In this advanced lesson, we will use concepts from volumes 1-3 to create some advanced improvisation using key centers, quartals and different voicing techniques.
This is an older lesson of one of my fun original songs, "Kimmy's So Cool" written for a student of mine years ago. Even though this isn't a jazz standard, I think it is a toe-tapping song that your audience will love to hear!
A question I get asked a lot is “How do you create an arrangement for a song?” Or, “How do I ‘modernize’ this song and give it new life?” In this lesson I am going to share with you some of the techniques that I use to create arrangements and “contemporize” a song. Some of these techniques are common, yet some are ones that I have come across over the years and developed my own personal style. We will use the song "Wade in The Water" as an example.
In this lesson, I will show you techniques that I have taught students over the years and have used in my own professional playing. When learning to improvise, it is all too easy to get “bogged down” with unnecessary complexity. I will help you wade through that complexity by showing you how to create and practice your own improvisation using my step-by-step method.
Using Johnny Rivers 1972 classic, “Rockin Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu”, you’ll learn 5 different breaks/fills, a simple and advanced chordal groove, how to combine licks from past songs along with some of Larry Knechtel’s piano solo as well! This lesson is jam-packed with a lot of real slick blues piano!
In this lesson you’ll learn how to play Sir Elton John’s “Your Song.” However, we will also use this as an opportunity to learn a step-by-step process by which you can approach creating arrangements for other rock songs.
Learn my full arrangement of the beautiful standard When I Fall in Love. I’ll teach you the melody, chords and re-harmonizations note-for-note.
Somos Novios is a beautiful ballad by Mexican composer Armando Manzanero. We will break down the chords, learn the analysis and talk about how to move this into new keys. We will also spend time on improvisation and learn the montunos in the song.
Learn how to recreate scary Halloween music like that found in the movies. Great for those special occasions when you need to break into some scary piano music!
We will begin this lesson learning all of the parts of this funky tune. We will also dive into minor diatonic harmony, discuss quartal accompaniment techniques in minor, work on pentatonic improvisation and create note-groupings for solos to stretch over the beat.
In this lesson we will start by working through minor-key harmony. This is important if you want to work in minor keys or expand on your own progressions. Next, we will pick apart a progression that I received from a student. We will analyze it and discuss ways of improving it. Lastly, I will show you some different ways of breaking up chords to create accompaniments.
In this lesson we are going to use my re-worked version of Last Date to get inside of Floyd Cramer’s style. We will cover bass lines, licks and I’ll show you how to create your own Cramer-style song.
In this lesson I will break down the Rogers and Hart standard My romance into 5 easy steps. We are using the chords right out of the Real Book with limited re-harmonizations. Many students have asked “How do I play from a fakebook?” Well, this is the lesson for you! The information in this lesson can easily be applied to thousands of other standards.
In this lesson we will break down Billy Joel’s song Piano Man. I will teach you each section and how to accompany yourself or someone singing. We will also work on improvisation, scales for improvisation, Billy’s licks and a solo that I wrote out for you to learn.
In this lesson we build a solo (improvisation) over the song Wave. I will teach you all of the scales needed for improvisation. We will then begin building a solo together. I will discuss how to build your improvisation lines and look for targets in your solo. We will also cover Improvisational Bridging which will help to expand how you practice improvisation.
In this lesson we will cover the bassline and horn lines for I Feel Good by James Brown. However, we are going to spend a lot of time on improvisation as well. I will show you how to integrate eighth and sixteenth note patterns into your improvisation.
In this song, His Eye is on the Sparrow, we will begin by analyzing this gorgeous piece and breaking down it’s form. Next, I will show you how to create a simple arrangement. This step is perfect for beginners. Next, I will show you how to create a contemporary arrangement and then teach it to you step-by-step. Lastly, we will go through some improvisation tips that will help you structure your improvisation more.
If you are new to improvising over the blues, or you want to do more than “hunt and peck” using the Blues scale, this lesson is for you. We will cover over a half-dozen scales that you can use for improvisation and you’ll learn how to “hit” the important chord tones in your solo. I also teach you note-for-note a cool blues improvisation that works perfectly with the Slow, Soulful Blues lesson.
A beautiful song by Hoagy Charmichael in which I teach you the arrangement while also reviewing arranging techniques that "spice up" the song. We will be covering drop 2, drop 3 and drop 4 voicings. These voicings help to spread out your chords.
In this lesson we are going to cover triads along with their inversions and usage. I will also show you how and when to use 7ths chords and chord slashes. Later in the lesson we will discuss several different Rock Piano Accompaniment patterns that you can practice. If you are new to Rock Piano…start here!
Learn this classic bossa nova arrangement. We will cover arranging techniques like harmonizing diminished chords and incorporating some montunos at the end.
This slow and soulful blues song teaches you how to create that slow, gospel-sounding blues feel. In addition to learning the song, we will cover many other concepts to help you apply these techniques to your own pieces.
