Jazz Piano Skills

Dr. Bob Lawrence
  • 4.6 (29)
  • 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. 6d ago

    Over the Rainbow, Improvisation

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence demystifies jazz improvisation by breaking it down into fundamental musical facts and skills. He guides listeners through understanding harmony, melody, rhythm, and how these elements come together to create authentic jazz language, emphasizing that improvisation is accessible to all musicians. Keywords Jazz improvisation, jazz piano, musical fundamentals, harmony, melody, rhythm, jazz education, improvisation skills Key Topics The seven musical facts that underpin all jazz music How harmony, melody, and rhythm come together in improvisation The importance of command of time and rhythmic vocabulary Transforming harmonic shapes into melodic ideas The misconception that improvisation is mysterious or magical The five essential improvisational skills: harmonic sounds, melodic shapes, command of time, rhythmic vocabulary, improvisation Practical exercises for playing harmonic shapes melodically and rhythmically The role of listening and practice in developing jazz improvisation Takeaways Improvisation is organized musicianship, not magic. Mastering time and rhythmic organization is crucial for improvisation. All jazz improvisation is based on understanding and transforming harmonic shapes. Simple rhythmic organization of downbeats and upbeats is foundational. Developing improvisation skills in proper order makes the process natural and accessible. Titles Jazz Improvisation Made Simple: Harmony, Melody, Rhythm Unlocking Jazz: How to Improvise with Confidence Sound Bites "Improvisation isn't magic, it's organized musicianship." "Rhythm is the creative organization of downbeats and upbeats." "Improvisation is simply harmony played melodically using rhythmic vocabulary." Support the show

    Over the Rainbow, Improvisation

  2. Jul 15

    Over the Rainbow, Melodic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores how to make jazz melodies sing on the piano by developing internal listening and melodic phrasing skills. He uses 'Over the Rainbow' as a case study to teach transcription, phrasing, target notes, and improvisation within jazz standards. Keywords Jazz piano, melodic phrasing, 'Over the Rainbow', improvisation, jazz standards, music education Key Topics The importance of internal listening and singing the melody Transcribing and analyzing 'Over the Rainbow' Identifying melodic phrases and target notes Supporting melody with harmonic voicings Playing melodies with different jazz grooves Titles How to Make the Piano Sing: Melodic Phrasing in Jazz Transform Your Jazz Playing: Singing Through the Piano Sound Bites "Your hands should take dictation from your voice" "Sing the melody internally before playing it" "Let your ears lead your hands, not your eyes" Support the show

    Over the Rainbow, Melodic Analysis

  3. Jul 8

    Over the Rainbow, Harmonic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the harmonic structure of 'Over the Rainbow,' emphasizing the importance of understanding harmonic function, form, and voicings to deepen jazz piano skills. He guides listeners through practical analysis and exercises to develop harmonic fluency. Keywords Jazz Piano, Harmonic Analysis, Over the Rainbow, Jazz Standards, Music Education, Piano Skills, Chord Voicings, Harmonic Function, Jazz Practice, Music Theory Key Topics Harmonic analysis of Over the Rainbow The seven musical facts as foundational truths Form and structure of jazz standards Harmonic function and movement Voicing vocabulary and practice techniques Takeaways Harmony is movement, not just chords. Understanding harmonic function transforms how you see lead sheets. Deep knowledge of harmonic relationships enhances improvisation. Practicing with purpose deepens musical understanding. The seven musical facts underpin all jazz musicianship. Titles Mastering Jazz Harmony with Over the Rainbow Deep Dive into Jazz Harmonic Function Sound Bites "Harmony creates movement, expectation, and emotion." "Harmony tells the emotional story that the melody sings." "Rhythm gives life to harmony and melody." Support the show

    Over the Rainbow, Harmonic Analysis

  4. Jul 1

    What Does it Really Mean to Learn Jazz Piano?

    Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the fundamental principles of learning jazz piano, emphasizing the importance of understanding, connection, and mastery of core skills over accumulating information. He guides listeners through a process of discovering, learning, and playing that transforms musicianship and personal expression. Keywords Jazz piano, music education, mastery, harmony, melody, rhythm, musicianship, practice, learning process Key Topics The importance of organization and understanding in learning jazz piano The three core musical skills: harmony, melody, rhythm The misconception of shortcuts and secrets in jazz education The process of discovering, learning, and playing as a growth model The relationship between physical command and musical creativity The irony that mastery involves less, not more, practice The importance of deep practice over superficial activity How understanding relationships simplifies learning The lifelong journey of jazz musicianship The transformation from technical skill to personal expression Titles The True Path to Jazz Piano Mastery Discover, Learn, Play: The Jazz Piano Journey Sound Bites "You cannot creatively play what you cannot physically command" "Technique is the vehicle that allows your imagination to become audible" "A Bill Evans voicing isn't another subject, it's harmony" Support the show

    What Does it Really Mean to Learn Jazz Piano?

