Episodes

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This Podcast Episode reflects on the accomplishments of the Jazz Piano Skills Community in 2025 and introduces the Four Pillars of Jazz Piano for 2026.

A Jazz Piano Christmas Podcast Episode introduces a new 2026 addition to the Jazz Piano Skills Monthly Tune Study using five Christmas Standards. It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano!

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.

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.

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

This Jazz Piano Skills Podcast Episode, "How to Start Jazz Improvising", focuses on the importance of seeing Arpeggios and Scales as two elements of MELODY. Explore primary sounds from the Root to the 13th with Motifs using Arpeggio and Scale Motion.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this engaging conversation, Special Guest Lisa Deneau shares her profound journey through music, highlighting the significant influence of her mother, her experiences in jazz education, and the challenges of practicing jazz. She emphasizes the importance of community in learning and the joy of making beautiful sounds on the piano. Lisa also discusses her role in curating the listening list for the Jazz Piano Skills community, showcasing her dedication to sharing music with others.

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.