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In this video from Keyboard Techniques for Songwriters—a Berklee Online course co-written with Bonnie Hayes—Sarah Brindell demonstrates piano drumming, a creative rhythmic technique that helps songwriters explore new ideas at the keyboard. Instead of focusing on chord changes or melodies, piano drumming starts with physical rhythm: imagining the left hand as a kick drum and the right as a snare or hi-hat, then translating those patterns onto the keys. Brindell walks through basic rhythmic exercises, like kick-snare combinations and eighth-note subdivisions, first by tapping them out on the piano’s surface, then applying them to both white and black key fields. As you listen, you’re likely to recognize several songs you know that utilize the piano drumming technique. She also covers how to simplify things by separating the hands, how to vary the rhythm with broken patterns or dotted note groupings, and how to explore melodic options while staying rooted in groove.
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ABOUT BONNIE HAYES
Bonnie Hayes is the former chair of Berklee’s Songwriting department and program director of the Berklee Online Master of Arts in Songwriting program. She has more than 35 years of experience as an educator, songwriter, producer, performer, and recording artist. During her career, she has been signed to five record deals and five writing deals, and toured as a side musician with Billy Idol and Cris Williamson. She has written songs for Bonnie Raitt, Cher, Bette Midler, David Crosby, Robert Cray, Adam Ant, and Booker T. & the MG’s, and produced more than 40 records. She designed and implemented the youth program for the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco, and has taught piano, guitar, theory, songwriting, and composition to thousands of students at institutions throughout the US.
ABOUT SARAH BRINDELL
Sarah Brindell is a songwriter, arranger, producer, musician, and associate professor at Berklee College of Music. With touring credits around the world, she has shared the stage and recorded with many renowned artists including Norah Jones, Carole King, and Raul Midon. Her original songs can be heard on many television shows including MTV’s “Made.” She was a finalist in the Song of the Year contest as part of VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, as well as the Billboard World Song Contest. A Summa Cum Laude graduate from Boston University, she holds a Master's degree in Music Education, and teaches courses in songwriting, harmony, ear training, arranging, and stage performance.
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Keyboard Techniques for Songwriters | Piano | Songwriting | Piano Drumming | Bonnie Hayes | Sarah Brindell | Bonnie Raitt | Billy Idol | Cris Williamson | Cher | Norah Jones | Carole King | Berklee Online