Reed Robins

Continuing with our piano instruction, this week I show you some ways to play improvised solos that you may not have thought of. The idea is not just to play a bunch of notes, but instead tell a story that tells your audience who you are.

We're looking also at the ways spoken language and musical solos are more alike than we think.

Hope you enjoy it my friend!!

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

I hope you've been enjoying my "3-handed piano" series. In this series, I have detailed what it takes to create a solo texture that sounds full and rich, and allows you to use the ENTIRE keyboard - for compelling solo playing.

This is the final video of a three part series, which goes through - step by step - how to accomplish this. In video 1, we start by learning some blues elements, so that we have a common language we can use. [As I mention in this first video, you can also just 'map' this process on to your latest song to level up your performance.]

In video 2, I go over the practice for the right hand. [Videos 1 and 2 will be linked in today's video.]

In this - video 3 - I put it ALL together, for that full sounding solo playing, where you play the melody, harmony, and bass all together. Here I show you exactly how approach your practice session so that you can get it under your hands as quickly as possible.

Thank you SO much for watching this series! I will be back next week with some insights on how to create improvised melodic lines.

1 month ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

I’ve been thinking about how the blues is more than a style — it’s a kind of DNA that shows up in every great piano texture, from stride to modern jazz!

In my new video, I explore how practicing the blues can teach you to think in layers — rhythm, touch, and movement — so your playing starts to sound bigger and more natural. We'll start with the elements in this first video, and build out these layers over the next few weeks.

Come check it out!

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Reed Robins

If you've got a little time this evening, please gather 'round for storytime. I tell the ridiculous story of my hard landing in Washington DC for a recording project that taught me a lot, about music, life, and DC.

Video here:

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

In 1995, I went to Washington, DC to produce an album called "My Happiness".

What I didn’t expect: to be staying in so-called 'recovery residence' housing with the artist…and a BUNCH of other lost souls. But we left that space and recorded at the legendary Inner Ear Studios — a place that shaped the sound of DC - and punk music around the world.

I tell the story here:

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

This was a viewer suggestion. Feel free to offer any suggestions you have that would help you. Here's my video on how to stay organized when you're comping tracks for and with a large team:

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

My approach to compiling tracks into a smooth session for a mixer who is a couple thousand miles away from here...

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

The floor is open:

Just a reminder that I did a quick 2 min video talking about where the channel goes next, and it's a chance for you to chime in with thoughts about what YOU'D like to see in the future. Check it out:

4 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

Time to get your thoughts! Watch this 2 minute video, and then tell me what I can do for you.

4 months ago | [YT] | 0

Reed Robins

Today's quote is by Leonard Bernstein. "I've been all around the world, and I've never seen a statue of a critic".

This has been said before, but Bernstein has a panache and incisiveness that is distinctive, and he sets the tone for our digital age.

Check it out!

4 months ago | [YT] | 0