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Jazz Piano Skills

Jazz Piano Skills

By: Dr. Bob Lawrence
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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

© 2025 Jazz Piano Skills
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Episodes
  • 50 "Must Know" Rhythms!
    Jun 25 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Keywords
    jazz piano, rhythm, improvisation, jazz standards, musical education, melodic vocabulary, jazz techniques, music theory, jazz practice, jazz skills

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the essential elements of jazz piano, focusing on the importance of rhythm in musical expression. He emphasizes that rhythm is foundational to melody and harmony, and neglecting it can lead to frustration in musical development. The episode features a comprehensive exploration of 50 must-know rhythms that serve as building blocks for creating melodic vocabulary in jazz. Dr. Lawrence encourages listeners to practice these rhythms artistically, highlighting their significance in improvisation and overall musicianship.

    Takeaways
    Rhythm is crucial for musical expression and development.
    Melody and harmony need rhythm to be effective.
    Neglecting rhythm can lead to musical frustration.
    Rhythm should be a daily focus in practice routines.
    Understanding foundational rhythms is essential for all musicians.
    Practicing rhythms helps develop melodic vocabulary.
    Artistic presentation of rhythms is more important than mathematical accuracy.
    Jazz improvisation relies on applying rhythms to melodic ideas.
    Take time to master foundational rhythms before advancing.
    Enjoy the process of learning and practicing jazz piano.

    Titles
    Unlocking the Secrets of Jazz Piano
    The Rhythm Revolution in Jazz

    Sound bites
    "50 must-know rhythms for jazz players."
    "Good things come in small packages."
    "Take your time and enjoy the process."

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Misty, Improvisation
    Jun 18 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the process of improving their improvisation skills using the jazz standard 'MISTY'. The conversation covers essential foundational skills for new jazz pianists, the importance of membership resources, and a structured approach to learning a new tune. Dr. Lawrence emphasizes the significance of rhythm and time in music, and provides practical exercises for developing improvisational skills. The episode concludes with a demonstration of applying these skills to play 'MISTY' improvisationally.

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Improvisation, MISTY, Music Theory, Jazz Skills, Piano Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Chords, Melodic Lines, Rhythm

    Takeaways
    Improvisation skills are developed through structured practice.
    Understanding harmony and melody is crucial for jazz pianists.
    Membership in Jazz Piano Skills provides valuable resources and support.
    Foundational skills include mastering chords, arpeggios, and scales.
    Time is a rigid element in music that must be mastered.
    Transitioning from amateur to professional requires intentional practice.
    Listening to various renditions of a tune enhances understanding.
    Composing melodic lines is essential for improvisation.
    Rhythmically altering composed lines helps in improvisation.
    Practicing with lead sheets aids in developing improvisational skills.

    Titles
    Mastering Jazz Piano: The Art of Improvisation
    Unlocking Your Jazz Potential with MISTY
    Essential Skills for Aspiring Jazz Pianists
    The Journey of Jazz Piano: From Basics to Improvisation
    Exploring MISTY: A Deep Dive into Jazz Improvisation

    Sound Bites
    "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
    "We work on developing our improvisation skills."
    "Music is the production of sound and silence."
    "You should be a subscriber to the Jazz Piano Skills YouTube channel."
    "The most important skill for me to focus on developing?"
    "You will struggle unsuccessfully with learning how to play music."
    "Music is held together by time."
    "You transition from amateur to professional musician."
    "You have some work to do to have some fun this week."
    "Enjoy MISTY, an improvisation approach."

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    30 mins
  • Misty, Melodic Analysis
    Jun 11 2025

    Illustrations
    Lead Sheets
    Play Alongs

    Jazz Piano Skills Community

    Summary
    In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the classic jazz standard 'Misty.' He emphasizes the importance of a structured practice strategy, the seven facts of music as a guiding compass, and the value of listening to various renditions of a tune. The discussion includes effective practice strategies, daily challenges, and a thorough breakdown of the melody, fingerings, and different treatments of 'Misty.'

    Keywords
    Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Practice Strategies, Seven Facts of Music, Daily Challenges, Misty, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Piano Skills

    Takeaways
    Establishing a well-thought-out practice strategy is crucial.
    Information overload can hinder progress in learning jazz.
    The seven facts of music serve as a compass for practice.
    Listening to multiple renditions of a tune enhances understanding.
    Transcribing melodies by ear is essential for jazz musicians.
    Daily challenges can help assess and improve skills.
    Recognizing melodies is key to effective performance.
    Different treatments of a standard can alter its presentation.
    Vocal-like playing is a goal for jazz pianists.
    A structured approach to learning tunes is beneficial.

    Titles
    Mastering Melodic Analysis in Jazz Piano
    The Seven Facts of Music: Your Guiding Compass
    Effective Practice Strategies for Jazz Musicians
    Daily Challenges: Maximizing Your Jazz Skills
    Exploring 'Misty': A Melodic Journey

    Sound Bites
    "People don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan."
    "Information overload leads to paralysis by analysis."
    "The compass are the seven facts of music."
    "You cannot formulate a coherent practice plan without the facts."
    "Music is the production of sound."
    "The daily challenges will help us get there."
    "It's important to keep this in mind as we learn."
    "We listen to a lot of renditions of whatever tune."
    "Does everyone recognize it as I am playing Misty?"
    "We want to sound vocal-like when we play melodies."

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    31 mins
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