In this classic spiritual, we will cover how to create a simple arrangement…perfect for beginners. We will also move into a more advanced “reharmed” version of the song with fuller chords.
Learn how to play this killer groove and bassline. I cover all the sections of the song step-by-step. We then move into improvisation and I will show you which scales to use for improvisation. Backing tracks are included to make it easier to practice.
In this important lesson, I will teach you techniques for analyzing the structure of songs. Once you learn how to analyze a piece of music, it becomes much easier to both improvise and transpose that song to new keys. We will work through analysis for songs: Ain't Misbehavin', All The Things You Are and I Could Write A Book.
Learn some really cool Otis Spann licks, chords and bass lines. I will also teach you how to put together the licks to create a ‘song’. Otis Spann (March 21, 1924 or 1930 – April 24, 1970) was an American blues musician, whom many consider to be the leading postwar Chicago blues pianist.
Learn the basics of modern and traditional merengue piano techniques. We will cover several different grooves and patterns that you can combine to create longer sequences.
In this lesson we talk about HOW to create those BIG sounding chords. We will also cover how to turn a basic progression into a more contemporary sounding set of chords through re-harmonization, chord fills, left hand accompaniment techniques and chord tensions.
You will learn how to re-harmonize the song and play the arrangement. However, we will also cover improvisation and I left room for a "followup" chapter to answer students questions about the lesson!
Learn how to create a bossa version of this Maria Greaver song. In this lesson, we will create a full arrangement that you will learn note-for-note. We will also cover an easy 3-note approach to improvisation which is perfect for beginners.
In this beautiful piece, I will split the lesson into an easy beginner section that shows a beginning student how to put together a nice contemporary arrangement. In the second half we discuss advanced techniques to create a richer arrangement.
Learn how to improvise over Herbie Hancock's classic tune "Chameleon". The exercises presented in this lesson are a great way to get your hands playing in sync, especially over a syncopated bass line like Chameleon.
In this original piece, I show you the essence of a ragtime feel. We will also cover many different left-hand chordal accompaniments and improvisation tips.
In this lesson we will cover ALL of the modes of the Major scale and how to incorporate them into your soloing.
In this lesson, I have re-worked the melody of Jobim’s classic Corcovado. I will teach you the entire arrangement along with improvisation scales and tips!
In this lesson you'll learn how to analyze this traditional hymn and play it with basic triads, perfect for beginners. I also created a more contemporary arrangement with some cool reharmonization techniques and big chords.
In this lesson, I will show you how to arrange the classic standard Stella By Starlight in a Ballad style. We will also focus on how to comp and accompany. This is great if you work with a singer, accompany yourself or need to comp behind a soloist.
In this lesson, I break down the Jackson 5 song "I Want You Back". I will show you all of the sections and even how to improvise in different styles over the form of the song. We will analyze the sections of the song allowing you to use snippets to create your own grooves.
In this lesson I show you some really cool Dr. John licks. You'll also learn more about New Orleans bass patterns and how to break apart these licks to create your own.
In this lesson you'll learn different improvisation and arranging techniques over Horace Silver's "Song For My Father." Techniques like delayed resolution and borrowed chords will be covered along with modes and licks.
Learn how to play Billy Prestons "Will It Go Round in Circles" with each section broken down. You'll also learn about scales chords, how to create a bassline along with licks to improvise with.
"Preacher Chords" help fill out any song and backup worship leaders. However, to use them effectively, you need to know your theory! In this lesson, we are going to dive deep into preacher chords.
Learn how to create and extend your chord progressions. Have you ever been asked to just "wing it" and create a chord progression? Well, now you'll have some techniques to create your own progressions on-the-fly. You can also incorporate these techniques into existing songs to extend the progression.
Learn 8 different Blues accompaniment patterns and turnarounds. We cover different styles like New Orleans, Country, Boogie and Funk. You will also learn how to apply these patterns to your own playing.
This “in the style of” lesson shows you how to play the chords for New Breed’s “Every Prayer”. We will also analyze the structure of the song and discuss improvisation.
Learn the arrangement of this classic tango song. You’ll also learn different tango accompaniment patterns and arranging techniques. We will cover improvisation over the tango groove and learn some exercises to get your hands playing together.
Learn how to move beyond a basic chord groove by adding neighbor chords, chordal scales and more. Sus4 chords and slash chords are also covered. We will also discuss improvisation using chords and the bebop scale.
Learn how to fill out those one-chord-per-measure sections. We will create an arrangement and you will learn how to add chords and reharm to make a richer arrangement.
Learn the basics of what makes the Blues, the Blues. We will cover basic progressions, rhythmic cells, transposition and putting the hands together with improvisation.
In this lesson you will learn 15 cool Blues licks. Each lick is presented with minimal talking, so you can get right into learning and applying these licks into your own playing
