A jazz piano cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Future”

Hey Improvisers,

“Bravo” to all my piano students who made videos for our Online Piano Recital.

The big takeaway from the 22 performances is that to give a great performance, it’s usually best to stay within your current abilities, and work with what you can play fluently. Not only does this take the pressure of playing “brilliantly” away, but it actually enables us to play consistently well and, ironically, have some brilliant moments along the way.

After all my piano students’ videos were posted to my KeyboardImprov YouTube, I sat down and played Billie Eilish’s “My Future” as my own contribution to the recital. “My Future” is both contemporary pop and a classic song at the same time.

Billie Eilish’s recording was produced by her brother, Finneas, who co-composed the song with her. Although the recording sounds very “today,” the song itself was composed in a style that’s reminiscent of the great popular standards of the 1940s and 50s. The chord progression would fit in well on an Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holiday record, and it’s a lot of fun to play and improvise on.

Finneas’ arrangement goes from a pop ballad feel to an uptempo dance beat, and I’ve mirrored this approach by starting out with a jazz ballad feel, which then transitions into a jazz samba.

Here’s my version of “My Future:”

My Future: Jazz Piano Cover

If you’re a John Coltrane fan or are into modal jazz, check out my performance of his tune “Lonnie’s Lament.” You’ll hear elements of Coltrane’s style here, along with a bit of Keith Jarrett when I improvise over the left-hand vamp:

Lonnie’s Lament: Journey Through The Real Book #216

I hope these two performances inspire you with your own playing. Enjoy the journey, and “let the music flow!”

Ron

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