Jazz Piano Skills

Dr. Bob Lawrence
  • 4.6 (28)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast introducing aspiring Jazz Pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Professional Jazz Piano Lessons by Dr. Bob Lawrence, President The Dallas School of Music

  1. A Jazz Piano Christmas

    3D AGO

    A Jazz Piano Christmas

    Keywords Jazz Piano, Christmas Music, Solo Piano, Improvisation, Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Standards, Jazz Education, Music Theory, Piano Techniques, Holiday Tunes Summary In this festive episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence celebrates the holiday season by exploring classic Christmas tunes through the lens of jazz piano. He recaps previous studies, introduces new plans for solo jazz piano playing, and demonstrates various approaches to well-known Christmas songs. The episode emphasizes the importance of harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation, and the joy of playing solo piano. Dr. Lawrence shares personal anecdotes and insights, making this episode both educational and heartwarming as he wishes listeners a Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season. Takeaways The importance of a clear thought process in music. Music is a combination of sound and silence. Harmonic and melodic analysis are crucial for jazz piano. Solo piano playing requires emulating an ensemble. Backing tracks are valuable for practice. Silent Night evokes strong memories and emotions. Swinging is essential for certain Christmas tunes. Let It Snow is a classic that doesn't mention Christmas. The Christmas Song is perfect for practicing space and pacing. Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season to all. Titles Jazz Piano Christmas Celebration Exploring Christmas Classics in Jazz Sound bites "Merry Christmas!" "Silent Night is embedded into their memory." "Enjoy a Jazz Piano Christmas!" Support the show

    58 min
  2. Christmas Time is Here, Improvisation

    DEC 17

    Christmas Time is Here, Improvisation

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords Jazz Piano, Improvisation, Christmas Time Is Here, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Melodic Analysis, Harmonic Analysis, Music Practice, Jazz Checklist, Music Learning Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the intricacies of jazz improvisation, focusing on the classic tune 'Christmas Time Is Here.' The discussion covers harmonic and melodic analysis, the importance of a structured approach to improvisation, and the creation of a beginner's checklist to combat information overload. Listeners are encouraged to develop their improvisation vocabulary through melodic motifs and rhythmic variations, emphasizing the joy and process of learning jazz piano. Takeaways Week three focuses on improving jazz improvisation skills. The tune studied this month is 'Christmas Time Is Here.' Improvisation development is crucial for jazz musicians. A clear thought process simplifies music conceptually. The seven musical facts guide our approach to music. A beginner's checklist can help manage information overload. Melody is the starting point for improvisation. Rhythm and feel are foundational to playing music. Great solos are built from simple, developed ideas. Joy and curiosity are essential for progress in jazz. Titles Mastering Jazz Piano: Christmas Time Is Here Improvisation Essentials for Jazz Musicians Sound bites "We focus on improvisation development." "Improvisation begins with the melody." "Joy fuels progress in music." Support the show

    32 min
  3. Christmas Time is Here, Melodic Analysis

    DEC 10

    Christmas Time is Here, Melodic Analysis

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    30 min
  4. Christmas Time is Here, Harmonic Analysis

    DEC 3

    Christmas Time is Here, Harmonic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords jazz piano, essential skills, Christmas time is here, Vince Guraldi, music theory, harmonic analysis, jazz improvisation, piano voicings, music education, jazz community Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the December tune, 'Christmas Time is Here' by Vince Guraldi. He emphasizes the importance of essential piano skills for playing jazz and outlines the seven facts of music that guide practice. The episode includes a harmonic analysis of the tune, exploring chord changes, voicings, and the learning process for jazz piano. Dr. Lawrence also addresses a listener's question about learning chords and highlights the benefits of community engagement through Jazz Piano Skills membership. Takeaways Essential piano skills are crucial for playing any genre. Music is fundamentally about sound and silence. Proper practice requires a clear understanding of music theory. The seven facts of music provide a framework for practice. Listening to various interpretations of a tune enhances learning. Cycling through chords quickly prevents stagnation in practice. Chords should be practiced by type and key for better retention. Paper practice is essential for mastering chords away from the instrument. Understanding harmonic function is key to improvisation. Voicings can significantly enhance the sound of a performance. Titles Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills Mastering Essential Skills for Jazz Sound bites "Practice efficiently and productively." "Listen to various artists to learn a tune." "Enjoy Christmas time is here and have fun!" Support the show

