Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library
Each week, receive a new jazz transcription of a solo, with observations and playing tips. Join our weekly Zoom workshop to explore and play together.
Oscar Peterson's Left Hand Swings Over Summertime
Reader, Last Friday we started working on Summertime, Gershwin's lullaby from Porgy and Bess. We started off by memorizing the changes, holding out 3-note Rootless voicings and adding the melody on top. It's a nice start, but it doesn't swing. So this Friday, we're fixing that by adding comping rhythms in our left hand and some rhythmic changes to the melody. Workshop this Friday at 1:00 Come join us for week 2 of the Summertime series. Don't worry if you missed week 1, we'll help get you...
Why 'Summertime' Is the Perfect Jazz Tune to Learn Right Now
Reader, We're starting a new series this week learning to play the great Gershwin tune, Summertime. After all, it's been a real heat wave here lately. Summertime Workshops July 11 - Learn the changes, basic voicings and melody July 18 - Add style, swing and melodic syncopation July 25 - Soloing strategies to practice RSVP For the Series Our workshops are free to join live on Zoom each week. I encourage you to join with your instrument and play along. Our next one is this Friday, July 11, at...
Ray Charles has no need for fireworks, but he does need this chord...
Reader, The 4th of July is peak American bombast. BBQs are flamin’, flags are flyin', and fireworks light up the sky. But for Ray Charles, America the Beautiful goes in the other direction. It’s simple, soulful, bluesy, and above all, sentimental. 🌠4th of July - Ray Charles Workshop 🎆 This Friday we're learning to play Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful. Friday at 1pm Eastern, July 4th. The workshop is free, just please let us know you are coming. Yes, I'm coming Replay: If you...
Jazz Workshop with Charles Cornell is Today at 1:00.
Reader, I'm looking forward to having our special guest, Charles Cornell, join us on our weekly workshop. We'd love to have you join us today at 1pm ET. This is a free event. I expect a good turnout today, so please RSVP to let me know you are coming. Yes, I'll Be There If you've never joined us before, here's what to expect: Each week on these workshops we pick a standard to play through together. We work through the changes together, play live together, and listen to recordings of that...
This Friday: Jazz Piano Workshop with Charles Cornell
Reader, This Friday we will be joined by my friend and fellow jazz YouTuber, Charles Cornell. Space is Limited - RSVP For the Workshop This Friday at 1pm Eastern, June 27. The workshop is free, just please let us know you are coming. Once you've registered, you'll be redirected to download the lead sheet for Emily, so you can run through it yourself before the workshop. Yes, I'm coming A few weeks ago I shot Charles a text message. One of my private students was working on the tune Emily, and...
This jazz pianist only uses 2 fingers… maybe we should too?
Reader, I was browsing through some of my favorite jazz performances on YouTube when I revisited Chris Dawson’s version of All of Me. Chris is such an amazing stride player that I'm usually captivated by his left hand. But this time, it was his right hand that caught my eye. RSVP For the All of Me Workshop This Friday at 1pm Eastern, June 20th we'll be looking over the great standard All of Me, and breaking down different techniques to comp The workshop is free, just please let us know you...
The blues is more than a blues scale. You need to play this...
Reader, When it comes to playing the blues, we all start in the same place. Every book, every video teaches the 12 bar blues form and the blues scale. *yawn* There's so much more to the blues than that! So last week I made a video for all my "advanced beginner" friends, to show you what to play beyond the basics. Advanced Beginner's Guide to Playing Blues Piano Have you watched it yet? It's one of my favorite recent videos, and I'd really love for you to see it. Here's what we cover: Explains...