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Instructor
Jonny May
Course
Intermediate
04:07:32

In this course, Jonny will walk you through the piano lead sheets of 8 different chord progressions and show you how to utilize various piano techniques to create a richer and more interesting sound. You’ll learn how to implement piano chord shells, guide tones, and right hand filler harmony in the top 3 jazz styles: jazz swing, bossa nova, and jazz ballad.

By the end of the course, you will be confident in adding your own personal style to a lead sheet.

Course Objectives
  • Discover the top 8 chord progressions used in fake books
  • Color the root position chords with shells and guide tones
  • Create rich chords with right hand filler harmony
  • Explore the top 3 jazz styles: jazz swing, bossa nova, and jazz ballad
Learning Focus
  • Analysis
  • Chords
  • Lead Sheets

Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Learned alot
I like the way Jonny helps me put concepts together. I have a long way to go, but as someone who has been playing his whole life (64), I still have a long way to go. But, Jonny is great at helping me to put 2 and 2 together and I am seeing connections on the piano with theory I have never noticed before. Really, really great.
Amazed at the quality of the training and exercises!
Clear, concise instruction with outstanding examples is invaluable. I am progressing!
Thorough and Fun!!
I loved learning each of the progressions and working on them in the various styles!! I especially appreciated that there was room for me to adequately challenge myself and make it my own without it being overwhelming. Great course!!!
Play Lead Sheets with Shells & Guide Tones
It's a super course. The approach to it makes it easy to follow. I like the tunes a lot. I'm going to practice this course until I get it down because not only is it helpful but very important.
Exhilarating Riffs
This is such a comprehensive review of the most common chord progressions. I really appreciated the practice of doing the chord, then the shells & guide tones, then the missing harmony fill-ins. This was simple enough for me to get it, and yet challenging when going to different keys!!
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Learned alot
I like the way Jonny helps me put concepts together. I have a long way to go, but as someone who has been playing his whole life (64), I still have a long way to go. But, Jonny is great at helping me to put 2 and 2 together and I am seeing connections on the piano with theory I have never noticed before. Really, really great.
Amazed at the quality of the training and exercises!
Clear, concise instruction with outstanding examples is invaluable. I am progressing!
Thorough and Fun!!
I loved learning each of the progressions and working on them in the various styles!! I especially appreciated that there was room for me to adequately challenge myself and make it my own without it being overwhelming. Great course!!!
Play Lead Sheets with Shells & Guide Tones
It's a super course. The approach to it makes it easy to follow. I like the tunes a lot. I'm going to practice this course until I get it down because not only is it helpful but very important.
Exhilarating Riffs
This is such a comprehensive review of the most common chord progressions. I really appreciated the practice of doing the chord, then the shells & guide tones, then the missing harmony fill-ins. This was simple enough for me to get it, and yet challenging when going to different keys!!
Related Courses

Learn the essential building blocks of Jazz harmony with chord shells and guide tones. Master these voicings with exercises for major, dominant, and minor 7th chords in all 12 keys.

In this lesson for all playing levels, you'll transform the lead sheet Autumn Trees into a fun swing tune using the essential techniques of swing.  Fills, walking bass lines, and rootless voicings are all covered.

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