Library   /   Courses   /   Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge

Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge

Get instant access to the videos, sheet music, and backing tracks for this course with a PWJ membership!

Start Your Free Trial
Instructor
Jonny May
Challenge
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
03:53:19

Discover how to improvise/solo over Brazilian Bossa Nova. Topics include the Bossa Nova rhythm, left hand accompaniment grooves, soloing scales & exercises, turns, brushes, outlining chords, & enclosures.

Course Objectives
  • Learn to Solo in the Bossa Nova Style
  • Start off by learning how to Groove Over a Bossa
  • Explore tons of new Soloing Techniques and play with a Backing Track
Learning Focus
  • Basslines
  • Groove
  • Improvisation
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Freedom in Improvisation
Fabulous course that presents the essential components to create free flowing and beautifully improvised solos!!! As a classically trained pianist, I struggled for years to break away from reading notes and writing composed solos. The exercises, concepts and explanations in this tutorial really helped liberate my piano playing. Thank-you Jonny for this brilliant course!!!
Rigorus but rewarding
Over 5 months to get on top of this course. Having learned an arrangement for Girl from Ipanema it will be a major contribution to the improvisation. Thanks again Jonny - youve done it again
challenging and beautiful
What a wonderful course! I admit it took me more than 4 weeks because I was so bent on learning the left hand root and chord accompaniment. It is tricky, but I am so happy I can do a bossa accompaniment and soloing on my own. Also it got me into the "strange" scales of 7#4 chords. Last not least the soloing and line building tips were helpful, like the notes to target, and the phrasing. Thank you!
That does make sense, Jonny!
I really liked the structured approach which demystifies the process without losing the magic of the musicality.
A Real Brainshaker For Me
I was challenged by the soloing emphasis because I really struggle with creating lines. This course went a long way in familiarizing that and desensitizing my fear of rhythms!! Thank you Jonny for the push!!

Course Lessons

1
Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge – Week 1
41:02

Bossa Groove, 2 Levels

View lesson
2
Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge – Week 2
59:55

5 Note Scales, Advanced Scales, and Connection Exercises

View lesson
3
Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge – Week 3
65:48

Principles of Soloing, 8th Note Up and Down-Lines

View lesson
4
Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge – Week 4
66:34

Triplets, Turns, Brushes, Outlining Chords, & Enclosures

View lesson
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Freedom in Improvisation
Fabulous course that presents the essential components to create free flowing and beautifully improvised solos!!! As a classically trained pianist, I struggled for years to break away from reading notes and writing composed solos. The exercises, concepts and explanations in this tutorial really helped liberate my piano playing. Thank-you Jonny for this brilliant course!!!
Rigorus but rewarding
Over 5 months to get on top of this course. Having learned an arrangement for Girl from Ipanema it will be a major contribution to the improvisation. Thanks again Jonny - youve done it again
challenging and beautiful
What a wonderful course! I admit it took me more than 4 weeks because I was so bent on learning the left hand root and chord accompaniment. It is tricky, but I am so happy I can do a bossa accompaniment and soloing on my own. Also it got me into the "strange" scales of 7#4 chords. Last not least the soloing and line building tips were helpful, like the notes to target, and the phrasing. Thank you!
That does make sense, Jonny!
I really liked the structured approach which demystifies the process without losing the magic of the musicality.
A Real Brainshaker For Me
I was challenged by the soloing emphasis because I really struggle with creating lines. This course went a long way in familiarizing that and desensitizing my fear of rhythms!! Thank you Jonny for the push!!
Related Courses
Latin Jazz Soloing

This in-depth soloing course covers scales, single and double note riffs, octave riffs, and runs. Latin inspired melodies are included as the starting point of improvisations.

Latin Jazz Sugar Cubes

A Latin Jazz Cuban style original with Montuno patterns and 2 syncopated left hand bass lines. Watch your hands move like two salsa dancers as you play lush jazz chords and learn to solo.

Join Us

Get instant access to this Course and other member features with a PWJ membership!

Guided Learning Tracks

View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels

Progress Tracking

Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress

Downloadable Resources

Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks

Community Forums

Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums

Become a better piano player today. Try us out completely free for 14 days!

Get Started