The Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the most iconic jazz festivals in the world—but Monterey Jazz is about much more than three days of incredible music. In this special episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence welcomes Bobbie Young, Managing Director of Monterey Jazz, and Mike Knapek, Monterey…
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:…
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 ✔…
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…
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: •…
🎹 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…
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,…
🎹 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…
🎹 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…
🎹 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…
🎹 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…
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…
🎹 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…
🎹 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:…
🎹 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…
🎹 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…
🎄 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…
🎹 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…
🎄 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…
🎄 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…
🎹 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,…
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…
🎹 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…
🎹 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…