Speech

Introduction

[Riff] Bohemian Rhapsody. [Riff] You all know it. [Riff] You all know the lyrics, or most people think you do [talking over riff]. Written by Freddie Mercury of the English rock band Queen, after its release in 1975 it rose to prominence, becoming one of the greatest songs, of all time. Don’t you just wanna hear it? Play it? [guitar solo] and sing it [verse part 2, switch into carry on].

Hello everybody, my name’s Caleb and today I will be teaching you that iconic riff at the start of the ballad section that everyone immediately recognizes as Bohemian Rhapsody. One of the most iconic piano riffs in history. While it’s the easiest part of the song, Bohemian Rhapsody is no beginners piece, so you’ll need some previous piano experience to play it.

Why Bohemian Rhapsody?

If you’re gonna pick a song, why not go for the greatest song ever written? How much would you love to play it? I got to play it at MAC Stock last August and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Everyone knows this song and loves to sing it, (or yell it moderately in tune – you know who you are. [pause] “Galileo!” [Yelled loudly out of tune accompanied by F# and F, minor seconds]. The feeling of playing this song, with the entire audience joining in, having the time of their lives, left me on a high for the rest of the month. It would be amazing to give someone else the skills to experience something like this for themselves

Lesson: Partial improvisation, play appropriate notes and repeat each section once.

The song starts with a broken [start playing] Bb major chord, like this. The right hand starts with a 2 note chord of Bb and D, place your thumb on the first F below middle C, your middle finger on Bb just above that and your pinky finger on D. Bb+D, F, Bb, D, F, F. Timing is 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. The left hand’s real easy, its just octaves, if you can’t play octaves you can just play the single note. (in octaves) Bb, then all the above middle C, G, F, There are those two iconic notes you instantly recognise, give these two notes a little accent to bring them out from the main melody. Timing is Bb and 2 and G and F and. So together it goes Bb and 2 and G and F and. That riff repeats twice then it moves to a broken Gm chord in the same pattern. Staying in the same position move your thumb up one note to G. Bb+D, G Bb, D, G G. Left hand is the same pattern as before but with notes from Gm. G, A, G. Together: G and 2 and A and G and. After the Gm chord jump up to Cm once again in the same pattern. Start with your thumb on Middle C, middle finger on Eb and pinky on G. Starting once again with the top two notes, Eb+G, C, Eb, G, C, C. Left hand, C, D, C. And together, C and 2 and D and C and

When you’re playing these top two notes you might get a bit of [intentional mistake], Don’t worry it happens, just carry on, cary, as if nothing really matters.

The next section is a three note chord of Cm7th. Start with your thumb on middle C, your index finger on Eb and your pinky on Bb. C+Eb+Bb, C, Eb, G (with your ring finger), then a broken F major chord. With your thumb and middle finger, F+A, then cross your index finger over to Eb keeping your thumb on the F, F, C with your pinky. Left hand is nice and simple, just play C on the Cm7th and F on the F major. C and 2 and F and 4 and.

Conclusion

And that was the famous riff at the start of Bohemian Rhapsody’s ballad section.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Give it some practice and I’m sure you’ll enjoy playing one of the greatest songs ever written.

The best part of the song is the easiest. Have a go, it’s not as daunting as it seems. Play with feeling. Play as if nothing really matters [ending run]. Play for you. [Final chord].

Thank you for listening.

Cue Cards

Introduction (start playing)
Bohemian Rhapsody. You all know it…
Written by Freddie Mercury…
After its release in 1975…
Don’t you just wanna hear it,Play it, sing it.

Hello everybody… …that iconic riff at the start of the ballad section everyone immediately recognizes as Bohemian Rhapsody. One of the most iconic piano riffs in history.
While it’s the easiest part of the song…

Why Bohemian Rhapsody? If you’re gonna pick a song…
How much would you love to play it? I got to play it at MAC Stock…. Everyone knows this song and loves to sing it… The feeling of playing this song… It would be amazing to give someone else…

Lesson
The song starts with… Right hand – 2 note chord of Bb and D Finger positioning, Notes, (repeat) Timing.
left hand is real easy… if you can’t play octaves… Notes, up above middle C… There are those two iconic notes… accent, Timing, Hands together. That riff repeats… Move to Gm

Staying in the same position… …up to G Notes, (repeat)
Left hand is the same pattern… …notes from Gm. Octaves, Hands together. Jump up to Cm. Positioning Notes. Left hand, together.
When you’re playing these top two notes you might get a bit of…

The next section is a three note chord of Cm7th. Positioning, Notes, (with your ring finger), Then a broken F major chord. With your thumb and middle finger, F+A, then cross your index finger… F again, to C with your pinky. Repeat Notes,
Left hand, C on the Cm7th, F on the F major. Hands Together

Conclusion
And that was the famous riff…
I hope you enjoyed… Give it some practice…
The best part of the song… …Have a go
Play it with feeling… Thank you for listening.