  5. Jun 24

    Teach Me Tonight, Solo Piano

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the deep connection between melody and harmony in jazz piano. He emphasizes that hearing melody harmonically transforms solo piano playing from simple accompaniment into a complete musical experience. Keywords Jazz Piano, Harmony, Melody, Solo Piano, Music Theory, Improvisation, Music Education Key Topics The relationship between melody and harmony How to see melody harmonically Harmonic shapes and structures The role of tension tones and color Transforming lead sheets into musical stories Titles Seeing Melody and Harmony as One in Jazz Piano Transform Your Solo Piano with Harmonic Thinking Sound Bites "Improvisation develops by seeing harmony melodically" "The melody note is part of the harmony" "Harmony and melody are not separate musical events" Support the show

    Teach Me Tonight, Solo Piano

  6. Jun 17

    Teach Me Tonight, Improvisation

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the importance of harmonic awareness, shapes, motion, and rhythm. He guides listeners through a process-based approach to improvisation, focusing on harmonic shapes and melodic development from Teach Me Tonight. Keywords Jazz improvisation, harmonic shapes, melodic motion, rhythm, jazz piano, improvisation process, Teach Me Tonight Key  Topics Harmonic awareness as the foundation of improvisation The misconception that scales are the starting point Melody flows from harmony, not scales Seeing harmonic shapes instantly at the keyboard Harmonic arpeggios as a tool for improvisation Creating melodic motion from harmonic structures The importance of rhythm in improvisation The process of transforming harmonic shapes into melodic lines The seven facts of music as a guiding framework Developing improvisational vocabulary through process Takeaways Improvisation is organized musical thinking, not guessing. Melody emerges from harmonic shapes, not from memorized scales. Seeing harmonic shapes instantly is crucial for improvisation. Focus on shapes, motion, and rhythm, not just notes. Harmonic arpeggios support melodic development. Transform harmonic structures into melodic lines naturally. Rhythm animates melodic motion, making it compelling. The process approach allows for creative freedom and vocabulary building. Understanding the shape and motion simplifies improvisation. Practice transforming harmonic shapes into melodic ideas. Titles Mastering Jazz Improvisation: Shapes, Motion, and Rhythm The Organizing Principles of Jazz Improvisation Sound Bites "Melody flows from harmony, not scales." "See the shape, create motion, apply rhythm." "Improvisation begins long before scales." Support the show

    Teach Me Tonight, Improvisation

  7. Jun 10

    Teach Me Tonight, Melodic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this lesson, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the importance of melody in jazz improvisation, analyzing 'Teach Me Tonight' to uncover how melody organizes musical motion, communicates story, and enhances improvisation skills. Keywords Jazz piano, melody analysis, improvisation, Teach Me Tonight, musical storytelling, melodic development, jazz education Key  Topics Melodic development in jazz Analyzing jazz melodies Improvisation and melody relationship Titles Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Melody: Teach Me Tonight Analysis How Melody Shapes Jazz Improvisation: A Deep Dive into Teach Me Tonight Sound Bites "Great improvisation grows out of melody." "Melody teaches us how musical ideas breathe." "Study melody to understand musical motion." Support the show

    Teach Me Tonight, Melodic Analysis

  8. Jun 3

    Teach Me Tonight, Harmonic Analysis

    Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Every month at Jazz Piano Skills, we begin a new tune study by doing what every serious jazz musician should do first—understand the harmony. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence launches a month-long study of the classic standard Teach Me Tonight with a thorough harmonic analysis of the tune. You'll explore the form, chord changes, harmonic function, common progressions, and voicing structures that provide the foundation for confident jazz piano performance. More importantly, Dr. Bob addresses a question every musician eventually faces: "How do I know when I've finished learning a tune?" The answer reveals one of the most important truths in music education: the tune is never the goal—the musician is the goal. Through this discussion, you'll discover why growth requires movement, why studying new tunes strengthens essential skills, and how every tune ultimately points us back to the fundamentals and the Seven Facts of Music. In This Episode • Why musicians should continue moving forward instead of waiting to "finish" a tune  • The difference between learning tunes and developing musicianship  • The form and harmonic architecture of Teach Me Tonight • Harmonic function and common chord progressions found throughout the tune • Block voicings, shell voicings, and two-handed voicing applications • The Seven Facts of Music and how they appear in every tune you study • Practical practice strategies for developing transferable jazz piano skills Educational Materials Included Jazz Piano Skills members have access to the complete lesson packet featuring: • Harmonic analysis worksheets • Lead sheets and illustrations • Voicing studies • Practice guides • Play-along tracks • Masterclass support materials Key Takeaway The tune changes. The skills remain. The goal is never to complete a tune. The goal is to become a more complete musician. Join Dr. Bob as he explores the harmonic foundation of Teach Me Tonight and demonstrates how great tune study leads directly to stronger jazz piano skills, deeper musical understanding, and greater artistic freedom. Discover. Learn. Play. Jazz Piano. Support the show

    Teach Me Tonight, Harmonic Analysis
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4.6
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    347
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jazz Piano Skills
  • Show Website
    Jazz Piano Skills

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