Funky Piano Rhythms 1 (The Patterns)

Complex rhythmic writing can look very intimidating, and even the best of players can struggle when a complex bar of music is filled with quick rests, tied notes, subdivided triplets, etc.  This is why I came up with a simple notational system that I use to teach my students rhythmic patterns.  In this class, you'll get caught up with how my notational system works.  Practice tips with the metronome and associated drum beat will also be covered.

This class will get you started with your first rhythmic piano pattern, and a couple of variations.  After this class you will have a better understanding of what to expect from these classes moving forward. 

*SEE DOWNLOADABLE PDF OF ALL PATTERNS*

This pattern will teach you how to roll into a chord, sort of like the strum of a guitar.  Consider this an ornament of sorts and try using it in combination with other patterns.  The possibilities are endless!

In this pattern you will be holding some chords for a value of two beats to help add more syncopation to your playing.  This is one of my personal favorites.

This pattern will have you playing your right hand quickly in succession to give a sort of stutter effect.  I use this playing style a lot when coming up with horn parts in the style of John Williams.  I also use it quite a bit with clavichord parts and video game themes.  That said, you can use this as an ornament in pretty much any style and it's a great piano technique to have handy.

Of all of the patterns, this one has the only major chord progression.  It is similar to pattern #3 in that it holds some notes for a value of two.  This time, however, it's not only the right hand chords that hold  but also left hand notes. 

This pattern has you holding more chords for a value of two and continues to teach you the feeling of syncopating between main beats to really bring out the patterns groove.

This pattern is one of the most involved, in that the right hand chord holding for a value of two keeps changing to different instances within the pattern.  For example, at times you'll be holding the first chord for a value of two, other times the second chord, etc.  However, this pattern is meant to only ever have one longer chord (never two instances of the two beat chord).  Otherwise the main four beat time signature is compromised. 

Similar to pattern number two, you will be trying a sort of strumming technique, only this time you will be trying it in the right hand.  It's good to have a handle on this technique in both the left and right hand as it opens up more possibilities to vary your patterns.

This patterns teaches you how to connect the strum between the left hand and the right hand to create a longer and more accented effect.  This technique is used in classical music, rock organ, keyboard solos, contemporary improvisation, and many other instances.

In this pattern we experiment with holding chords and notes for values of three and four beats.  By now you can start to create your own patterns using the strum technique, the quick chord hits like in pattern #4, and chords/notes that are held for values of two, three, and four beats.  In other words, you're well equipped to start experimenting!  However, in case you don't know how to get started towards making your own patterns, please check out the next video to learn the basics of building your own rhythms.

This class is designed to help you get kick started towards creating your own unique rhythmic patterns.  A focus towards afro-cuban beats and clave patterns is given to help the student create a syncopated beat with more underlying groove. 

Patterns discussed are grouped as such:
3-3-2, 3-2-3, 2-3-3

Ultimately, coming up with your own patterns provides you with infinite possibilities, and this class is only meant to give you some ideas to help you start the process.  Feel free to experiment, explore, and create something totally new and unique!

A big ol' "Congrats and thanks for watching".  This video will tell you how to best apply what you've learned in this course.