Episodes

  • Lady Be Good, Improvisation
    Jul 16 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Improvisation, Arpeggios, Music Theory, Practice Techniques, Jazz Skills, Lady Be Good, Music Education, Piano Lessons, Jazz Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of jazz piano improvisation, focusing on the tune 'Lady Be Good.' The discussion covers essential concepts such as the seven facts of music, effective practice techniques, and the importance of sound in jazz. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the use of inverted arpeggios to create melodic motifs, providing practical examples and etudes to enhance improvisational skills. The episode serves as a comprehensive guide for jazz piano students at all levels, encouraging a structured approach to practice and exploration of jazz music.

    Takeaways
    Improvisation skills are developed through structured practice.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for jazz musicians.
    Boredom during practice indicates a need for broader skill exploration.
    Sound should be the starting point for any practice session.
    Each practice session should have a single objective.
    Inverted arpeggios can create interesting melodic motifs.
    Listening to various renditions of a tune is essential for learning.
    Jazz practice should be systematic and formulaic.
    Creating melodic motifs from arpeggios enhances improvisation.
    Membership in a jazz community provides valuable resources and support.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: The Art of Improvisation
    Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills: A Deep Dive

    Sound bites
    "How do you practice jazz?"
    "Boredom is a huge red flag."
    "Everything flows from harmony."

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    31 mins
  • Lady Be Good, Melodic Analysis
    Jul 9 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Practice Plan, Seven Facts of Music, Lady Be Good, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Skills, Music Practice

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the classic jazz standard 'Lady Be Good.' The discussion emphasizes the importance of a structured practice plan, the seven facts of music, and the essential skills needed for jazz musicians. The episode also addresses a listener's question about the order of learning jazz and provides insights into transcribing melodies and exploring different treatments of the tune. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the community and utilize the resources available to enhance their jazz piano skills.

    Takeaways
    Melodic analysis follows harmonic analysis in jazz education.
    A structured practice plan is crucial for progress.
    The seven facts of music serve as a compass for learning.
    Sound awareness is essential for effective practice.
    Transcribing melodies by ear is a key skill.
    Different treatments of a tune can enhance understanding.
    Engagement in a community fosters learning and support.
    Foundational skills must be prioritized in learning jazz.
    Jazz education requires both conceptual and physical mastery.
    Enjoyment in learning is vital for musical growth.

    Titles
    Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills: A Melodic Journey
    Mastering Melodies: The Art of Jazz Piano

    Sound bites
    "The seven facts of music are essential."
    "Play the five primary sounds of music."
    "Transcribe the melody by ear."

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    35 mins
  • Lady Be Good, Harmonic Analysis
    Jul 2 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, essential skills, improvisation, harmony, melody, rhythm, Lady Be Good, George Gershwin, music education, jazz standards

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the essential skills needed for jazz piano, emphasizing the importance of harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. He discusses the seven facts of music that frame these skills and addresses a listener's question about improvisation challenges, particularly with the blues. The episode culminates in a detailed harmonic analysis of George Gershwin's 'Lady Be Good', providing insights into chord changes, voicings, and practice techniques.

    Takeaways
    The start of a new month means a new tune.
    Essential jazz skills include harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for practice.
    Improvisation is often misunderstood and requires a proper mindset.
    Notes without rhythm lack musicality.
    Isolate sound before tackling complex progressions.
    Keep improvisation simple to build confidence.
    Listening to various renditions of a tune is essential for learning.
    Common harmonic progressions are vital for ear training.
    Utilizing different voicings enhances musical expression.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
    The Importance of Essential Jazz Skills

    Sound bites
    "Tunes illuminate our weaknesses very quickly."
    "Keep it simple."
    "Enjoy the sounds of the voicings."

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    31 mins
  • 50 "Must Know" Rhythms!
    Jun 25 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, rhythm, improvisation, jazz standards, musical education, melodic vocabulary, jazz techniques, music theory, jazz practice, jazz skills

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the essential elements of jazz piano, focusing on the importance of rhythm in musical expression. He emphasizes that rhythm is foundational to melody and harmony, and neglecting it can lead to frustration in musical development. The episode features a comprehensive exploration of 50 must-know rhythms that serve as building blocks for creating melodic vocabulary in jazz. Dr. Lawrence encourages listeners to practice these rhythms artistically, highlighting their significance in improvisation and overall musicianship.

    Takeaways
    Rhythm is crucial for musical expression and development.
    Melody and harmony need rhythm to be effective.
    Neglecting rhythm can lead to musical frustration.
    Rhythm should be a daily focus in practice routines.
    Understanding foundational rhythms is essential for all musicians.
    Practicing rhythms helps develop melodic vocabulary.
    Artistic presentation of rhythms is more important than mathematical accuracy.
    Jazz improvisation relies on applying rhythms to melodic ideas.
    Take time to master foundational rhythms before advancing.
    Enjoy the process of learning and practicing jazz piano.

    Titles
    Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Piano
    The Rhythm Revolution in Jazz

    Sound bites
    "50 must-know rhythms for jazz players."
    "Good things come in small packages."
    "Take your time and enjoy the process."

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Misty, Improvisation
    Jun 18 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the process of improving their improvisation skills using the jazz standard 'MISTY'. The conversation covers essential foundational skills for new jazz pianists, the importance of membership resources, and a structured approach to learning a new tune. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the significance of rhythm and time in music, and provides practical exercises for developing improvisational skills. The episode concludes with a demonstration of applying these skills to play 'MISTY' improvisationally.

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Improvisation, MISTY, Music Theory, Jazz Skills, Piano Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Chords, Melodic Lines, Rhythm

    Takeaways
    Improvisation skills are developed through structured practice.
    Understanding harmony and melody is crucial for jazz pianists.
    Membership in Jazz Piano Skills provides valuable resources and support.
    Foundational skills include mastering chords, arpeggios, and scales.
    Time is a rigid element in music that must be mastered.
    Transitioning from amateur to professional requires intentional practice.
    Listening to various renditions of a tune enhances understanding.
    Composing melodic lines is essential for improvisation.
    Rhythmically altering composed lines helps in improvisation.
    Practicing with lead sheets aids in developing improvisational skills.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: The Art of Improvisation
    Unlocking Your Jazz Potential with MISTY
    Essential Skills for Aspiring Jazz Pianists
    The Journey of Jazz Piano: From Basics to Improvisation
    Exploring MISTY: A Deep Dive into Jazz Improvisation

    Sound Bites
    "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
    "We work on developing our improvisation skills."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "You should be a subscriber to the Jazz Piano Skills YouTube channel."
    "The most important skill for me to focus on developing?"
    "You will struggle unsuccessfully with learning how to play music."
    "Music is held together by time."
    "You transition from amateur to professional musician."
    "You have some work to do to have some fun this week."
    "Enjoy MISTY, an improvisation approach."

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    30 mins
  • Misty, Melodic Analysis
    Jun 11 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the classic jazz standard 'Misty.' He emphasizes the importance of a structured practice strategy, the seven facts of music as a guiding compass, and the value of listening to various renditions of a tune. The discussion includes effective practice strategies, daily challenges, and a thorough breakdown of the melody, fingerings, and different treatments of 'Misty.'

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Practice Strategies, Seven Facts of Music, Daily Challenges, Misty, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Piano Skills

    Takeaways
    Establishing a well-thought-out practice strategy is crucial.
    Information overload can hinder progress in learning jazz.
    The seven facts of music serve as a compass for practice.
    Listening to multiple renditions of a tune enhances understanding.
    Transcribing melodies by ear is essential for jazz musicians.
    Daily challenges can help assess and improve skills.
    Recognizing melodies is key to effective performance.
    Different treatments of a standard can alter its presentation.
    Vocal-like playing is a goal for jazz pianists.
    A structured approach to learning tunes is beneficial.

    Titles
    Mastering Melodic Analysis in Jazz Piano
    The Seven Facts of Music: Your Guiding Compass
    Effective Practice Strategies for Jazz Musicians
    Daily Challenges: Maximizing Your Jazz Skills
    Exploring 'Misty': A Melodic Journey

    Sound Bites
    "People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan."
    "Information overload leads to paralysis by analysis."
    "The compass are the seven facts of music."
    "You cannot formulate a coherent practice plan without the facts."
    "Music is the production of sound."
    "The daily challenges will help us get there."
    "It's important to keep this in mind as we learn."
    "We listen to a lot of renditions of whatever tune."
    "Does everyone recognize it as I am playing Misty?"
    "We want to sound vocal-like when we play melodies."

