Lesson Library

Willie · Professional · 65 min

In this lesson we are going to cover 8 variations of the classic chord progression Rhythm Changes. This progression is an important 'right of passage' for any j…

Willie · Professional · 77 min

We begin by learning the basic minor groove. I’ll show you how to make rich chord voicings to sound great while also teaching you a simple bass line to accompan…

Willie · Professional · 69 min

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 go…

Willie · Professional · 78 min

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.

Willie · Intermediate · 70 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 83 min

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…

Willie · Beginner · 79 min

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-h…

Willie · Professional · 66 min

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 so…

Willie · Professional · 83 min

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 simpl…

Willie · Professional · 93 min

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 coveri…

Willie · Professional · 61 min

Learn this classic bossa nova arrangement. We will cover arranging techniques like harmonizing diminished chords and incorporating some montunos at the end.

Willie · Professional · 79 min

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 con…

Willie · Intermediate · 53 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 90 min

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 easi…

Willie · Intermediate · 6 min

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, 19…

Willie · Professional · 70 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 76 min

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 te…

Willie · Professional · 72 min

In this lesson you'll learn different improvisation and arranging techniques over Horace Silver's "Song For My Father." Techniques like delayed resolution and b…

Willie · Professional · 59 min

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 arran…

Willie · Professional · 39 min

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 improv…

Willie · Intermediate · 78 min

In this third volume, we will be covering how to create bebop lines using a variety of different scales. We will also discuss using diminished chords for upper…

Willie · Professional · 102 min

In this lesson I teach you how to create your own song. We cover licks, sections and chords. Best of all, I recorded the song in the studio with two amazing mus…

Willie · Professional · 89 min

In this lesson I cover several different modulation techniques that you can use to move between keys. I use the songs Amazing Grace and What A Friend We Have in…

Willie · Beginner · 80 min

In volume 2 of Mastering Rhythms we will dive into more syncopated rhythms, 3/4 and 6/8 time, how to comp chords using the rhythms and how to apply these rhythm…