Piano Lessons and Sheet Music

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Right Place Wrong Time

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This week, irocku is heading down the Mississippi River to New Orleans for a plate full of gumbo, crawfish and hush-puppies; all of which are smothered in the musical spices of a true original, Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack Jr., aka, Dr. John. read more »

Born and raised in the 'Big Easy’, Dr. John has been the undisputed ambassador of the New Orleans sound for over 40 years. Dr. John is a legendary figure whose live concert performances include outrageous costumes, flamboyant headdresses, and voodoo ceremonies; all elements of the bayou culture he grew up with. His musical sound is a unique blend of R&B, Zydeco, jazz , blues, and rock. Heavily influenced by Professor Longhair, Dr. John has left an indelible imprint on the American musical scene, with 26 studio albums, 5 Grammy's and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dr. John remains the heart and soul of any Mardi-Gras celebration. Our lesson this week takes us to the song, "Right Place, Wrong Time" from the 1973 album, "In the Right Place". Produced by the legendary, Allen Toussaint, and including the equally important backing band, The Meters, "Right Place, Wrong Time" is considered to be Dr. John's signature song. With a New Orleans flavored funk backbone immersed in R&B foundations, "Right Place, Wrong Time" is elevated to further funk greatness with the smooth soulful vocals of Dr. John; a vocal style unmatched in the musical world. The song deals with a 'cat' (a phrase that refers to a dude, bro, or male person) who just can't get it right. Even though he thinks he is doing everything right, everything turns out wrong. When you’re in a funk like that the music must be funky as well, and "Right Place, Wrong Time" is, "funkalicious" to the very core. So fill up your plate, smother it in hot sauce and head on down the river for some good old New Orleans soul food served up Dr. John style. For desert, check out Dr. John's 1992 album, "Goin' Back to New Orleans", it is sure to satisfy your every musical taste.

True to Dr. John's style, "Right Place, Wrong Time" is a musical potpourri. It's got minor chords, blues scales, pentatonic scales, sixteenth note syncopations, four-to-the floor baselines and them some. The advanced levels use every black key on the keyboard. Learn it in bite sized chunks. The left-hand walking baseline in the improvisation is one of the most useful basslines to improvise over, so don't skip the improv on this song.

Written by Mac Rebennack
Administered by Warner/Chappell
All Rights Reserved Used by Permission

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Lesson, Level 7

Lesson Schedule

Levels 6 and 7: The quickest way to rock is by learning the Groove Chart! To help with improvising, practice the Eb Minor three-octave scale, the Eb Blues scale and the Eb Minor Pentatonic scale. Also learn the Eb7, E7, F7, Ebm7, Fm, and the Ab7 chords.

First Week: Beginners practice the Lesson. Intermediate and Advanced students practice the Groove Chart and the Lesson.

Second Week: Add the Exercise and Improvisation to your practice. True to Dr. John's style, "Right Place, Wrong Time" is a musical potpourri. Learn it in bite sized chunks. The left-hand walking baseline in the improvisation is one of the most useful basslines to improvise over, so don't skip the improv on this song.