Practicing cocktail piano can be an exciting and creative experience, transforming your playing into something that captivates and delights listeners. By following a few strategic steps, you can bring your music to life and feel truly confident in your performance.
Choose a Favorite Tune
Pick a tune you genuinely enjoy, one whose melody sticks with you and makes you want to keep coming back. Spend time getting to know the melody inside and out. Play it slowly at first, breaking it down until you can recall it effortlessly. This familiarity will serve as a strong anchor as you layer in new elements. By truly mastering the melody, you set yourself up for the freedom and spontaneity that cocktail piano playing is all about. When you know the melody like the back of your hand, you can devote your attention to other aspects of your arrangement.
If you’re interested, I created a special video that focuses specifically on this. It’s available here.
Develop Left-Hand Techniques
Now, let’s add some interest to your left hand. Instead of sticking to just one way of playing, experiment with different techniques that will give your performance a sophisticated sound. Choose two to begin with. One simple yet effective approach is to play the root and 7th of each chord. This technique adds a subtle but satisfying harmonic backdrop. Once you feel comfortable, explore open chord voicings, like 1-5-3-7. This arrangement gives your chords a lush, full quality, almost as if you’re inviting the entire room into the music. Switching between these patterns keeps your sound fresh and engaging, setting the stage for a beautiful performance.
By the way, the two left-hand strategies you use can be just about anything. If you simply know your basic chords, then just use them in different ways. Maybe you’ve decided that one of your two strategies will be to simply sustain the chord and the other is to play a simple arpeggio. As long as they contract with each other to some degree, it’s all good : )
This idea of starting with just two simple left-hand techniques to get the momentum going is so effective that I created a video session using it.
Here is an excerpt:
You can get the complete video here
Decide on Technique Placement
As you work through your song, be intentional about where you use each of the left-hand techniques that you’ve chosen. Listen carefully and make choices that elevate the arrangement. Maybe the verse feels more grounded with technique #1, while the chorus could open up with technique #2. However, make a point of “interrupting” each technique with the other occasionally. Think of your accompaniment as a palette of colors: each technique adds its own hue to the canvas. This step encourages you to think like an arranger, shaping your music in a way that keeps listeners hooked from beginning to end.
Practice Until Comfortable
This is where repetition comes into play. Run through the song using your chosen strategies repeatedly until the movements become second nature. At first, it might feel like work, but gradually, you will play through your arrangement effortlessly. Pay attention to any tricky spots and isolate them for focused practice. The goal is to reach a point where you can play through the entire form confidently, without hesitation, even if distractions arise. When you practice to the level of comfort, you give yourself the freedom to add your own flair, making the performance truly yours. Whether you add to what you have already, your current arrangement should stand on its own. This is conducive to confidence.
Imagine a Live Performance
To elevate the effectiveness of your practice routine even further, visualize yourself performing for an audience. Close your eyes and picture the setting: a dimly lit room, glasses clinking softly, and all eyes on you as the music begins to fill the air. Imagine the anticipation and the way your playing draws people in, creating a shared experience. This mental exercise adds excitement to your practice and helps you play with more expression and energy. Even if you’re just practicing alone, performing in your mind prepares you for real-life scenarios, boosting your confidence.
Bring It All Together
The magic of cocktail piano lies in the artful balance between structure and improvisation. As you work through these strategies, allow room for spontaneity and experiment with variations. Consider adding a third left-hand accompaniment strategy. This will surely add dimension to your arrangement. Maybe add in an unexpected fill or slow down a phrase to build suspense. The more comfortable you become with the techniques, the more freedom you’ll have to let your personality shine through.
By incorporating these thoughtful strategies into your practice routine, you’ll transform your cocktail piano playing from basic to brilliant, ensuring that every performance is a captivating and unforgettable experience. Enjoy the journey and savor each moment at the keys, knowing that your music has the power to leave a lasting impression.
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By the way, if you are currently.familiar with your basic 7th chords and would like to further apply the strategies mentioned above, resulting in more “professional” sounding results, consider this video tutorial which you can access instantly.