Course Type: Workshop

Traditional Minor Blues 2

In this Workshop, we’ll learn how to play a traditional minor blues.

We’ll master the chord progression, 7th chords, an original melody, accompaniment patterns, and a variety of essential solo techniques.

The Incredible Minor Turnaround

In this workshop, we’ll learn about the incredible minor turnaround.

First we’ll learn the basic chords and inversions for the progression. Then we’ll practice various left hand rhythms, melody voicings, and harmonic variations. Finally, we’ll discuss how to add reharmonization and how to solo to get a professional sound.

Debussy – The Girl With The Flaxen Hair

In this course, we’ll be learning and deconstructing Debussy’s The Girl With the Flaxen Hair.

We’ll go phrase by phrase and learn the notes, fingering, and pedaling. We’ll also explore the dynamics, articulations, and mood. Finally, we’ll dig deep into what makes the melody interesting, and how the harmony was created.

Chopin Prelude in Em

In this course, we’ll be learning and deconstructing Chopin’s Prelude in E Minor.

We’ll go phrase by phrase and learn the notes, fingering, and pedaling. We’ll also explore the dynamics, articulations, and mood. Finally, we’ll dig deep into what makes the melody interesting, how the harmony was created, and we’ll look at other pieces that use similar compositional forms.

Moonlight Sonata

In this course, we’ll be learning and deconstructing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

We’ll go phrase by phrase and learn the notes, fingering, and pedaling. We’ll also explore the dynamics, articulations, and mood. Finally, we’ll analyze the historical context and discuss the life & influence of Beethoven.

Gymnopedie 1

In this course, we’ll be learning and deconstructing a unique piece by Erik Satie – Gymnopedie No 1.

We’ll go phrase by phrase and learn the notes, fingering, rhythms, and pedaling. Then we’ll explore the dynamics, articulations, and compositional techniques.

Ear Training With 7th Chords 2

This workshop dives into the essential skills required for ear training. Our main focus will be 7th chords and their inversions.

First, we’ll identify the sounds of major 7th chords, dominant 7th chords, and minor 7th chords – and their inversions. Going line by line, we’ll identify the melody, add in the bass, then fill in the missing harmony. Finally, we’ll go through chord progressions and analyze the chord movements.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll understand the process of how to approach ear training.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

In this workshop, we’ll learn a fun swing arrangement of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

We’ll start with the ordinary lead sheet, and discover how to transform the lead sheet with different rhythms, bass lines, reharmonizations, and melodic fills.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to add these jazzy techniques to any other song!

Ear Training With 7th Chords 1

This workshop dives into the essential skills required for ear training. Our main focus will be 7th chords.

First, we’ll use song examples to identify the sounds of major 7th chords, dominant 7th chords, and minor 7th chords. We’ll learn how to hear these chords in various chord progressions. Finally, we’ll apply these techniques to songs and learn how to hear the chords that fit with each melody.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll understand the process of how to approach ear training.

For software ear trainers, we recommend the following: Keyboard Relative Pitch, Note Relative Pitch, Intervals, Scales, Chords

Ear Training With Holiday Songs 1

In this workshop, we’ll learn how to play holiday tunes by ear.

We’ll listen to some classic melodies, paying close attention to the bass. Then we’ll figure out the chords and harmonies. Finally, we’ll apply various accompaniment patterns and techniques.

By the end of the lesson, you’ll be able to sit at the piano and entertain your friends & family for the holidays!

For software ear trainers, we recommend the following: Keyboard Relative Pitch, Note Relative Pitch, Intervals, Scales, Chords

Ear Training With Triads 2

This workshop dives into the essential skills required for ear training. Our main focus will be triad inversions.

First, we’ll review the sound of major and minor chords. We’ll learn how to arpeggiate triads so we can hear the intervals that make up each chord. We’ll cover 2 chord, 3 chord, and 4 chord examples. Finally, we’ll go through song examples to train our ear in a progressive, step-by-step way.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll understand the process of how to approach ear training.

