Episodes

  • What a Difference a Day Makes, Melodic Analysis
    Mar 12 2025

    Podcast Packets
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    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, melodic analysis, practice strategies, improvisation, music education, jazz standards, learning jazz, music theory, jazz techniques, jazz skills

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of melodic analysis, focusing on the classic tune 'What a Difference a Day Makes.' He emphasizes the importance of structured practice strategies, the necessity of understanding the seven facts of music, and how to approach learning jazz standards. The episode also includes a rhythmic challenge and explores various treatments of the tune, providing listeners with a comprehensive guide to mastering jazz piano skills.

    Takeaways
    Jazz education is saturated with information, but coherence is key.
    Establishing a structured practice strategy is essential for growth.
    The seven facts of music are foundational for understanding jazz.
    Melodic analysis involves identifying phrases and target notes.
    Improvisation should feel relaxed and natural, not stiff or forced.
    Everything practiced should be approached as music, not just exercises.
    Listening to various artists enhances understanding of tunes.
    Different treatments of a tune can provide fresh perspectives.
    Engaging with the community fosters learning and improvement.
    Regular practice and exploration lead to mastery of jazz piano.

    Titles
    Mastering Melodic Analysis in Jazz Piano
    The Seven Facts Every Jazz Musician Should Know
    Improvisation: From Stiff to Natural
    Exploring 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    Structured Practice Strategies for Jazz Musicians
    Jazz Piano Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

    Sound Bites
    "More information is simply overwhelming."
    "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "You want your improvisation to improve."
    "Jazz is a feel and that your feel is the opposite."
    "Everything is a piece of music."
    "Practice making these two notes relaxed and natural."
    "Everything you play is the perfect exercise."
    "Great tunes can be played a bunch of different ways."
    "Enjoy what a difference a day makes."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills and Melodic Analysis
    10:41 The Importance of Structured Practice Strategies
    24:32 Understanding the Seven Facts of Music
    36:18 Melodic Analysis of 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    01:03:22 Exploring Different Treatments of the Tune

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    31 mins
  • What a Difference a Day Makes, Harmonic Analysis
    Mar 5 2025

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    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, essential skills, harmony, melody, improvisation, rhythm, music theory, jazz standards, voicings, learning tunes

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces essential jazz piano skills, emphasizing the importance of harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. He discusses the seven facts of music that frame these skills and outlines a structured approach to learning a new tune, specifically 'What a Difference a Day Makes.' The episode also addresses a listener's question about voicings and alterations, providing insights into effective practice techniques and the importance of using the right tools for jazz piano playing.

    Takeaways
    Essential jazz piano skills include harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for jazz piano skills.
    Tune study illuminates essential skills needed to play jazz piano.
    Listening to various artists is key to learning a new tune.
    Block chords are not suitable for alterations; use the correct voicing types.
    Developing a practice template for unique chords enhances skill acquisition.
    Harmonic analysis is essential for understanding a tune's structure.
    Voicings should be practiced in context to develop proficiency.
    The importance of ear training through common chord progressions.
    Membership in Jazz Piano Skills provides access to valuable educational resources.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
    Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Harmony
    The Essential Guide to Jazz Piano
    Exploring 'What a Difference a Day Makes'
    Jazz Piano Skills: A Comprehensive Approach
    Understanding Jazz Voicings and Alterations

    Sound Bites
    "Essential jazz piano skills include harmony, melody, improvisation."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "We need to see these essential jazz piano skills."
    "What a difference a day makes is a classic tune."
    "Your membership helps keep Jazz Piano Skills 100% ad-free."
    "You can't figure it out. I think it's fantastic that you're trying."
    "You have to have the correct tool to get the job done."
    "Do not try to apply alterations to block voicings."
    "Listening is the first step in learning a tune."
    "We will be learning the chord changes and harmonic function."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    03:00 Essential Jazz Piano Skills
    05:53 The Seven Facts of Music
    08:50 Tune Study Approach
    13:09 Question of the Week: Voicings and Alterations
    22:04 Learning a New Tune: What a Difference a Day Makes
    30:04 Harmonic Analysis of the Tune
    41:58 Voicings and Practical Application
    54:19 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    31 mins
  • Improvisation's Little Secret
    Feb 26 2025

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Improvisation, Interval of the Third, Jazz Skills, Music Education

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the concept of improvisation in jazz piano, focusing on the importance of mastering the interval of the third. He emphasizes that jazz is not merely about reading music but understanding sound and the shapes that create it. The discussion includes practical advice on how to approach learning jazz piano, with a structured method for developing improvisation skills through harmonic and melodic understanding. The episode concludes with encouragement to practice and explore these concepts further.

