Lesson page.  NOLA

​LESSON NOTES

2025. February 18
nola_march_18_lesson_notes.pdf
File Size: 18031 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Chesley:
  • This piece is now ready to record.
  • You took video to capture specific ideas and arrangements.
Maya:
  • Also ready to record
  • Applied the same approach as Chesley, using video to illustrate ideas and arrangements.
I am including my own handwritten notes as a reference, though they mainly just describe the piece to help with my own orientation while listening.

DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 3 lesson notes
File Size: 17200 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
DECEMBER 3
Here is a video of my "Silent Night" in which I apply some of the diminished scales and tension chords, especially during the improvisation.

November 19.
NOTES 1/2
File Size: 1672 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File
NOTES 2/2
File Size: 1753 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File
GREEK SONG from movie
File Size: 667 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

October 8. Recording session. Tuscany and Easter

  • Here is the recording of the best takes.  
  • I am providing two versions:
    1. A simple version with no effects, straight from the recording file, in case you prefer it like that.
    2. A second version with a light touch of reverb.
  • All files are high definition mp3 for better upload/download.  
    • If you would rather receive the uncompressed wav. files, I can bring my hard drive to our lesson and you can transfer the file to a laptop if you bring one.  The files are too large to upload here.
  • To download, right click and select "download linked file"
TUSCANY no effects. mp3
File Size: 2769 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
TUSCANY reverb. mp3
File Size: 2769 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
EASTER no effects. mp3
File Size: 837 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File
EASTER reverb. mp3
File Size: 837 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

September 24

  • Today's notes are reflected on the scanned notes on the side ---->
NOLA lesson September 24
File Size: 1194 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

September 10

  • Today's notes are reflected on the scanned notes on the side ---->
NOLA lesson September 10
File Size: 824 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

May 7

  • Today's notes are reflected on the scanned notes on the side ---->
NOLA lesson May 7
File Size: 834 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

April 9

  • Altered scale. Excellent explanation here:
    • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altered_scale
    • Basically:  If LOCRIAN is the scale 1/2 step UP, ALTERED is the scale 1/2 step DOWN
    • C Locrian is C# Major.  C Altered is B Major
    • LOCRIAN also starts as a diminished Half scale, and continues as a WHOLE-TONE scale.
    • It is the same scale as LOCRIAN, but with the flat-4
    • LOCRIAN is used in the II of a minor II-V-I while ALTERED is used in the V of a major II-V-I
    • You can have both scales used in the same II-V-1 in minor key:  LOCRIAN for the II, ALTERED for the V
  • A Sunny Tuscan Luncheon with Krystal
    • Indications on the score
  • Prelude: Easter 2018
    • Final touches
  • Chelsea
    • Different touches that are indicated directly in my copy of the score

February 27

  • Billy Joel interview on Fantasies and Delusions
  • Billy Joel / Sibelius "Still My Soul" as an idea for a merging piece for an offertory.
  • Recording options:
    • At the church. At Strathmore Room 309.
  • Piece "Florence" (temp name). 
    • Perfect as it is.  No need to change a single note.
    • I would recommend writing it note by note to leave it as a legacy to your children.
  • Prelude "Easter 2018"
    • Measures 1+2 -beautiful image of bells
    • Repeating instances of the melody.  Try featuring something different, rather than the same idea twice.  See video and marked score from more details on a few ideas you could draw material from.
  • Altered scales
    • The two scales you presented today can both be used as dominant scales, accompanied by dominant (V7) chords
    • The first of the two scales (Altered) would match a C7#5(b9)
    • The second would match a C7(b9)
  • Next lesson: April 2

January 2

7 WEST CHESLEY (from the family series -Desmond-
The length of the sections are fine.  No need to feel obligated to reduce the size.
Think about the purpose of this piece in the future.  Is it a gift of a sound recording, or the score is part of the gift?  The answer to that will determine if you keep the score as a sketch and guide for your performance, or you may consider someone in a future time who may try to play it when you are not there to help them interpret it.
Write down everything you want the interpreter to know about the score and the music it represents.  If there are images, write their meaning.
Nice and refreshing presence of quotes from songs that we found at "Waking up in Utero", and the quote from the traditional song "All Through the Night".

December 12
Lesson notes delivered in printed paper

November 28 notes
nola_nov-28.pdf
File Size: 867 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

November 14 notes
NOVEMBER 14
File Size: 732 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

October 31 notes
NOLA. October 31 lesson notes
File Size: 685 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

October 17 notes
NOLA. October 17
File Size: 624 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

October 3 notes
NOLA. October 3
File Size: 1005 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
October 4 UPDATE
Here is a technical routine that I use myself and I enjoy it more than the traditional routine that includes Major key and the three minor modes.
You may notice that it has:
  • A first section that I play traditionally, hands together like classical scales
  • A second section that I play for jazz purpose.  Chords on the LH and scales on the RH
    • This second section I don't play the scales just linear.  I also play them as broken thirds, and in different designs to allow me to use more automatic response when improvising
  • Next time I sit at the piano to practice, I will bring a camera and record you an example of how I do this.  It may be a few days before I do that, I am leaving on a trip tomorrow and not likely I will be at the piano until Monday.
  • In the meantime you can practice the linear scales and the different modes included, so that the notes feel familiar when I give you the guidelines I use for practice.
TECHNICAL ROUTINE
File Size: 63 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

