Rocking Octaves in the left hand are a simple, but effective way to establish a deep groove in Gospel Piano…
Here is an up-tempo variation with a swing feel…
Study-Practice Notes
- Improvisation: Think and feel this as a 4-bar phrase with two two-bar sub-phrases.
- Interpretation: Allow the chromatic pickup to build momentum into the top of the next repeat.
- Technique: Never allow your hands and wrists to become rigid while playing octaves. In order to prevent rigidity, use “sticky fingers”, arm rotation, and allow your hand and wrist position to keep moving in a continuous circle from left to right and low to middle to high and back again.