Congratulations to high school junior, Jagger Clark, for winning the Prestigious Eastman School of Music Award for his musical talents and contributions to his school. Chuck and the team at IROCKU couldn't be prouder of your achievements!!!! "What'd I Say" piano lesson Jagger's earliest introduction to the piano was through his IROCKU lessons. In fact, at one of our early recording sessions with Chuck, Jagger was asked to participate since he was our youngest student at the time. Under the guidance of IROCKU musical director, Cary Brown, Jagger has worked his way through the 7-level IROCKU curriculum and now routinely performs the IROCKU material in his gigs. Thank you Eastman School of Music for validating that the classical approach to learning piano is not the only path …
Blog
Chuck Leavell – Chuck Gets Big w/ The Frankfurt Radio Big Band
Chuck Leavell, keyboardist and musical director for the Rolling Stones, has released a new album, "Chuck Gets Big". “In 2011, I had the pleasure of doing a concert with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, a 17-piece brass orchestra of some of the finest musicians in Germany. Three talented arrangers created charts for some twelve songs I had chosen from my works with the Allman Brothers Band; Sea Level and the Rolling Stones, as well as my own compositions. "Chuck Gets Big" is the result of this experience, and is my latest release on BMG records.” Backed by the Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Chuck takes us on a musical journey through his 40+ year career as one of rock’s top keyboard players. He covers his lifelong idol Ray Charles with “Losing Hand” and “Georgia on My Mind”. Chuck also reaches …
[Read more...] about Chuck Leavell – Chuck Gets Big w/ The Frankfurt Radio Big Band
A moment in rock history- how the Dixie Dregs were discovered
Here's an esoteric piece of music history we just stumbled upon. Rod Morgenstein of the Dixie Dregs talks about how in 1976 Chuck Leavell, who was keyboardist with the Allman Brothers at the time, saw them playing in a Nashville bar. Capricorn Records signed them right up! The Dixie Dregs are an instrumental band that fuses hard rock, southern rock, progressive metal, and even some classical. Could this have been the inspiration for Chuck's rock/jazz fusion band "Sea Level"? Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …
[Read more...] about A moment in rock history- how the Dixie Dregs were discovered
Debunking the misconception that Improvisation is running up and down scales.
In "Chuck Leavell's Stride Blues" Rock Essentials series we debunk the misconception that Improvisation is running up and down scales and we show how playing "shapes" is an easier way to improvise. "Stride Blues" piano lesson We've received lots of positive feedback on this approach which leads us to the following questions: What are the best methods and techniques for learning to improvise? For those of us with limited time to practice what is the most efficient way to learn? What are the biggest mistakes and myths among people learning jazz & blues piano? What are the biggest wastes of time? What are the biggest mistakes novices make when they are playing/practicing? Even at a professional level, what mistakes are most common? Reply below to let us know …
[Read more...] about Debunking the misconception that Improvisation is running up and down scales.
IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson-“Little Martha” by Duane Allman
This week's featured piano lesson is "Little Martha", the only Allman Brothers song written by legendary guitarist, Duane Allman. Here's a beautiful version of the IROCKU lesson performed by Holly Bowling. Holly is a concert pianist who performs jam band music as solo piano selections. She is known for her interpretive performances of Phish and The Grateful Dead songs so we are thrilled that she decided to take on our version of "Little Martha". "Little Martha" piano lesson The melody line of “Little Martha” is made of two-bar phrases played over a repeating 3-note cross rhythm. The first phrase lines up with the third note of the 3-note pattern, the second phrase lines up with the first note of the 3-note pattern, the third phrase lines up with the second note of the 3-note pattern, …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson-“Little Martha” by Duane Allman
IROCKU Receives US Patent for Novel Approach to Teaching Music
IROCKU receives a US Patent for its multi-dimensional approach to teaching music; providing a system for students to progress across multiple levels within the same song while holistically learning scales, techniques, groove, rhythm, theory, improvisation and melody all within the same lesson. The patent process amounted to a knock-down-drag-out battle with the hard working and well-intentioned folks at the patent office because the examiners assigned to the case were all classically trained and couldn't fathom that people could learn music without reading notes. Our Groove charts, which provide rhythm and chord progressions without the need to read notes on the musical staff was a foreign concept to them. We had to explain that many of the greatest musicians in rock history don't read …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Receives US Patent for Novel Approach to Teaching Music
The Rolling Stones No Filter European Tour Begins May 17
The Rolling Stones "No Filter Tour" begins Thursday May 17. Please let us know if you will be making it to any of the shows. 17 MAY DUBLIN, IR CROKE PARK WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE ACADEMIC. 22 MAY LONDON, UK LONDON STADIUM WITH SPECIAL GUEST LIAM GALLAGHER. 25 MAY LONDON, UK LONDON STADIUM WITH SPECIAL GUEST FLORENCE + THE MACHINE. 29 MAY SOUTHAMPTON, UK ST MARY'S STADIUM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE VACCINES. 2 JUNE COVENTRY, UK RICOH STADIUM SPECIAL GUESTS THE SPECIALS. 5 JUNE MANCHESTER, UK OLD TRAFFORD FOOTBALL STADIUM SPECIAL GUEST RICHARD ASHCROFT. 9 JUNE EDINBURGH, UK BT MURRAYFIELD STADIUM WITH SPECIAL GUEST RICHARD ASHCROFT. 15 JUNE CARDIFF, UK PRINCIPALITY STADIUM SPECIAL GUESTS ELBOW. 19 JUNE LONDON, UK TWICKENHAM WITH SPECIAL GUEST JAMES BAY. 22 …
[Read more...] about The Rolling Stones No Filter European Tour Begins May 17
New IROCKU Essentials Series!!! – “Chuck Leavell’s Stride Blues”
"Chuck Leavell's Stride Blues" piano lesson This multi-part video series covers both right and left hand piano techniques that Chuck has used throughout his career. If you want to learn the fundamentals behind Chuck’s epic performances ranging from “Jessica” ( Allman Brothers) to “Honky Tonk Women” ( The Rolling Stones”) and everything in between, this series is the place to begin. The series covers left-hand stride and walking bass lines, and right-hand scales, chords and patterns based on blues, minor, major and pentatonic scales. All are fundamental elements of Chuck’s legendary style. The series begins with an overview of the 8- bar blues form used in the recording, “The Blues is All Wrong”. The first half of the series teaches left-hand stride techniques and introduces elements …
[Read more...] about New IROCKU Essentials Series!!! – “Chuck Leavell’s Stride Blues”
Documentary on Chuck Leavell- Rolling Stones Keyboardist & Musical Director
Allen Farst, acclaimed director, filmmaker and producer is currently working on a documentary about Chuck. The film will feature President Jimmy Carter, John Mayer, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Bruce Hornsby, Warren Haynes, The Stones and other notable musicians and dignitaries. Allen is considering including a few video testimonials from Chuck's fans. If you have something cool and interesting to say about how Chuck or irocku has influenced your life, or your piano playing, please contact us at documentary@irocku.com. No guarantees you'll make it into the documentary but it's worth a shot. Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and …
[Read more...] about Documentary on Chuck Leavell- Rolling Stones Keyboardist & Musical Director
IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson- “Such a Night” by Dr. John
The featured irocku piano lesson takes you for a frolicking journey down the Mississippi River with a New Orleans legend, Mac Rebennack, a.k.a. Dr. John. From his best selling 1973 album, Right Place, Wrong Time, “Such a Night” is a funky, light and bouncy song that showcases the musical heritage of the Delta. Dr. John’s piano playing is 150 years in the making, it is steeped in Southern culture, and when it accompanies his uniquely funky vocals, you have a fusion of soul, funk, blues and boogie that are all part of this great New Orleans sound that the Dr. has dedicated his life too. "Such A Night" piano lesson From the opening notes, “Such a Night” skips along at a moderate tempo, the melody is bright and airy, with funky breaks and pauses that are accented by the virtuosity of Dr. …
[Read more...] about IROCKU Featured Piano Lesson- “Such a Night” by Dr. John