Lesson 15: How To Play Honky Tonk Train Blues

TL;DR

This lesson explores the life and style of Me Lux Lewis, one of the great Boogie Woogie piano players, with a focus on his famous piece, Honky Tonk Train Blues.

Transcript

what welcome to the lesson 15 of the Blues and Boogie Woogie piano series here on the Steinway and of course that was Honky Tonk train Blues by the late great me Lux Lewis we haven't talked about me Lux Lewis and I'd like to spend this lesson just talking about him because he's one of the greats remember if there's only one fact you need to know ab... Read More

Key Insights

• ⌛ There are three great Boogie Woogie piano players of all time: Me Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, and Albert Ammons.
• 🫱 Honky Tonk Train Blues is an iconic Boogie Woogie piece known for its original left hand and energetic right hand trill.
• 🖐️ Me Lux Lewis played a significant role in the Boogie Woogie craze, particularly in the years 1938 to 1945.
• 🆘 John Hammond's Spirituals to Swing concert in 1938 helped popularize the Boogie Woogie genre.
• 🇱🇺 Me Lux Lewis incorporated dissonance and jazzy chords into his Boogie Woogie style, distinguishing him from other players.
• 🪈 Honky Tonk Train Blues was first recorded in 1928 and had variations in subsequent recordings.
• 👂 Listening to Me Lux Lewis's variations of Honky Tonk Train Blues can provide insight into his improvisational style.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who are the three great Boogie Woogie piano players?

The three great Boogie Woogie piano players are Me Lux Lewis, Pete Johnson, and Albert Ammons.

Q: What makes Honky Tonk Train Blues a classic Boogie Woogie piece?

Honky Tonk Train Blues is known for its unique and original left hand that imitates the sound of a train. Additionally, the right hand trill adds to its energetic and playful nature.

Q: What is the significance of John Hammond in the Boogie Woogie craze?

John Hammond, a great promoter, organized the Spirituals to Swing concert in 1938, which featured Albert Ammons, Me Lux Lewis, and Pete Johnson. This concert sparked the Boogie Woogie craze and brought it to the forefront.

Q: How did Me Lux Lewis's Boogie Woogie style differ from Albert Ammons?

Me Lux Lewis introduced a bit of dissonance and jazzy, modernistic chords into his Boogie Woogie style, setting him apart from Albert Ammons' more straightforward and traditional approach.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Me Lux Lewis is one of the three great Boogie Woogie piano players of all time, along with Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons.

• Honky Tonk Train Blues is one of the all-time great Boogie Woogie pieces, known for its original left hand and athletic right hand trill.

• Me Lux Lewis introduced a bit of dissonance in his Boogie Woogie style, setting him apart from other players.