Richard Tee Tribute

Lesson Run Time: 75 minutes / Release Date: 08/20/2011

In this lesson, I create an original song using a nice chord progression that I heard on the radio from a song called “Richard Tee”. It’s gospel-blues infused sound reminded me of Richard Tee’s style and soulfulness. I will teach you the entire arrangement which has a bunch of really nice chords and licks that you will love adding to your repertoire!

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Blues secrets
Blues secrets pt 2 (articulation)
The introduction
The introduction pt2
Section A (m5)
Section A pt 2 (right hand)
Section B (m9)
Coda section
Groove Improvisation

The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun

Lesson Run Time: 64 minutes / Release Date: 09/22/2012

In this arrangement, House of the Rising Sun, we will learn how to go from a groove to adding the melody. By learning a few key rhythmic patterns, you can apply the melody on top and create a cool sounding arrangement. We will also cover 16th-note broken chords that give the song a lot of momentum and excitement. I will give you some improvisation tips and show you how to create your own arrangement by re-arranging the form.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Song Intro
Prep A
Prep B
The Melody
16th note broken chords
Improv and form

Rootless Chord Voicings Explained

The Shadow Of Your Smile

Lesson Run Time: 49 minutes / Release Date: 07/13/2012

Using techniques from our step-by-step standards series you will learn how to create an easy bossa nova arrangement for “The Shadow Of Your Smile.” We will also cover some advanced techniques to add some spice to your playing.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Rhythm Of The Chords
The Chords
The Melody
Hands Together Pt 1
Hands Together Pt 2
Hands Together Pt 3
Hands Together Pt 4
Advanced Tips

Song For My Father – Horace Silver

Lesson Run Time: 72 minutes / Release Date: 02/01/2010

In this lesson I show you some really cool Dr. John licks. You’ll also learn more about New Orleans bass patterns and how to break apart these licks to create your own.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Song For My Father – Intro
The arrangement part 1
The arrangement part 2
Scales for improvisation
Lick #1
Lick #2
Delayed resolution
Borrowed chord from Phyrigian
Phyrigian mode
Phyrigian progression and bassline
Structured improv over phyrigian
Improvisation ideas

Slow, Soulful Blues – Frank’s Blues

Lesson Run Time: 79 minutes / Release Date: 07/18/2010

This slow and soulful blues song teaches you how to create that slow, gospel-sounding blues feel. In addition to learning the song, we will cover many other concepts to help you apply these techniques to your own pieces.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction to Soulful Blues
Left hand accompaniment techniques
“Jazz” chords – chords with tensions
Approaches into the next chord
Left-hand summary
The Song Part 1 (Franks Blues)
The Song Part 2 (m. 4)
The Song Part 3 (m. 8)
The Song Part 4 (m. 10)
Walk ups / Walk downs pt 1
Walk ups / Walk downs pt 2
Free improvisation
Wrap Up

Style of Otis Spann

Lesson Run Time: 75 minutes / Release Date: 06/12/2010

Learn some really cool Otis Spann licks, chords and bass lines. I will also teach you how to put together the licks to create a ‘song’. Before beginning this intermediate lesson, make sure you have gone through our lesson on blues basics first!

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction to Otis Spann style
Otis Spann basslines
Otis Spann lick #1
Big Blues chords
Otis Spann lick #2
Lick #3
Lick #4
Lick #5
Lick #6
Lick #7
Lick #8
Lick #9
“Song” using licks

Someday My Prince Will Come – Part A

Lesson Run Time: 47 minutes / Release Date: 04/19/2014

In this lesson, you will learn how to play Some Day My Prince Will Come note for note. He will also discuss the theory behind the chords. He will go over how to play this lesson with a ballad feel and with a jazz waltz feel by breaking up the chords.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
M1-4
M5-8
M9-12
M13-16
M17-20
M21-24
Jazz Waltz Style

She’s Got A Way

Lesson Run Time: 39 minutes / Release Date: 09/19/2014

In part 1 of this lesson, you’ll learn how to play Billy Joel’s “She’s Got a Way.” You will be shown how to construct the chords and vary them along with harmonizing ideas for the melody.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Measures 1-6
Measures 7-11
Measures 12
Measures 13-16

Summertime

Lesson Run Time: 180 minutes / Release Date: 04/21/2009

Learn the Gershwin favorite. In this lesson I’ll teach you how to re-harmonize the song. We’ll create improvisation licks together and I’ll show you how to play the arrangement and licks step-by-step.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Reharm part 1
Reharm part 2
Reharm part 3
Reharm part 4
Reharm part 5
Reharm part 6
Reharm part 7
Arrangement Introduction
Arrangement Part 1
Arrangement Part 2
Arrangement Part 3
Arrangement Part 4
Arrangement Part 5
Creating Licks Intro
Creating Licks Part 1
Creating Licks Part 2
Creating Licks Part 3
Creating Licks Part 4
Creating Licks Part 5
Creating Licks Part 6
Creating Licks Part 7
Creating Licks Part 8
Creating Licks Part 9
Creating Licks Part 10
Creating Licks Part 11
Creating Licks Part 12
Creating Licks Part 13
Improvisation Lick #1
Improvisation Lick #2
Improvisation Lick #3
Improvisation Lick #4
Improvisation Lick #5
Improvisation Lick #6
Improvisation Lick #7
Improvisation Lick #8
Improvisation Lick #9
Free Improv over Chords

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Part 1

Lesson Run Time: 60 minutes / Release Date: 01/21/2012

In this traditional spiritual song, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, I have created an advanced arrangement which includes a change of rhythm, tri-tone substituions and some really fat sounding chords. The gospel sounds created here are similar and complementary to those you learned in the Richard Tee Tribute lesson while also teaching more about how to create an advanced arrangement of a traditional song. Improvisation will be covered in depth in part 2 of the lesson.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Part 1
Part 2 (m2)
Part 3 (m5)
Part 4 (m7)
Part 5 (m9)
Part 6 (m13)
Ending

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Part 2

Lesson Run Time: 52 minutes / Release Date: 12/15/2012

In this lesson we are going to focus on the improvisation for Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. We are going to work on soloing over a 6/8 pattern and using polyrhythms like 2 against 3 in our soloing. Part 1

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Broken chords
Feeling 3 against 2
Step 2 – mixed chord tones
Step 3-Passing tones
Step 4 – Rests and rhythm
Step 5 – bluesy
Wrap up

Wade In The Water

Lesson Run Time: 53 minutes / Release Date: 07/01/2010

In this classic spiritual, we will cover how to create a simple arrangement…perfect for beginners. We will also move into a more advanced “reharmed” version of the song with fuller chords.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Easy arrangement
Discovery phase pt. 1
Discovery phase pt. 2 (m. 9)
Arrangement Part 1
Arrangement Part 2 (m. 5)
Arrangement Part 3 (m.9)
Arrangement Part 4 (m.13)
Contemporary Discovery phase pt 1
Contemporary Discovery phase pt 2
Wrap Up

Diminished Harmony 1

Lesson Run Time: 74 minutes / Release Date: 09/14/2013

In this lesson we will cover four important uses of diminished harmony: 1) Diminished chord reharmonization, 2) Harmonizing melodies using diminished chords, 3) Using diminished scales for improvisation and 4) Diminished and Slash Chords. These four techniques are practical because they are most often used in live situations and are important for any gigging musician to know.

Other Chapters in this Piano Lesson:

Introduction
Diminished chord reharmonization
Spotting wrong chord symbols
Harmonizing lines
Drop 2 diminished approach example
Half Whole Diminished Scale
Diminshed Chords
Transform Diminished Chords