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Videos

Feb. 16, 2026

Embraceable You Melodic Analysis | Jazz Piano Weekly Recap

Embraceable You Melodic Analysis | Jazz Piano Weekly Recap

This week at Jazz Piano Skills, we continue our monthly tune study with a melodic analysis of “Embraceable You” by George Gershwin. In this Weekly Recap, I review the key concepts from the podcast episode and demonstrate how to play the melody of Embraceable You using three essential jazz treatments:…

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Feb. 11, 2026

Can You Play All Chord Families Instantly? (Jazz Piano Test) #jazzpiano #pianopractice #pianotips

Can You Play All Chord Families Instantly? (Jazz Piano Test) #jazzpiano #pianopractice #pianotips

How well do you really know your primary chord families? In this Jazz Piano Skills Quick Tip, Dr. Lawrence puts your chord knowledge to the test using the C family chords: • Major • Dominant • Minor • Half Diminished • Diminished Each chord is played: ✔ Root Position ✔…

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Feb. 8, 2026

Embraceable You – Harmonic Analysis | Jazz Piano Skills Weekly Recap #jazzharmony #jazzeducation

Embraceable You – Harmonic Analysis | Jazz Piano Skills Weekly Recap #jazzharmony #jazzeducation

This video is the weekly recap of our Jazz Piano Skills tune study on the George Gershwin classic Embraceable You. In this recap, Dr. Bob Lawrence walks through the harmonic analysis of Embraceable You, covering: • The ABAC form • 19 essential chord changes used throughout the tune • Harmonic…

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Feb. 6, 2026

120 BPM Was Too Fast… Try This Instead 👀🎹 #pianopractice #pianotips #learnjazzpiano

120 BPM Was Too Fast… Try This Instead 👀🎹 #pianopractice #pianotips #learnjazzpiano

Most players know Major 7th chords. Very few can move them smoothly around the Circle of 5ths. In this quick jazz piano tip, I slow things down to 75 BPM and use one hand only — but don’t be fooled… the challenge is still very real. 🎵 The exercise: •…

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Feb. 4, 2026

Jazz Piano Voice Leading: Circle of 5ths Drill #circleoffifths #pianopractice #learnjazz

Jazz Piano Voice Leading: Circle of 5ths Drill #circleoffifths #pianopractice #learnjazz

🎹 Jazz Piano Quick Tip! From Dr. Bob Lawrence and Jazz Piano Skills. Try practicing Major 7th chords around the Circle of 5ths (moving counter-clockwise) using inversions to stay within one octave. It’s a powerful way to build smooth voice leading, harmonic awareness, and control across all keys. Dr. Lawrence…

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Feb. 1, 2026

Embraceable You, George Gershwin | Jazz Piano Skills Tune Study #jazzstandard #gershwin #jazzpiano

Embraceable You, George Gershwin | Jazz Piano Skills Tune Study #jazzstandard #gershwin #jazzpiano

Keywords Jazz, Embraceable You, George Gershwin, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, improvisation, piano skills, jazz treatments, music education, chord progressions Summary In this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the study of George Gershwin's classic tune 'Embraceable You.' The discussion covers a four-week plan focusing on harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, improvisational skills,…

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Jan. 23, 2026

Transpose Jazz Melodies by Ear | Stars Fell on Alabama #MusicPractice #jazzpianoskills #PianoShorts

Transpose Jazz Melodies by Ear | Stars Fell on Alabama #MusicPractice #jazzpianoskills #PianoShorts

🎹 Jazz Melodic Challenge: Transpose by Ear! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills. Today’s Melodic Challenge uses the first melodic phrase of “Stars Fell on Alabama” to test one of the most important jazz skills there is — transposition by ear. Your task: play the phrase in…

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Jan. 21, 2026

Shuffled Arpeggios: A Must-Know Jazz Piano Exercise #jazzarpeggios #pianotechnique #jazzshorts

Shuffled Arpeggios: A Must-Know Jazz Piano Exercise #jazzarpeggios #pianotechnique #jazzshorts

🎹 Quick Jazz Piano Tip: Shuffled Arpeggios! 🔥 In this short lesson, Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills shows you how to practice shuffled arpeggios in root position and inversions. Learning to see harmony played melodically opens up new pathways on the keyboard and is a powerful way to…

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Jan. 19, 2026

How Jazz Pianists Interpret Melody | Stars Fell on Alabama #StarsFellOnAlabama #JazzStandards #jazz

