Oscar Peterson Solo Break Lick (LOTW #162)
Here is a quintessential blues solo break from Oscar Peterson on the standard tune “I’ve Never Been In Love Before.” He ornaments his blues lines with triplets and doubled notes. Take a page out of his book with this solo break and you’ll be playing the blues in no time! https://youtu.be/RGNMIDwzamI CLICK HERE TO GET […]
Jazz Piano School 2.0 is coming! (October 7th, 2019, 7am est)
Flash cards, practice workouts, and improv analysis OH MY! Well it’s been a long time coming but Jazz Piano School 2.0 is finally right around the corner. More specifically…we will be opening our doors October 7th, 2019 @ 7am est to accept new students into our brand new website full of fun and jammed packed […]
Erroll Garner’s Swinging Lines on “I’ll Remember April” (LOTW #135)
Erroll Garner swings in a league of his own on his famous recording “Concert by the Sea.” He treads the line between bebop and swing, and his chromatic and adventurous lines lead him to new destinations every time! https://youtu.be/iprk9P7g8is CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for […]
Keith Jarrett’s Ballad Stylings on “Danny Boy” (LOTW #134)
Keith Jarrett interprets the traditional Irish Ballad “Danny Boy” with a personal touch at this Tokyo solo concert from 2002. He uses voicings that you don’t hear every day, some including major 9ths and passing tones. Note how he throws in his personal flair with a reharmonization in the 5th bar! When compared to Bill […]
LOTW #133 – Bill Evans’ Rubato Stylings on “Danny Boy”
Bill Evans interprets the traditional ballad “Danny Boy” showcasing his elegant piano style and beautiful voicings. Note how he presents the melody with advanced harmonies and splits the voicings between two hands with the flexibility to maintain the melody. Bill Evans shows his mastery in this recording, the rest of this track is definitely worth […]
Fill Style Comping (Part 2): Jobim “Girl From Ipanema” Brazilian Comping Analysis
In part 1 of this series, we analyzed Oscar Peterson’s fill-style comping on “Sweet Loraine” alongside Herb Ellis’ 4-in-the-bar style comping. In part 2 of this 3-part series, we are going to examine how to comp alongside a guitarist on a Bossa nova tune. When comping in a Brazilian group, the guitarist serves as the […]
Fill-Style Comping (Part 1): Oscar Peterson “It’s Only A Paper Moon” Comping Analysis
Fill-style comping can be a very effective tool when dealing with a crowded accompaniment space: when comping in a traditional big band setting when comping alongside a guitarist’s brazilian rhythmic comping when comping alongside a guitarist’s “4 to a bar” comping In part 1 of this 3-part series, we are going to examine Oscar Peterson’s […]
Keith Jarrett’s Fiery Opening Lick (LOTW #115)
This is a solo by a young Keith Jarrett during his professional debut on tour with Charles Lloyd in 1966. His fiery opening line became infamous because of his technical fluidity and his use of harmonic color.
What is a Bebop Scale? And Why Is It Important?
Are Bebop Scales the secret to unlocking the mystery of bebop improvisation for you? No. In order to truly sound authentic with bebop improvisation, you must develop a solid bebop vocabulary and incorporate staples of bebop phraseology such as: enclosures, chromaticism, triplets in between a string of eighth notes, and particular sounds like the altered […]
Bud Powell’s Groovin’ Lick on “Celia” (LOTW #114)
Bud Powell was an extremely influential artist to jazz and jazz pianists to come. Here is a great lick from one of his very famous tunes called “Celia”.
