Tag Archives: portland

Video – Randy Newman Sings and Plays Piano – Song From Toy Story

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Randy Newman playing acoustic piano and singing “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from the movie “Toy Story”. This video was recorded live at the Macworld convention in 2008. The song is about two of the film’s characters Woody and Andy, and their strong friendship. Randy Newman, as always, does a great job in delivering a clear message in his song, along with his special vocal style and keyboard playing.

As a piano teacher, here in Portland, I also work with students who are learning to accompany voice with their piano playing, as well as learning composing and songwriting. I often use songs like this to use as examples of how to work with a strong foundation of melody and chord structure to build a song that is memorable, well written, and to the point.

Randy Newman grew up in Southern, California where he began taking piano lessons when he was 6. After moving to in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of only 17, Newman started his illustrious career as a songwriter. His influences include blues and gospel, the music he loved when growing up. His songs, many of them controversial, often take the form of a parody of individuals who are socially intolerant, such as his song “Short People”.

For decades, Randy Newman has been making music, singing and writing about the culture around him. He has composed music for numerous films, including “Ragime”, “Toy Story”, “The Natural”, “Maverick”, “Awakenings”, and “Bean”. Newman’s inspiring film scores and songs have earned him awards from the Academy Awards, Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy organizations. The world of American music has been greatly influenced by Randy Newman’s music.

more about Randy Newman

piano solo sweet georgia brown oscar peterson piano lessons portland

Video – Amazing Piano Solo Sweet Georgia Brown in Oscar Peterson Style

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Here is an amazing piano solo of “Sweet Georgia Brown” played by Gyuri Villas. This piano style is very much like Oscar Peterson, and includes some nice Art Tatum elements.

This is a high level example of piano mastery by a very good player. Learning to play Jazz can be challenging. At my piano studio, here in Portland, students taking piano lessons or keyboard lessons who are interested in learning improvisation can get a good start by learning Blues Improvisation. Blues is a much simpler and easier style to learn than Jazz and includes many of the same basic concepts of jazz. I’ve taught Blues Piano to many students who are just starting out. It’s great fun, very exciting, and fairly easy to learn.

Beginner Piano Lessons and Keyboard in Portland OR – Fun For All Ages

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Learning to play piano is a skill you’ll enjoy for many years. People who play piano find it a rewarding and inspiring experience. Piano lessons will motivate and challenge you to learn the skills to understand music in a special way. The best way to learn to play piano or keyboards is with private, individual piano lessons.

My students range in age from 4 years up to over 80. Children and adults get to work on the kinds of music that is perfect for them to play. You can learn to read music, play by ear, improvisation, accompanying voice, theory, and lots more. Learn to play classical, popular, blues, jazz, new age, and folk music. Learning to play piano will give you a chance to express your creativity and individuality. It’s also a great way to feel a strong sense of achievement. My studio is a supportive environment in which to learn to play piano. Students get to learn at a comfortable rate. I use a modern, effective, and personal approach to teaching and make the lessons relaxed and stress-free. Call to find out more about lessons.

Norm Zarr
503-253-8021

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Video – Abdullah Ibrahim Plays Jazz Piano – Lugano Jazz Festival 1999

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This is a wonderful video of Abdullah Ibrahim playing “Cape Town Flower” from the Lugano Jazz Festival, recorded in Lugano, Switzerland in 1999. His trio playing in this recording is superb, and they are one of the very best groups he has performed with. I love listening to Abdullah Ibrahim. He is a superb pianist and composer. His music is so diversified, with major influences from his native Cape Town, South Africa, and more from musicians from all over the world. His playing is a rich composite of elements from Jazz, Blues, and Ethnic African music.

Born in 1932 in Cape Town, South Africa, Abdullah Ibrahim began his musical journey early on. He was eager to take piano lessons at the age of 7. He studied recordings of Jazz music brought over by American sailors. His professional career began in 1949. He later moved to Europe, New York City, and then back to Cape Town for a while.

Much of his music revolves around musical memories from his childhood. Distinct features of African, Gospel, and Blues, are the foundation of his unique Jazz sound. Thelonius Monk and Duke Ellington were strong contributors to the sound he has created.

Learning to play improvisation has much to do with listening to and hearing what other musicians have done. I teach piano in Portland, Oregon. When my piano students express an interest in studying Jazz or Blues Piano, I often suggest Abdullah Ibrahim as someone to study. His music is accessible compared to most mainstream Jazz. Piano students will find it easier to understand. Abdullah Ibrahim has recorded many albums, and has contributed immensely to the world of Jazz piano history.

Some of Abdullah Ibrahim Best Albums
Banyana
Anatomy Of A South African Village
African Sun
African Suite – For Trio And String Orchestra
African Marketplace
African Magic
Africa – Tears And Laughter
African Dawn

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Video – Boogie Woogie Blues Piano by Silvan Zingg

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Here’s a video of Silvan Zingg and his band playing his composition “Silvan’s Night Train Trip”. Enzo Muci is on Bass and Michel Denis on drums. This is a very typical Boogie Woogie style. Silvan Zingg is a Swiss pianist, specializing in Boogie Woogie, Blues and Jazz. In 2002 he created the International Boogie Woogie festival located in Lugano, Switzerland. Zingg was born in a musical family and was already playing piano before he started school. He has performed all over the world, having given his first concert at the age of 18. He has performed with Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, B.B.King, Michel Petrucciani, and many other artists.

Blues Piano is very popular today. At my piano lessons studio, here in Portland, many of my students love learning to play Blues Piano. Students who have basic reading and playing skills can learn to play Blues on piano or keyboard. We start with the basics of a 12 bar blues, the chord progression and the blues scale. Although there is sheet music of blues songs, our focus is to learn to play blues completely by ear. We do this by listening to blues, working on developing good melodies and rhythmic elements, and trying out different improvisational techniques. I provide all the direction. Students only need to play and have fun. Blues can be played on either an acoustic piano or keyboard. Compared to the time it takes to master classical music, players can start sounding very good playing blues in much less time.

There are many styles of Blues Piano, including Boogie Woogie, Swing, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Roll, New Orleans, Barrelhouse, and Chicago. Most blues is played in a 12 bar pattern, although there are variations using 16 bars and even styles of blues waltz in 3/4 time.

Here are some well known traditional blues artists:

Albert Ammons
Leroy Carr
Ray Charles
James Crutchfield
Charles “Cow Cow” Davenport
Blind John Davis
Fats Domino
Champion Jack Dupree
Cecil Gant
Dr John
Henry Gray

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