    Takeaways
    Improvisation's little secret is mastering the interval of the third.
    Jazz is the study of sound and the shapes used to produce them.
    Every sound in music is constructed by stacking major and minor thirds.
    Understanding harmony is crucial for melody and improvisation.
    Great melodies are constructed using arpeggio and scale motion.
    The interval of a third contains everything a musician needs to produce beautiful melodies.
    Spend time isolating sounds to radically improve improvisation skills.
    Jazz Piano Skills offers a comprehensive educational approach without ads.
    Membership provides access to premium content and community support.
    Improvisation requires a deep understanding of harmonic and melodic shapes.

    Titles
    Unlocking Jazz Piano: The Secret to Improvisation
    Mastering Jazz: The Power of the Third
    Improvisation Demystified: A Jazz Piano Journey
    The Art of Jazz Piano: Understanding Sound and Shape
    Jazz Piano Skills: Your Guide to Improvisation

    Sound Bites
    "Jazz Piano Skills is 100% educational content, no ads."
    "Your membership grants you many perks in Jazz Piano Skills."
    "Jazz is the study of sound and shapes."
    "Improvisation requires understanding harmonic and melodic shapes."
    "Improvisation's little secret is mastering the interval of the third."
    "Every sound is constructed by stacking major and minor thirds."
    "Great melodies are constructed using arpeggio and scale motion."
    "The little interval of a third contains everything a musician needs."
    "You have everything you need within the interval of a third."
    "Spend time isolating sound to transform your improvisation."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills and Improvisation
    17:56 Understanding the Secret of Improvisation
    23:15 Premium Content Message

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    24 mins
  • I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Improvisation
    Feb 19 2025

    Podcast Packets
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    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, improvisation, musical facts, learning jazz, jazz skills, music education, jazz techniques, piano practice, jazz theory, rhythm challenge

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the seven musical facts. He discusses the right approach to learning jazz, focusing on the significance of developing improvisation skills through structured practice. The episode highlights the role of silence in music and concludes with a rhythm challenge to enhance improvisational abilities.

    Takeaways
    Improvisation is a skill that can be learned with the right approach.
    Understanding the seven musical facts is crucial for jazz musicians.
    Creativity in jazz comes from knowing your musical tools.
    Silence is as important as sound in music.
    Practicing should be approached as making music, not just exercises.
    Quarter and eighth note movements are foundational in jazz improvisation.
    Listening to various artists enhances musical understanding.
    Learning jazz is a lifelong journey of self-discovery.
    The right tools for jazz improvisation are sounds and shapes.
    Engagement in community and sharing progress is beneficial for growth.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: The Art of Improvisation
    Unlocking Your Jazz Potential: A Guide to Improvisation
    The Seven Musical Facts Every Jazz Pianist Should Know
    Improvisation Development: From Basics to Mastery
    Jazz Piano Skills: The Journey of Learning and Improvisation
    Silence and Sound: The Duality of Jazz Improvisation

    Sound Bites
    "You can learn how to improvise."
    "Learning jazz is a lifelong journey."
    "It's all about discovering your musical voice."
    "Jazz improvisation is the study of sounds and shapes."
    "Do not approach practicing as exercises."
    "Silence plays a crucial role in music."
    "Quarter and eighth note movement is essential."
    "Creativity comes from limitation."
    "What a great tune to develop improvisational skills."
    "Enjoy the journey of learning jazz piano."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    06:13 Understanding the Seven Musical Facts
    11:05 The Importance of Improvisation
    22:34 The Right Approach to Learning Jazz
    35:36 Developing Improvisation Skills
    49:09 Incorporating Silence in Improvisation
    01:05:04 Conclusion and Rhythm Challenge

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    30 mins
  • I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Melodic Analysis
    Feb 12 2025

    Podcast Packets
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    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, melodic analysis, I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, jazz skills, practice strategies, voicings, improvisation, rhythm, music education

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the standard 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.' He emphasizes the importance of a structured practice plan, the seven facts of music, and the essential jazz piano skills necessary for growth. The episode includes a detailed exploration of the melody, fingerings, phrases, and various jazz treatments, including ballad, bossa nova, and swing. Dr. Lawrence encourages listeners to simplify their thinking to enhance their playing and invites them to engage with the community for support and feedback.

