Learn to play 'Walking In Memphis' on Piano (Tutorial)

Put on your blue suede shoes it's time to join Brett and Lisa as they "walk" you through the iconic song 'Walking In Memphis' by Marc Cohn!

This song isn't easy, but Brett breaks it down and shows you step by step how to play all the parts of the song, as well as his personal tips and tricks to playing the song successfully!

If you've ever wanted to jam to the classic tune, this lesson is for you!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Getting started
2:10 - The verse: Add in singing
3:05 - Tips n tricks for playing
4:02 - The second verse
5:49 - Chorus
6:13 - The Bridge
8:21 - Last verse
8:54 - Weird bits and bites
10:17 - The ending
11:27 - Closing thoughts

FROM BRETT ZIEGLER:
Music is my life - from teaching piano and saxophone for nearly 20 years, to working as a musical director, technical director, worship leader, actor, recording musician, touring musician, theatre bandleader, and so much more. I’ve been formally trained through the Royal Conservatory of Music (Grade 9 Piano, first class honours) and have earned my Bachelor of Arts with extended minors in music and communication. I guess that’s the quick way of saying that I love this incredible instrument that you’re interested in learning - and I can’t wait to share some techniques and insights!

FROM LISA WITT:
I love to help students unlock their full musical potential. I have taught in a wide variety of settings from Music for Young Children to helping recording artists prepare their songs for the road. I also have specialized experience working with children that struggle with learning, developmental, and physical disabilities. While my background is classical, I’m currently focusing on helping my students play the music they love by ear! I’m excited to be a part of YOUR journey as you learn how to sight read, play by ear, and progress through musical theory. It is going to be fun!

Lyrics
Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy, won't you look down over me?
Yeah, I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a boy can be
Then I'm walking in Memphis
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered 'round his tomb
But there's a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King
Down in the Jungle Room
When I was walking in Memphis
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?
They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
But, boy, you've got a prayer in Memphis
Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
She said
"Tell me are you a Christian child?"
And I said "Ma'am, I am tonight"
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain

#piano #WalkingInMemphis #pianolessons

Check out our FREE piano courses 🎹❤️
Follow us on social media:

[kavokei]

Wow, I taught myself to play this by ear when I was about 13 or 14 and somehow got it about 90% right. How did I even do that? I wouldn't know where to start these days without this video. Thank you! Love this channel ♥️

[karaokeking]

Wow, thanks so much for this! I have been self teaching for the past year and have just started departing from the method books to work on my ultimate goal- accompanying my singing on the piano. I read music just fine, but just looking at the transcription, I would have been too overwhelmed to even start. I love how you break everything up into chunks and explain what’s going on (for example- hey, that intro is just a couple of triads with the middle cut out. I can do that!) I think this is the perfect middle ground between just wading into the sheet music, or following one of those RockBand style tutorials. You guys obviously have a passion for teaching.
I’m still making my way through
the first two verses and am excited to learn those blues chords in the bridge. As a relative beginner it’s going to take awhile, but I’m confident I can do it.

[joannecunliffe]

I have been trying to play this for years but with your help I think it doesn't look anything like as difficult as I thought it was. I'll have a go. The arpeggios remind me a little of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" (which I can play). I'm basically a guitarist but I can play piano a little. You've inspired me! Thank you so much 🥰

[mhathaway]

Love how exciting they make it. Whole new perspective I’ve the song.

[Momoheim]

Bless you for that tutorial guys!!! i give you 1 month of my life, which I would have lost if i didn't have this.

[toneranger]

Beautiful voice Lisa. Thanks for the great tutorial guys.

[Nighttrainpiper]

I can’t believe that super complicated song ends on a c chord. The audacity!

[kuganthambipillai]

Brilliant. Can't seem to know when to start. I play by ear.

[rhsth]

Thank you so much for this wonderful lesson ! Loved the tandem approach which made it seem easier to learn 😀💯👍🎹

[ryanrabbitt]

Love this thank you guys so much very inspiring for us at home learners!

[AnthonyDavis-gx]

Nice! Can I get the slow version lol. Great lesson

[LisaRSArt]

This is so beautiful❣️. Thank you for this. Definitely one of my favorites! Wow❣️👍🏼👍🏼👏👏👏❤️

[anniescolourfullife]

This is beyond my capabilities at the moment, so I'll have to try this at a later date when I get more proficient on the piano.

[janemc]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS AND YOUR HAPPY CONTAGIOUS MANNER. I HAVE A QUESTION, WHAT KIND OF MICROPHONE AND FILTER DO YOU HAVE IN THIS VIDEO, I LOVE THE SET UP YOU HAVE THERE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. BEST TO YOU!!

[greysoncolman]

could we try some more country classic stuff? or just some more oldies please!!

[pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds]

Awhile back you taught Bohemian Rhapsody part. I would like to learn the rest of it now. How about it?

[santomon]

I liked the 3rd and 4 verses....but I was hoping to see what he was doing on the C chord in the chorus...sounds really cool but hard for me to figure out what his little riff or ornament is that he's doinf

[Indianabones]

Wow, this is awesome, what a great song! Could you do the same with Whole of the moon? Got rhythm but need intro and outro ❤️🤟

[alancardoz]

Wow ... niceee ... the second verse is quite similar to the intro of A Little Love by Bryan Adams

[alpmontenegro]

Great but Can you just take it slowly for us who are neophytes?