Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

Reader, This week we're taking a look at the great standard, There Will Never Be Another You. Specifically, looking closely at one of the solos by the great Wynton Kelly from 1951. Full transcription below... New Course: Jazz Piano Chord Voicings Learn the most important chord voicings, step-by-step, in 35 video lessons. Learn More Join us on Friday's free Zoom workshop. This Friday, May 2nd, at 1:00 ET on Zoom. We'll be looking at the tunes chord changes, practice comping over them, and do a...

Reader, The thing about Chet Baker's playing is how intentional he is. He's rarely flashy. Instead, he plays singable melodies, with colorful notes, hip rhythm and with a clear tone. Join our workshop this Friday This week we look at how to take the written melody off a lead sheet, embellish it, and really make it swing. We'll use all the melodic ideas we've been focused in our last few workshops. On Zoom at 1pm Eastern, this Friday, April 25. Yes, I'm coming Today's Transcription Each week I...

Reader, In 1958, the Miles Davis Sextet laid down On Green Dolphin Street in a Columbia Records studio in New York City. The track was later re-released on several compilations, including as a bonus track on the 50th anniversary release of Kind of Blue. There is so much to learn by studying Miles' solo on this track. Let's take a look... Let's Play This Solo at Friday's Workshop Over the past few weeks we've been focused on how to connect chords and scales together through scale running,...

Reader, I'm kind of a nerd about watchmaking. I love watching videos of people tearing down watches, and learning about how they work. At first glance, a watch is a simple dial that we take for granted. But, the more you look at a watch, you realize that behind every movement is a gear. And behind every gear is another, or a spring, or a timing crystal. What appears simple at first, is actually an incredibly complex orchestration of 1,000 factors, all of which have to come together with...

Reader, I approach teaching jazz by focusing relentlessly on the fundamental building blocks. If you've been part of our community for a while, you know how much I encourage learning to play like Red Garland. I often have my students practice Red's left-hand comping pattern, especially from this recording. But, today we're going to focus on what Red plays in his right-hand. Join our workshop this Friday This week we're reviewing our scale running approach by applying the same ideas to a new...

Reader, I told one of my students last week that I was on a serious Bill Evans kick. He laughed and said, "I've been on a Bill Evans kick for 30 years." Fair point! I'm obsessed with 16 bars of his solo on Emily. It's a mini-masterclass in smooth voice leading, perfect rhythm, and colorful target notes. Here’s exactly why I can’t stop listening… Join our workshop this Friday This week we're reviewing our scale running approach by applying the same ideas to a new tune, Georgia on my Mind. This...

Reader, Like so many of Chick Corea's tunes, La Fiesta taps into Spanish flamenco vibes. It's written in 3/4 time, and at first glance, the A section looks almost too simple, using only three basic triads. But Chick has an amazing way of taking something straightforward and turning it into something incredible. Let’s dig in and see what we can learn from it. Join our workshop this Friday Josh is back this week the our continuation on scale running over the Nearness of You. We're taking a look...