Jazz Blog

If you’ve ever listened to a great jazz pianist and thought, “Why does this feel so deep and layered?”, I would bet that you were hearing polyrhythms at work. Polyrhythms can often be daunting when first encountered or explored. However, there are easy ways to go around it and learn. Polyrhythms are nothing more than…

Have you ever wondered how some of the world’s greatest jazz pianist come up with interesting harmonies? How about some really wild, wacky, and awesome melodic lines that just tickle your ears? If you’ve ever wondered how guys like Stevie Wonder come up with such interesting song ideas, you have come to the right place.…

Have you ever wondered, what’s nu jazz? What’s so special about it? Well then, let’s discuss and learn more. What’s Nu Jazz Anyway? Have you heard some sophistically produced electronic dance music with real heavy elements of jazz? This is a simplistic explanation of Nu Jazz. End of story? Not quite. Check this out: There’s…

How useful are diminished and augmented chords? They are very, very useful. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use diminished and augmented chords to take your playing to the next level. Let’s get started. What Are Diminished And Augmented Chords? In basic piano chord theory, diminished and augmented chords are considered dissonant triads. At…

Would you like to learn how to play in unusual time signatures? You’re in the right place. Here’s a lesson on how to play with a very different feel from the usual fare. This tutorial will give you the same skills that legends like Dave Brubeck and the Mahavishnu Orchestra use to navigate odd time.…

In today’s lesson, we’ll celebrate the life of Ramsey Lewis. What would be more proper to honor his legacy than by learning some of his piano vocabulary? Let’s get started. Listen To Ramsey Lewis Play Love’s Serenade Before we dive deeper, let’s listen to Ramsey Lewis playing the entire tune in this studio recording: Now,…

Are you looking for a walking bass line tutorial? It’s a good thing you stopped by. In this tutorial, you’ll learn an effective approach to playing a walking bass line. Learning how to write them helps you add interest to your jazz comping. Let’s get started. Why Should You Start Your Walking Bass Line With Roots…

Would you like to learn some Rocket Man Piano Solo licks by Elton John? You’re in the right place. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play 2 Elton John licks from a live version of “Rocket Man”. These licks will help you develop chops for awesome piano soloing. Let’s get started. Elton John’s Rocket…

Would you like to learn how a Bruce Hornsby The Way It Is piano solo is made? You’re in the right place. Incorporating some of Bruce Hornsby The Way It Is piano licks will spice up your playing. Let’s get started. Bruce Hornsby The Way It Is Piano Solo Example Before you explore some Bruce…

Are you having a hard time achieving piano hand independence? Would you like to discover great exercises to develop that important skill? You’ve come to the right place. Developing hand independence is one of the core skills taught in a Jazz Piano Beginner Course, where both hands learn to work together through simple jazz patterns.…

Want to learn some “Fallin’” Alicia Keys Piano Licks? You’re in the right place. In this lesson, you’re going to learn some licks and techniques from a live performance of “Fallin”. These techniques will get your solo piano playing in great shape and wow your audience. Let’s get started. How To Play “Fallin’” Alicia Keys…

Would you like to learn some Billy Joel piano licks? You’ve come to the right place. In this lesson, you will learn a couple of licks from live performances by the Piano Man himself. These licks will help you take your soloing to another level. Let’s get started. How To Play A Billy Joel Piano…

Would you like to learn how to solo like jazz legend Mary Lou Williams? You’ve come to the right place. In this lesson, you’ll learn awesome licks from the missionary of jazz. These will help you learn how to improvise awesome solos. It’s the stuff of legend that helped mentor legends like Miles Davis, Bud…

Do you want to learn some Ben Folds piano licks & techniques? You’ve come to the right place. In this lesson, we’re going to breakdown 2 of Ben Folds piano licks. These licks will upgrade your improv skills in rock, pop, blues, and even jazz. Let’s get started. Here’s How This Ben Folds Piano Lick…