor scale, major scale) and if you don't know those terms you're likely to feel lost. If you do have a basic grasp of musical terminology and theory, however, then you can use this DVD to learn some cool piano blues.

I've only been working on piano for a couple of months now, but this DVD helped me to learn some basic shuffles with the left hand and some of the less-challenging comps with the right hand, and it's enough to motivate me to work even harder to conquer the harder stuff. (Disclaimer: At this point I'm playing stuff very slowly, and chord changes and turnarounds are still pretty awkward and frequently flubbed. I don't want to make it sound like I've mastered anything. I'm just...on my way.)

Cohen moves fast and takes no prisoners, so be prepared to use the pause and rewind buttons a lot. He doesn't spend much time on any given topic, but his explanations are clear and helpful. I keep moving from the piano bench to the couch, playing then watching.

There's no secret magical formula here to make blues piano easier. It was quite a struggle for me to make that initial breakthrough, and I have a long, long way to go to be able to play smoothly and up to speed. But if you're determined and motivated, the material here is definitely enough to get you well on your way.

Recommended.......2007-02-14

I agree with the other reviews here, if you are not into sheet music you can learn from this very quickly especially if you already know something of the terminology of 1 3 5 7 and how it applies to your keyboard activity. My son is tinkling away as I write inspired each time he watches a bit more of the DVD.
My only criticism is that the overhead camera would be better about 10 or twenty degrees off to one side to give a better idea of the finger movement.
if not that then maybe lighting from the side to give some shadows for the same effect.

really quite nice.......2007-01-09

I've found this DVD well-suited to my learning style. It's oriented not around sheet music, but demonstration & explanation.

The presenter is personable, communicates well, and introduces some fun & interesting blues piano in a way that sends me dashing constantly back to the keyboard to try things out.

Great Learning Video (For those that play by ear).......2005-09-30

If you are like me and play by ear - this is an excellent learning video. A background in music theory will help you take this even further. Highly reccommended.

Highly recommend!.......2005-03-03

I have had no musical training and cannot read any notes yet after watching this DVD i can play these blues chords and notes. The instruction is so simple and practical. You will have to pause a few times to practice the notes and chords you just learned before going on to the next step. As he is teaching the camera will view down on the top of the piano and keys so you can see exactly what you are being taught and exactly where to place your fingers.. I think its a very helpful video and very fun!

Average customer rating:

DVD-Learn To Play Blues Piano #2
Starring: David Bennett Cohen
Manufacturer: Homespun Tapes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000624D0U
Release Date: 2004-09-01

Description

David Cohen continues his expert instruction in blues piano, taking you beyond the beginner's level and firmly into intermediate territory. Again, the heart and soul of this lesson is in your ability to improvise, and David gives you all the tools you'll need to make up your own solos, completely by ear.

You'll then get into the "New Orleans Rumba," with its infectious rhythms and funk-based sounds made famous by Professor Longhair, Dr. John and many other Crescent City players.

Finally, David wraps up his instructional method with a rockin', straight-time boogie-woogie, giving you yet another blues format to add to your newly found repertoire.

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