Learn how to play some of the Beach Boys' most popular songs on piano, with the instructional video Rock Piano Classics: Learn Nine Hit Songs of The Beach Boys!, taught by Billy Hinsche, with an introduction by Audree and Carl Wilson. Billy has been associated with The Beach Boys since 1965 when his group Dino, Desi and Billy opened for the band at The Hollywood Bowl. He began touring as a Beach Boys band member in 1974. He has many vocal and performance credits with the group and others, including Elton John.

In this professional three camera production (including an overhead camera for a unique perspective of the keyboard), Billy sings and plays nine of the band's most popular songs. He analyzes all the musical elements involved in each song. Topics include chord structure, “hooks,” bass patterns, arpeggios, shuffle rhythms, key changes, and other devices that Brian Wilson used to create these timeless masterpieces. Billy explains things in a clear and easy to understand way, providing insight and humor to the lesson.

Billy's original instructional piano video was reissued on the Homespun label in 2013 in DVD and digital formats.

Total Running time: 70 minutes approximately

Click here to see the preview trailer.
 

HOMESPUN SAYS

Play the piano and sing along with some of the greatest pop songs of all time!

After more than twenty years of touring as keyboardist for the Beach Boys, Billy Hinsche knows the ins and outs of their music as well as anyone. On this fascinating lesson, he teaches the ingenious chord structures, ear-catching melodies and ground-breaking "hooks" that have made them one of the most successful rock groups of all time.

With insight, humor and an "insider's" perspective, Billy examines nine of the Beach Boys' best-known tunes, breaking each one down for learning players at all levels. His analysis of their use of unusual progressions, rhythms, key changes, bass lines, arpeggios and other musical innovations shows why the Beach Boys' music has become an integral part of America's pop music tradition.

Pianists at all levels will have fun singing and playing along with these classic rock songs: “California Girls,” “Kokomo,” “In My Room,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Wouldn't It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Forever.”
 

TESTIMONIALS

“If you want to know something, go to the source. Billy played these marvelous songs with the group for 20 years. If anybody can tell you about the intricacies of these Brian Wilson songs, it's this cat. I was fascinated. ”
— Paul Shaffer, musical director for the CBS Orchestra on Late Show with David Letterman

“My 15 year old son and I sat down to watch Hinsche's how-to and were riveted top-to-bottom. This video brings Brian Wilson's genius into beginner's hands (like mine), and with depth for advanced players (like my son). It broadens the harmonic lingo of any chord-challenged pro — a must for any singer/songwriter's music library — brings the surf up to the turf. Puts ease in the keys. A refreshing reminder of what made this romantic era in California's pop music history an endless summer. Unique! Painless! Indispensable! The fastest track piano how-to I've ever seen. Hinsche doesn't drop a beat. Hang your ten with Hinsche!
“‘Be an American and then write any kind of music you wish!’ Virgil Thompson, on how to write ‘American Music.’
“Virgil forgot to add: ‘It helps to have Play Songs of The Beach Boys: Piano Accompaniments to Rock Classics, taught by Billy Hinsche.’”
— Van Dyke Parks, Brian Wilson's favorite collaborator and longtime friend

“As the electric bassist on most of these great recordings, I think Billy gets a good feel and captures the essence of these great songs with good tips on playing the arrangements on piano; plus the viewer will pick up much musical knowledge too. Some of the keys are strange (Brian wrote some in the key of ‘B’), hence the mixture of flats and sharps sometimes; but he guides you through every tune so you can play them well and get the inside tips you need to feel comfortable on piano as you learn. As a long-time accredited music teacher (since 1949), I liked this video, very well-done.”
— Carol Kaye, former No. 1 call '60s studio electric bass (LA), and author of over 24 music tutorials (www.carolkaye.com)