Introduction to Modern Jazz Lines #21-30 - The I-vi-ii-V (I-VI-ii-V) Progression - Jazz Piano Lesson

This coming week I'll start posting videos from the next Modern Jazz Line series.  In this series we will cover how to voice and improvise over the I-vi-ii-V (I-VI-ii-V) progression.  This week's video covers an introduction to the progression.  In the video you'll discover just what the roman numerals like "ii-V-I" mean, how to construct seventh chords using these numbers and some basic voicing options.

You can find my complete collection of Modern Jazz Line "How to Improvise" playlists below.  You may want to review these lessons before continuing with the series.  They will give you an excellent introduction to voicing and improvising over the ii-V-I progression.

Modern Jazz Line #1-10 - The "ii-V-I" Progression
Video Jazz Piano Lesson Playlist (YouTube)
Sheet Music Collection for Jazz Piano Lesson (1-10)
Blog Posts for Modern Jazz Line #1-10

Modern Jazz Line #11-20 - The Tri-Tone Substitution
Video Jazz Piano Playlist (YouTube)
Sheet Music Collection for Jazz Piano Lesson (11-20)
Blog Posts for Modern Jazz Line #11-20

Sheet Music:  Introduction-to-Modern-Jazz-Lines-21-30-I-vi-ii-V.pdf

Introduction to Modern Jazz Line #21-30:

Modern Jazz Line #20 - Evolution of a Jazz Line

We reached a milestone of 3000+ subscribers at Tjjazzpiano.com this week!  Thank you so much for your shares, favorites, "likes" and everything in between.  Here's to doubling the number in the coming year.  I am so excited to be sharing all of my exercises with you!  Here are 20 Modern Jazz Lines squeezed in to one lesson to say "thanks" for all your support.  Enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed watching the first 10 lessons from my Modern Jazz Line series.  In these jazz lessons I covered how to become a better improvisor using the ii-V-I progression as a guide.  The next Modern Jazz Line videos will cover the tri-tone substitution used in the context of a basic ii-V-I progression (see example below).  If you haven't read or watched my explanation of the tri-tone substitution you may want to check it out before continuing with the lesson below.

Sheet Music for this lesson:  Modern Jazz Line #20.pdf

You can find a complete list of my jazz piano lessons here and watch the playlist for either Modern Jazz Lines #1-10 or Modern Jazz Lines #11-20.

Introduction to the Tri-Tone Substitution: The Tri-Tone Substitution

Modern Jazz Line #20: +19 other lines!

Watch the video lesson here:

Modern Jazz Line #19 - Sequencing Seconds - How to Improvise

Stay tuned next week for a special Modern Jazz Line video celebrating our 3000th subscriber!

In this week's Modern Jazz Line we'll tackle a triplet based melody based on arpeggio extensions of each chords.  This is the first melody I've published that is written in the 3/4 time signature.  Be careful to count and make sure you're playing the rhythms correctly.  Any displacement should feel effortless, not forced or disjunct.

I hope you enjoyed watching the first 10 lessons from my Modern Jazz Line series.  In these jazz lessons I covered how to become a better improvisor using the ii-V-I progression as a guide.  The next Modern Jazz Line videos will cover the tri-tone substitution used in the context of a basic ii-V-I progression (see example below).  If you haven't read or watched my explanation of the tri-tone substitution you may want to check it out before continuing with the lesson below.

Sheet Music for this lesson:  Modern Jazz Line #19.pdf

You can find a complete list of my jazz piano lessons here and watch the playlist for either Modern Jazz Lines #1-10 or Modern Jazz Lines #11-20.

Introduction to the Tri-Tone Substitution: The Tri-Tone Substitution

Modern Jazz Line #19:

Watch the video lesson here:

Jazz Piano Lesson #46 - Diminished Scale Workout - (Technique/Hanon)

Sheet Music:  Jazz Piano Lesson #46 - Diminished Scale Workout

I've mentioned many times before on this blog how big a fan I am of technical exercises.  I feel like my playing is at it's best when I have some sort of daily technique routine.  Almost every exercise I work on is played and sung through all twelve keys.  For this reason, the technical exercises (ala Hanon) I've been writing lately have been really challenging both my technique and inner singing voice.  I have to remind myself that daily slow and patient practice is the key to making these exercises feel effortless.

In this week's lesson we're taking a look at the diminished scale.  You may remember the diminished scale topics we covered in some previous lessons.  You will hear this scale utilized often in modern improvisation, especially in the playing of Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock.  Practice this melody slow at first, somewhere around 40-60bpms.  Gradually increase tempo as you become comfortable with each shape and fingering for each scale.

Sheet Music:  Jazz Piano Lesson #46 - Diminished Scale Workout

Watch the video lesson: