Discover how to play Bobby Hebb's Sunny as an expressive solo jazz piano arrangement with Dr. Bob Lawrence of Jazz Piano Skills.
In this jazz piano lesson, Dr. Lawrence explores Stage One of his seven-stage solo piano development approach: Harmony and Melody Played Rubato.
Learn how to transform a familiar jazz standard into a beautiful solo piano performance using simple chord voicings, expressive timing, selective melody harmonization, and thoughtful musical decisions.
IN THIS LESSON, YOU'LL DISCOVER:
- How to begin arranging Sunny for solo jazz piano
- How to combine melody and harmony using expressive rubato
- How traditional block chords and shell voicings support the melody
- How to incorporate fuller melody harmonization
- How different keyboard registers influence musical expression
- How George Shearing and Red Garland voicing approaches create contrasting textures
- Why musical silence and space are essential to expressive piano playing
- How to make a complete solo piano performance with the skills you already possess
Through three lead sheet interpretations and a complete solo piano demonstration, Dr. Lawrence illustrates how simple musical ideas can become beautiful, expressive performances.
THE CENTRAL LESSON:
Making beautiful music isn't about how much you know. It's about what you do with what you know.
STUDY JAZZ PIANO WITH DR. BOB LAWRENCE
Jazz Piano Skills provides structured jazz piano education through four essential areas:
• Harmonic Analysis
• Melodic Analysis
• Improvisation Development
• Solo Piano Development
Each month, we explore a jazz standard through all four educational perspectives.
Explore Jazz Piano Skills memberships, podcast lessons, educational packets, and weekly masterclasses:
https://www.jazzpianoskills.com
Discover • Learn • Play
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