Oscar Peterson’s Iconic Solo on “Sometimes I’m Happy” (LOTW #207)
Few jazz piano trio albums are as beloved as The Trio, live in Chicago in 1961. Oscar’s signature trio with Ed Thigpen on drums and Ray Brown on bass is unrivaled in terms of their ability to swing. This track is no exception, and Oscar holds nothing back during his solo. Enjoy this excerpt from […]
Creating Left Hand Chord Lines (Ep: 218)
“Plopping and Dropping” left hand voicings can only get you so far. Developing architectural left hand chord lines creates a beautiful backdrop for your right hand to improvise over. In today’s podcast we will break down some key techniques to creating your own left hand chord lines!
How to Use Block Chords – Jazz Piano Tutorial Pt. 2 (Ep: 217)
Block chords are one of jazz piano’s unsolved mysteries. This style made famous by George Shearing and Nat King Cole was once ubiquitously used by jazz pianists of the 20th century who came after them. In part two of this jazz piano tutorial, we will cover two more advanced strategies to integrate this style of playing into your repertoire.
A Scorching Bebop Intro by Bud Powell (LOTW #206)
Bud Powell is the father of Bebop Jazz piano playing. Check out this absolutely blazing intro to “Get Happy” from the album Jazz Giant (1950). This intro will knock your socks off!! https://youtu.be/juRHCsKzXKE CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a Lick Of The Week you […]
3 Things You Need To Do More With Less (Ep: 216)
Most the time we feel like we’re inadequate players. That’s rough, and I know because I’ve been there. But the truth is, the tools we currently possess are usually more than enough to make and play beautiful jazz piano music. You just need 3, very simple, yet powerful things. In this episode I’ll share with you what those 3 things are and how they will instantly bring your playing to life, no matter WHAT level you are! Enjoy!
Armando’s Rhumba by Chick Corea Pt. 2 (LOTW #205)
Armando Anthony Corea, also known as “Chick,” wrote many amazing compositions. This self-titled rhumba features a two-handed melody and becomes a highlight of his iconic 1976 album, “My Spanish Heart.” Here is the conclusion from Part 1! https://youtu.be/XgI8xnV7xyA CLICK HERE TO GET A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE LICK If you have questions or suggestions for a […]
How to Use Block Chords – Jazz Piano Tutorial Pt. 1 (Ep: 215)
Block chords are one of jazz piano’s unsolved mysteries. This style made famous by George Shearing and Nat King Cole was once ubiquitously used by jazz pianists of the 20th century who came after them. In this jazz piano tutorial, learn how to use this technique in your improvising, comping, and more!
Setting Restraints to Spark Creativity (Ep: 214)
Setting restraints forces us to play things we never would have thought of on our own. By limiting our choices, we actually drastically increase the amount of creativity in our lines. Restraints help us to bypass muscle memory and create new pathways through the harmonies. Check out these 3 strategies to implement restraints into your practice routine and jumpstart your creativity!
Brad Mehldau’s Epic Solo on “Anthropology” (LOTW #203)
Brad Mehldau is known for his signature style made famous during his Art of the Trio albums. Before that time, however, he was swinging his a** off with the Rossy bros! On this recording “When I fall in Love” (1993) with Jorge and Mario Rossy, Brad absolutely goes to town on this rhythm changes tune. […]
The Magic of Monk – Jazz Piano Tutorial (Ep: 213)
In honor of Thelonious Monk’s 103rd birthday this October, we will be taking a deep dive into his musical style in this podcast lesson! Follow along as we explore two Monk compositions and examine what makes them tick. By the end of this lesson, you will have a new appreciation for Monk’s style and discover new ways to incorporate it into your own personal creativity!
