Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Check out the bundle deal on the digital editions of my three current books: billspianopages.com/bundle
Walk-ups and walk-downs are useful left hand piano techniques that you can combine with passing chords in both hands to add interest and character to most kinds of piano improvisation, though they’re especially useful when playing jazz and blues. In this tutorial we’ll look and both, and also think about how you can use some simple principles to build passing chords.
CHORD PROGRESSION:
F | F | F | F | Bb | Bb | F | D7 | Gm7 | C | F | (F/turnaround)
USEFUL TUTORIALS:
Jazz piano for beginners playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpOuhygfD7QmN-lQYtSAULCvdomKraZ1S
Blues piano tutorials playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE7C89C720566CCD
Cocktail piano tutorials playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpOuhygfD7QlnF-gxs4wKb2F8V4nPdZYd
BILL’S SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: fb.me/billhiltonpiano
Twitter: twitter.com/billhilton
Instagram: instagram.com/billhilton
Patreon: patreon.com/billhilton
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 What are walk-ups and walk-downs?
01:35 Demo — simple, then with passing chords
04:55 The mechanics of walk-ups and walk-downs
10:00 How passing chords work
14:44 Advanced timing and passing chords
16:19 What next?
Check out the bundle deal on the digital editions of my three current books: billspianopages.com/bundle
Walk-ups and walk-downs are useful left hand piano techniques that you can combine with passing chords in both hands to add interest and character to most kinds of piano improvisation, though they’re especially useful when playing jazz and blues. In this tutorial we’ll look and both, and also think about how you can use some simple principles to build passing chords.
CHORD PROGRESSION:
F | F | F | F | Bb | Bb | F | D7 | Gm7 | C | F | (F/turnaround)
USEFUL TUTORIALS:
Jazz piano for beginners playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpOuhygfD7QmN-lQYtSAULCvdomKraZ1S
Blues piano tutorials playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE7C89C720566CCD
Cocktail piano tutorials playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpOuhygfD7QlnF-gxs4wKb2F8V4nPdZYd
BILL’S SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: fb.me/billhiltonpiano
Twitter: twitter.com/billhilton
Instagram: instagram.com/billhilton
Patreon: patreon.com/billhilton
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 What are walk-ups and walk-downs?
01:35 Demo — simple, then with passing chords
04:55 The mechanics of walk-ups and walk-downs
10:00 How passing chords work
14:44 Advanced timing and passing chords
16:19 What next?
