How to Play Boogie Woogie Piano

Boogie woogie piano sound originated in Texas or Louisiana around 1900. Professor Longhair and Pinetop Smith were the first well-known musicians in the genre. Boogie woogie piano is based on twelve bar blues, and is often written in 4/4 time signature. The left hand plays the chords, while the right hand plays trills and embellishments.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Listen to boogie woogie piano by greats like Peter Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis and Jimmy Yancey. Listen to newer boogie woogie artists like Colin Davey and Axel Zwingenberger.
2. Study boogie woogie style piano with a qualified teacher. Most instructors who specialize in rock 'n' roll styles will be able to teach you basic boogie woogie piano songs like "Pinetop Boogie" and "Boogie-Woogie Stomp."
3. Practice boogie woogie basslines and two-bar figures. Other boogie woogie methods are the "pickup-putdown" and turnaround. Combine all these methods and you have a boogie woogie song. Conquer eight-bar blues style until you're able to segue from one steam-roller tight song to the next.
4. Keep track of new developments on websites like Boogie Woogie Press. Many boogie woogie sites contain downloads and sell exclusive boogie woogie sheet music and DVDs.
5. Explore boogie woogie artists and sounds from France, Great Britain and the Netherlands. Current boogie woogie music is growing in popularity in Europe, so listen to these bands to learn new songs and style variations.