Tag Archives: songwriter

Video – Ben Folds Plays Piano Rock Solo Live Concert

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This video shows Ben Folds playing a flashy piano solo improvisation during one of his live concerts.

Benjamin Scott “Ben” Folds is a popular American piano and keyboard player, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was the band leader of the alternative rock group Ben Folds Five from 1995-2000. Since then, he has pursued a solo artist career. He has toured worldwide and appeared onstage with William Shatner, Regina Spektor and “Weird Al” Yankovic. He has worked on several film projects including “Over the Hedge” and “Hoodwinked!”

As a child, Ben Folds began playing piano at the age of 9. He took piano lessons for several years. He learned to play by ear and began writing his own songs. Folds attended the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami on a percussion scholarship. During his studies, he spent much time working on piano technique. “I spent maybe six months just running scales with a metronome like a freak,” Folds said. He dropped out with one credit to go before graduating.

Some of Ben Folds recordings:
Ben Folds Five (1995)
Whatever and Ever Amen (1997)
Naked Baby Photos (1998)
Fear of Pop: Volume 1 (1998)
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999)
Rockin’ the Suburbs (2001)
Ben Folds Live (2002)
Songs for Silverman (2005)
Supersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP (2006)
Way to Normal (2008)
Lonely Avenue (2010)
The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective (2011)
Fifty-Five Vault (2011)

more about Ben Folds

Video – Randy Newman Sings and Plays Piano – Song From Toy Story

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Randy Newman playing acoustic piano and singing “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” from the movie “Toy Story”. This video was recorded live at the Macworld convention in 2008. The song is about two of the film’s characters Woody and Andy, and their strong friendship. Randy Newman, as always, does a great job in delivering a clear message in his song, along with his special vocal style and keyboard playing.

As a piano teacher, here in Portland, I also work with students who are learning to accompany voice with their piano playing, as well as learning composing and songwriting. I often use songs like this to use as examples of how to work with a strong foundation of melody and chord structure to build a song that is memorable, well written, and to the point.

Randy Newman grew up in Southern, California where he began taking piano lessons when he was 6. After moving to in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of only 17, Newman started his illustrious career as a songwriter. His influences include blues and gospel, the music he loved when growing up. His songs, many of them controversial, often take the form of a parody of individuals who are socially intolerant, such as his song “Short People”.

For decades, Randy Newman has been making music, singing and writing about the culture around him. He has composed music for numerous films, including “Ragime”, “Toy Story”, “The Natural”, “Maverick”, “Awakenings”, and “Bean”. Newman’s inspiring film scores and songs have earned him awards from the Academy Awards, Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy organizations. The world of American music has been greatly influenced by Randy Newman’s music.

more about Randy Newman

Video – Randy Newman Sings and Plays Piano Louisiana 1927

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Randy Newman sings and plays piano in this live video of a performance in Stuttgart, Germany 2006. “Louisiana 1927” was written and recorded by Newman in 1974 and tells the story of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. The flood devastated Louisiana and left 700,000 people homeless. In this recording, Randy’s keyboard playing and voice combine to make a beautiful and powerful performance.

Randy Newman is an American, singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, and arranger. He has written countless songs and scored the soundtrack to over two dozen films. His style of writing satirical and sarcastic lyrics is unique and has gained him many loyal followers during his long career.

Newman was born in Los Angeles, California in 1943. When he was a youngster, his family moved to New Orleans where he stayed until he was 11. Newman took piano lessons as a child at the age of 6, and again at the age of 16. He became a professional songwriter at the age of 17. His music was greatly influenced by Ray Charles. After Hurricane Katrina, Newman’s recording of “Louisiana 1927” became extremely popular, and was played repeatedly on American radio and television.

Randy Newman has received 20 Academy Awards and has won twice. Newman also garnered 15 Oscar nominations with one win. He has also received 3 Emmys, 5 Grammys and many other acknowledgements from the industry. Randy Newman has made a long and lasting contribution to American music and film.

Some of Randy Newman’s Albums
Randy Newman (1968)
12 Songs (1970)
Randy Newman Live (1971)
Sail Away (1972)
Good Old Boys (1974)
Little Criminals (1977)
Born Again (1979)

Some of Randy Newman’s Film Scores
Performance (1970)
Cold Turkey (1971)
Ragtime (1981)
The Natural (1984)
¡Three Amigos! (1986)
Parenthood (1989)
Major League (1989)
Awakenings (1990)
Avalon (1990)
The Paper (1994)
Maverick (1994)
Toy Story (1995)
James and the Giant Peach (1996)
Michael (1996)
Bean (1997)

more on Randy Newman

Video – Arlo Guthrie Plays Piano and Sings – City of New Orleans

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A great video of Arlo Guthrie playing piano on his famous track “City of New Orleans”, showcasing Arlo’s voice and piano playing. “City of New Orleans” was written by Steve Goodman. It’s about a train trip from Chicago to New Orleans. Arlo recorded the song in 1972 and it has become one of his biggest hits. Arlo took that train ride for the first time in December of 2005, traveling with other musicians to New Orleans to raise money for local musicians needing help after the devastating Hurricane Katrina.

Arlo Davy Guthrie was born in 1947, in Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of the famous singer Woodie Guthrie. Like his father, Arlo is known for singing songs about social injustice. One of his best known songs is “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”, a 18 minute satirical blues song. Arlo Guthrie is best known as a singer, songwriter, and musician. He also has done some acting in films and television. His most noted role was in “Alice’s Restaurant”, an adaptation of his song in which he play’s himself. He has recorded numerous albums and made a huge contribution to American Folk music.

While taking piano lessons and keyboard lessons, some of my students express interest in being able to accompany themselves on piano. There are some basic technique that we work on to make the switch from solo piano to accompaniment. This video is a great example of how to play piano while singing.

Some Songs by Arlo Guthrie
Alice’s Restaurant (1967)
Arlo (1968)
Running Down the Road (1969)
Washington County (1970)
Hobo’s Lullaby (1972)
Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys (1973)

more about Arlo Guthrie

billy joel video playing piano singing just the way you are 1977

Billy Joel Video Playing Piano, Singing – Just The Way You Are 1977

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billy joel video playing piano singing just the way you are 1977

“Just the way you are”, is a classic song by Bill Joel, one of the greatest singer, songwriters ever. His music is articulate, inspiring, and original. His piano playing and his voice go so well together.

Billy Joel was born William Martin on May 9, 1949 in The Bronx, New York and lived in Hicksville, New York.

His father, an accomplished pianist, was classically trained. Joel is a prodigious musician, pianist, singer songwriter, and classical composer. His first hit song, “Piano Man”, in 1973, launched his extraordinary career. Billy Joel, according to the RIAA, is the 6th best selling recording artist and the 3rd best selling solo musician in the U.S.

As a child, Joel began piano lessons early. His outstanding work as a songwriter and composed has earned him numerous awards and a worldwide following. His music is some of the finest composed for piano and voice. His agility at the keyboard while singing is a hallmark of his performance. Billy Joel has continued recording music and frequently goes on tour, especially with Elton John.