Beegie Adair Style
Welcome to the final lesson in our module on left hand stride piano technique. In this lesson we analyse the techniques that Beegie Adair is using in her solo piano rendition of ‘Body & Soul’.
All of the concepts and ideas that we have covered in the previous lessons are reflected in Beegie Adair’s solo piano stride style. Beegie Adair also has her own stylistic nuances such as left hand 10th intervals and chord melodies that we will explore in this lesson.
Left Hand 10th Voicings
We introduce the new left hand figure of playing 10th intervals in the lower registers instead of the single bass note that we used in the previous lessons.
Playing 10ths in the left hand creates a fuller sound compared to single notes especially when combined with right hand octaves and chord melodies.
Beegie Adair also adds a subtle ‘roll’ or quick arpeggiation to the left hand 10th intervals which creates a ‘drum like quality’ to the left hand accompaniment.
Octave Chord Melody
‘Chord melodies’ are a characteristic element of Beegie Adair’s right hand style when playing solo piano. A ‘chord melody’ is when the right hand melody line is voiced in octaves – similar to the drills in our previous lessons – and the chord tones of the underlying harmony are added inside of the octave melody line.
When playing in this style, the right hand is effectively playing both a chord and the melody line at the same time, which is why this technique is referred to as ‘chord melodies’.
Lesson Downloads
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Beegie Adair Style Stride File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
Beegie Adair’s playing is one of my main inspirations for ballad. Her fills are tasteful and beautiful, but also very simple at the same time.
In this lesson we explore a secret ingredient to Beegie Adair’s captivating solo piano performances; the use of sus chords.
When we play 10th intervals in our left hand it creates a strong foundation which frees up the right hand for melodic decoration.
Practice Tips
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Isolate the left hand to practice and refine the stride style with 10th intervals instead of a single note bass pattern. The left hand 10ths are optional and can be alternated with the single notes that we covered previously.
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Similar to the previous lessons, work on small chunks of the A section and cycle around them before playing the A section in its entirety. This makes our practice time more focused and manageable. In particular, isolate the 4th bar which is tricky to play (see chapter 4 of the video).
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Isolate the right hand chord melodies and try to visualise the chord tones within the right hand octaves. There is no 'set-in-stone' rule for which tones to include, but try to achieve a balanced spread of notes between the octaves.
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Chord extensions and alterations can also be used in the right hand chord melodies. For example, in bar 7 we apply a chord melody over the Eb-7 which includes the extensions 9th and 11th (Db major triad over E- triad in left hand), and then we have an Ab7 chord with the #5th inside the right hand octaves.
Hi, some idea about when the course will finish. (I’m talking about the part not recorded yet of course)?
Hi Niko,
Yes it will be ready as soon as possible. I’m currently planning the lessons and demonstrations.
You might like to tune into this seminar later this month where we will explore Beegie Adair style fills: https://www.pianogroove.com/live-seminars/beegie-adair-style-runs-fills/ – you can add to your calendar on the page.
Also here’s a related seminar which covers the tune “Body & Soul” in a different style: https://www.pianogroove.com/live-seminars/solo-jazz-piano-secrets/ – this is an alternative stride style to the one that we cover in this course which I think you will enjoy.
Talk soon,
Hayden
ps. you can also find many related lessons on stride style by using the search box: https://www.pianogroove.com/?s=stride
Hi Hayden,
At the end of the Beegie Adair portion of the Body and Soul piece, you mentioned more coursework on the bridge section, etc. Is that available? (I am not sure how to find it). Thanks!
Hi Amy,
I’m currently working on the next modules of this course which focus on the bridge section, an improv module, and also a more ‘laid back’ cocktail piano style for playing the entire song.
I recorded the first lesson on the bridge section yesterday and I sent it to our video editor and asked him to edit it as a priority and so I imagine it will be ready in a day or 2. I will add this lesson to the course as soon as it’s ready and reply to you here so that you are notified.
I’m working on the rest of the course now so the remaining lessons will be ready this month. I will also cover this tune in my seminar on the 29th where we explore Beegie Adair’s harmony over the bridge section, you can add that seminar to your calendar here: https://www.pianogroove.com/live-seminars/beegie-adair-harmony-improv/
As soon as the bridge lesson is ready I will notify you, and more lessons to follow shortly too.
Talk soon,
Hayden
Hey Amy,
I have added the first lesson on the B Section, you can find it here: https://www.pianogroove.com/jazz-piano-lessons/b-section-basic-voicings/
I’m working on the next lessons which introduce more advanced harmony. In the interim, familiarise yourself with the basic chord changes and modulations and work on playing through the tune in its entirety.
The B Section is tricky and takes some practice to get our fingers around the modulations and key changes.
I created a new module on the course page called “Adding The B Section” and more lessons will be added here shortly.
Talk soon,
Hayden