Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

Reader, This is our final part of the Bill Evans inner voice movement series. Over the past few weeks, we've learned smooth inner voice movements over minor, major and dominant chords. Today, we bring them all together over a 2-5-1 to create a movement that will totally transform your playing if you learn it in all 12 keys. Bill Evans Autumn Leaves The Movement A ii-V-I in C major is Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7. Using the stock voicings from our Jazz Voicings Roadmap, this 2-5-1 would be played like...

Reader, As we've started Ballad Season, looking at new tunes for the first time, there's been many great questions about how to really study a lead sheet. It's not as straight forward as it seems. I recorded this video to answer all those questions and to show you some of the biggest "gotchas" that trip us up. Reading a Lead Sheet is Easy When You Know This I hope you find this helpful. Have a great weekend. Josh

Reader, This is Part 3 of a series on Bill Evans inner voice movements. Catch up on part 1 (minor chord movements) and Part 2 (major). This week we tackle dominant chord movements, which require a completely different approach. Bill Evans Danny Boy Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans On major and minor chords, the chords are resolved by their nature. We moved one note to create tension, and then moved it back. But dominant chords aren't resolved. They exist to sound dissonant. The resolution...

Reader, This Friday - Geoffrey Keezer joins us for a conversation about playing solo jazz piano. We'll talk about how to move from static voicing formulas and rote rhythms to play with more creative musical freedom. Lush Life Geoffrey Keezer with Gillian Margot Playing jazz piano solo has always been my true ambition. Now, I love playing with other people, but there's something to to be said about just being able to sit and play, when and where you want to. (Plus there are more gigs, and you...

Reader, This is Part 2 of a series on Bill Evans inner voice movements. In part 1 we learned a movement on minor chords. This week, I want to show you a super simple move for a major chord. Don't let the simplicity of this turn you off of it. It's a crucial sound worth practicing in every key. Bill Evans Blue in GreenPortrait in Jazz Here's a simple movement for a major 7 chord. On our minor chords, we discussed ways to introduce tension into a chord, by starting with one of the notes "out of...

Reader, We had a great session on accompanying vocalists with John Proulx this afternoon. Here are some of my takeaways: Start by underplaying, and let the singer ask for more. John played with Natalie Cole for five years. His instinct was always to leave space and stay out of the way. Then she told him: “I want to notice you.” She wanted him to push the energy, and have a conversation. Now he looks for ways to make that conversation happen, without overplaying. Read the lyric like a poem...

Reader, Acclaimed jazz pianist John Proulx will be joining us for a free jazz piano Zoom masterclass this Friday. I would love to have you join us. John and I have been teaching alongside each other for a few years, and I really like his approach to accompanying a jazz soloist (or yourself). So, I invited him to come share his approach with us. John Proulx Trio Live at Pasadena City College, November 14th, 2024 John and I will discuss: How to supporting the soloist, without stepping on them....

Reader, One of the things I love most about Bill Evans is the way he moves the inner voices to create tension and release on any chord. You can hear it really clearly on this recording of "When I Fall In Love" from Solo Sessions. For the next few weeks, I want to show you a few Bill Evans' inspired movements so you can try them over the voicings in the 7-Step Jazz Piano Voicings Roadmap. Bill Evans When I Fall In LoveSolo Sessions Vol. 1 Here's a simple movement for a minor 7 chord. The...