New podcast episode now available! It's time to Discover, Learn, and Play "Blue Bossa"

Videos

July 1, 2025

Pentatonic Flow 🔥 #pentatonicscale #jazzscales #jazzimprovisation

🎵 Melody Challenge: Major Pentatonic Motion! 🎵 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, this Melody Challenge is for ALL jazz musicians — pianists, horn players, guitarists, bassists, string players — everyone! Today’s challenge focuses on ascending and descending lines…

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June 30, 2025

3-7-9 and. 7-3-5 – You Ready? 🎯 #jazzvoicings #jazzchords #jazzpractice

🎹 *Harmony Challenge* for Jazz Pianists! Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music. Today’s *challenge*: Master Traditional *Shell Voicings* (3-7-9 and 7-3-5) over the classic *II-V-I progression*. This essential skill is a must-have for every serious *jazz pianist* — it’s…

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June 30, 2025

50 Must Know Rhythms #jazzrhythms #rhythms #rhythmchallenge #jazzpodcast

Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the essential elements of jazz piano, focusing on the importance of rhythm in music. He emphasizes that rhythm is foundational to melody and harmony, and neglecting it can lead to musical frustration. The episode introduces 50 must-know…

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June 29, 2025

Tight Time, Funky Lines – Can You Play It? 💥 #rhythmchallenge #jazzrhythms #jazzlessons

🎵 *Rhythm* Challenge Time! 🎵 Today’s Jazz Piano Skills *Rhythm Challenge*, hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence (Director of The Dallas School of Music), is open to all instrumentalists—pianists, trumpeters, saxophonists, guitarists, bassists, and more! #rhythmchallenge #jazzrhythms #jazzlessons Test your rhythmic chops with a flurry of 16th notes set to a…

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June 29, 2025

Master “Lady Be Good” with Dr. Bob Lawrence 💪 #jazzstandards #georgegershwin #jazztunes

🎶 Monthly Tune Study: “Lady Be Good” by George Gershwin 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence | Jazz Piano Skills | Director, The Dallas School of Music Join Dr. Bob Lawrence for this month’s exciting Jazz Piano Skills Tune Study featuring the timeless jazz standard "Lady Be Good" by George…

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June 28, 2025

Inverted Arpeggios? Prove It! 💪 #bebop #beginnerjazzpiano #jazzimprovisation

🎶 *Melody Challenge* for ALL Jazz Musicians! 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Melody Challenge* is designed for jazz pianists and ALL instrumentalists — trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trombone, guitar, bass, and strings! This *challenge* puts your…

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June 27, 2025

TWOFER Time! 🎹🔥 #jazzvoicings #pianochallenge #pianochords

🎹 *Harmony Challenge* – One Voicing, Two Chords (TWOFER!) 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Harmony Challenge* puts your harmonic vision to the test! Can you see one voicing working for two different chords? That’s economy of…

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June 26, 2025

Triplets + Upbeats = 🔥 Groove #rhythmchallenge #jazzrhythms #musicchallenge

🥁 *Rhythm Challenge* – Triplets & Upbeats Over the Dominant Sound! 🎷🎹🎸🎺🎻 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Rhythm Challenge* is perfect for jazz pianists and all instrumentalists ready to sharpen their time and groove. #rhythmchallenge #jazzrhythms #musicchallenge…

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June 25, 2025

Enclose. Arpeggiate. Swing. 💥 #arpeggios #jazztechnique #melodychallenge

🎶 Melody Challenge – Double Enclosures & Arpeggios Over the Minor Sound! 🎹🎷🎸🎻 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Melody Challenge is designed for jazz pianists and all instrumentalists—from trumpet to guitar to strings—ready to develop advanced improvisation…

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June 24, 2025

Spice Up Your II-V-I! #II-V-I #chordprogressions #chordvoicings

🎹 *Harmony Challenge* – Approach the II-V-I Like a Pro! 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Harmony Challenge* invites jazz pianists of all levels to take the classic *II-V-I progression* to the next level. #II-V-I #chordprogressions #chordvoicings…

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June 24, 2025

New to Jazz Piano? Master This First! #jazzbeginner #startingjazzpiano #learnjazz

🎹 What’s the FIRST Jazz Piano Skill You Should Learn? | Dr. Bob Lawrence Answers 🎶 In this video, Dr. Bob Lawrence, Director of The Dallas School of Music and Founder of Jazz Piano Skills, answers a powerful question from a Jazz Piano Skills Podcast listener: "What is the most…

