Library   /   Courses   /   The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1

The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1

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
Course
Intermediate
02:08:17

Take our most comprehensive course on Cocktail Jazz. Discover how to develop a lead sheet, stylize the left hand, harmonize the right hand, add fills, & improvise.

Course Objectives
  • Learn the Lead Sheet Melody & Chords
  • Explore the Stride-Ballad Left Hand
  • Discover the Bass & Chord "Money Ranges" & Inverted Chords
  • Learn How to Harmonize the Right Hand
  • Discover How to Solo in the Upper & Lower Positions
Learning Focus
  • Improvisation
  • Lead Sheets
  • Reharmonization
  • Songs
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Outstanding and Comprehensive. Awesome course.
I want to thank you so much for adding this course, the Jazz Ballad challenge. It's the reason I joined pianowithjonny.com. I started with the free version, and realized how much it could contribute to my playing. I felt that here was a comprehensive and integrated introduction to jazz playing, wrapped in an interesting ballad arrangement.
A Journey Into Cocktail Jazz - Sinatra Would Be Proud
I am so jazzed by this course (pun intended)! I learned so many useful techniques in this course from using Inverted 7th Chords, to left hand Shell Chords and above all an introduction to Stride Piano. I have always been a fan of this Cocktail Piano approach to playing piano. I feel like I could back up Ol' Blue Eyes himself! Great course!! So many useful insider tips for arranging a tune in the Jazz Ballad style. I could go on, but I won't. Thank you, Jonny. I am so glad that I tried PWJ!! One of these days I hope to find the time to share a performance video. Until then, I still have quite a bit of practicing to do to fully master this course!! I am so thankful for your courses!!
Excellent course.
Beautiful content, great material. Thank you very much for the explanation. Amazing style of teaching. Thank you very much Jonny May.
Simple, beautiful, fun
Thank you PWJ for breaking this style down into learnable steps! The song was beautiful and simple and will be a great foundation for me to build on.
the way you look at me
was broken down very well

Course Lessons

1
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 1
11:37

Lead Sheet Melody

View lesson
2
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 2
16:48

Root Position 7th Chords

View lesson
3
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 3
11:37

Left Hand Inversions, Various Groove Options

View lesson
4
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 4
09:53

Left Hand Shells, Various Groove Options

View lesson
5
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 5
09:15

Left Hand Stride-Ballad

View lesson
6
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 6
12:16

Bass Note & Chord Money Range, Inverted Chords

View lesson
7
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 7
12:55

Right Hand Harmonies & B Section Chords

View lesson
8
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 8
22:21

Putting It All Together, Practice Tips

View lesson
9
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 1 – Lesson 9
21:35

Soloing Techniques: Scales, How to Create Lines, Principles of Soloing, Lower & Upper Position

View lesson
Featured Reviews

View PWJ member reviews of this course!

Outstanding and Comprehensive. Awesome course.
I want to thank you so much for adding this course, the Jazz Ballad challenge. It's the reason I joined pianowithjonny.com. I started with the free version, and realized how much it could contribute to my playing. I felt that here was a comprehensive and integrated introduction to jazz playing, wrapped in an interesting ballad arrangement.
A Journey Into Cocktail Jazz - Sinatra Would Be Proud
I am so jazzed by this course (pun intended)! I learned so many useful techniques in this course from using Inverted 7th Chords, to left hand Shell Chords and above all an introduction to Stride Piano. I have always been a fan of this Cocktail Piano approach to playing piano. I feel like I could back up Ol' Blue Eyes himself! Great course!! So many useful insider tips for arranging a tune in the Jazz Ballad style. I could go on, but I won't. Thank you, Jonny. I am so glad that I tried PWJ!! One of these days I hope to find the time to share a performance video. Until then, I still have quite a bit of practicing to do to fully master this course!! I am so thankful for your courses!!
Excellent course.
Beautiful content, great material. Thank you very much for the explanation. Amazing style of teaching. Thank you very much Jonny May.
Simple, beautiful, fun
Thank you PWJ for breaking this style down into learnable steps! The song was beautiful and simple and will be a great foundation for me to build on.
the way you look at me
was broken down very well
Related Courses
The Jazz Ballad Challenge 2

The complete course on how to create a gorgeous cocktail jazz ballad. You’ll learn Stride-Ballad Left Hand techniques, rootless voicings, and right hand embellishment with extensions, fills, runs, and more.

6 Jazz Ballad Harmonic Approaches 1

Discover 6 approaches for harmonizing a Jazz Ballad. Working through the chord progression for Misty, we discuss how to add beautiful extensions to create that classic jazz sound.

Jazz Ballad Soloing Challenge

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.

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