In my latest solo piano pop arrangement, I decided to focus on one my absolute favorite songs, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys. This song never fails to give me the chills and it's one of those tunes I can't just listen to once. I have to hear a few times just to soak it all in. It's such a beautiful marriage of harmony, melody, and lyrics, a true masterpiece. For this arrangement, I didn't touch the harmony at all! No need to reharmonize this beauty!
For the left hand, I was working on a ballad stride feel. I mostly play root/5th or root/7th on beats 1 and 3. On beats 2 and 4 a played crunchy cluster voicings (lots of 2nds!). I love to use this sound, especially on pop progressions. For a major triad, I'll often play the root and 9th right next to each other. For a minor 7 chord, I'll play the third and 9 next to each other or the third and 11 (or all three!).
For the improvisation, I decided to vamp the IV, I/3, II-7, I progression and treat it like a little mediation. I was really inspired by Bill Evan's beautiful solo piano improvisation called "Peace Piece." You may be able to hear the influence?
I hope you enjoy it!
For the left hand, I was working on a ballad stride feel. I mostly play root/5th or root/7th on beats 1 and 3. On beats 2 and 4 a played crunchy cluster voicings (lots of 2nds!). I love to use this sound, especially on pop progressions. For a major triad, I'll often play the root and 9th right next to each other. For a minor 7 chord, I'll play the third and 9 next to each other or the third and 11 (or all three!).
For the improvisation, I decided to vamp the IV, I/3, II-7, I progression and treat it like a little mediation. I was really inspired by Bill Evan's beautiful solo piano improvisation called "Peace Piece." You may be able to hear the influence?
I hope you enjoy it!
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