Jazz Piano Skills

By: Dr. Bob Lawrence
  • Summary

  • A podcast introducing aspiring Jazz Pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Professional Jazz Piano Lessons by Dr. Bob Lawrence, President The Dallas School of Music

    © 2025 Jazz Piano Skills
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Episodes
  • Wave, Improvisation
    Apr 16 2025

    Podcast Packets
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    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, improvisation, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, music education, jazz skills, chord scale relationships, rhythm challenge, music theory, jazz standards

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the essential skills needed for jazz piano, focusing on improvisation development through harmonic and melodic analysis. The discussion includes the seven facts of music, practical advice for beginners, and a structured approach to learning jazz standards. The episode emphasizes the importance of rhythm in improvisation and provides insights into chord scale relationships, culminating in a rhythm challenge to enhance improvisational vocabulary.

    Takeaways

    • Focus on jazz improvisation skills this month.
    • Understanding harmonic and melodic analysis is crucial.
    • The seven facts of music guide our learning process.
    • Begin practicing improvisation skills early in your journey.
    • Improvisation should not be a guessing game.
    • Musical interest comes from rhythm, not just notes.
    • Chords serve as the best etudes for improvisation.
    • Listening to recordings is essential for learning tunes.
    • Establish chord scale relationships for effective improvisation.
    • Engage in rhythm challenges to develop improvisational skills.

    Titles

    • Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills
    • Mastering Improvisation in Jazz
    • The Seven Facts of Music Explained
    • Beginner's Guide to Jazz Improvisation
    • Exploring Chord Scale Relationships

    Sound Bites

    • "I hate April 15th."
    • "We devote ourselves to improvisation skills."
    • "The seven facts of music."
    • "You can begin practicing your improvisation skills right now."
    • "The best jazz improvisation etudes are the chords."
    • "Improvisation is not a guessing game."
    • "Musical interest is created rhythmically."
    • "Listen to definitive recordings."
    • "We have established a chord scale relationship for every single chord."
    • "Enjoy wave, and improvisation approach."

    Chapters
    00:00
    Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills

    01:02
    Harmonic and Melodic Analysis Overview

    05:15
    The Seven Facts of Music

    10:00
    Question of the Week: Beginner Improvisation

    20:03
    Approach to Learning Tunes

    34:50
    Exploring Chord Scale Relationships

    46:48
    Improvisation Development with Shapes

    52:48
    Conclusion and Next Steps

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    26 mins
  • Wave, Melodic Analysis
    Apr 9 2025

    Podcast Packets
    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Practice Strategies, Chord Inversions, Improvisation, Rhythm, Music Theory, Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Transcription, Wave, Music Education, Improvisation, Fingerings, Music Phrases, Target Notes, Treatments

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the importance of melodic analysis in jazz education, particularly focusing on the tune 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim. He emphasizes the necessity of a structured practice strategy and the seven facts of music that serve as a foundation for understanding and mastering jazz piano skills. The conversation also addresses common challenges faced by students, such as retaining chord inversions, and provides practical exercises to enhance their skills. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence provides a comprehensive approach to the melodic analysis of the jazz standard 'Wave.' The discussion covers various aspects including transcribing the melody by ear, understanding fingerings, identifying musical phrases, and exploring different treatments of the piece. The episode emphasizes the importance of ear training and offers practical exercises to enhance musicianship.

    Takeaways

    • Melodic analysis is essential for understanding jazz tunes.
    • A structured practice strategy is crucial for progress.
    • The seven facts of music guide the learning process.
    • More information can overwhelm and stifle growth.
    • Chords and inversions are foundational to jazz playing.
    • Listening to various artists enhances musical understanding.
    • Transcribing melodies aids in improvisation skills.
    • Different treatments of a tune can expand musical expression.
    • Regular practice of chord inversions is necessary for mastery.
    • Simplifying the learning process is key to becoming a better musician. It's a pretty thorough, it's a pretty complete approach.
    • We will learn the melody of wave by ear.
    • This melody is very complex.
    • These become like the goalpost, if you will.
    • It's very hard, very challenging to take wave and play it as a ballad.
    • It helps us internalize the song, it develops our musicianship.
    • Don't forget, there is a rhythm challenge that you need to check out.
    • I hope you have found this episode insightful and beneficial.
    • Enjoy Wave on Melodic Analysis.
    • Have fun as you discover, learn, and play jazz piano.

    Titles

    • Mastering Jazz Piano: The Art of Melodic Analysis
    • Unlocking Jazz Skills: The Seven Facts of Music
    • Navigating Chord Inversions in Jazz Piano
    • The Journey of Jazz Piano: From Harmony to Melody
    • Jazz Piano Essentials: Practice Strategies for Success
    • Exploring 'Wave': A Melodic Journey

    Sound Bites

    • "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
    • "More information actually stifles growth and advancement."
    • "Without the facts, you're rudderless."
    • "The seven facts of music are our rudder."
    • "You cannot skip over or gloss over the chords and inversions."
    • "Chords and inversions are the harmonic foundation."
    • "Let's discover, learn, and play wave."

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    37 mins
  • Wave, Harmonic Analysis
    Apr 2 2025

    Podcast Packets
    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Essential Skills, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Skills, Improvisation, Rhythm, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Wave, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jazz, Piano, Wave, Chord Changes, Harmonic Analysis, Voicing Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Music Practice

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the essential skills needed for jazz piano, emphasizing a structured approach to learning tunes. He discusses the importance of harmonic, melodic, improvisational, and rhythmic skills, framed by the seven facts of music. The episode also explores the classic tune 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim, detailing the harmonic analysis and voicings used in the piece. Additionally, Dr. Lawrence addresses a listener's question about dominant voicings and highlights the benefits of membership in the Jazz Piano Skills community. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the complexities of the jazz standard 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique chord changes, harmonic functions, and voicing techniques necessary for mastering this challenging piece. The discussion includes practical tips for creating practice templates and the significance of analyzing harmonic progressions. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the educational content provided in the Jazz Piano Skills community and prepare for an in-depth exploration of the tune in upcoming sessions.

    Takeaways

    • A skill-centric approach is crucial for learning jazz tunes.
    • Essential jazz piano skills include harmonic, melodic, improvisation, and rhythm skills.
    • The seven facts of music provide a framework for understanding musical concepts.
    • Transcribing melodies by ear is preferred over reading from sheet music.
    • Membership in Jazz Piano Skills offers ad-free content and educational resources.
    • Understanding voicings is key to playing jazz effectively.
    • Listening to various artists enhances musical understanding.
    • Harmonic analysis is the first step in learning a new tune.
    • Improvisation development follows harmonic and melodic analysis.
    • Engagement in the community fosters learning and support. The tune 'Wave' has a unique structure with extended A sections.
    • Understanding unique chord changes is crucial for jazz improvisation.
    • Creating a practice template helps focus on specific sounds.
    • Harmonic analysis is essential for grasping the complexities of jazz standards.
    • Voicing techniques vary and can include traditional and contemporary styles.
    • The key of D major presents unique challenges in 'Wave'.
    • Practicing ear training is important for recognizing harmonic movements.
    • Jazz often substitutes chords for creative expression.
    • The tune 'Wave' is considered one of the more challenging pieces.
    • Engagement with the community enhances the learning experience.

    Titles

    • Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills
    • Mastering the Essentials of Jazz Piano
    • The Seven Facts of Music Explained
    • Dive into 'Wave' by Jobim
    • Benefits of Joining Jazz Piano Skills
    • Understanding Dominant Voicings in Jazz

    Sound Bites

    • "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
    • "Music is the production of sound and silence

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    32 mins
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