How Insensitive Tutorial
‘How Insensitive’ was written by Antonio Jobim who was one of the main exponents of the Bossa Nova movement in 1950s Brazil.
We are going to 3 separate arrangements for the tune incorporating a variety of bossa nova styles.
Firtly, we will just play through the chord changes in a ballad feel. In part 2 we introduce some left hand devices to give the tune more energy.
The final section of this tutorial is the most challenging where we will combine all of the elements of Bossa Nova into a solo piano performance.
An interesting point to note is that Jobim was strongly influenced by Chopin’s prelude Opus 28 #4 when he composed How Insensitive.
If you have studied any 19^th^ century classical music or romanticism… you will most likely have come across the composer Frederic Chopin.
The main difference is the melody line, in Chopin’s prelude, the melody line follows the E Minor Scale, and in Jobim’s ” ‘How Insensitive’, the melody line follows the D Minor Scale.
Related Lessons
We examine the components of both the right and left hand and explore the interplay between the drums, the bass lines, and harmony.
In part 2 of this tutorial on “Embraceable You”, we focus on the second half of the form. We create bigger voicings to add a sense of climax and finale.
Widely quoted as one of Gershwin’s finest compositions, the harmony and melody is challenging with unusual changes and large leaps in the melody.
Practice Tips
- First, learn the tune's melody.
- Next, familiarize yourself with the underlying harmony.
- Then, split the harmony between the hands.
- Finally, incorporate the melody into your arrangement.