For software ear trainers, we recommend the following: Keyboard Relative Pitch, Note Relative Pitch, Intervals, Scales, Chords

Ear Training With Triads 1

This workshop dives into the essential skills required for ear training. Our main focus will be on triads.

First, we’ll review the sound and construction of major and minor chords. We’ll learn how to find the bass note of chords, and identify each interval of the chord. Finally, we’ll apply these techniques to various songs to figure out their chord progressions.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll understand the process of how to approach ear training.

For software ear trainers, we recommend the following: Keyboard Relative Pitch, Note Relative Pitch, Intervals, Scales, Chords

2-5-1 Soloing with Enclosures

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 progression with enclosures.

We’ll begin by discussing the 2 primary types of enclosures: diatonic and chromatic. Next we’ll explore upper & lower enclosures, along with a variety of exercises and example lines for each chord in the progression.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand how to use enclosures to create a more interesting piano solo.

2-5-1 Soloing with Diatonic Triads

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression with the Diatonic Triad technique.

We’ll begin by learning 3 chord options and 4 common rhythms. Next we’ll discover all 7 diatonic triads along with 2 exercises for practicing. Then we’ll explore primary/secondary pairs, 2 exercises, and 3 improv examples for each chord in the progression.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand how to use the triad technique to create a happy & lighthearted sound in your solo.

2-5-1 Soloing with Upper & Lower Neighbors

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression with the Upper and Lower Neighbor technique.

We’ll begin by learning 2 left hand accompaniments and 4 common rhythms. Next we’ll discover the 5 characteristic of upper and lower neighbors along with 6 exercises for practicing. Finally, we’ll master exercises for connecting scales and targeting chord tones.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand how to use these beautiful passing tones to create a more interesting piano solo full of tension and resolution.

2-5-1 Soloing with Outlining Chords

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression using the outlining chords technique.

We’ll begin by reviewing the 2-5-1 progression with 3 chord options and 4 common rhythms. Next we’ll master 18 exercises for outlining each chord in the progression. Finally we’ll combine all techniques and practice soloing with outlining chords.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to create your own jazzy lines using this soloing technique.

2-5-1 Soloing with Bebop Scales

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression with Bebop Scales.

We’ll begin by learning the 2-5-1 progression along with common chord substitutes. Next we’ll practice 2 left hand accompaniments and 4 common rhythms, and we’ll explore the minor, major, and dominant bebop scales. Finally, we’ll master exercises for connecting scales and targeting chord tones.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to create your own solo with the bebop scales.

2-5-1 Soloing with Chord Tone Targets

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to solo over the 2-5-1 chord progression using chord tone targets.

We’ll begin by learning the 2-5-1 progression along with common chord substitutes. Next we’ll practice 3 left hand accompaniments and 4 common rhythms, along with various scales for soloing. Then we’ll master exercises for targeting the roots, 3rds, 5ths, and 7ths of chords. Finally we’ll combine all techniques and practice soloing with mixed targets.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to invent your own jazz lines by targeting chord tones.

How to Improvise A Solo With the Major Scale 2

In this workshop, you will learn how to improvise piano with the Major scale.

We’ll start with learning the notes of the scale along with 11 chords and 3 chord progressions you can use when soloing. Then we’ll learn 5 left hand accompaniments, including rock, latin, 10th stride, flowing, and comping. Jonny will you teach you his best techniques for soloing, including triad pairs, outlining 7ths, turns, and patterns.

To finish, we’ll practice a scale shifting exercise and learn how to solo over multiple chords.

Jazz Standard Analysis 1

In this workshop, we’ll analyze the chord progression for Autumn Leaves.

Starting with the lead sheet, we’ll memorize the melody/chords. Next we’ll learn how to figure out the parent key of any song using the diatonic chords. Then we’ll spend time analyzing the chord functions and chord qualities. Finally, we’ll discover how to add color to any chord progression with the 2-5-1 trick.

By the end of this workshop, you will have a deeper understanding in general of why we use certain chords in jazz tunes.