How Jazz Pianists Interpret Melody | Stars Fell on Alabama #StarsFellOnAlabama #JazzStandards #jazz

🎹 Jazz Piano Skills – Weekly Recap | Stars Fell on Alabama (Melodic Analysis) Welcome to this week’s Jazz Piano Skills Recap Video. If you’re a member, this video brings everything we studied last week into clear focus. If you’re new, welcome—this recap gives you a look inside how we…

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Jan. 16, 2026

Descending Arpeggios Over Jazz Changes (Stars Fell on Alabama) #jazzarpeggios #jazzpianoskills

Descending Arpeggios Over Jazz Changes (Stars Fell on Alabama) #jazzarpeggios #jazzpianoskills

🎹 Jazz Melodic Challenge: Descending Arpeggios! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills. Today’s Melodic Challenge takes a classic progression from “Stars Fell on Alabama” — III–7 → VI7 → II–7 → V7 — and tests your control, clarity, and time feel. Your mission: play descending arpeggios on…

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Jan. 14, 2026

Half-Step Tension on the Downbeat (Jazz Tip) #starsfellonalabama #learnjazz #jazzstandard

Half-Step Tension on the Downbeat (Jazz Tip) #starsfellonalabama #learnjazz #jazzstandard

Learn how to practice half-step tension on the downbeat to create authentic jazz phrasing. In this Jazz Piano Skills Quick Tip, Dr. Bob Lawrence demonstrates how to approach target notes—the 3rd, 5th, and 7th of the chord—using half-step approach tones on strong beats for instant melodic tension and resolution. This…

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Jan. 12, 2026

Jazz Piano Harmony Breakdown | Stars Fell on Alabama #JazzHarmony #JazzStandards #JazzVoicings

Jazz Piano Harmony Breakdown | Stars Fell on Alabama #JazzHarmony #JazzStandards  #JazzVoicings

🎹 Jazz Piano Skills – Weekly Recap | Harmonic Analysis of “Stars Fell on Alabama.” Welcome to the Monday Jazz Piano Skills Recap Video! This week, Dr. Bob Lawrence breaks down the harmonic analysis of the 1934 jazz standard “Stars Fell on Alabama” by Frank Perkins — the first study…

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Jan. 9, 2026

Jazz Piano Harmony Challenge: Stars Fell on Alabama Bridge #jazzvoicings #jazzstandard #jazzchords

Jazz Piano Harmony Challenge: Stars Fell on Alabama Bridge #jazzvoicings #jazzstandard #jazzchords

🎹 Jazz Harmony Challenge: Bridge Workout! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills. Today’s Harmony Challenge dives into a progression from the bridge of “Stars Fell on Alabama” — II–7 → V7 → III–7 → VI7 → II–7 → V7 — and cranks up the intensity! Your mission:…

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Jan. 7, 2026

3 Essential II-V-I Voicings Every Jazz Pianist Must Know 🔥 #voicings #jazzpiano #starsfellonalabama

3 Essential II-V-I Voicings Every Jazz Pianist Must Know 🔥 #voicings #jazzpiano #starsfellonalabama

🎹 WOW! 3 Essential Voicing Types for the II-V-I Progression! 🎶 In this quick jazz piano lesson, Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills shows you how to practice three powerful voicing approaches for mastering the II–V progression: Block Voicings Traditional Voicings (3–7–9 and 7–3–5) Contemporary Shells built with the…

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Jan. 5, 2026

From Harmony to Solo Piano: Stars Fell on Alabama Explained! #howtoplaypiano #howtoplaykeyboard

From Harmony to Solo Piano: Stars Fell on Alabama Explained! #howtoplaypiano #howtoplaykeyboard

🎹 Start 2026 with a Jazz Standard Classic — Stars Fell on Alabama Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills and our first Monthly Tune Study of 2026! In this series, we dive deep into the timeless jazz standard Stars Fell on Alabama by Frank Perkins, using our proven Four Pillars of…

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Dec. 19, 2025

🎄 Improvisation Challenge Hiding in a Christmas Song! #vinceguaraldi #christmastimeishere #jazz

🎄 Improvisation Challenge Hiding in a Christmas Song! #vinceguaraldi #christmastimeishere #jazz

🎄 Jazz Melody Challenge – Improvisation Edition! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music. Today’s Melody Challenge uses Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas classic “Christmas Time Is Here” to develop your improvisation skills. It’s one thing to navigate the half-step progression harmonically—it’s…

