In this first lesson you'll learn the 15 steps you need to follow if you are new to improvisation. The Step-By-Step Improvisation Over Standards Beginner's Guide will give you actionable, step-by-step list of lessons and courses to follow in a specific order.
In this lesson I’ll show you how to play this classic song using an extremely easy technique. Perfect for students of all levels. It Had To Be You – Learn my simple method to arrange Jazz standards quickly. Learn how to simply the chord patterns to make it easier to create your own arrangement.
The Confident Improviser™ Podcast is a companion to my TCI program. However, there are many great ideas in the podcast to learn even if you're not going through TCI, so check it out!
In this lesson we will now use chord arpeggios to expand our improvisation.
This lesson features one of the most classic and recognizable pieces of piano repertoire of all time. The piece, by Vince Guaraldi from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," has become a regular Christmas standard. In this lesson we'll focus on the musical element of form. Although long when notated, the entire piece centers around only 3 sections which are relatively short. By understanding the form, you learn to condense the song into small parts that are repeated in a particular order.
This lesson features a classic pop-funk tune that is often played in the jazz repertoire. The song features a 4-measure chord progression that repeats throughout the intro, verse, and chorus. An interlude, which uses different chords, is also part of the form. Despite the repeating chord cycle of the song, the intro, verse, and chorus all sound distinct from one another. We will discuss how these cyclical chords are made to sound different as you enter various sections of the song.
In this lesson we focus on a classic Stevie Wonder recording. This popular song uses many "jazz" chords and voicings despite the fact that it is undeniably a pop song. Specifically, we will encounter many augmented chords, and minor chords that use a descending chromatic bass line.
This lesson features one of the greatest and most-covered songs of all-time. "Sunny" was written by Bobby Hebb 60 years ago and has been recorded by Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billy Preston, George Benson, and so many other jazz and funk musicians. It's popularity makes it a great addition to your solo piano repertoire. This lesson features a discussion about improvisation, modulation, and even some "spy" movie music.
In this lesson we will learn a famous jazz standard written by a great jazz pianist, George Shearing. We will treat each 'A' section differently (3 in total) so that you have the option of learning all or some of the arrangement while still being able to play the complete song. We will cover some intermediate to advanced topics including "locked hands" voicings when harmonizing the melody, drop-2 voicings, modified stride playing, and even a bit of bebop improvisation.
In this lesson we will learn a popular jazz standard by a famous bossa nova musician and composer - Desafinado by Antonio Carlos Jobim. We will learn how to create a bossa nova bassline in the left hand, a simple harmonization technique for the melody, and some advanced reharmonization approaches in select spots. We'll also revisit some drop-2 voicings and block chord techniques.
In this lesson we will be learning a quintessential jazz standard by one of the most famous musicians in jazz - 'Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk. We'll be examining a very specific solo piano recording by Thelonious Monk himself and learning a modified transcription of the piece. This lesson will demonstrate how Monk himself uses chord shells extensively in his left hand, his use of stride, and his use of chord tones to improvise and embellish the melody.
In this lesson we'll be learning the jazz-funk classic "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. We will be learning and applying various jazz techniques - such as drop-2 voicings and reharmonization - in order to create a new, professional-sounding solo piano arrangement.
In this lesson we're going to learn Stevie Wonder's hit "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." This song features some exciting jazz devices such as the use of the whole-tone scale and a modulation.
In this first standard, you'll be learning the Henry Mancini classic "The Days of Wine and Roses." Be sure to watch "How the course works" to learn how best to use this course.
In this lesson you'll learn the jazz standard Autumn Leaves in both a solo and group style arrangement. We will also cover improvisation.
Learn the classic Erroll Garner standard using the Standards by the Dozen™ approach.
Learn this classic Jerome Kern tune using the Standards by the Dozen™ method.
Sheet music has been added. Please note, this is version 1 of the music and it will likely change a bit once the lesson video is released. I am no longer teaching the lesson live since there were not many student questions. Instead, SBTD and TCI will share a Q&A session every other Thursday.
Beautiful Rogers and Hart tune that works as a ballad, swing or even a funk tune! You'll learn different rootless chord ideas in this lesson as well as how to play it in a quasi latin-feel using iRealPro.
On Green Dolphin Street (originally called Green Dolphin Street) is another classic jazz standard which moves between latin and swing rhythmic feels. The song was composed for the film Green Dolphin Street and became a jazz standard after it was recorded by Miles Davis in 1958.
This classic Billy Joel tune is a great bridge between rock and jazz and offers many exciting jazz 'twists' which we will cover. This rock standard will be approached a bit differently than the other SBTD songs, so be sure to check the music for notes and watch the lesson.
A classic Thelonious Monk blues, Blue Monk is a great tune to learn. We will cover many things in this lesson including quartal voicings and a second-line bassline.
10 examples in a variety of styles to help you learn your chords, comping, styles and rhythms in the key of E
In this lesson you'll learn different techniques to add motion to your left hand along with groove and bassline approach exercises.
In this lesson you'll learn the next part of Tennille's Blues, the last A section.
In this lesson you'll learn 4 intros that you can use for the blues and other styles.
In this lesson you'll learn the next part of Tennille's Blues.
In this lesson you'll learn 5 different endings that you can use for blues or other songs.
In this lesson you'll learn staccato, tenuto, marcato and accent articulations. You'll also learn how to use grace notes and chromaticism to make your solos sound great using just the 3rd and 7th of the chord.
In this lesson you'll learn the next part of Tennille's Blues which can also be played as a composition on its own. I'll discuss the "strollin'" bass pattern and what a vamp is and how to use it.
