Complete List of Lessons

Here is the complete list of lessons on this website.  New video/PDF lessons are added each month.

Advanced Jazz (Adv): This course starts with how to improvise “linear harmony,” with inner voice motion. You’ll learn how to create chord voicings using the same method used by Duke Ellington, Keith Jarrett, and Clare Fischer.

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 1 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 1): 1 inner voice within a ii/V/I progression

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 2 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 2): Becoming fluent with ‘alto’ voices

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 3 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 3): 2-voice improv on “Body and Soul”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 4 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 4): 2-voice improv on “The Girl From Ipanema”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 5 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 5): Adding an alto voice to “Dolphin Dance”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 6 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 6): Linear motion on “Blue Room”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 7 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 7): A continuous counter-melody on “Blue Room”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 8 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 8): Rhythmically fluid inner-voice motion on “Blue Room”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 9 (Adv): Linear Harmony (Part 9): Harmonizing “Blue Bossa” in 3 voices

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 10 (Adv): 2-part counterpoint on the blues

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 11 (Adv): A 4-part contrapuntal texture on “Blues For Alice”

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 12 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 1): Starting with the original melody

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 13 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 2): Rhythmic improv on the original melody

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 14 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 3): Adding neighbor and passing tones

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 15 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 4): Moving away from the basic melody

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 16 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 5): Using motifs

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 17 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 6): Expanding upon a melody’s unique character

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 18 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 7): Gradually getting away from the original melody

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 19 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 8): Moving towards pure improvisation

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 20 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 9): Soloing while hearing the melody internally

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 21 (Adv): Melody-based jazz improv (Part 10): Playing an entirely new solo

Advanced Jazz: Lesson 22 (Adv): Composing a new melody over the chords to “Autumn Leaves”

The Art of Keith Jarrett (Beg/Int/Adv): Keith Jarrett is one of the greatest improvising pianists in musical history, and in this course I show you many of the specific techniques he uses in his famous solo piano concerts. You’ll learn how to improvise over several of his left hand “vamps” as you develop more hand independence along the way. These lessons also cover his gospel-influenced playing, how to construct his beautiful “modal” chords, and how to improvise your own chord progressions in the spirit of musical discovery!

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 1 (Beg): Intro to LH vamps

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 2 (Int): More RH possibilities

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 3 (Adv): Using a wide vocabulary

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 4 (Beg): A single, rhythmic note

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 5 (Int/Adv): Using the root and 5th

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 6 (Int/Adv): A multi-textured LH pattern

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 7 (Int/Adv): Moving a vamp through a chord progression

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 8 (Adv): A gospel-influenced vamp

 The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 9 (Int/Adv): Floating Chords (Part 1)

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 10 (Int/Adv): Floating Chords (Part 2)

The Art of Keith Jarrett Lesson 11 (Beg/Int/Adv): Finding a chord progression

Blues Scale Etudes (Intermediate): These fully written-out Etudes, or “Studies,” take you through the all-important Blues Scale in all 12 keys, in a variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, barrelhouse, and more. I also show you how to improvise using the musical elements of each arrangement.

‘C’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): A cool, jazzy piece that uses the ‘C’ Blues Scale

‘C#’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): A lively ‘perpetual motion’ piece

‘D’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Barrelhouse blues and Classic Rock and Roll

‘Eb’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): An atmospheric rock-style piece

‘E’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Fast and Furious rock!

‘F’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): A jazz groove inspired by Miles Davis

‘F#’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Rhythmic syncopation in a fast rock style

‘G’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Thrilling RH riffs over a rock/boogie LH

‘Ab’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): A hint of alternative rock

‘A’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Energetic rock riffs over a versatile chord progression

‘Bb’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): Exploring the bluesy side of jazz

‘B’ Blues Scale Etude (Int): A dazzling, virtuoso-style ‘take’ on the Blues Scale

Blues Scale Workouts (Beg/Int): These are playalong videos where you’ll get good practice with the most common Blues Scales as we “jam” together. Have fun!

‘C’ Blues Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘D’ Blues Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘F’ Blues Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘G’ Blues Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘A’ Blues Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

Chords, Chords, Chords!: This course helps you learn chords thoroughly, starting with major and minor triads. The lessons also incorporate bass lines and accompaniment textures along the way so you’ll learn how to play songs from chord sheets as you become fluent with the chords themselves!

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 1: An easy way to learn major chords

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 2: Major chord workout

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 3: Major and minor triad workout

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 4: Minor triad construction

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 5: Diminished and augmented triads

Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 6: Comprehensive triad exercise

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 7: Harmonization of the major scale

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 8: Getting to know each key better

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 9: Chords of the Natural Minor Scale

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 10: The Major V chord in minor keys

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 11: How to use the sustain pedal

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 12: Understanding inversions

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 13: Using inversions with the I – IV chord progression

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 14: Smooth voiceleading with I – vi

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 15: I/vi/IV/V with smooth voiceleading

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 16: “Stand By Me” with smooth voiceleading

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 17: An improv exercise with major and minor chords

 Chords, Chords, Chords! Lesson 18: The Circle of 5ths

Classical Organ Improvisation (Beginner – Advanced): This course is good for pianists as well as organists. I lead you through improvising on hymns as well as creating your own melodies and arrangements “on the spot.” You’ll also learn how to improvise simple counterpoint!

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 1 (Beg/Int): Using Gregorian Chant as a model for improvisation

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 2 (Beg/Int): More flowing melodic lines

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 3 (Intermediate): Changing modes smoothly

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 4 (Intermediate): “Alleluia” with shifting pedal tones

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 5 (Int/Adv): Counterpoint between the hands

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 6 (Int/Adv): Using a predetermined chord progression

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 7 (Int/Adv): Creating chord progressions with secondary dominants

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 8 (Int/Adv): Melodic embellishment: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 9 (Int/Adv): Melodic Improv over a hymn’s chords

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 10 (Int/Adv): ‘Singing’ a Psalm on the keyboard

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 11 (Int/Adv): Harmonizing a melody with 4ths

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 12 (Int/Adv): Note-against-note counterpoint

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 13 (Int/Adv): Free counterpoint

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 14 (Int/Adv): Combining techniques from lessons 1-13

Classical Organ Improvisation Lesson 15 (Int/Adv): How to Keep a Hymn Interesting for Yourself (and your listeners)

Classical Piano Improvisation (Beginner – Advanced): These lessons teach you how to experience classical music the same way that Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven did; by improvising!

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 1 (Beg/Int/Adv): Improvising melodies based on poems

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 2 (Int/Adv): Using Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as a model

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 3 (Int/Adv): A lesson on melodic embellishment from Mozart himself!

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 4 (Int/Adv): Embellishing a Mozart melody

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 5 (Int/Adv): Improvising on Chopin’s Prelude in Em

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 6 (Int/Adv): Adapting Hymns to the Piano

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 7 (Int/Adv): Extending Bach’s fugue themes (part 1)

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 8 (Int/Adv): Extending Bach’s fugue themes (part 2)

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 9 (Int/Adv): A repeating chord progression from “Dido’s Lament”

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 10 (Beg/Int/Adv): Creating your own chord progressions (Part 1)

Classical Piano Improvisation Lesson 13 (Int/Adv): Improvising on Bach’s “Musical Offering” (Part 1)

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles (Intermediate – Advanced): Classic Blues and New Orleans styles are the “common ground” between jazz and rock and roll! These lessons go deep into the basic 12-bar blues chord progression in ways that enable you to not only recreate licks you’ve already learned, but to instantly come up with your own riffs and expand them into full blues improvisations in a variety of styles, from basic to more advanced.

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 1 (Int): Experiencing the blues chord progression

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 2 (Int): Improvising “riffs” and “waves”

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 3 (Int): Playing short phrases over a steady beat

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 4 (Int): Slow “swing 8ths” in LH

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 5 (Int): Going up to the 7th with the LH

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 6 (Int): A bluesy variation of the 8th-note LH pattern

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 7 (Int): More variety with a slightly more complex LH

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 8 (Int): “Let’s Boogie” with parallel 6ths

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 9 (Int): “Goin’ to the Mardi Gras”

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 10 (Int): The AAB blues lyric pattern

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 11 (Int): How to improvise with 1-Bar Blues Licks

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 12 (Int): Using 2-bar blues licks with the Blues Scale

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 13 (Int): A New Orleans Groove

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 14 (Int): Improvising on “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You” using Octaves and Tremolos

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 15 (Int/Adv): The “Dr. John lick”

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 16 (Int/Adv): Chord substitutions on the blues

Classic Blues and New Orleans Piano Styles 17 (Int): Building a solo (Part 1): Establishing a groove, and then gradually climbing higher and higher

Classic Rock/Pop/Country songs (Beginner – Advanced): Learn to play the greatest rock, pop, and country songs with these lessons, at any level.

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 1: The Rose (Part 1: Beg): A versatile ballad accompaniment pattern

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 2: The Rose (Part 2: Int): Becoming fluent in playing chord inversions; Soloing on a ballad

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 3: The Rose (Part 3: Adv): Complex ballad textures

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 4: Great Balls of Fire (Part 1: Beg): An easy, effective, Jerry Lee Lewis technique

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 5: Great Balls of Fire (Part 2: Int/Adv): 4 blues riffs/patterns to use in rock and roll

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 6: Johnny B. Goode (Beg/Int/Adv): A thorough look at this classic song

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 7: Moondance (Beg/Int): Jazz meets rock, with a bluesy twist!

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 8: Freebird (Part 1) (Beg/Int): Soloing on the song’s beautiful slow section

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 9: Freebird (Part 2) (Beg/Int): Jamming on the song’s fast rock section

Classic Rock/Pop/Country Lesson 10: Born To Be Wild (Beg/Int): An easy yet exciting way to jam on an Em chord

Contemporary Worship : This course explores many ways you can use improv to bring vitality to your worship services. You’ll learn how to play beautiful piano textures from a chord sheet, improvise intros, endings, and Preludes, and play gospel and jazz arrangements of songs.

