How To Use The “Shells” Of Chords To Improve Your Playing
When I was a young lad studying jazz piano with the great George Russell Jr. back at New England Conservatory in Boston, he had me doing all these exercises playing the shells. While I practiced, I couldn’t help but think, “This is the most pointless practicing ever.” Little did I know he was giving me […]
Fix: How To Never Rush Or Drag Your Solo Lines Again
I recently played a senior recital for a student at Sac State University. While hanging out before the performance, one of my friends who is also a student comes up and says “How the heck do you get you your lines to not drag?” When I’m asked this I usually give them a blank stare […]
Take Dead Aim With Your Solo Lines
Why do some solos sound crappy? What makes a solo not sound good? Obviously there a lot of reason. But the main reason people’s improv doesn’t sound good is because their melodic content is dead on with the harmonies. Let me explain. Chord Tones with your soloing Every chord you are playing over is made […]
5 Improvisation Tips That Will Make You Better Immediately
Have you ever opened a jazz book and read through some things and then said to yourself, “Am I really going to be able to use this at all?” I’ve probably done this thousands of time. Searching the internet and musical book stores for those nuggets that will make your playing sound better without even […]
Your Practice Space Vs. Concert Setting: What To Be Aware Of And How To Master The Switch
Have you ever practiced the heck of our a piece at home and had it sound great, only to completely screw it up at the concert? Or have you simply played on one piano, then went to play on a different one and could barely play the piece you’ve been working on? Why the heck […]
How To Never Miss A Practice Session!
Have you ever told yourself you were going to practice and found yourself wondering what happened 3 days later? Here are some tips to help ensure you never miss a practice session again. #1 Find your practice time Not all times of day work for me to practice. I simply cannot practice in the morning. […]
Improve Your Jazz With 6 Tips From The BSO Tour
As I write this blog I am two hours away from the end of a 13 hour flight back from Tokyo! This is probably the longest two hours of my life. For some reason going back is a lot harder. I’ve just finished a two week tour with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Asia. If […]
How To Achieve Continuous Growth Through Perspective
We create our own beliefs and reality based on our surroundings. It’s hard to believe the rest of the world does not look or operate like America. Especially if you’ve been living there for the past 29 years like myself. How could one possibly know or understand what other parts of the world are like? […]
China Day 1
Day 1 Beijing, China After a 13 hour flight, a 3 hour layover and another 3 hour flight, we finally made it to Beijing. I didn’t sleep at all on the first flight. Believe it or not I was typing the entire time writing the course content and manual for Jazz Piano School. It’s hard […]
Make More Progress And Practice Less, Here’s How
Yes that headline is correct. Stop wasting your time and actually make more progress by doing less. Seems too good to be true, right? Let me explain. Everyone usually wants to learn how to play an instrument or learn a skill, but no one wants to work to learn how to do it. And actually […]
