Don’t Explain – Solo Jazz Piano Video Performance

Posted on by freejazzlessons

billie holiday don't explainHey everybody!

I wanted to share a quick video performance I just made of the great jazz standard ‘Don’t Explain’.

This tune was written and made famous by the late great Billie Holiday.

I’ve always loved Billie’s singing and music so much and I wanted to pay tribute to her through this recording. :)

In a few days I’ll add a whole piano lesson to this site on how to play many of the reharmonization techniques I used in this recording.

Be sure to keep checking the site. (If you’re a subscriber to this site already you’ll receive a private email of the lesson.)

If you’re not a subscriber already you can subscribe on the top left of this site for free.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy the performance :)

If you enjoyed this performance please leave a comment below or share it on Facebook or Twitter. :)

Steve Nixon is the proud owner of freejazzlessons.com He is a world touring jazz and blues keyboard player and educator.

He is also the author of the brand new Jazz Masters Method , a study of 9 legendary jazz piano players, and the Learn Blues Piano DVD Course


 

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  5. How To Play Here’s That Rainy Day-Reharmonization Lesson
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  • Pianodan

    Holy wow. Love it Steve. Can’t wait to learn some of those chords.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I’m flattered Dan. I’ll post the reharm lesson soon.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Dan!

  • Raymond Charles

    Very tastefully done I enjoyed it very much

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks for your kind words Raymond :)

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Very nice of you to say Raymond :)

  • Studentojazzkeys

    Sweet! I’m ready to learn that one!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Follow up lesson will be coming very soon!

  • Rico

    Very nice Steve. subtle and lyrical. However, I have never liked “rubato” type endings, however well done. Other than that, great stuff, thank you.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      lol thanks Rico. 

  • Jorge Reyes

    Good one Steve… Very relaxing song and what an honor having a great teacher and friend like you …. gracias  amigo 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      De nada amigo!

  • Antonio

    Very nice, Steve. Thanks

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Antonio!

  • Gradowski Mariusz

    Very nice one

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Appreciate that Gradowski!

  • David Nikolson

    yes i like that and waiting for lessons:).thank you!!!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I will be posting the lesson very very soon David. Thanks!!

  • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

    Absolutely my pleasure Bill. This is one of her best tunes in my opinion :)

  • Graeme

    Loved it Steve. Thanks. Is there any way we can get the sheet music for it?
    Graeme Davies

  • North Island Music of Hokkaido

    Excellent piano playing. However, the audio track sounds shallow and tinny. May I suggest that you hook up a better quality mic to your video camera’s mic input jack. Or, use a high quality portable recorder such as the ZOOM H4n. Other than that, everything on you website, especially your lessons are top notch. Thank you for your helpful instructions.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Hi North Island. Thanks for the feedback. I usually record with a higher quality microphone but this was a very quick spur of the moment recording :) Thanks!

  • Robwaddell123

    Bravo…One of my favorates. I used to listen to that song on an old cassette tape of Billie Holiday when I was hammering the caulking in between the planks of this old boat I used to devote my self to. I loved that old boat like Billie loved her flames…It was just me and her and everything was forgiven…

    Good to see you roll one out for us Steve. Thanks eh.

    Rob (NZ)    . 

  • ulrik malm

    Hi Steve! Do you have a lesson on dont explain?

  • Jan Darenius

    Beautiful!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thank you Jan. Very kind!