Contemporary Worship: Improvising Preludes (Beg-Adv): Improvising on “Shaker Melody”

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 1 (Beg): Playing from a leadsheet

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 2 (Beg): A versatile left hand pattern

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 3 (Beg/Int): Learning to play chords under a song’s melody

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 4 (Int): Playing both chords and melody with your right hand

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 5 (Int): Various left hand options

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 6 (Beg/Int/Adv): Intros, Interludes, and Endings

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 7 (Adv): Advanced version of “Peace”

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 8 (Beg): “This Little Light Of Mine” with chords and melody

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 9 (Int): “This Little Light Of Mine” Traditional arrangement

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 10 (Int): “This Little Light Of Mine” Gospel arrangement

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 11 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 1) Adapting the song from a 4-part hymn to the piano

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 12 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 2) Simplifying the chord progression

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 13 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 3) RH chords & melody over various LH accompaniments

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 14 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 4) Leading a congregation in song

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 15 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 5) Fingerstyle Guitar

Contemporary Worship: Lesson 16 (Int/Adv): “Amazing Grace” (Part 6) Flowing Water Improv with rhythmic flexibility

“Silent Night” (Traditional version): Transposition and various piano textures

“Silent Night” (Gospel version): A Gospel piano arrangement

“Flowing Water” (Beginner): If you’ve never improvised before, this sequence of Flowing Water lessons will get you comfortable improvising very quickly, in an easy and effortless way. And if you already do improvise, working through this course will make your improvisations “flow” much better. Even accomplished jazz pianists have found that their playing improved a lot by spending some quality time with Flowing Water!

“Flowing Water” Overview (Beginner): Learning how the Flowing Water lessons will get you improvising fluently

“Flowing Water” Lesson 1 (Beginner): Starting very simply with white notes

“Flowing Water” Lesson 2 (Beginner): Slightly picking up the pace

“Flowing Water” Lesson 3 (Beginner): Adding an independent LH part

“Flowing Water” Lesson 4 (Beginner): LH plays a popular repeating bass part

“Flowing Water” Lesson 5 (Beginner): Changing direction with the RH

“Flowing Water” Lesson 6 (Beginner): Creating more complex melodies

“Flowing Water” Lesson 7 (Beginner): Adding chords to the LH part

“Flowing Water” Lesson 8 (Beginner): Arpeggiating the LH chords

“Flowing Water” Lesson 9 (Beginner): Improvising over a contemporary chord progression

“Flowing Water” Lesson 10 (Beginner): Exploring a more ‘open’ LH sound

“Flowing Water” Lesson 11 (Beginner): “Flowing Water” in the key of ‘G’

“Flowing Water” Lesson 12 (Beginner): The famous I/vi/IV/V chord progression in ‘G’

“Flowing Water” Lesson 13 (Beginner): Open voicings in ‘G’ for a beautiful LH texture

“Flowing Water” Lesson 14 (Beginner): Improvising in the key of ‘F’

“Flowing Water” Lesson 15 (Beginner): Aiming for a more continuous melodic line

“Flowing Water” Lesson 16 (Beginner): A flowing melody over LH arpeggios

“Flowing Water” Lesson 17 (Beginner): Gaining melodic fluency in ‘G’

“Flowing Water” Lesson 18 (Beginner): More flowing melodies in ‘F’

“Flowing Water” Lesson 19 (Beginner): An exciting LH pattern using continuous 8th notes

“Flowing Water” Lesson 20 (Beginner): A flowing melody over continuous 8ths in LH

“Flowing Water” Lesson 21 (Beginner): “Daydreaming”

“Flowing Water” Lesson 22 (Beg/Int): “Rushing Stream”

“Flowing Water” Lesson 23 (Beginner): Improvising in ‘D’ Major

“Flowing Water” Lesson 24 (Beg/Int): In ‘D’ with a simple bass line

 “Flowing Water” Lesson 25 (Beg/Int): Playing a more active melody

“Flowing Water” Lesson 26 (Beg/Int): Improvising 2 melodies at once

“Flowing Water” Lesson 27 (Beg/Int): Playing half-notes in the LH

 “Flowing Water” Lesson 28 (Beg/Int): Flowing Water’ in the Renaissance

 “Flowing Water” Lesson 29 (Beg/Int): Creating your own chord progressions

 “Flowing Water” Lesson 30 (Intermediate): “Amazing Grace” Flowing Water

“Flowing Water” Lesson 31 (Intermediate): Improvising on the chords to Elton John’s “Daniel”

“Flowing Water” Lesson 32 (Intermediate): Becoming fluent in ‘A’ Major

“Flowing Water” Lesson 33 (Intermediate): Soloing on the chords to “Someone Like You”

“Flowing Water” Lesson 34 (Intermediate): “Flowing Water” as accompaniment (Part 1)

General Improvisation (Beg/Int/Adv): These are fun, creative lessons that will get you improvising with a sense of freshness and spontaneity. Kids love them too!