September 19 notes
2013_september_19.pdf
File Size: 31 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
reference score
File Size: 3714 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

March 28 notes
NOLA handwritten notes from March 28
File Size: 799 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

February 14 notes
NOLA handwritten notes from Feb-14
File Size: 1350 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Compositions: "Offertory" and "Waiting Up in Utero"

Dec 6
​Video of some harmonic ideas for transition below:

Manuscript notes

NOLA OCT-25.pdf
File Size: 662 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
NOLA SEPT-27
File Size: 691 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
NOLA SEPT-13
File Size: 2078 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
handwritten LESSON NOTES from January 17
File Size: 1691 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File
January 17
  • Converting choral score into a piano score
    • This specific choral score is very complex.  The piano part doesn't double the voices, so you have two textures taking place simultaneously.  
    • I would recommend keeping the top part of your arrangement to define the essence of what the choir is singing, and the mid and bottom part of the arrangement to define the essence of the piano accompaniment.
  • Creating your own arrangement of this piece:
    • You are considering using the same intro as the original.
    • We talked about using a deeper, darker gospel sound using the lower range of the piano
    • Also we talked about the importance of space, silence between the notes, and the possibility of allowing the piano to sing with minimal pedal at times, so the silence between the notes speaks as much as the notes themselves.
    • Reharmonization for darker sound, replacing some chords with their relative minor.  
    • Some of these harmonic substitutions can be prepared with 2-5-1 chord progressions in minor key:
      • IIm7(b5) - V7 - Im
    • Chords formed on the V7 of the "IIm7(b5) - V7 - Im" could use more color and more tension applying our trick:
      • Play the V7 with the left hand (1-3-7 is a good simple voicing)
      • Add on the right hand a chord 1-whole step higher than the chord on the left hand
      • The resulting chord has three notes.  You can now build a Major chord for each of those three notes.
        • ​For example, if the V7 is G7, play G7 on the LH and A Major on the RH
          A Major  = A - C# - E
          Each of these resulting notes are the root of the chord we will be adding to the G7 on the right hand
          Examples:
          LH plays G7 while RH plays A Major (9, #11, 13)
          LH plays G7 while RH plays C# Major (b9, #11)
          LH plays G7 while RH plays E Major (b9, 13)

At the River (Copland)
copland_at_the_river.pdf
File Size: 5769 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
January 17

Springs of Living Water
springs_of_living_water_arr._by_tedd_smith.pdf
File Size: 2835 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
January 17
  • New piece to learn for possible Offertory
  • Possibility of incorporating some of these elements on new arrangements 

Exercise for harmonic spacial thinking in 2-5-1

Starting simple:
1- Just the left hand to go through the entire spectrum of the 12-keys
2- Design a simple RH to go along with it, using the scale of the "I" (dorian, mixolydian, aeolian).
March 15
​So far 6 keys  at MM = 80

April 26
2-5-1 in major key, more options
​Build the three left hand chords in the key of C Major:  Dm7 - G7 - CMaj7
Scales for the RH:
Dm7 = D Dorian (same as C Major)
G7 = Diminished scale of the chord you are playing as G7
CMaj7 = C Lydian, which is C Major #4 (F#)
or C Major Pentatonic

Offertory Project:  "Of the Father's Love Begotten"
108-of_the_fathers_love_begotten.pdf
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
May 24 
​Scanned notes from today's lesson are on the right margin.
NOTES from 5/24/22 lesson
File Size: 852 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
May 10

​Here are the revised notes from today's lesson.

​The video recording of today's lesson will be uploaded to Dropbox and I will send you the link.

​In addition to that see the notes below:
April 26

Ideas for the harmonization using ascending bass line and jazz influenced chords.
​See our notes on the right margin.

If my notes are not clear, let me know and I'll write the melody and place the chords above it.

​The recording of the lesson will arrive to you via Dropbox or WeTransfer.
March 15
G Major: Idea based on Bach's Suite for cello.
G minor: LH design: 1-5-1-2-3-2-1-5
How to go from Gm to GM.  Try the chord progression:  Gm - Cm (7 optional) - A7(b9) - D7 (b13) - GM
This progression keeps the B-flat ringing from chord to chord.
Counterpoint:
​Bach style: Go from one theme to the next in 5ths.  If the 1st one is in G, the next in D, next ...
GM - DM - AM - Em (relative minor to GM and easy to reconnect back to GM)

Other exercises:
1- Decide which chord to go before you start playing that new group of notes
2- Create a pre-planned chord structure and build the groups based on it.
Example:  Thirds.  G - Bm - D - F - Am - C - Em - G
3- Alternate playing themes "intact" versus themes modified with more free form, different meter, etc.
4- Decide the chords as the melody takes you to them, without pre-planning
5- Write down any ideas that you like
6- Avoid the theme being always either on the top or at the bottom.  Experiment more with inner voices played by the fingers 1-2-3 of each hand
7- Slow down the theme to 1/2 the speed. 8th notes = quarter notes.
8- Practice this in other keys that may surprise you.  G Major is an easy key for you and may all sound predictable.  try EbM, AbM, AM, BbM, etc.
​9- Create a different "escape note".  The escape note changes depending on where you want it to go harmonically. The notes of the melody are designed to walk on their own footprints, not allowing for an escape route easily.
March 1

The Scottish idea:
Mixolydian bagpipe scale.  A way to have more room for harmonic color, raise the melody one octave, rather than playing starting below middle C.
Then try stacking 4ths for a more complex harmonic sound.

