Problem/Solution: What & How To Practice
Last time we examined why we practice – which is to slow down the process, extract your internal information, and achieve a high level of control in order to best equip yourself to spontaneously create. Today I am going to offer solutions to the common questions: what and how should I practice? HOW TO PRACTICE […]
Jazz Piano School Ep. 100 – Keith Jarrett Analysis, “Someone To Watch Over Me”
Not to take anything away from Keith on this one, but we reached PODCAST 100! Kind of crazy if you ask me? When I think about to all the hurdles, and problems we had to get through, I can’t believe we’ve come this far. In order to celebrate we ‘re giving away 2 amazing gifts. #1 A LIFETIME membership to jazz piano. Yes you read that correctly. And #2 – A free reserved membership to our new “Lab” this is coming by the end of the year. Now in order to enter all you have to do is give the podcast a 5 start rating and write a brief review. I mean it could literally say “This podcast rocks!” and you will be entered to win 1 of 2 memberships to Jazz Piano School. Here are the directions. 1. Click this link to the Jazz Piano School Podcast. Click Here For The Jazz Piano School Podcast 2. Click the small button that says “VIEW IN ITUNES” 3. Click the “RATINGS AND REVIEWS” tab. 4. Click “Write A Review” 5. Write a review and leave a 5 star rating and we will enter you in. REMEMBER: You have to write a review because that is the only way we ‘ll know your name. We will announce the winner at the start of the following week ‘s podcast. The great thing about the entry is that you ‘re helping spread the love of jazz piano education to others around the world. Back to Keith. Keith Jarrett is brilliant at the way he moves his inner voicings around. Especially in a ballad. This can clearly be seen in this week ‘s analysis of “Someone To Watch Over Me”. Please enjoy!
Jazz Piano School Ep. 99 – Seven Steps To Heaven – Herbie Hancock Solo Analysis
Herbie has always been a god in the jazz piano world. In this iconic track, Seven Steps To Heaven, we take a look at how Herbie is burnin’ it up all over the place. He’s got some beginner movements mixed with some advanced concepts. Anyone can learn from taking a look at this one. Enjoy!
SAQ: Why Do We Practice?
A common FAQ is “What Should I Practice?”. But a more important SAQ (“should ask question”) is “Why Do I Practice?”. Many have defined practicing as “the act of rehearsing a behavior over and over, or engaging in an activity again and again, for the purpose of improving or mastering it, as in the phrase […]
Jazz Piano School Ep. 98 – Beautiful Love, Bill Evans Transcription Analysis
Bill Evans was one of the greats for a reason…well…multiple reasons. In this episode we take a look at the phrasing, subtleties, rhythmic motifs, and note selection of Bill Evans in this solo off one his famous albums, “Explorations”.
Jazz Piano School Ep. 97 – Freddie Freeloader, Wynton Kelly Transcription Analysis
It’s the small nuances and attention to detail that will take your playing to the next level. What sound are you trying to create? How do you get it? After you’ve learned the building blocks of jazz improvisation, these transcription analysis will help put you on top.
How To Command Your Left Hand Like Bill Evans
When playing in the trio setting, a jazz pianist’s left hand is often an afterthought, a purely supportive entity that acts out of reflex rather than thought. Too commonly, pianists spend hours at a time improving their right-handed lines without paying attention to their left-handed choices. There is a trend of simply falling back on […]
Early McCoy vs Late McCoy: How McCoy Tyner’s Playing Style Evolved Over Time
McCoy Tyner is unquestionably one of the most influential jazz pianists to date, with one of the most clearly recognizable sounds. But McCoy’s sound changed drastically – arguably more than any other jazz musician – as he evolved from a mainstream hard-bop player to an innovative post-bop player who defined a new approach to improvisation […]
Jazz Piano School Ep. 96 – 8 Different Ways To Add Rhythmic Variety To Improve Your Improvisation
Most of the time I hear beginner and intermediate players stop at using quarter notes and eighth notes. This greatly hurts the sound of your improvisation. Remember, jazz was and is a dance music! Rhythm is like the oxygen to jazz. Without it, your solo is going to die. Here’s how to start adding rhythmic variety to your improv.
Jazz Piano School Ep. 95 – What Happens In Your Playing As You Advance
A lot of the time when trying to get better at jazz piano, you simply have no idea what the future looks like…or even what the heck advanced players are doing! It sounds too far out of reach. Well I’m here to tell you it’s not. In this episode I show you what is going to happen as you advance through the levels. This way you’ll be able to see exactly what takes place.