“Fingerpainting” at the piano (Beg/Int): Learn to use musical ‘gestures’ to free your musical imagination

“Sketching” at the piano (Beg/Int): A refinement of the ‘Fingerpainting” approach in the previous lesson

Picasso Improv (Int/Advanced): Picasso-inspired improvisations

Developing Technique Through Improvisation (Beg/Int/Adv): A fun improvisation exercise to help your technique

Great American Songbook  (Intermediate – Advanced): You’ll learn to sit down with a fakebook or sheet music of popular standards from the era of George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin and instantly create your own piano arrangements. Melodic variation, ballad stylings, arpeggiated LH accompaniments, Stride LH patterns, and full pianistic textures are explored in this series.

Great American Songbook 1 (Int/Adv): An overview

Great American Songbook 2 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 1): Chords and melody

Great American Songbook 3 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 2): Varying the melody

Great American Songbook 4 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 3): Chord voicings for ballad-style playing

Great American Songbook 5 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 4): Creating Chopin-like LH accompaniments

Great American Songbook 6 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 5): Stride LH

Great American Songbook 7 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” (Part 6): Chords and melody in RH

Great American Songbook 9 (Int/Adv): “Whispering” with LH Thumb-line

Intermediate Jazz (Intermediate): Once you know the basic of jazz improv, you’re ready to take it to the next level! This course digs deep into Bebop Soloing, Melodic Embellishment and Interpretation, “Charlie Parker Blues,” and getting you extremely comfortable improvising over your favorite jazz tunes and chord progressions.

Intermediate Jazz 1: Rootless dominant 7th voicings: Jazz Blues (Int): A creative approach to chord voicings

Intermediate Jazz 2: 2-handed voicings: ii/V/I (Int): ‘A’ and ‘B’ rootless voicings

Intermediate Jazz 3: ii/V/I 2-handed voicings in several keys (Int): Comping in C, F, Bb, and G

Intermediate Jazz 4: “Autumn Leaves” (Part 1) (Int): Improv using chord tones

Intermediate Jazz 5: “Autumn Leaves” (Part 2) (Int): Using passing tones

Intermediate Jazz 6: Soloing on Dm Blues (Int): Improv with chord tones and passing tones

Intermediate Jazz 7: Soloing on “Take The ‘A’ Train” (Int): Improv with chord tones and passing tones

Intermediate Jazz 8: Soloing on “Just Friends” (Int): Becoming fluent using chord tones and passing tones

Intermediate Jazz 9: Bebop Blast (Part 1) (Int): Charlie Parker Blues: Focusing on one chord tone at a time

Intermediate Jazz 10: Bebop Blast (Part 2) (Int): Approaching chord tones from below

Intermediate Jazz 11: Bebop Blast (Part 3) (Int): Approaching chord tones from above

Intermediate Jazz 12: Bebop Blast (Part 4) (Int): Circling below and above

Intermediate Jazz 13: Bebop Blast (Part 5) (Int): Circling above and below

Intermediate Jazz 14: Bebop Blast (Part 6) (Int): Mixing it up

Intermediate Jazz 15: Bebop Blast (Part 7) (Int): A Miles Davis lick

Intermediate Jazz 16: Bebop Blast (Part 8) (Int): Combining techniques over a Charlie Parker Blues

Intermediate Jazz 17: How to Learn a Jazz Tune (Part 1) (Int): Chords and Melody

Intermediate Jazz 18: How to Learn a Jazz Tune (Part 2) (Int): Musical style and pianistic texture

Intermediate Jazz 19: How to Learn a Jazz Tune (Part 3) (Int): Improvising a solo

Intermediate Jazz 20: How to Learn a Jazz Tune (Part 4) (Int): Use the tune to learn something new

Intermediate Jazz 21: Think Like a Drummer (Int): How to give your playing more rhythmic life

Intermediate Jazz 22: Using the rhythms from a Charlie Parker solo (Int): “Au Privave”

Intermediate Jazz 23: A Charlie Parker lick (Int): Learning a bebop phrase in all 12 keys

Intermediate Jazz 24: Applying a Charlie Parker lick to a tune (Int): “All The Things You Are”

Intermediate Jazz 25: Melodic interpretation and variation (Part 1) (Int): Personalizing a song melody’s rhythm

Intermediate Jazz 26: Melodic interpretation and variation (Part 2) (Int): Repeated notes, passing tones, and neighbor tones

Intermediate Jazz 27: Melodic interpretation and variation (Part 3) (Int): Changing the melody at will

Intermediate Jazz 28: Melodic interpretation and variation (Part 4) (Int): Basing your solo on the melody

Intermediate Jazz 29: The role of the left hand in solo jazz piano (Int): An overview of what to play with your LH

Intermediate Jazz 30: A bunch of ii/V licks that use “guide tone lines” (Int): Licks that are created around the stepwise motion between chords

Intermediate Jazz 31: Bill Evans-style accompaniment (Part 1) (Int): Comping on “Autumn Leaves” without a walking bass line

Intermediate Jazz 32: Bill Evans-style accompaniment (Part 2) (Int): “Autumn Leaves” comping with rhythmic “hits”

Intermediate Jazz 33: Bill Evans-style accompaniment (Part 3) (Int): A complex “Autumn Leaves” accompaniment texture

Intro to Jazz (Beginner): Learn the basic elements of jazz as you begin to apply them to actual tunes. The course starts right at the beginning with easy jazz improvisation, and then gradually leads you through different chord progressions, shows you how to find which scale to use when soloing on standard tunes, gets you playing walking bass lines (with a surprisingly easy method!), and helps you phrase melodies in your own way. Jazz Blues, Chord Inversions, and Modes are also covered.

Series Overview 

Intro to Jazz 1: The Dm7 chord (Beg):  An easy introduction to jazz improv

Intro to Jazz 2: The G7 chord (Beg):  Learning a new chord

Intro to Jazz 3: Improv over Dm7/ G7 (Beg):  Moving between 2 chords

Intro to Jazz 4: “Just Swinging” (Beg):  The LH plays a Charleston rhythm

Intro to Jazz 5: The Cmaj7 chord (Beg):  Improvising over the tonic chord in ‘C’

Intro to Jazz 6: Dm7/G7/Cmaj7 (Beg):  The famous ii/V/I chord progression

Intro to Jazz 7: Jazz Rock (Beg):  A soulful jazz groove

Intro to Jazz 8: Improvising in F major (Beg):  Rhythmic chords in LH

Intro to Jazz 9: a Gm7/C7 groove w/ walking bass (Beg):  a useful jazz accompaniment

Intro to Jazz 10: ii/V/I in F major (Beg):  Gaining fluency in this key

Intro to Jazz 11: Two approaches to walking bass lines (Beg):  Using either chords or scales

Intro to Jazz 12: Walking a Bass Line in ‘F’ (Beg): Outlining chords in the LH

Intro to Jazz 13: 2-Handed Improv in ‘F’ (Beg): A soloing technique used by Oscar Peterson

Intro to Jazz 14: Moving Between 2 Keys (Beg): ii/V/I in ‘C’ and ‘F’

Intro to Jazz 15: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 1) (Beg): “Bye, Bye Blackbird” (Melody)

Intro to Jazz 16: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 2) (Beg):”Bye, Bye Blackbird” (Melody and Bass)

Intro to Jazz 17: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 3) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (Melody and Chords)

Intro to Jazz 18: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 4) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (Phrasing the melody like a vocalist)

Intro to Jazz 19: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 5) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (Embellishing and varying the melody)

Intro to Jazz 20: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 6) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (Soloing with chord tones)

Intro to Jazz 21: 7 Steps to Standards (Part 7) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (LH voicings with inversions)

Intro to Jazz 22: “S’Wonderful” (Steps 1 and 2) (Beg): Melody and bass

Intro to Jazz 23: “S’Wonderful” (Steps 3, 4 and 5) (Beg): Chords and melodic phrasing

Intro to Jazz 24: “S’Wonderful” (Steps 6 and 7) (Beg): Inversions and chord-tone soloing

Intro to Jazz 25: How to choose and use scales (Part 1) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” measures 1-4

Intro to Jazz 26: How to choose and use scales (Part 2) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” measures 5-8

Intro to Jazz 27: How to choose and use scales (Part 3) (Beg): Improvising over diminished chords

Intro to Jazz 28: How to choose and use scales (Part 4) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” measures 9-12

Intro to Jazz 29: How to choose and use scales (Part 5) (Beg): F7 and Am7(b5) in the context of “Bye, Bye, Blackbird”

Intro to Jazz 30: How to choose and use scales (Part 6) (Beg): The VI7 chord (D7)

Intro to Jazz 31: How to choose and use scales (Part 7) (Beg): The minor iv chord in major keys

Intro to Jazz 32: How to choose and use scales (Part 8) (Beg): “Bye, Bye, Blackbird” (The whole tune)

Intro to Jazz 33: Walking Bass Lines (Part 1) (Beg): An overview using the chords to “All The Things You Are”

Intro to Jazz 34: Walking Bass Lines (Part 2) (Beg): I/vi/ii/V

Intro to Jazz 35: Walking Bass Lines (Part 3) (Beg): Staying on one chord

Intro to Jazz 36: Walking Bass Lines (Part 4) (Beg): 2 chords: many possibilities

Intro to Jazz 37: Walking Bass Lines (Part 5) (Beg): Jazz Blues with some chord substitutions

Intro to Jazz 38: Walking Bass Lines (Part 6) (Beg): Approaching chords from 1/2 step above

Intro to Jazz 39: Walking Bass Lines (Part 7) (Beg): “Satin Doll”

Intro to Jazz 40: Exploring Modes (Part 1) (Beg): Overview of modes

Intro to Jazz 41: Exploring Modes (Part 2) (Beg): The Ionian mode

Intro to Jazz 42: Exploring Modes (Part 3) (Beg): The Lydian mode

Intro to Jazz 43: Exploring Modes (Part 4) (Beg): A different way of looking at modes

Intro to Jazz 44: Exploring Modes (Part 5) (Beg): Applying the Lydian mode to a tune

Intro to Jazz 45: Exploring Modes (Part 6) (Beg): Understanding modes in the same overall key

Intro to Jazz 46: Exploring Modes (Part 7) (Beg): The Mixolydian mode

Intro to Jazz 47: What is “swing” feel? (Beg): A discussion/demonstration of jazz rhythm

Jazz Ballads: The emphasis in this course is on playing Jazz Ballads with a wonderful degree of rhythmic and textural looseness and flexibility. Your Jazz Ballad playing will quickly sound more professional and you’ll enjoy the way you play ballads much more.

