The Maestro Online
High Hopes by Panic At The Disco Piano Cover Pop Piano Lesson
Contemporary Pop Piano Lesson
Here’s another Pop Piano Online teaser, hoping that you might seek booking some lessons of your own! This time we are exploring High Hopes by Panic at the Disco.
Making Piano Music from the Page
How often do you love a song and get the sheet music only to find that the printed piano part is actually nowhere near as exciting as the original song? Well, that’s the art of the piano cover – taking the printed dots and bringing them to life. There’s three possibilities considered here that can make a real difference and make your piano cover sound far more exciting so that you don’t Panic at the Disco too much!
Piano Left Hand Chords and Rests
Firstly, don’t be shy of rests in the left hand! Punchy chords can be very effective and there’s no need to fill every beat with sound. Sometimes a constant wall of sound has a lack of character.
Blues notes and 7th chords on the Piano
Secondly, don’t be afraid to add blues notes and 7ths or other non-harmony notes to create your own ‘colour’ and cover with the musical flavours that you enjoy.
Wide Pitch Range, Use the Whole Piano
Texturally, create a wider tessitura (range). Using high and mid pitches with the right hand whilst emphasising octaves in the left hand makes the whole piece far more exciting. The contrast and rapid movement between different registers creates a more dynamic performance.
Rhythmic Drive
Find a strong rhythmic character that you can add. The lack of drum kit in a piano solo can mean that a different or extra rhythmic drive is needed to create character.
If you enjoyed these tips and this video, think about booking online lessons.
Robin is ex no. 1 in UK charts and 33 globally for putting jazzy twists on the pop piano. All lessons are holistic, engraining theory, improvisation and connecting with the soul. He has extensive experience as a workshop provider, teacher, lecturer and performer.
https://www.the-maestro-online.com/pianolanding
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Currently offering 25% Off for New Pupils
Gospel Piano Chord Progressions, Chord Voicings, Flicks and Textures
You probably play pop piano or gospel piano very well either at home, in a band, or accompanying a singer or choir, or you are song writing. You might be taking advanced (Grades 5-8 or diploma) pop piano exams, or simply be a huge pop or gospel piano fan! Where do you find the insight to take a simple song and make it the most amazing, sophisticated arrangement that you could ever imagine? If you want your pop piano playing to sound really polished and be very personalised thanks to an astonishing pop pianist and songwriter, then this piano masterclass course is for you.
What's in this Pop Gospel Piano Masterclass?
Using "Uphold Me" by The Winans, Howard Francis will absolutely transform your playing. You will be able to make all of your favourite songs sound truly rich and exciting.
- Chord moves (journeys from one chord to another)
- Gospel ii-V-Is
- Gospel imperfect cadences
- Adding 9ths
- Left hand 5th and 10th voicings
- Flicks
- Bass anticipations
- Bass bounce
- Tenor quirks
You will apply Howard’s techniques to create your own rich pop-Gospel piano arrangements of:
- Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary
- One Love by Bob Marley
- RESPECT by Aretha Franklin
- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, also in the Angry Birds Movie as sung by Demi Lovato.
Or Gospel classics such as:
- O When The Saints
- Amazing Grace
- Down by the Riverside
- Joyful Joyful
Who is the Famous Pop & Gospel Pianist, Howard Francis?
Howard Francis was born into a Pentecostal Church background, full of exuberant music. His West Indian parents brought Reggae, Ska and Gospel into his life from day one.
He began to play by ear. He used to wait until his dad went out and play tapes/cassettes on his dad’s beatbox. He listened to Robbie Vincent, a huge soul artist, whilst his parents listened to Jim Reeves and Pat Boone. He was also into jazz funk.
The piano was kept in the family living room but in Howard’s early days the children weren’t allowed in the living room. Eventually, dad let him into the living room. Howard literally worked out to play what he had heard. He played along with his favourite tracks, always working the melody out first. He always felt that the piano was a tool as a songwriter.
His first big breaks came when he joined the London Community Gospel Choir in the 1980s as a singer. Eventually, he wrote a few songs for LCGC and became their main songwriter. Eventually people in the crowds recommended him to others and this led to him playing for Gloria Gaynor, Terence Trent Derby, Westlife, Will Young and many others. Howard’s most successful songs include ‘Perfect Harmony’, ‘I Will Wait’ and ‘True Praises’.
There are 2 highlights to Howard’s career. He has played for the UK Queen twice: once playing with LCGC and on another occasion, on keys, with Will Young and a 64 piece orchestra orchestra. Secondly, Andraé Crouch came over for Songs of Praise and Howard was his accompanist.
Howard has toured the globe with superstar acts including Will Young and Ireland’s biggest pop export Westlife on their 2007 ‘The Love Tour’ in support of their chart-topping album of the same name.
Howard co-founded the Big Sing with his wife Gemma and this is their giving back to the community. They started one Saturday as a 6 week project and started with 45 members that first week. At the end of the 6 weeks, the choir wanted them to continue. They now have satellite choirs and over 600 members.
Today you are likely to hear Howard with anyone from Alexander O’Neal to Mica Paris, Blue, Five, Gloria Gaynor, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Alesha Dixon and Des’ree, all of whom have sought his talents on stages and in studios as pianist, vocalist or Hammond meister at some stage of their illustrious careers.
Howard’s top tips for keys players include being diligent with what you want to do. He advises you to play the song as you want to play it because you never know who is listening to you. The industry is tough, but Howard believes that there is enough space for everybody. Howard seeks to do the best he can do all the time, he practices hard, he learns the song and most importantly he learns the character of each song.
What are Our Music Masterclasses Like?
Our music masterclass courses are self-study digital courses embedded with information, many include interactive music software (scores), exercises, objectives, tasks, progress tracking, teaching pedagogy and videos of celebrities and international level musicians explaining and demonstrating key skills. Certificates are awarded at the end of each course.
Our community is also evolving and we have a chat feature so that you can contact us whenever you need help and can make other musical friends.
- Thorough Musicianship: Creativity, improvisation, ear training integrated with popular and classical tunes to help you gain musical freedom.
- Unique Learning Journey: Tailored methodology emphasising improvisation and ear skills first, with notation to support.
- Certification: Clear objectives, tasks, and light-hearted quizzes leading to downloadable certificates.
- Gamification: League tables for frequent log ins and certificate points.
- Interactive Software: Connect visuals and sound with creativity.
- Human Touch: Engage with our team, request specific courses, and receive personalised support.
- Flexible Learning: Low monthly fees, cancel anytime, learn in the comfort of your home (no travelling!) and at your own pace.
- Personalised Experience: Tailored support and bespoke courses available.
- All Levels: Diverse range of courses, masterclasses & 1-1 lessons are tailored for all skill levels. Perfect for adult and teenage pianists, university and conservatoire students, music therapists and home schoolers.
A Quick Look at a Typical Masterclass Course
Sample Interactive Score
Course Dashboard with Chat, Progress and Points
Click to Buy £19.99 One-Off Payment
Click to Subscribe to All Masterclasses
(over £2000 of content included)
