Free Jazz Piano Lesson #15: All the Things You Are Etude

How to practice this lesson:


Turn on the metronome at a slow enough tempo where you can play the exercise effortlessly.


1)  Play each hand as written while concentrating on hearing the melody in your head.


2)  Play the L.H. as written while singing the right hand melody.


2b)  An alternative to this step include pantomiming playing the right hand while singing.  This helps connect the physical action of playing with your aural memory.


3)  Sing the R.H. melody away from your instrument.  


Enjoy!


Check out the previous etude here:
Lesson #14: Confirmation Etude




Click Here for your FREE .pdf copy of this lesson!Lesson #15: All the Things You Are Etude


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Free Jazz Piano Lesson #14: "Confirmation" Etude with Shell Voicings

In this weeks lesson we take a look at an etude I wrote over Charlie Parker's "Confirmation." I wanted to showcase how a simple left hand voicing approach can lend itself perfectly to more complex writing. I hope this etude is challenging and gives your ears a much needed stretch! Please enjoy and feel free to write me with any questions you might have about this lesson.

   
Click here for your FREE .pdf copy of this lesson!Lesson 14 Confirmation Etude

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Bach - Invention #14

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a series of compositional studies and exercises in technique for his students between 1685-1750.  15 of them are 2-part contrapuntal pieces and the other 15 are 3-part contrapuntal pieces.  Counterpoint (contrapuntal) is a style of writing where two or more rhythmically varied yet harmonically symbiotic voices interact to form the composition. 

J.S. Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias (BVW 772-801) are often the early pivotal points for young budding classical pianists.  Unfortunately for me, I had neither the focus or dedication to adequately take them on in my youth.  Now, I have returned to Bach's music as an exercise in pianist fluidity and tone control.  I hope you enjoy my novice attempt at performing his music.  I do not claim to be an expert on the music.  Although, it appears to be helping my improvising significantly and I feel more confident in my classical technique after each piece I perform. 

I hope you enjoy this performance.  Please feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message!

Free Jazz Piano Lesson #13: Melodic Shell Voicings (Part 2)

Please be sure and check out the previous lesson before continuing:
Lesson #12:  Shell Voicings (Part 2)

How to practice this lesson:
Turn on the metronome at a slow enough tempo where you can play the exercise effortlessly.
1)  Play each hand as written while concentrating on hearing the melody in your head.
2)  Play the L.H. as written while singing the right hand melody.
2b)  An alternative to this step include pantomiming playing the right hand while singing.  This helps connect the physical action of playing with your aural memory.
3)  Sing the R.H. melody away from your instrument.

Enjoy!




Lesson #13: Melodic Shell Voicings (Part 2)

Did you like this lesson and want to see more like it?  Please donate to help me keep making videos!

Bach - Invention #13

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a series of compositional studies and exercises in technique for his students between 1685-1750.  15 of them are 2-part contrapuntal pieces and the other 15 are 3-part contrapuntal pieces.  Counterpoint (contrapuntal) is a style of writing where two or more rhythmically varied yet harmonically symbiotic voices interact to form the composition. 

J.S. Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias (BVW 772-801) are often the early pivotal points for young budding classical pianists.  Unfortunately for me, I had neither the focus or dedication to adequately take them on in my youth.  Now, I have returned to Bach's music as an exercise in pianist fluidity and tone control.  I hope you enjoy my novice attempt at performing his music.  I do not claim to be an expert on the music.  Although, it appears to be helping my improvising significantly and I feel more confident in my classical technique after each piece I perform. 

I hope you enjoy this performance.  Please feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message!

#3 - Have You Heard? - J.R Monterose, "The Message"

Here's a great offering from one of the most underrated tenorists of all time.  Maybe underrated isn't exactly the best term.  Under-appreciated is probably a more appropriate description.  You don't have to look too hard to find admiration of him from some of the best players who ever lived.  I heartily enjoyed this album of mostly swinging original music from J.R. Monterose.  I hope you do too.

"I've tried all my life to avoid copying. If I can't be myself, there's no point being in jazz."  

-  J.R. Monterose

Track Listing:

1. Straight Ahead (Monterose) 5:30
2. Violets For Your Furs (Dennis, Adair) 2:47
3. Green Street Scene (Monterose) 6:18
4. Chafic (Monterose) 5:14
5. You Know That (Monterose) 5:44
6. I Remember Clifford (Golson) 5:38
7. Short Bridge (Monterose) 6:36

Personnel

J. R. Monterose - ts

Tommy Flanagan - p

Jimmy Garrison - b
Pete La Roca - dr

Favorite Track:  Violets For Your Furs
Favorite Solo:  Jimmy Garrison's unaccompanied bowed solo on You Know That

Check out J.R. Monterose albums here!