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.
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”)