    33 min
  5. How to Start Jazz Improvising

    NOV 26

    How to Start Jazz Improvising

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords music theory, scales, arpeggios, harmonic vision, melody, motif development Summary In this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the importance of mastering scales and arpeggios in music theory. He emphasizes the connection between harmony and melody, explaining how a strong understanding of harmonic structures can enhance a musician's ability to create and develop motifs. Takeaways You need to know your scales and arpeggios well. Harmonic vision is crucial for melody creation. Melody is derived from harmonic structures. Understanding arpeggios helps in motif development. Triad shapes can be extracted from sound. Familiarity with sounds enhances musical expression. Scales are foundational to music theory. Arpeggios provide motion in music. Developing motifs requires a grasp of harmony. Musical creativity stems from technical knowledge. Titles Unlocking Musical Mastery: Scales and Arpeggios The Art of Melody: Harmony's Role in Music Sound bites "How well do you know your scales?" "Melody flows from harmony." "Applying arpeggio and scale motion." Support the show

    19 min
  6. A Beautiful Friendship, Improvisation

    NOV 19

    A Beautiful Friendship, Improvisation

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords music practice, scales, arpeggios, technique, musicianship Summary In this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the common practice of separating scales and arpeggios in music training. He emphasizes the importance of integrating these elements into a cohesive practice routine that focuses on music rather than merely treating them as technical exercises. This approach fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of music among musicians. Takeaways We all tend to practice scales in arpeggios separately. They're discussed as separate technique exercises. We don't want to separate scales and arpeggios. Practicing them as exercises is a bad idea. We should practice them as music, not exercises. A double whammy to avoid is separating them. Integrating scales and arpeggios enhances musicianship. Mindset matters in music practice. Focus on music rather than technicality. Cohesive practice leads to better understanding. Titles Integrating Scales and Arpeggios in Music Practice The Importance of Musical Mindset Sound bites "We all tend to practice scales in arpeggios." "We don't want to do that." "Another really bad idea." Support the show

    29 min
  7. A Beautiful Friendship, Melodic Analysis

    NOV 12

    A Beautiful Friendship, Melodic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords practice, objectives, focused practice, time management, skill development Summary In this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus from the duration of practice to the objectives of each practice session. He advocates for a more structured approach where each session is driven by a single, clear objective, allowing for more effective skill development and time management. Takeaways Stop thinking about practice time. Begin thinking about practice objectives. Practicing should be objective driven. Every single practice session should have a single practice objective. Once you have completed the objective, you're done practicing. Have a specific objective for each practice session. Your goal is to just simply complete the objective. Focused practice leads to better skill development. Time management in practice is crucial. Quality of practice is more important than quantity. Titles Redefining Practice: Focus on Objectives The Art of Objective-Driven Practice Sound bites "Stop thinking about practice time." "Practicing should be objective driven." "Your goal is to just simply complete the objective." Support the show

    32 min
  8. A Beautiful Friendship, Harmonic Analysis

    NOV 5

    A Beautiful Friendship, Harmonic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords harmony, music theory, musical notes, subjective experience, good harmony, bad harmony Summary In this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the concept of harmony in music, explaining that it is defined as the sound produced when two or more notes are played together. He emphasizes the subjective nature of harmony, noting that what one person may consider good harmony, another may find unpleasant. The discussion touches on the complexities of musical harmony and the potential for deeper exploration in future conversations. Takeaways Harmony is defined as the sound of two or more notes played together. The perception of harmony can vary from person to person. Good harmony is subjective and can differ based on individual taste. Musical harmony can be a complex topic worthy of deeper discussion. The exploration of harmony can lead to discussions about music theory. Understanding harmony is fundamental to music composition. The relationship between notes can create different emotional responses. Musicians often debate what constitutes good versus bad harmony. Harmony can be both a technical and an artistic concept. Future discussions could delve deeper into the nuances of harmony. Titles Exploring the Essence of Harmony The Subjective Nature of Musical Harmony Sound bites "Harmony is the sound of two or more notes played together." "What constitutes good harmony versus bad harmony?" Support the show

    33 min
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4.6
out of 5
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About

A podcast introducing aspiring Jazz Pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Professional Jazz Piano Lessons by Dr. Bob Lawrence, President The Dallas School of Music

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Bob Lawrence
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    317
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Jazz Piano Skills
  • Show Website
    Jazz Piano Skills

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