May 16.  What's new and added to the site:
​
  • Written transcription of your solo of SOLAR
    • Send PDF and if you can play it, send me also a recording, by email ​
  • Written transcription of the voicings of your reharmonization of SUMMERTIME (A minor)
    • ​​Transcribe on paper a full improvisation (one or two rounds) on your arrangement of Summertime
    • Then add another element: Improvisation on the chord structure you have created.
  • Blues
    • ​​You will find a new chart with three blues variations to learn in different keys, plus you have to create your own variation
​

DAILY TECHNIQUE ROUTINE

Start with this when you sit at the piano to practice.
Expect to spend about 30' to 45'.  It will decrease as you feel more in control of the scales
Give priority to learning a few scales well rather than everything in a precarious manner.  When improvising, your fingers will go to what feels solid.

Scales and modes. Basic

  • Traditional. style, hands together, two octaves.
  • Jazz style plays the scale with the RH and uses a matching chord on the LH.
DAILY PRACTICE (updated 4/17)
File Size: 62 kb
File Type: pdf
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SCALES REFERENCE
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: pdf
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Finger dexterity:

COMBINATIONS
File Size: 28 kb
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The 2-5-1 Chord Progression. Major and minor

February 7
  • Start simple.  Dorian - Mixolydian - Ionian
  • Incorporate the alternate scales/modes one at a time
Major and minor 2-5-1 basic outline
the_2_-_5_-_1-3.pdf
File Size: 57 kb
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The minor 2-5-1 Chord Progression.  Tunes that have the m2-5-1 in their theme.

  • Beautiful Love
  • Alone Together
  • Solar
  • Summertime
  • Blue Bossa
  • Autumn Leaves

REPERTORY.  C Major

On Green Dolphin Street

February 21
Here are a couple of examples of walking bass lines for 2-5-1 in C Major we talked about at the lesson
Green Dolphin Street
File Size: 111 kb
File Type: pdf
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Green Dolphin Street GRB markings
File Size: 575 kb
File Type: pdf
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Lady Bird

February 7
New tune to expand the concepts we are applying to Green Dolphin Street.  Same key, so many of the scales will be common.
LADY BIRD blank
File Size: 860 kb
File Type: pdf
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LADY BIRD GRB markings
File Size: 2300 kb
File Type: pdf
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Solar
solar_real-book.pdf
File Size: 314 kb
File Type: pdf
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SOLAR Miles Davis GRB suggestions
File Size: 116 kb
File Type: pdf
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March 21
Using the Aebersold style help sheet with scales:
  • Ok, but write the type of scale also.
  • Eventually you will only need to use a sheet with the type of scale written on it, rather than spelling the notes
PENDING ASSIGNMENT:  Writing a new solo:
  • Form ideas by improvising in slow motion so you can think horizontally into what's coming next
  • Think melodically
  • Practice groups of two chords: Cm and Gm7.  Then next two chords
  • Requirements for the new solo:
    • At least two rounds so that the end of the first round leads into the beginning of the next round.
    • The end of the second round leaves space for the next instrument to pick up the solo
    • Round 1 starts one measure before the actual beginning of the round

FINISHED: Saint James Infirmary
saint_james_infirmary.jpg
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SAINT JAMES Ben
File Size: 979 kb
File Type: pdf
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SAINT JAMES Gabriel
File Size: 43 kb
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REHARMONIZATION

The goal is to expand your harmonic ear.  Eventually it would be nice if you can play it beginning to end, but if not, at least be able to play the chords and notice how they are created, linked, and placed in the context of the original chord progression.

On Green Dolphin Street. Reharmonized by Biff Smith

January 31
​Great idea to analyze the score
BIFF SMITH Green Dolphin St
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File Type: jpg
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GREEN DOLPHIN analysis in progress
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
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IN PROGRESS: Summertime. 

May 16
  • Improvisation on the chord structure you have created
  • ​​Transcribe on paper a full improvisation (one or two rounds) on your arrangement of Summertime ​
BEN SUMMERTIME (chart only)
File Size: 392 kb
File Type: pdf
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GABRIEL SUMMER TIME (in progress)
File Size: 84 kb
File Type: pdf
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TRANSCRIPTION OF A RECORDED SOLO

The transcription doesn't need to be written out, it can be directly memorized.  Nevertheless, if that helps you memorize it and analyze it, go ahead and write it down.
The final goal is to be able to play the transcription along with the recording (hopefully not slower than 75%), and be able to explain as much as possible of what happens in the solo.

IN PROGRESS: On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (Live at the London House, Chicago 1961)

February 7
I have added my own transcription in progress (it may not be perfect, as I am still working at it) so you can compare and use as reference if you get stuck on a section.

This solo recording starts at timecode 02:18 from the original track
https://open.spotify.com/track/6LTyDzOwTQy7E4LpARAT9P?si=ddd8ad2ec2e648e3
Extracted solo for download
On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (Live at the London House, Chicago 1961)
File Size: 15291 kb
File Type: mp3
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GRB's transcription in case you need it as reference 
Extract of Gabriel's transcription
File Size: 73 kb
File Type: pdf
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On Green Dolphin Street. Oscar Peterson Trio (with Milt Jackson)

This solo recording starts at timecode 03:40 from the original track
https://open.spotify.com/track/4JNnMqFWiVQdNTgKi8v3aJ?si=b45232041b534648
Extracted solo for download
GREEN DOLPHIN STREET Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson TRIMMED
File Size: 7064 kb
File Type: mp3
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TRANSCRIPTION OF YOUR OWN IMPROVISATION

On Green Dolphin Street

April 20
Here is my written improvisation and a recording of me playing it, so we can compare.

Gabriel's version

GREEN DOLPHIN Gabriel
File Size: 73 kb
File Type: pdf
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IN PROGRESS: ​Solar

Transcribe and write down your very own improvisation

Gabriel's version

SOLAR Gabriel
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
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IN PROGRESS: BLUES. Expanding the chord progression

Basic and expanded structure. 5/17/23

May 17
The PDF shows three variations, plus one blank variation that you have to create.  reference is in C Major.
  • Learn each variation in C plus at least 3 more keys
  • Create your own variation and learn it
  • Write on the chart (under the chords) which scales you will be using to improvise on the chord progressions
blues_variations__using_c_as_reference_.pdf
File Size: 37 kb
File Type: pdf
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WRITTEN PIECES

1- One chosen by Ben: BeerBarrel Boogie  Billy Taylor
beer_barrel_boogie_-_billy_taylor.pdf
File Size: 829 kb
File Type: pdf
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2- Kitten on the Keys Zez Confrey
pmlus01259-confrey_kitten.pdf
File Size: 5135 kb
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PREPARATION FOR THE JURY. Spring semester.

Technical routine
It can be a classical routine, or a jazz routine, played fluently.

Transcription
You will play along the recording, unless you are playing the transcription.

On Green Dolphin Street
  1. Intro. Created by you
  2. Theme.  Accompanied by me at the bass
  3. Improv round 1: Your transcription (if ready)
  4. Improv round 2: Your composed improvisation
  5. Improv round 3: A totally improvised round
  6. Improv round 4: A totally improvised round
  7. If time allows and it doesn't feel too long, we may trade fours
  8. Theme and closing.

Tune number 2
Tune to be decided.