Library   /   Courses   /   Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge

Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge

Membership Required

Subscribe to a membership plan for full access to this course and learning resources!

Start Your Free Trial

Instructor
Jonny May
Challenge
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
02:41:06

Learn to improvise over a Jazz ballad with Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge. Working with the Turnaround Progression, we explore scales, lower/upper positions, exercises, chromatic connectors, & more.

Course Objectives
  • Learn to solo in the Jazz Ballad style
  • Play rootless voicings and different left hand grooves
  • Explore different scales and positions
  • For all levels
Learning Focus
  • Chords
  • Groove
  • Improvisation
  • Scales
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Challenging Challenge
This challenge was a struggle or shall I say a hurdle for me. I practiced the diminished scales in the lesson, but wanted more. I spent extra time learning what diminished scales were so that I can easily recognize their "colors" and play them. This was one of the hurdles in this course. My second hurdle after learning the scales was to play them and improvise (third). What a joy! The fact that I can take a diminished scale and improvise over a few notes. This was fun for me after learning and practicing the scales. I realized that I did not have to be perfect at that particular moment, perfection will come in time as I continue to play. The joy is learning in the moment and being able to master the task at hand. Overall, I enjoyed this course and look for more stimulating and challenging piano tasks ahead.
Thanks Jonny
Great lesson with the best teacher.
Very useful info
So much useable information. This course is chock full of ideas to use on many many tunes. Scales to play over I VI II V progression that automatically make you sound pro. Highly recommended!
Challenging, Yet Inspiring!!!
I learned so much from this course and I feel the material has made the sound of my solos sound cool!!! I found that soloing using the dominant diminished scales is a mind boggling challenge, so I would recommend doing the "2-5-1 Soloing with Dominant Diminished Scale" course first, then practice and transpose the scales(there's only 3) then more practice. Thank-you Jonny for the comprehensive and amazing content!!!
Great detail
Wish I could do it.

Course Lessons

1
Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge – Week 1
28:20

The Turnaround Progression, Basic Chords

Beg/Int Players: Easy & Medium Groove

Int/Adv: Easy & Medium Groove

View lesson
2
Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge – Week 2
36:40

The Turnaround Progression, Basic Chords

Beg/Int Players: Easy & Medium Groove

Int/Adv: Easy & Medium Groove

View lesson
3
Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge – Week 3
48:21

Beg Int: Upper Position 8th Notes, Slides, Triplets

Int/Adv: Up-lines, Downlines, Combined Lines, Chromatic Notes

View lesson
4
Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge – Week 4
47:45

Beg/Int: Combined Upper/Lower Position Lines, 8th Notes, Triplets, Multiple Octaves

Int/Adv: Triplet Up/Down Lines, Fast Runs

View lesson
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Challenging Challenge
This challenge was a struggle or shall I say a hurdle for me. I practiced the diminished scales in the lesson, but wanted more. I spent extra time learning what diminished scales were so that I can easily recognize their "colors" and play them. This was one of the hurdles in this course. My second hurdle after learning the scales was to play them and improvise (third). What a joy! The fact that I can take a diminished scale and improvise over a few notes. This was fun for me after learning and practicing the scales. I realized that I did not have to be perfect at that particular moment, perfection will come in time as I continue to play. The joy is learning in the moment and being able to master the task at hand. Overall, I enjoyed this course and look for more stimulating and challenging piano tasks ahead.
Thanks Jonny
Great lesson with the best teacher.
Very useful info
So much useable information. This course is chock full of ideas to use on many many tunes. Scales to play over I VI II V progression that automatically make you sound pro. Highly recommended!
Challenging, Yet Inspiring!!!
I learned so much from this course and I feel the material has made the sound of my solos sound cool!!! I found that soloing using the dominant diminished scales is a mind boggling challenge, so I would recommend doing the "2-5-1 Soloing with Dominant Diminished Scale" course first, then practice and transpose the scales(there's only 3) then more practice. Thank-you Jonny for the comprehensive and amazing content!!!
Great detail
Wish I could do it.
Related Courses
Soloing Over a Turnaround 1

Learn to confidently solo over this essential jazz progression. The 1 6 2 5 progression will help you master important improv concepts such as phrasing, connecting scales, and more.

Soloing Over a Turnaround 2

Discover how the pros master soloing in this course by practicing the underlying principles such as: how to target notes, how to connect scales, and how to create rhythmic alterations & displacements.

Bossa Nova Soloing Challenge

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

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