Welcome to this thread on the playing style of jazz pianist Eddie Higgins.
This thread will be structured in the same way as our thread on “How To Play Like Beegie Adair” and all recordings, links to archived seminars, and relevant PDF files will be stored here.
Session 1: In A Sentimental Mood (30th May 2022)
For the first session we will analyse Eddie’s solo piano recording of the tune “In A Sentimental Mood”. This is a nice tune for beginners and one that I love to play. The tune follows an AABA form and the harmony and chord changes are simple and easy to memorise.
Here is the seminar page to access the live event and the archived recording:
We will start the session with a recap of the form and harmony, we will play through with simple voicings, and then we will introduce the voicings and substitutions used by Eddie Higgins in his solo piano recording.
“In A Sentimental Mood” Recording
Here is the recording on YouTube. I recommend everyone to study it, play along with it, and attempt to transcribe some of the material:
PDF Supplements
I have prepared a couple of PDFs that we will be working from in the live session. We will mainly use the lead sheet notation with red reharms above, and we can reference the full transcription file if needed.
Looking forward to your next Live Seminar. “In a Sentimental Mood” is such a lovely tune, and Eddie Higgins is truly a fine stylist.
I’d like to share some tunes from his 2000 album Speaking of Jobim . Here are three tunes via YouTube. The whole album can be found on Spotify here. These aren’t the best versions of the tunes, but they’re relevant here. Enjoy!
So looking forward to this seminar. Oh, if only I could “play like Eddie Higgins,” one of my very favorite pianists. And so versatile! I’m happy to listen.
Here’s another song to consider. Maybe for the bluesy stride lessons.
@Hayden , you mentioned in the live seminar a lesson on Georgia on My Mind. Could you post a link to that one? Thanks.
I also really love the Eddie Higgins solo in this tune, and have been studying your look at the first two A sections of that solo in your earlier live seminar. It would be so great to have a full seminar looking at the whole solo. cheers. thanks, james
In July we will explore the voicings and reharmonisations in Eddie Higgins’ solo piano rendition of “Over The Rainbow”, check out the recording here and more info to follow:
Related Tutorials
Here are a couple of lessons which cover the basic harmony of the tune:
The next “How To Play Like Eddie Higgins” seminar will take place one week today. Below I have included the seminar handout, the recording, and other preparation guidance so that we can hit the ground running in the live session
Add To Calendar
The seminar will take place at 12 noon EST on Tuesday 26th July. To get the most benefit from the session we recommend that you tune in live. If you can’t make the live event, don’t worry, the full recording is available immediately afterwards in the seminar archives.
Here is the seminar page:
Add the seminar to your calendar to be notified before the show starts:
Seminar Handout
I have created a chord chart outlining the original changes and the reharmonisations played by Eddie Higgins. Download a copy here:
Take a good listen to Eddie’s recording of “Over The Rainbow” whilst looking at the reharmonisations in the PDF file. Try to hear the passing chords and other devices that Eddie uses. I will explain the underlying theory in the seminar next week.
Homework & Preparation
In his rendition of Over The Rainbow, Eddie uses the following harmonic devices:
Tritone Substitution
Chromatic 25s
Sus Chords
Chord Alterations
If you are new to these topics, or if you would like to refresh your memory, I have included some links below to related theory lessons on PianoGroove:
Later this month I will host another Eddie Higgins session, this time on the tune “Danny Boy”.
Eddie Higgins Recording
Here is the solo piano recording:
Eddie plays the tune in Eb Major. I will post the chord changes in the next few days, and closer to the session I will post a version with Eddie’s reharms in red above the original changes.
Love that song also. There is also a great Bill Evans version that. Would be interesting to include both and understand the difference in interpretation.
Add To Calendar
Seminar Handout
Over The Rainbow Lessons
Study The Recording
Homework & Preparation
