Lesson PDF’S
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Lesson 1 - ii V I Practice progressions
Lesson 1 covers variety of ways to move ii V Is through all 12 keys. The included charts can be useful when practicing melodies or lines, and voicings in all 12 keys. I have found practicing these progressions to be effective in replicating the harmony movements found in repertoire from the jazz canon. When practicing, it is important to strive for creativity and malleable knowledge. In addition to reading accross each row, try things like reading down or up each column or at random.
lesson 2 - Minimal Left-hand Solo Piano Voicings
Lesson 2 covers an often used minimal left-hand voicing shape, appropriate for solo piano and small ensemble (roots optional). Included are two additional examples of the same left-hand voicing, exploded into 10ths. A good practice strategy is to take each voicing through the practice progressions from lesson 1, performing them slowly and accurately. A minimal left-hand approach gives your main melodic voice more freedom, and can help facilitate the left-hand functioning as a secondary melodic voice. By simplifying how you voice a harmony, you may illuminate voice leading and inner voice movement options that are less apparent with a four or five note left-hand voicing.
Lesson 3 - McCoy Tyner Minor Lines
Lesson 3 covers a collection of McCoy Tyner minor lines transcribed from his recording Inception. I choose to list these lines in ii V i’s to facilitate practice in all 12 keys. Keep in mind that many of McCoy Tyner’s lines can be best thought of as a larger V to I(i) movements. Although 12 key practice is very important, it is equally as important to investigate the lines that strike you! Try to figure out what shape, idea or rhythm McCoy might have been favoring, and why he made that choice.
If you wish to deeply internalize style, rhythm, phrasing, time feel etc., transcribing music by ear will need to be a part of that process.