    Takeaways
    Every aspiring jazz musician must address harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
    Having a coherent strategic plan is essential for musical growth.
    The seven facts of music are crucial for understanding jazz.
    Music is the production of sound and silence.
    Sound is produced harmonically and melodically.
    Melodies are made up of scales and arpeggios.
    Simplifying your thought process improves your playing.
    Great songs can be played in various styles.
    Engaging with the community enhances learning.
    Practice plans should be structured and focused.

    Titles
    Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills
    Mastering Melodic Analysis
    The Seven Facts of Music Explained
    Jazz Piano Practice Strategies
    Exploring 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face'
    From Harmony to Melody: A Jazz Journey

    Sound Bites
    "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
    "What are the essential jazz piano skills?"
    "The seven facts of music illuminate essential jazz piano skills."
    "You can't take comfort in knowing you're not alone."
    "Simplify your playing through simplifying your thinking."
    "A great song is a great song, ballad, bossa, swing."
    "The gateway to solo piano playing is through the ensemble."
    "Record yourself, post a video, let us enjoy your success."
    "Enjoy, I've grown accustomed to her face of melodic analysis."
    "Have fun as you discover, learn and play jazz piano."

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    11:27 Melodic Analysis of 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face'
    24:33 Exploring Essential Jazz Piano Skills
    43:33 Applying Voicings and Treatments
    01:02:39 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    30 mins
  • I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Harmonic Analysis
    Feb 5 2025

    Podcast Packets
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    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Essential Skills, Practice Techniques, Harmonic Analysis, Improvisation, Melody, Rhythm, Jazz Standards, Jazz Piano, Harmonic Analysis, Lead Sheets, Chord Changes, Voicings, Rhythm Challenges, Music Education, Jazz Standards

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence emphasizes the importance of mastering essential jazz piano skills, regardless of the tunes being played. He discusses the significance of practicing with a clear objective and the necessity of understanding harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. The episode also introduces a new tune for harmonic analysis, providing listeners with a structured approach to learning and practicing jazz piano. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the educational aspects of jazz piano, focusing on the song 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.' He introduces podcast packets and lead sheets, emphasizing their importance for musical growth. The conversation transitions into a detailed harmonic analysis of the piece, exploring its unique chord changes and progressions. Dr. Lawrence also discusses voicings, both left-handed and two-handed, and provides insights into rhythm challenges and articulation techniques essential for jazz piano players.

    Takeaways
    Tunes change, but essential jazz piano skills remain the same.
    You can't play tunes if you don't have the skills.
    We use tunes to illuminate the skills.
    Everything we do needs to plug into these seven facts.
    A minimum amount of time will produce monumental results.
    Quality practice time is much better than quantity practice time.
    Have a single practice objective for every session.
    We take an essential skill and examine it harmonically and melodically.
    I want to absorb it as much as possible and listen.
    We will discover, learn, and play the chord changes. Podcast packets enhance musical growth.
    Lead sheets are essential for practice.
    Understanding harmonic analysis is crucial.
    Unique chord changes enrich the learning experience.
    Practice templates help isolate chords for skill development.
    Common progressions aid in ear training.
    Voicings should utilize common tones for smooth transitions.
    Rhythm challenges improve articulation in comping.
    Active listening is key to developing musical skills.
    Engagement in community forums enhances learning.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
    The Importance of Practice in Jazz Piano
    Understanding Jazz Harmony and Melody
    A New Approach to Jazz Piano Practice
    Exploring the Seven Facts of Music
    The Art of Practicing Jazz Piano

    Sound Bites
    "You can't play tunes if you don't have the skills."
    "We use tunes to illuminate the skills."
    "Have a single practice objective for every session."
    "I want to absorb it as much as possible and listen."
    "Maximize your musical growth by listening."
    "We have a ton to dissect today."
    "What an odd little piece of music."
    "Your musical world should contain only 12 chords."
    "Practice thinking the opposite of what you see."
    "Five progressions to become familiar with."
    "You got a lot of work to do."
    "Enjoy 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.'"