The chord progression:
​Today we talked about fitting the chord progression in the song.  The chord progression we currently have seems to fit better in C Major.  In order to use it in G Major we could transpose it one 5th up.
Here is a recording of the experiment that we were doing at the lesson:

On diminished scales

Playing them with fingers 1-2-3 Up or Down is not uncommon, because it leaves fingers 4-5 available to add turns and different designs.

Jazz listening

Keith Jarrett and Charlie Haden.  Album: "Last Dance".
Attached is transcription of "Every Time We Say Goodbye"
every_time_we_say_goodbye.pdf
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Composition. Collection of pieces based on family members

November 2
Using diminished scales for the V7.

Find the b9 of the V7 chord
That b9 will tell you which two diminished scales can be used 
Select the scale that matches the chord you are using on the LH
Dim scales are built as whole-half-whole-half scales, or the opposite:  half-whole-half-whole.

​The walking bass practice in F minor:

RH can use the blues scale, but also, a little more agile is the minor pentatonic scale.
​

October 19
Benjamin idea:
Django Reinhardt.
I am listening to D.R. on Spotify.
Results:
Looks like they frequently use diminished chords/arpeggios to develop a V7 that is traveling to a I.

You could use the same technique, or create melodies based on diminished scales during those V7.
See right margin for info on the diminished scale 


October 5
Intro - A A - B B (not composed yet) - Trio (C) (tuba carries melody) usually 4th up - D (dog fight) - C (grandioso) - D - C (optional stinger)

​Today we extended the section for the dog-fight 

Goal:  continue extending it, while treating it as a large F7 passage that will eventually lead to Bb Major.
diminished_scales.pdf
File Size: 37 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Here is a basic outline of the diminished scales and how they can be used in the context of the 2-5-1
9/21
Here is Brad Mehldau, who also wrote a suite with similar goals.  In this case the inspiration is "April 2020", the title of the suite.

The audio samples included here will only play  a portion of the song, but it gives you a reference I case you want to find the complete tunes in Youtube or some other source.

His musical intentions sound similar to your suites, and I think you will enjoy listening to this.  Notice how he uses variety of styles on different numbers, elements of classical, jazz elements, dissonances, some numbers easy to listen to, some not as friendly.
Other interesting titles by the Brad Mehldau, with solo piano pieces that can bring some inspiration:

Jazz reharmonization.  Biff Smith

"Someday My Prince Will Come"
someday_my_prince_will_come.pdf
File Size: 61 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Offertory ideas

November 16
COVENTRY CAROL
Here we are applying a ii - V7 - I in the key of Eb Major to a section of the melody with very interesting results:
October 12
More ideas on opening sounds come when you play from transcribed scores of jazz players.

Here is a transcription of Biff Smith playing "Someday Mi Prince Will Come". Play through the score as slow as necessary, but pay attention to the quality of the chords.  Eventually, the faster you are able to play them will give you more contextualization, but even if you just play very very slowly, you ca easily follow the melody of the very well known tune right on the top of the chords.

​I recorded the sound of the transcription slowly myself so you can hear it in context.

This could provide ideas for the hymn "Leaning of the Everlasting Arms".
someday_my_prince_will_come.pdf
File Size: 61 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Opening the sound of harmonies at the piano

9/21
Take a simple triad.  C Major. Extend it using Perfect 4ths, Perfect 5ths from each of the notes fo the chord.
Take a dominant 7th chord (G7).  Use the same system to open up the chord.

Then try these other experiments:
​Raise one whole step up the note of the V7
​For example, if G7, take A
Build a Major chord from this note
Example: A Major (A - C# - E)
Each of these resulting notes are the root of the chord we will be adding to the G7
Examples:
LH plays G7 while RH plays A Major (9, #11, 13)
LH plays G7 while RH plays C# Major (b9, #11)
LH plays G7 while RH plays E Major (b9, 13)
Score of "Greensleeves" ready to download  -->

and a link to see it on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVt_wO5hRvA
greensleeves_jazz_gabriel_ruiz-bernal.pdf
File Size: 225 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

String quartet

November 16
​Ideas for a transition into section -D-.  The video is downloadable.  you can watch it here or download it.
beautiful.mp3
File Size: 3639 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

Classical listening

Maurice Ravel. Piano Concerto in G Major
​2nd mov
ravel_2nd_mov.pdf
File Size: 693 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File