Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

This weeks workshop: It's week 2 of the My Romance series, and we're working on adding a 2-feel and some lush comping. RSVP below. Reader, Last week in our workshop we kicked off our new series on My Romance by talking about my process for learning a new tune. Our first step is to listen to a handful of recordings, pick one that inspires you, and repeat it so many times you can sing along. (Aside: You guys brought so many recordings to the workshop that Dianne had to make us a playlist.) When...

This weeks workshop: We're starting a new series this week learning My Romance. If you haven't come in the past, now's the perfect time to join. RSVP Below. Reader, We're kicking off a new series together this week learning how to play the great My Romance by Rodgers and Hart. Since last week's YouTube video on upper structure dominant chords has been so popular, we're going to work a bunch of those voicings into this tune in the coming weeks. But first, we have to lay some groundwork to...

This week's workshop: Adding enclosures to Summertime and composing our own solo. More details below... Reader, This week, you are the soloist! By Friday, you will have written your own solo over Summertime. At the workshop this week, we'll play through them together and I'll roast 🔥 you (with love). What We've Learned We've memorized the changes to Summertime. Learned several sets of chord voicings. Practiced the Red Garland rhythm in our left hand. Learned methods for creating tension and...

This weeks workshop: Soloing strategies over Summertime. See blue section below for details and RSVP. Reader, Jazz legend Chuck Mangione passed this week at 84. Growing up, my dad listened to Children of Sanchez on an endless loop. That was much better than his Peter, Paul & Mary collection. But I digress. Dad always played the extended Overture recording. The radio edit cuts out Don Potter's ripping guitar solo and Mangione's flugelhorn improv. So today, I thought it was a fitting time to...

Reader, Have you ever hit a plateau while practicing? No matter how much you focus or how many hours you log, your progress stalls. That usually means there are subtle cracks in your foundation. These flaws stop you cold when you try to build on top of them. When I noticed this in my own playing, I started tracking every practice session on an index card. Over time, that simple feedback loop evolved into my RPM Practice Method. I explain exactly how it works in my latest YouTube video:...

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...

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...