 Jazz Ballads: Lesson 1 (Int): Learning a tune’s chords thoroughly (Part 1): “Indian Summer”

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 2 (Int): Learning a tune’s chords thoroughly (Part 2): “Indian Summer”

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 3 (Int): “Indian” Summer” (Chords and melody)

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 4 (Int): A full ballad texture

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 5 (Int): Extended harmonies in the right hand

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 6 (Int): Playing Bass, Chords, and Melody

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 7 (Int/Adv): “Indian Summer” in a Slow Stride style

Jazz Ballads: Lesson 13 (Int/Adv): A melodic LH with countermelodies

Jazz Harmony:  This course starts out with the harmonization of the major scale with 7th chords, and then includes a “Rhythm Changes,” looking at them from 3 different harmonic levels. You’ll also get a good workout with ‘A’ and ‘B’ voicings, in a unique series that helps you develop hand independence and rhythmic flexibility as you practice in each key.

Jazz Harmony 1: Harmonization of the Major Scale with 7th Chords:  The basic jazz harmonic ‘palette’

Jazz Harmony 2: The I/vi/ii/V Chord Progression:  The backbone of many jazz standards

Jazz Harmony 3: “Rhythm Changes” (m.1-4):  An in-depth look at the first 4 measures of “Rhythm Changes”

Jazz Harmony 4: “Rhythm Changes” (m.5-8):  An in-depth look at measures 5-8 of “Rhythm Changes”

Jazz Harmony 5: “Rhythm Changes” (bridge):  3 ways to play the bridge to “Rhythm Changes”

Jazz Harmony 6: A and B voicings in C major (LH):  Improvising over rootless chord voicings

Jazz Harmony 7: A and B voicings in C major (RH):  Playing rootless voicings over a walking bass

Jazz Harmony 8: A and B voicings in Db major (LH):  Comping on the “and” of beat 2

Jazz Harmony 9: A and B voicings in Db major (RH): Playing chords while walking bass lines of varying complexity

Jazz Harmony 10: A and B voicings in D major (LH): Varying your LH rhythms

Jazz Harmony 11: A and B voicings in D major (RH): Varying your RH rhythms

Jazz Harmony 12: A and B voicings in Eb major (LH): A Bossa Nova rhythm

Jazz Harmony 13: A and B voicings in Eb major (RH): A fun Bossa accompaniment

Jazz Harmony 14: A and B voicings in E major (LH): A rhythmic workout!

Jazz Harmony 15: A and B voicings in E major (RH): Developing more rhythmic flexibility

Jazz Harmony 16: B voicings in F major (LH): Breaking habitual rhythmic patterns

Jazz Harmony 17: A and B voicings in F major (RH): Comping along with a walking bass line

Jazz Harmony 18: 2-Handed Rootless Chord Voicings for 20 jazz standards: This is my Get Ready To Jam! Volume 2 ebook

Jazz Standard Workouts: Learning various techniques by applying them to jazz standards

“All The Things You Are” (Int/Adv): Developing rhythmic independence between the hands

“Blue Bossa” (Int): Bass/Chords accompaniment

Soloing on “Chameleon” (Int/Adv): Scales, chords, and modes, over various LH accompaniments

“My Funny Valentine” (Int): LH rootless voicings and a simple RH solo

“Take The ‘A’ Train” (Beg/Int): A workout with chord voicings

Jazz Styles: Jazz Styles features genres that aren’t in the more expansive Jazz Piano University courses, such as Jazz Waltzes. This course will continue to grow.

Jazz Styles: Lesson 1: Jazz Waltz (Part 1) (Int): The basic jazz waltz rhythm

Jazz Styles: Lesson 2: Jazz Waltz (Part 2) (Int): “Alice Blue Gown” with a basic jazz waltz texture

Jazz Styles: Lesson 3: Jazz Waltz (Part 3) (Int/Adv): A more complex arrangement of “Alice Blue Gown”

Jazz Styles: Lesson 4: Jazz Waltz (Part 4) (Int/Adv): “Waltzing Down 5th Avenue”

Jazz Styles: Lesson 5 (Int): What is the difference between Bossa Nova and Samba?

Jazz Styles: Lesson 10 (Int): LH Walking Bass/ RH Rootless Voicings for 20 Jazz Standards

Major Scale Workouts (Beg/Int):  Improvising is a fun and effective way to really learn your major scales. You’ll become fluent using the most common major scales as you “jam” together with me on these playalong videos.

‘C’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘Db’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘D’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘Eb’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

 ‘F’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

‘G’ Major Scale Workout (Beg/Int)

Pachelbel’s Canon Improv (Beg/Int):  I’ve always loved improvising on Pachelbel’s Canon. This course starts very easily and gradually develops your fluency as you improvise over an Alberti bass pattern.

