Jazz Standards Episodes

Explore jazz standards through harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, improvisation, and solo piano development. These Jazz Piano Skills episodes use the great tunes of the jazz repertoire as a practical framework for developing the musical understanding and skills needed to discover, learn, and play jazz piano.
330
March 24, 2026

Sweet Lorraine, Solo Piano

Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary This episode explores the art of solo jazz piano, focusing on harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation, and practical approaches to playing solo. Dr. Bob Lawrence shares structured methods to develop mastery, emphasizing understanding music fundamentals and applying them creatively. Keywords Jazz Piano, Solo Piano, Harmonic Analysis, Improvisation, Music Education, Jazz Techniques, Practice Strategies ...
329
March 17, 2026

Sweet Lorraine, Improvisation

Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the importance of intentional practice, time awareness, and mastering the third interval. He demonstrates how focusing on thirds can simplify improvisational development and enhance musical vocabulary. Keywords Jazz improvisation, jazz piano, musical thirds, practice strategies, jazz education, improvi...
328
March 10, 2026

Sweet Lorraine, Melodic Analysis

Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Summary Join Dr. Bob Lawrence as he explores the melodic analysis of 'Sweet Lorraine,' emphasizing the importance of phrasing, shaping melodies, and applying harmonic and stylistic treatments to enhance jazz improvisation and performance. Keywords Jazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Sweet Lorraine, Phrasing, Improvisation, Jazz Education, Music Theory, Practice Strategies Key Topics Phrasing and...
327
March 3, 2026

Sweet Lorraine, Harmonic Analysis

Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Play Alongs Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords jazz piano, harmonic analysis, improvisation, music education, jazz standards, learning process, structured practice, Sweet Lorraine, voicings, music theory Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the structured approach to learning jazz piano through the study of the standard 'Sweet Lorraine.' The conversation emphasizes the importance of harmonic analysis, un...
326
Feb. 24, 2026

Embraceable You, Solo Piano

Podcast Packets Illustrations Lead Sheets Forums Jazz Piano Skills Community Keywords Jazz Piano, Solo Piano, Music Education, Harmonization, Jazz Skills, Improvisation, Melody, Chord Progressions, Music Theory, Jazz Techniques Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the structured approach to learning jazz piano, emphasizing the importance of a systematic educational process. He introduces the seven facts of music, explores various solo piano approaches, an...
325
Feb. 17, 2026

Embraceable You, Improvisaton

Keywords jazz piano, improvisation, Embraceable You, melodic pathways, jazz skills, music education, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, jazz techniques, music practice Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the intricacies of jazz improvisation, focusing on the classic tune 'Embraceable You.' The conversation begins with an overview of the structured approach to learning jazz, emphasizing harmonic and melodic analysis. Dr. Lawrence addresses...
324
Feb. 10, 2026

Embraceable You, Melodic Analysis

In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence presents a melodic analysis of the Gershwin standard Embraceable You. Rather than simply playing the melody, you’ll learn how to study its phrasing, identify target notes, and understand the melodic shapes that give the tune its expressive character. This lesson walks through how the melody interacts with the harmony and demonstrates how to perform it using three distinct jazz treatments: ballad, bossa, and swing. The goal is to help you move beyond reading notes and begin interpreting the melody with confidence and musicality. If you are working to develop stronger melodic awareness, improve your phrasing, and create more expressive solo piano performances, this episode will give you a clear and structured approach to melodic analysis at the keyboard.
323
Feb. 3, 2026

Embraceable You, Harmonic Analysis

This Episode, "Embraceable You, Harmonic Analysis," explores the Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Function, Common Harmonic Motion, and Voicings of the 1928 George Gershwin jazz standard.
322
Jan. 27, 2026

Stars Fell on Alabama, Solo Piano

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Stars Fell on Alabama." Part four of this study focuses on developing essential solo jazz piano skills.
321
Jan. 20, 2026

Stars Fell on Alabama, Improvisation

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Stars Fell on Alabama." Part three of this study focuses on Improvisation development, exploring Melodic Pathways for each Phrase.
320
Jan. 13, 2026

Stars Fell on Alabama, Melodic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Stars Fell on Alabama" with a Melodic Analysis. Part Two of this study focuses on Melodic Transcribing, Fingerings, Phrases, Targets, and standard Treatments.
319
Jan. 6, 2026

Stars Fell on Alabama, Harmonic Analysis

This Episode explores the jazz standard "Stars Fell on Alabama". Part One of this study focuses on Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Function, and Voicings.
316
Dec. 16, 2025

Christmas Time is Here, Improvisation

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Christmas Time is Here." Part three of this study focuses on Improvisation development, exploring various rhythmic and melodic motifs.
315
Dec. 9, 2025

Christmas Time is Here, Melodic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Christmas Time is Here" with a Melodic Analysis. Part Two of this study focuses on Melodic Transcribing, Fingerings, Phrases, Targets, and standard Treatments.
314
Dec. 2, 2025

Christmas Time is Here, Harmonic Analysis

This Episode explores the Vince Guaraldi classic "Christmas Time is Here". Part One of this study focuses on Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Functio,n and Voicings
312
Nov. 18, 2025

A Beautiful Friendship, Improvisation

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "A Beautiful Friendship." Part three of this study focuses on Improvisation development, using Etudes to generate melodic ideas.
311
Nov. 11, 2025

A Beautiful Friendship, Melodic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "A Beautiful Friendship" with a Melodic Analysis. Part Two of this study focuses on Melodic Transcribing, Fingerings, Phrases, Targets, and standard Treatments.
310
Nov. 4, 2025

A Beautiful Friendship, Harmonic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Episode explores the timeless jazz standard "A Beautiful Friendship" with a Harmonic Analysis. Part One of this study focuses on Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Function, and Voicings.
309
Oct. 28, 2025

Tangerine, Improvisation

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Tangerine." Part three of this study focuses on Improvisation development, using Improvisation Trees to generate melodic ideas.
307
Oct. 14, 2025

Tangerine, Melodic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Tangerine" with a Melodic Analysis. Part Two of this study focuses on Melodic Transcribing, Fingerings, Phrases, Targets, and standard Treatments.
306
Oct. 7, 2025

Tangerine, Harmonic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Episode explores the timeless jazz standard "Tangerine" with a Harmonic Analysis. Part One of this study focuses on Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Function, and Voicings.
303
Sept. 16, 2025

Blue Bossa, Improvisation

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Blue Bossa." Part three of this study focuses on Improvisation development, using harmonic shapes to generate melodic ideas.
302
Sept. 9, 2025

Blue Bossa, Melodic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode explores the jazz standard "Blue Bossa" with a Melodic Analysis. Part Two of this study focuses on Melodic Transcribing, Fingerings, Phrases, Targets, and standard Treatments.
301
Sept. 2, 2025

Blue Bossa, Harmonic Analysis

This Jazz Piano Skills Episode explores the timeless jazz standard "Blue Bossa" with a Harmonic Analysis. Part One of this study focuses on Form, Chord Changes, Harmonic Function, and Voicings.