Chord Shell Mastery Program (CSMP)

Learn why chord shells are such a powerful foundation for jazz, blues, pop, and cocktail piano. In this first lesson, Willie shows you how to read chord symbols, identify roots and chord qualities, use the Shell Finder System, and start building root–seventh and root–sixth shells with better time, movement, technique, and register control.

Learn how to build root–third, root–tenth, and root–third–seventh chord shells. Willie shows you how to find major and minor thirds quickly, use tenths safely without strain, and combine thirds with sevenths to create a stronger foundation for richer jazz chord sounds.

Expand your shell vocabulary with root–fifth chord shapes. In this lesson, Willie shows you how to use root–5–root, root–5–7, and root–5–10 shells to create bigger, fuller accompaniment patterns for jazz, pop, and rock while developing stronger left-hand movement and richer chord textures.

Learn how thirds and sevenths define the sound of your chords. In this lesson, Willie shows you how to build major, minor, and dominant guide tones, connect them with smooth voice leading, and use them as the foundation for richer, more modern jazz harmony and future rootless chord work.

Bring your chord shells together with practical jazz progressions. In this lesson, Willie shows you how to move smoothly between shell types, use guide fingers to play with less looking, and apply shells to essential progressions like 2–5–1, 1–6–2–5, and powerful chromatic/substitution patterns.

Finish the program by learning how to turn chord shells into music. In this lesson, Willie shows you how to add comping rhythms, practice shells with randomized chord progressions, apply them to real standards, and choose your next steps for continued growth.