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June 23, 2025

Syncopate or Sync-A-Mess 😅 #syncopation #jazzrhythms #funkygroove

🎵 *Rhythm Challenge* – 16th/Dotted 8th Funk Over D7! 🎹🎸🥁 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Rhythm Challenge* is all about locking in tight 16th–Dotted 8th patterns over the D Dominant Sound. #syncopation #jazzrhythms #funkygroove 🎯 *Challenge Goals*:…

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June 22, 2025

1 & 3 = Tension Time 🔥 #bebop #jazzimprovisation #minorchords

🎶 *Melody Challenge* – Half-Step Approaches Over F *Minor*! 🎹🎷🎺 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s *Melody Challenge* is a must for jazz pianists and instrumentalists of all levels looking to deepen their bebop vocabulary. #bebop #jazzimprovisation #minorchords…

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June 22, 2025

Misty, Improvisation #jazzpodcast #misty #errollgarner

Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the process of improving their improvisation skills using the jazz standard 'MISTY'. The conversation covers essential foundational skills for new jazz pianists, the importance of membership resources, and a structured approach to learning a new tune.…

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June 21, 2025

From Basic to Brilliant – Bb in 4ths 💥 #arpeggios #jazztechnique #jazzharmony

🎹 Harmony Challenge – Bb Major Arpeggio with Quartal Voicings! 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Harmony Challenge is perfect for jazz pianists of all levels looking to modernize their harmonic approach. #arpeggios #jazztechnique #jazzharmony 🎯 Challenge:…

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June 20, 2025

Half-Time Fire Over E Minor 🔥 #rhythmchallenge #jazzrhythms #reggae

🎵 Rhythm Challenge – R&B/Reggae Groove on E Minor! 🎹🎷🎸 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Rhythm Challenge is perfect for jazz pianists and all instrumentalists looking to strengthen their groove, time, and articulation. 🎯 Challenge: ✔️ Lock…

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June 19, 2025

C Minor’s Got Soul 🎶🔥 #melody #musicchallenge #minorchords

🎶 Melody Challenge – 16th Note Line Over C Minor! 🎹🎷🎸 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Melody Challenge is designed for jazz pianists and all instrumentalists of all levels looking to sharpen their technique and melodic vocabulary.…

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June 18, 2025

I-VI-II-V-I Like a Modern Jazz Pianist #chordvoicings #chordprogressions #jazzpiano

🎹 Harmony Challenge – I-VI-II-V-I with Quartal Voicings in Eb! 🔥 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Harmony Challenge is perfect for jazz pianists of all levels looking to solidify one of the most essential progressions in jazz.…

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June 17, 2025

Half Diminished, Full Groove 😎 #halfdiminished #jazzrhythms #rhythmchallenge

🎵 Rhythm Challenge – Half Diminished Groove on C#! 🎹🎷🎸 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Rhythm Challenge puts your time feel and reading chops to the test using the C# half diminished sound. 🎯 The Goal: ✔️…

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June 16, 2025

Dominant Sound + Bebop Line = Jazz Magic 🎷✨ #bebop #jazzimprovisation #jazzlines

🎶 Melody Challenge – Classic Bebop Line over Dominant Sound! 🎺🎸🎹 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Melody Challenge tests your ability to play a timeless bebop line (phrase) over a dominant chord—an essential skill for developing pro-level…

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June 15, 2025

Quartal Vibes Only 🎹🔥 #jazzpiano #jazzpianolessons #jazzchords

🎹 Harmony Challenge – Minor Quartal Voicings in Whole Steps! 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Harmony Challenge pushes jazz pianists to lock in one of the most iconic sounds in jazz: minor quartal voicings moving in…

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June 15, 2025

Misty, Melodic Analysis #jazzpodcast #misty #errollgarner

Summary In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the classic jazz standard 'Misty.' He emphasizes the importance of a structured practice strategy, the seven facts of music as a guiding compass, and the value of listening to various renditions of a…

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June 14, 2025

From Root to 7th – Thirds That Swing! #jazztechnique #jazzscales #jazzchords

🎹 Technique Challenge – Ascending 3rds with the Bb Dominant Scale! 🎶 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Technique Challenge puts your chops to the test with a classic jazz workout. 🎯 Challenge: ✔️ Play the Bb Dominant…

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June 13, 2025

Groove in C# Minor – No Counting Allowed! #rhythmchallenge #rhythms #jazzlessons

🎵 Rhythm Challenge – Lock In the Groove with C# Minor! 🥁 Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills and Director of The Dallas School of Music, today’s Rhythm Challenge is for jazz pianists and all instrumentalists ready to sharpen their timing and feel. 🎯 Challenge: ✔️ Play…

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