How To Practice Jazz Piano Efficiently
Practicing jazz can feel nebulous. What do we play? What do we do? There are so many different things to practice. What exercises do we use? I’ll be first one to say this, I wasted a full decade practicing jazz the WRONG way.
In this episode I’ll teach you my 5 step system that will give you a practice plan to ensure you’re ACTUALLY making progress everytime you sit down to practice.
Enjoy!
Vince Guaraldi “Skating” (LOTW #211)
What better way to ring in the Holidays than with Vince Guaraldi’s “Skating!” This piece always reminds us of the holiday season. The melody flows in parallel thirds, and is followed by colorful chords ascending in minor thirds. Pull out this piece at any Christmas party, and you will surely impress! https://youtu.be/3R7Z2ldZzsg CLICK HERE FOR […]
Bill Evans’ Colorful Melody from “Very Early” (LOTW #210)
Bill Evans is known for his virtuosic improvisation, but he was also a very skilled composer. Check out this melody from “Very Early.” It is accompanied by a series of colorful harmonies cycling in thirds. https://youtu.be/AZkw37aKVUQ CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week […]
How To Play Cocktail Piano: Behind The Curtains
The Cocktail Piano style is a term that is thrown around and everyone wants to learn it. Whenever we walk into a lounge, bar, or cocktail hour, as musicians, we always marvel and what the pianist is playing and DOING.
What are they doing though and what IS the “Cocktail Piano” style? In this podcast I’ll pull back the curtain on the top 4 styles that make up the style, how to feather, and the fills you need to create the cocktail sound.
Enjoy!
Practice Improvisation in 3 Easy Steps To Make Faster Progress
Practicing improvisation can be nebulous to say the least. What do you practice? How do you practice? When we’re able to take a step back, and plan out our improvisation practice session using this 3 step process you’ll make much more progress in a shorter amount of time.
Oscar Peterson “Riff Blues” (LOTW #209)
Here is some vintage Oscar, this time with a blues head called “Riff Blues.” Once you know this riff, you know the whole tune! Listen as Oscar takes it away with a tasty blues solo following the head. https://youtu.be/E20TFGnszDY CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LICK BOOK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick […]
How To Construct Bebop Lines
I love demystifying the jazz education process. The moment when a student finally understand is magic. Everything clicks and the light bulb goes off.
I never really got a step by step instruction, so this is why I dedicated myself to teaching in this manner.
In this podcast episode, I break down exactly how bebop lines are created in the moment so you can have an accurate understanding of what is happening to create such gorgeous sounding lines. Enjoy!
Jazz Piano Blues Reharms Part 2
I go further in depth into blues reharms to teach you how to expand upon the fundamentals I taught in the last episode.
Blues Piano Reharms – Part 1
Playing the blues is always fun. Playing the blues with reharms is even MORE fun! In this live stream podcast, I’ll teach you 4 reharms you can use in the blues and HOW to use them. These 4 reharms are extremely powerful and will completely transform your playing.
Creating Two Hand 4 Note Voicings
This was the very first, live stream podcast I recorded with a live audience. It was so much fun, and I can’t wait to do it again! If you’re looking to become a part of the live audience and get your questions answered by me after I record, go to https://jazzpianoschool.com/livepodcast to get on the email list so you receive the links. Enjoy!