Pachelbel’s Canon 1 (Beg):  Getting to know the piece’s repeating bass line

Pachelbel’s Canon 2 (Beg):  Continuous quarter-note melody in RH

Pachelbel’s Canon 3 (Beg):  Playing chords with the LH

Pachelbel’s Canon 4 (Beg):  Using chord tones in the RH

Pachelbel’s Canon 5 (Beg):  Playing an ‘Alberti Bass’ pattern

Pachelbel’s Canon 6 (Beg):  Continuing with the ‘Alberti Bass’

Pachelbel’s Canon 7 (Beg):  Steady half-notes in the RH

Pachelbel’s Canon 8 (Beg):  Adding 8th-notes in the melody

Pachelbel’s Canon 9 (Beg):  Going for a continuous flow

Pachelbel’s Canon 10 (Beg):  Mixing up the melodic rhythms

Pachelbel’s Canon 11 (Beg/Int):  Playing from a leadsheet

Piano for Kids: Series 1 (Beginner): This course is an excellent introduction to the piano, with note-reading mixed in with beginning improvisation in many musical styles. It’s great for beginners of all ages!

Piano for Kids: Lesson 1 (Beg):  Starting with Middle C (and a little improv!)

Piano for Kids: Lesson 2 (Beg):  Playing C, D and E in the Right Hand

Piano for Kids: Lesson 3 (Beg):  Hot Cross Buns (and more “fingerpainting”)

Piano for Kids: Lesson 4 (Beg):  C Position in the Right Hand

Piano for Kids: Lesson 5 (Beg):  Playing Middle C with the Left Hand

Piano for Kids: Lesson 6 (Beg):  Adding 2 more Left Hand notes (and Contemporary Pop improv)

Piano for Kids: Lesson 7 (Beg):  Introducing rests (and Black Key improv)

Piano for Kids: Lesson 8 (Beg):  Rock and Roll, Blues, and Repeat signs

Piano for Kids: Lesson 9 (Beg):  Adding F and G in the Left Hand

Piano for Kids: Lesson 10 (Beg):  Both hands at the same time

Piano for Kids: Lesson 11 (Beg):  1950s Rock and Roll!

Piano for Kids: Lesson 12 (Beg):  Beginning the Blues Scale and Playing a Waltz

Piano for Kids: Lesson 13 (Beg):  8th notes and more Blues Scale improv!

Piano for Kids: Lesson 14 (Beg):  Introduction to tied notes

Playing By Ear (Beg/Int): While all my lessons will help you develop your musical ear, this developing course features an introductory lesson to get you started “playing by ear.” Have fun!

Playing By Ear Lesson 1 (Beg/Int):  Finding the Tonic (or “Home”)

Pop Piano (Int): This course teaches you how to play pop music in a rhythmically and harmonically flexible way.

Pop Piano: Lesson 1 (Int):  Moving from pattern to pattern

Pop Piano: Lesson 2 (Beg/Int/Adv):  Feeling the beat by playing along with recordings (“Demons”)

Pop Piano: Lesson 3 (Beg/Int/Adv):  The best way to use sheet music (“Demons”)

Pop Piano: Lesson 4 (Int/Adv):  Fingerstyle Guitar (Part 1): Exploring LH possibilities with “Scarborough Fair”

Pop Piano: Lesson 5 (Int/Adv):  Fingerstyle Guitar (Part 2): Adding RH chords and melody to “Scarborough Fair”

Pop Piano: Lesson 6 (Int/Adv):  Fingerstyle Guitar (Part 3): RH fingerstyle and melody with “Scarborough Fair”

Rock and Blues Basics (Beginner): This course gets you improvising with Blues Scale at the same time that you gradually develop the hand independence necessary to improvise over different left hand patterns. Lots of rock and some pop styles are covered, along with the most popular chord progressions in rock and pop music.

Rock and Blues Basics 1: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 1) (Beg):  Getting a good start, one note at a time

Rock and Blues Basics 2: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 2) (Beg):  Adding a 2nd note

Rock and Blues Basics 3: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 3) (Beg):  The first three notes in the Blues Scale

Rock and Blues Basics 4: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 4) (Beg):  Adding a blues note; F#

Rock and Blues Basics 5: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 5) (Beg):  Almost the whole scale

Rock and Blues Basics 6: The ‘C’ Blues Scale (Part 6) (Beg):  The complete ‘C’ Blues Scale

Rock and Blues Basics 7: Moving LH (Part 1) (Beg):  Beginning to move the LH

Rock and Blues Basics 8: Moving LH (Part 2) (Beg):  Playing a 12-bar blues progression

Rock and Blues Basics 9: Moving LH (Part 3) (Beg):  A classic rock chord sequence

Rock and Blues Basics 10: Moving LH (Part 4) (Beg):  Alternating between 2 chords

Rock and Blues Basics 11: Hand Independence (Part 1) (Beg):  A more active LH pattern

Rock and Blues Basics 12: Hand Independence (Part 2) (Beg):  Continuing with LH boogie style

Rock and Blues Basics 13: Hand Independence (Part 3) (Beg):  More independence between the hands

Rock and Blues Basics 14: Hand Independence (Part 4) (Beg):  Steady quarter-notes in both melody and accompaniment

