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
  • What a Difference a Day Makes, Melodic Analysis
    Mar 12 2025

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    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, melodic analysis, practice strategies, improvisation, music education, jazz standards, learning jazz, music theory, jazz techniques, jazz skills

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of melodic analysis, focusing on the classic tune 'What a Difference a Day Makes.' He emphasizes the importance of structured practice strategies, the necessity of understanding the seven facts of music, and how to approach learning jazz standards. The episode also includes a rhythmic challenge and explores various treatments of the tune, providing listeners with a comprehensive guide to mastering jazz piano skills.

    Takeaways
    Jazz education is saturated with information, but coherence is key.
    Establishing a structured practice strategy is essential for growth.
    The seven facts of music are foundational for understanding jazz.
    Melodic analysis involves identifying phrases and target notes.
    Improvisation should feel relaxed and natural, not stiff or forced.
    Everything practiced should be approached as music, not just exercises.
    Listening to various artists enhances understanding of tunes.
    Different treatments of a tune can provide fresh perspectives.
    Engaging with the community fosters learning and improvement.
    Regular practice and exploration lead to mastery of jazz piano.

    Titles
    Mastering Melodic Analysis in Jazz Piano
    The Seven Facts Every Jazz Musician Should Know
    Improvisation: From Stiff to Natural
    Exploring 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    Structured Practice Strategies for Jazz Musicians
    Jazz Piano Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

    Sound Bites
    "More information is simply overwhelming."
    "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "You want your improvisation to improve."
    "Jazz is a feel and that your feel is the opposite."
    "Everything is a piece of music."
    "Practice making these two notes relaxed and natural."
    "Everything you play is the perfect exercise."
    "Great tunes can be played a bunch of different ways."
    "Enjoy what a difference a day makes."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills and Melodic Analysis
    10:41 The Importance of Structured Practice Strategies
    24:32 Understanding the Seven Facts of Music
    36:18 Melodic Analysis of 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    01:03:22 Exploring Different Treatments of the Tune

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    31 mins
  • What a Difference a Day Makes, Harmonic Analysis
    Mar 5 2025

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    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, essential skills, harmony, melody, improvisation, rhythm, music theory, jazz standards, voicings, learning tunes

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces essential jazz piano skills, emphasizing the importance of harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. He discusses the seven facts of music that frame these skills and outlines a structured approach to learning a new tune, specifically 'What a Difference a Day Makes.' The episode also addresses a listener's question about voicings and alterations, providing insights into effective practice techniques and the importance of using the right tools for jazz piano playing.

    Takeaways
    Essential jazz piano skills include harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for jazz piano skills.
    Tune study illuminates essential skills needed to play jazz piano.
    Listening to various artists is key to learning a new tune.
    Block chords are not suitable for alterations; use the correct voicing types.
    Developing a practice template for unique chords enhances skill acquisition.
    Harmonic analysis is essential for understanding a tune's structure.
    Voicings should be practiced in context to develop proficiency.
    The importance of ear training through common chord progressions.
    Membership in Jazz Piano Skills provides access to valuable educational resources.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
    Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Harmony
    The Essential Guide to Jazz Piano
    Exploring 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    Jazz Piano Skills: A Comprehensive Approach
    Understanding Jazz Voicings and Alterations

    Sound Bites
    "Essential jazz piano skills include harmony, melody, improvisation."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "We need to see these essential jazz piano skills."
    "What a difference a day makes is a classic tune."
    "Your membership helps keep Jazz Piano Skills 100% ad-free."
    "You can't figure it out. I think it's fantastic that you're trying."
    "You have to have the correct tool to get the job done."
    "Do not try to apply alterations to block voicings."
    "Listening is the first step in learning a tune."
    "We will be learning the chord changes and harmonic function."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    03:00 Essential Jazz Piano Skills
    05:53 The Seven Facts of Music
    08:50 Tune Study Approach
    13:09 Question of the Week: Voicings and Alterations
    22:04 Learning a New Tune: What a Difference a Day Makes
    30:04 Harmonic Analysis of the Tune
    41:58 Voicings and Practical Application
    54:19 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    31 mins
  • Improvisation's Little Secret
    Feb 26 2025

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Improvisation, Interval of the Third, Jazz Skills, Music Education

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the concept of improvisation in jazz piano, focusing on the importance of mastering the interval of the third. He emphasizes that jazz is not merely about reading music but understanding sound and the shapes that create it. The discussion includes practical advice on how to approach learning jazz piano, with a structured method for developing improvisation skills through harmonic and melodic understanding. The episode concludes with encouragement to practice and explore these concepts further.

    Takeaways
    Improvisation's little secret is mastering the interval of the third.
    Jazz is the study of sound and the shapes used to produce them.
    Every sound in music is constructed by stacking major and minor thirds.
    Understanding harmony is crucial for melody and improvisation.
    Great melodies are constructed using arpeggio and scale motion.
    The interval of a third contains everything a musician needs to produce beautiful melodies.
    Spend time isolating sounds to radically improve improvisation skills.
    Jazz Piano Skills offers a comprehensive educational approach without ads.
    Membership provides access to premium content and community support.
    Improvisation requires a deep understanding of harmonic and melodic shapes.

    Titles
    Unlocking Jazz Piano: The Secret to Improvisation
    Mastering Jazz: The Power of the Third
    Improvisation Demystified: A Jazz Piano Journey
    The Art of Jazz Piano: Understanding Sound and Shape
    Jazz Piano Skills: Your Guide to Improvisation

    Sound Bites
    "Jazz Piano Skills is 100% educational content, no ads."
    "Your membership grants you many perks in Jazz Piano Skills."
    "Jazz is the study of sound and shapes."
    "Improvisation requires understanding harmonic and melodic shapes."
    "Improvisation's little secret is mastering the interval of the third."
    "Every sound is constructed by stacking major and minor thirds."
    "Great melodies are constructed using arpeggio and scale motion."
    "The little interval of a third contains everything a musician needs."
    "You have everything you need within the interval of a third."
    "Spend time isolating sound to transform your improvisation."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills and Improvisation
    17:56 Understanding the Secret of Improvisation
    23:15 Premium Content Message

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    24 mins

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