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Dec. 17, 2025

WOW! All 12 Major 7th Arpeggios in One Octave 🎹 #jazztechnique #jazzpractice #jazzlessons

WOW! All 12 Major 7th Arpeggios in One Octave 🎹 #jazztechnique #jazzpractice #jazzlessons

🎹 WOW! All 12 Major 7th Arpeggios—One Octave Only! 🎶 In this quick jazz piano lesson, Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills shows you how to practice all 12 Major 7th arpeggios while staying within a single octave. This powerful approach builds a strong command of inversions, strengthens your…

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Dec. 15, 2025

Christmas Time Is Here – Jazz Piano Melody Interpretation Tutorial #vinceguaraldi #jazzpiano

Christmas Time Is Here – Jazz Piano Melody Interpretation Tutorial #vinceguaraldi #jazzpiano

🎄 Christmas Time Is Here – Melodic Interpretation Recap | Jazz Piano Skills 🎹 In this weekly Jazz Piano Skills recap, Dr. Bob Lawrence takes a deep dive into the melodic interpretation and reinterpretation of Vince Guaraldi’s beloved Christmas classic, “Christmas Time Is Here.” This video recaps our melodic analysis…

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Dec. 12, 2025

Vince Guaraldi in 4/4 — Can You Do It? #vinceguaraldi #charliebrownchristmas #jazzgroove

Vince Guaraldi in 4/4 — Can You Do It? #vinceguaraldi #charliebrownchristmas #jazzgroove

🎄 Jazz Melody Challenge! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music. Today’s Melody Challenge puts a creative twist on a holiday classic! You’ll play Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” in 4/4 time instead of the original 3/4, testing your…

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Dec. 10, 2025

Play “Christmas Time Is Here” Like a Pro! 🎄🎵 #vinceguaraldi #charliebrown #christmasmusic

Play “Christmas Time Is Here” Like a Pro! 🎄🎵 #vinceguaraldi #charliebrown #christmasmusic

🎹 Quick Jazz Piano Tip! In this short lesson, Dr. Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills demonstrates how to practice descending 3rds in the key of F Major — a powerful technique to prepare for playing the melody of Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas classic, “Christmas Time Is Here.” Strengthen your melodic awareness,…

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Dec. 8, 2025

Play Like Vince Guaraldi: Voicings for Christmas Time Is Here #vinceguaraldi #jazzchords #jazz

Play Like Vince Guaraldi: Voicings for Christmas Time Is Here #vinceguaraldi #jazzchords #jazz

Keywords Jazz Piano, Christmas Time Is Here, Vince Guaraldi, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Analysis, Voicings, Jazz Skills, Music Education Summary In this session, Dr. Bob Lawrence provides a comprehensive recap of the week's studies at Jazz Piano Skills, focusing on the tune 'Christmas Time Is Here' by Vince Guaraldi. The discussion…

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Dec. 5, 2025

Jazz Up Your Christmas Harmony! #vinceguaraldi #christmastime #charliebrown

Jazz Up Your Christmas Harmony! #vinceguaraldi #christmastime #charliebrown

🎹 Jazz Harmony Challenge! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and The Dallas School of Music, today’s challenge brings holiday harmony to your fingertips! You’ll explore a progression from Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas classic “Christmas Time Is Here,” using contemporary two-handed quartal voicings—a must-know sound for modern jazz…

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Dec. 3, 2025

🎁 The Sound of Christmas Jazz Harmony🔥 #vinceguaraldi #charliebrown #jazzharmony

🎁 The Sound of Christmas Jazz Harmony🔥 #vinceguaraldi #charliebrown #jazzharmony

🎹 Quick Jazz Piano Tip! Learn how to practice the chords in F Major using block voicings and two-handed quartal voicings — perfect prep for playing Vince Guaraldi’s Christmas classic “Christmas Time Is Here.” Dr. Bob Lawrence shows you how to shape rich jazz harmony, strengthen hand coordination, and unlock…

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Dec. 1, 2025

Stop Doodling! Start Improvising with Real Jazz Techniques #learnjazz #jazzpractice #jazzmusician

Stop Doodling! Start Improvising with Real Jazz Techniques #learnjazz #jazzpractice #jazzmusician

Keywords Jazz Piano, Improvisation, C Major, Harmonic Analysis, Christmas Music Summary In this recap, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the key elements of jazz improvisation, focusing on the importance of understanding sound and harmonic shapes. He emphasizes the need for practice in arpeggio and scale movement, particularly in the context of…

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