Rock and Blues Basics 15: Hand Independence (Part 5) (Beg):  Varying the melodic rhythms

Rock and Blues Basics 16: Hand Independence (Part 6) (Beg):  Adding dotted quarter-notes

Rock and Blues Basics 17: Hand Independence (Part 7) (Beg):  Applying a boogie pattern to the 12-bar blues

Rock and Blues Basics 18: Hand Independence (Part 8) (Beg):  Jamming on the chords to “Freebird”

Rock and Blues Basics 19: “Rockin’ Blues” (Beg):  Uptempo 1950’s Rock and Roll

Rock and Blues Basics 20: “Blues Scale Boogie” (Beg):  Putting the elements together

Rock and Blues Basics 21: “Cool as a Cucumber” (Beg):  Applying the blues scale to cool jazz

Rock and Blues Basics 22: Intro to the ‘A’ Blues Scale (Beg):  Improvising in a new key

Rock and Blues Basics 23: ‘A’ Blues Scale (Rock Ballad) (Beg):  Play a solo over the chords to “Stairway to Heaven”

Rock and Blues Basics 24: “House of the Rising Sun” (Beg):  Improvise on a classic folk/blues song

Rock and Blues Basics 25: ‘A’ Blues Scale (Fast Rock) (Beg):  Using the chords to “All Along The Watchtower”

Rock and Blues Basics 26: The ‘A’ Blues Scale (Classic Blues) (Beg):  A blues style that influenced the Rolling Stones

Rock and Blues Basics 27: The ‘D’ Blues Scale (Rock Ballad) (Beg):  A groove similar to Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb”

Rock and Blues Basics 28: The ‘D’ Blues Scale (Fast Rock and Roll) (Beg):  Jerry Lee Lewis-style Rock and Roll

Rock and Blues Basics 29: A Contemporary Rock Chord Progression (Part 1) (Beg):  Solo over the chords to Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep”

Rock and Blues Basics 30: A Contemporary Rock Chord Progression (Part 2) (Beg): Adding a LH rock rhythm to Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep”

Rock and Blues Basics 31: Playing In a Band (Part 1: Piano) (Beg/Int): How to create piano parts that fit into your band’s overall ‘sound’

Rock and Blues Basics 32: Playing In a Band (Part 2: Organ) (Beg/Int): How to find the right organ part for each song your band plays (Coming soon!)

Rock and Blues Basics 33: Contemporary pop/rock accompaniment (Beg/Int): Playing a rock groove with today’s most popular chord progression

Rock and Blues Basics 34: Pre-rock style (Beg/Int): “What A Wonderful World”

Rock and Blues Basics 35: Basic “Doo-Wop” Patterns (Beg/Int): I/vi/IV/V with 4 bass line variations

Rock and Blues Basics 36: “In The Still of The Nite” (Beg/Int): A classic Doo-Wop song

Rock and Blues Basics 37: Playing Doo-Wop with Melody (Beg/Int): Melody, bass, and chords simultaneously

Rock and Blues Basics 38: The Major Blues Scale (Beg/Int): Introducing a new scale

Rock and Blues Basics 39: Soloing over a Doo-Wop Beat (Beg/Int): Improvising with The Major Blues Scale

Rock and Blues Basics 40: Developing rhythmic flexibility in your left hand (Int): Improvising your own Doo-Wop accompaniments

Rock and Blues Basics 41: Early Rock and Roll: 12-bar blues in ‘C’ (Int): Varying your RH comping rhythms

Rock and Blues Basics 42: Early Rock and Roll: 12-bar blues in ‘C’ (Int): Soloing with various RH rhythms

Rock Piano (Int/Adv): We’ll begin by looking at how Classic Rock was influenced by Modal Jazz, and then begin exploring specific Rock techniques as well as pianists/keyboardists in the genre.

Rock Piano: Lesson 1 (Int): The Modal Improv influence on Classic Rock

Rock Piano: Lesson 2 (Int): 3 Scales to use over minor chords

Rock Piano: Lesson 3 (Int): Soloing in Cm, Gm, and Am

Smooth Jazz/R&B/Funk (Int): These lessons get you comfortable using the jazz melodic and harmonic vocabulary over funk-inspired grooves and bass lines.

Smooth Jazz/R&B/Funk 1 (Int):  Getting started

Smooth Jazz/R&B/Funk 2 (Int):  Grooving on just 2 chords

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles: This course teaches you to play basic piano textures and accompaniments from leadsheets, where you have just the chords and melody. Once you can do this on a few songs, you’ll always be able to sit down at a piano and play, wherever you are!

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 1 (Beg):  A Basic 2-Beat Accompaniment

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 2 (Beg):  2-Beat Accomp in LH, Melody in RH

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 3 (Beg):  Using the V7 (dominant 7th) chord

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 4 (Beg):  “Lightly Row” (2 style choices for the same song)

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 5 (Beg):  Russian folk song

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 6 (Beg/Int):  Melody and chords in the RH

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 7 (Int/Adv):  A complete bluegrass arrangement

Solo Piano and Accompaniment Styles 8 (Int/Adv):  Improvising Bluegrass piano solos (“You Are My Sunshine”)