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    11:17 Exploring Essential Jazz Piano Skills
    26:16 Prac

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    35 mins
  • The Jazz Language
    Jan 29 2025

    Keywords
    jazz piano, jazz language, music education, improvisation, harmony, melody, jazz skills, music theory, practice techniques, jazz progressions

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces a structured approach to learning jazz piano, emphasizing the importance of understanding the seven facts of music. He explores the concept of the jazz language, breaking it down into its essential components: harmony, melody, and improvisation. The discussion highlights the significance of having a clear practice objective and how each component interrelates to maximize musical growth. The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to engage with the jazz language and continue their musical journey.

    Takeaways
    A well-thought-out plan is essential for studying jazz.
    Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for growth.
    Jazz is the production of sound and silence.
    Harmony, melody, and improvisation are the core components of jazz.
    Practicing small units can lead to significant results.
    Transcriptions are not the only way to learn jazz language.
    Melody involves understanding various arpeggios and scales.
    Rhythm is a key element that makes music interesting.
    Every practice session should have a clear objective.
    Engagement with the jazz community enhances learning.

    Titles
    Unlocking the Jazz Language
    Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
    The Seven Facts of Music Explained
    Improvisation Techniques for Jazz Musicians
    Understanding Harmony and Melody in Jazz

    Sound Bites
    "What is jazz the study of?"
    "No awareness of the seven facts of music."
    "You have zero chance of becoming an accomplished musician."
    "Practicing in this manner is what I like to call smart practice."
    "The jazz language is much more than just transcriptions."
    "Harmony, melody, improvisation."
    "Scales, arpeggios, zones make up the melody component."
    "Four plus three plus five equals improvisation."
    "Everything we do musically must adhere to the seven facts."
    "Enjoy the jazz language and have fun!"

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills
    09:39 Understanding the Seven Facts of Music
    21:06 Exploring the Jazz Language
    40:38 Components of the Jazz Language
    47:41 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    28 mins
  • Fly Me to the Moon, Improvisation
    Jan 22 2025

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    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, improvisation, transposition, music theory, jazz skills, Fly Me to the Moon, rhythmic challenges, melodic analysis, harmonic analysis, music education, jazz, improvisation, musical silence, tension notes, eighth notes, jazz piano, musical phrasing, lead sheets

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the intricacies of jazz improvisation, focusing on the tune 'Fly Me to the Moon.' The conversation covers essential jazz piano skills, including harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation development, and practical tips for transposition. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to learning jazz, highlighting the seven musical facts that underpin all musical endeavors. The episode also introduces rhythm challenges and encourages listeners to engage in paper practice to enhance their skills. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the intricacies of jazz improvisation, focusing on the importance of silence, the realism of musical phrasing, and the challenges of playing eighth notes. He emphasizes the role of tension notes in camouflaging arpeggios and discusses the seven musical facts that underpin effective jazz performance. Through practical examples and lead sheets, listeners gain insights into developing their improvisational skills and understanding the nuances of jazz language.

    Takeaways
    Week three is dedicated to improving jazz improvisation skills.
    The study of each tune involves harmonic and melodic analysis.
    Improvisation skills challenge our ability to create melodic lines.
    The seven musical facts are essential for understanding music.
    Paper practice is crucial for developing transposition skills.
    Transposing melodic ideas requires understanding sound and function.
    Listening to various artists is key to learning a tune.
    Self-imposed constraints help assess harmonic vision.
    Quarter and eighth note strings are foundational for improvisation.
    Everything we do in music should be approached musically. Silence is an integral part of musical expression.
    Mathematical silence can enhance the realism of music.
    Eighth notes present a new level of challenge in improvisation.
    Random silence helps disguise bar lines in music.
    Tension notes are essential for camouflaging arpeggios.
    Practicing stationary strings is crucial for mastering rhythm.
    The half step creates tension in musical phrases.
    Understanding harmony melodically is key to improvisation.
    The evolution of jazz language is vital for effective performance.
    Engagement with the community enhances learning and growth in jazz skills.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: A Journey Through Improvisation
    Unlocking Jazz Improvisation Skills
    The Art of Transposition in Jazz Piano
    Exploring 'Fly Me to the Moon' in Jazz
    Jazz Piano Skills: A Comprehensive Guide
    Improvisation Techniques for Jazz Pianists

    Sound Bites
    "We work on developing our improvisation chops."
    "Music is the production of sound."
    "We do not need to do the entire 32 measures."
    "Everything we do should be musical."
    "You should be feeling the silence."
    "It starts to sound more real."
    "It starts to sound like musical phrases."
    "It starts to look like legitima

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    29 mins