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    31 mins
  • Misty, Harmonic Analysis
    Jun 4 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the new monthly tune study, emphasizing a skill-centric approach to learning jazz piano. He outlines the four essential pillars of jazz piano skills: harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. The discussion includes the importance of understanding the seven facts of music and how they relate to developing these skills. Dr. Lawrence also addresses common challenges faced by players, particularly in mastering stride piano, and provides practical tips for improvement. The episode culminates in an exploration of the classic jazz standard 'Misty', detailing the approach to harmonic analysis and the importance of listening to definitive recordings. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of jazz piano, focusing on the classic standard 'Misty.' He discusses the importance of lead sheets for ear training, the structure of the song, and the unique chord changes involved. The conversation also covers common harmonic movements and various voicings, including block, traditional, contemporary, and two-handed structures. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the significance of these elements in developing jazz skills and invites listeners to participate in the upcoming masterclass for further exploration.

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Stride Piano, Misty, Jazz Skills, Music Education, Harmony, Melody, Improvisation, Rhythm, Music Theory, Jazz, Piano, Lead Sheets, Ear Training, Chord Changes, Voicings, Misty, Harmonic Analysis, Jazz Standards, Music Education

    Takeaways
    The importance of a skill-centric approach to learning jazz piano.
    Essential jazz piano skills are categorized into four pillars: harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for developing jazz skills.
    Listening to various artists is key to learning a new tune.
    Membership in Jazz Piano Skills provides access to premium content and community support.
    Struggling with stride piano is common among players; patience and practice are essential.
    Practicing strum piano can help develop the skills needed for stride piano.
    The two-five-one progression is foundational for jazz musicians.
    Transcribing melodies by ear is more effective than using lead sheets.
    A structured approach to learning tunes can enhance musical understanding. Lead sheets are essential for ear training.
    Understanding the A-A-B-A form is crucial for jazz standards.
    Identifying unique chord changes enhances practice.
    Common harmonic movements appear frequently in jazz.
    Block voicings are foundational for jazz piano.
    Traditional and contemporary shells expand harmonic vocabulary.
    Two-handed voicings are useful for solo and ensemble playing.
    Practice thinking in harmonic functions away from the instrument.
    Utilizing software can aid in practicing chord changes.
    Engagement in community forums enhances learning.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: The Essential Skills
    Unlocking the Secrets of Stride Piano
    Exploring the Timeless Standard 'Misty'
    The Four Pillars of Jazz Piano Skills
    Navigating the Seven Facts of Music
    Jazz Piano Skills Membership: Unlocking Your Potential

    Sound Bites
    "Tunes illuminate our weaknesses very quickly."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "Stride piano is not easy, so be patient."
    "This is a grea

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    33 mins
  • Rhythmic Major Arpeggios
    May 28 2025

    Podcast Packets

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the essential role of rhythm in jazz music, emphasizing its importance in improvisation and overall musicianship. The discussion begins with a review of the jazz standard 'Georgia on My Mind' and transitions into a deep exploration of rhythmic skills, highlighting common pitfalls in music education regarding rhythm neglect. Dr. Lawrence provides practical exercises for mastering rhythmic concepts and introduces rhythmic major arpeggios as a tool for developing melodic vocabulary. The episode concludes with an invitation to further explore these concepts in upcoming masterclasses and resources available to Jazz Piano Skills members.

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Rhythm, Improvisation, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Major Arpeggios, Musical Growth, Jazz Standards, Georgia on My Mind, Music Fundamentals

    Takeaways
    Rhythm is the engine that drives music.
    Neglecting rhythm leads to musical frustration.
    Daily rhythm practice is essential for growth.
    Understanding measures and time is crucial for musicianship.
    Rhythmic motifs can develop melodic vocabulary.
    All rhythms are combinations of basic note values.
    Recording yourself can expedite learning.
    Practicing in different keys enhances musicality.
    Awareness of time is key to playing music.
    Rhythm should be a fundamental focus in music education.

    Titles
    Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Piano
    The Rhythm Revolution in Jazz
    Mastering Jazz with Rhythmic Arpeggios
    From Georgia to Groove: A Jazz Journey
    The Heartbeat of Jazz: Understanding Rhythm
    Jazz Piano Skills: The Essential Guide

    Sound Bites
    "Rhythm is the engine that drives music."
    "Neglect rhythm and you will remain musically frustrated."
    "Rhythm deserves daily attention."
    "It's personal. It's very personal."
    "No rhythmic skills, no playing music."
    "Good things come in small packages."
    "Everything else in music will be difficult."
    "You have to be consciously aware of filling one measure."
    "Rhythmic motifs can develop melodic vocabulary."
    "All rhythms are some combination of basic note values."

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    33 mins