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Summertime – Challenge 3

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Instructor
John Proulx
Challenge
Advanced
01:08:36

This course will help you master Summertime at the advanced level.

First we’ll learn the right hand melody and discuss the articulation, phrasing, and rhythm. Next we’ll add a stride pattern, embellish the melody with chord pops and learn a pre-written solo. Finally, we’ll put the hands together and play a beautiful final arrangement!

Course Objectives
  • Memorize the lead sheet melody
  • Discuss the articulation, phrasing & rhythm
  • Practice a stride pattern in the left hand
  • Embellish and harmonize the melody
  • Learn a pre-written solo
  • Combine all these techniques for a final arrangement
Learning Focus
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

My journey with Summertime
As a classical musician, I wasn't very at ease with those chords plus the solo. I took the time to really enjoy all the teaching in this lovely piece. Finally, I am much at ease now because I understand the structure of the chords. Also, in the solo teaching part, I found it very useful to know where the licks were coming from, where they were used the most. Acquiring these notions make me confident to recognize them in other standards or song that I love. I feel I made a great move in my journey towards being a jazz musician.
I Loved This Course!
John has created a wonderful arrangement of this Gershwin classic. Keeping the stride steady is a challenge. The solo is so cool and bluesy, it will make you sound like a class act, just like John!
Fun, challenging and a terrific arrangement!
This is the first time I’ve completed an Advanced Challenge! Still working on the solo and getting all the parts up to tempo. I am glad I stuck with this and did not give up! I can play Summertime all the way through without the solo. I am confident that with a bit more practice I will get this solo down, too. Wonderful song, excellent instruction and explanation of the chords plus a beautiful arrangement by John. This Summertime challenge has been a total joy to learn!
Excellent course!
Great materials, gorgeous chords, and amazing style of teaching. Thank you so much Professor John Proulx for your patience. I enjoyed the course.
Gorgeous arrangement of "Summertime"
Thank-you for making this video! I found this tutorial very inspirational!!!!

Course Lessons

1
Summertime – Challenge 3 – Lesson 1
14:31

Lead Sheet Melody

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2
Summertime – Challenge 3 – Lesson 2
13:17

Left Hand Chords

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3
Summertime – Challenge 3 – Lesson 3
13:17

Right Hand Embellishments

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4
Summertime – Challenge 3 – Lesson 4
27:31

Putting it All Together

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Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

My journey with Summertime
As a classical musician, I wasn't very at ease with those chords plus the solo. I took the time to really enjoy all the teaching in this lovely piece. Finally, I am much at ease now because I understand the structure of the chords. Also, in the solo teaching part, I found it very useful to know where the licks were coming from, where they were used the most. Acquiring these notions make me confident to recognize them in other standards or song that I love. I feel I made a great move in my journey towards being a jazz musician.
I Loved This Course!
John has created a wonderful arrangement of this Gershwin classic. Keeping the stride steady is a challenge. The solo is so cool and bluesy, it will make you sound like a class act, just like John!
Fun, challenging and a terrific arrangement!
This is the first time I’ve completed an Advanced Challenge! Still working on the solo and getting all the parts up to tempo. I am glad I stuck with this and did not give up! I can play Summertime all the way through without the solo. I am confident that with a bit more practice I will get this solo down, too. Wonderful song, excellent instruction and explanation of the chords plus a beautiful arrangement by John. This Summertime challenge has been a total joy to learn!
Excellent course!
Great materials, gorgeous chords, and amazing style of teaching. Thank you so much Professor John Proulx for your patience. I enjoyed the course.
Gorgeous arrangement of "Summertime"
Thank-you for making this video! I found this tutorial very inspirational!!!!
Related Courses
Summertime – Slow Blues 2

Learn how to craft a slow jazzy blues piano arrangement of George Gershwin's classic tune "Summertime." Using the lead sheet, we'll stylize the left hand chords, embellish the right hand melody, compose an intro/outro, and complete the arrangement with an advanced solo!

Summertime – Accompaniment 1

If you’ve ever been interested in piano accompaniment in a duo setting, then this workshop is for you! Using the great jazz standard, “Summertime”, by the Gershwins, we will explore various accompanying techniques so you’ll begin the New Year like a pro!

Summertime – Band Accompaniment 1

If you’ve ever been interested in piano accompaniment in a band setting, then this workshop is for you! Using the great jazz standard “Summertime” by the Gershwins, we will explore various band accompanying techniques so you’ll sound like a pro!

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