Jazz Piano School Ep 30 : How To Use Diatonic Harmony

So you may be wondering how can you start putting these diatonic chords to use now. Well there are a number of different ways you can do it. The first benefit we now have is we can transpose music easily, and effectively. When I analyze a tune and understand what the progression is, meaning I know if the chords are serving as a II-7 chord of a V7 chord, I can now take that progression and easily move it into another key using those same roman numerals. Learning progressions is the other big benefit we have. If someone calls out a quick progression or you see me type a set of numbers such as ( 2-4-6-2-3-5-1), you can go to the piano and work on that progression. Composition is another biggie that comes from diatonic harmony. You can put numbers together yourself in any order you’d like and see what comes out. This is the foundation for all our future harmony and theory to come!

Ten Reasons Why Jazz Piano Lessons Will Change Your Life Forever

ianists can pretty much play anything they want. A solid jazz pianists is by far the most versatile musician out there. Where did they start? By taking jazz piano lessons. In case you had any doubt, I wanted to list my top ten reasons on how and why jazz piano lessons will change your life […]

Blues Series – Part 1 (LOTW #46)

Everyone plays the blues. It is a great structure to learn improvisation over. In this lick I’m adding more rhythmic qualities as you might see. Rhythmic ideas and phrases can really improve your playing. The notes I’m using in this are simple blues scale notes. ( If you are unsure as to what the blues […]

Jazz Piano School Ep 29 : How To Use Modes

I don’t use modes. Who needs modes? What good are modes anyway? Modes are the building blocks of improv. Modes are the notes that correspond with a chord. Not using modes is like misspelling words.

Ballad Series – Part 5 (LOTW #45)

Here is more of a cliche line you here a lot over the D-7. The outline of the chord tones and chromatic resolution to the third of G7. I do really enjoy the augmented sound over the G7. Going up from the third and using the #5(b13) sound. We resolve to the fifth of Cmaj7 […]

Ballad Series – Part 4 (LOTW #44)

I really like this one. We start off with a nice rhythm here with a 6 note phrase to one beat. We are arpeggiating chord tones, (again), and continuing up until we slide into the root of the G7 chord an drop down an octave. We resolve into the Cmaj7 chord by playing the b13 […]

Ballad Series – Part 3 (LOTW #43)

A nice outline of chord tones over the D-7 then making our way up to the #9 and b9 of the G7. There are our extensions again over our dominant chord. We resolve down to the third of our Cmaj7 chord and finish with a nice little chromatic line starting on the 5th of Cmaj7 […]

Ballad Series – Part 2 (LOTW #42)

Don’t let the rhythms fool you in this one. The tempo is so slow the 32nd notes are simply ornamental trills. The main idea in this one like lick 41 i that we land on an extension over the G7 chord. This happens to be the b9 in this lick. Landing on extensions in ballads […]

Jazz Piano School Ep 28 : Why You Need Diatonic Harmony

We have to be able to understand how to put the puzzle pieces together in jazz. How can you expect to do this without understanding where they go? Well, you can’t! This is why Diatonic Harmony is so important. Diatonic Harmony is the road map to explain how chords and progressions fit together. Without learning this you will be completely lost as we continue to progress. Diatonic Harmony is the relationship of chords to a scale and certain key. Pretty easy once you get into it! Leave your questions in the comments section and I’ll be happy to help.

Ballad Series – Part 1 (LOTW #41)

This is a tasty little lick with a small grace note that makes all the difference. Feel free to phrase this however you want. You can pull or push on the time depending how you are feeling. Also the chromatic half steps going to the b13 of the G7 sound beautiful as it resolves to […]

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