Wave, Harmonic Analysis

Wave, Harmonic Analysis

Author: Jazz Piano Skills April 2, 2025 Duration: 1:07:12

Podcast Packets
Illustrations
Lead Sheets
Play Alongs

Jazz Piano Skills Community

Keywords
Jazz Piano, Essential Skills, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Skills, Improvisation, Rhythm, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Wave, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jazz, Piano, Wave, Chord Changes, Harmonic Analysis, Voicing Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Music Practice

Summary
In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the essential skills needed for jazz piano, emphasizing a structured approach to learning tunes. He discusses the importance of harmonic, melodic, improvisational, and rhythmic skills, framed by the seven facts of music. The episode also explores the classic tune 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim, detailing the harmonic analysis and voicings used in the piece. Additionally, Dr. Lawrence addresses a listener's question about dominant voicings and highlights the benefits of membership in the Jazz Piano Skills community. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the complexities of the jazz standard 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique chord changes, harmonic functions, and voicing techniques necessary for mastering this challenging piece. The discussion includes practical tips for creating practice templates and the significance of analyzing harmonic progressions. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the educational content provided in the Jazz Piano Skills community and prepare for an in-depth exploration of the tune in upcoming sessions.

Takeaways

  • A skill-centric approach is crucial for learning jazz tunes.
  • Essential jazz piano skills include harmonic, melodic, improvisation, and rhythm skills.
  • The seven facts of music provide a framework for understanding musical concepts.
  • Transcribing melodies by ear is preferred over reading from sheet music.
  • Membership in Jazz Piano Skills offers ad-free content and educational resources.
  • Understanding voicings is key to playing jazz effectively.
  • Listening to various artists enhances musical understanding.
  • Harmonic analysis is the first step in learning a new tune.
  • Improvisation development follows harmonic and melodic analysis.
  • Engagement in the community fosters learning and support. The tune 'Wave' has a unique structure with extended A sections.
  • Understanding unique chord changes is crucial for jazz improvisation.
  • Creating a practice template helps focus on specific sounds.
  • Harmonic analysis is essential for grasping the complexities of jazz standards.
  • Voicing techniques vary and can include traditional and contemporary styles.
  • The key of D major presents unique challenges in 'Wave'.
  • Practicing ear training is important for recognizing harmonic movements.
  • Jazz often substitutes chords for creative expression.
  • The tune 'Wave' is considered one of the more challenging pieces.
  • Engagement with the community enhances the learning experience.

Titles

  • Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills
  • Mastering the Essentials of Jazz Piano
  • The Seven Facts of Music Explained
  • Dive into 'Wave' by Jobim
  • Benefits of Joining Jazz Piano Skills
  • Understanding Dominant Voicings in Jazz

Sound Bites

  • "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
  • "Music is the production of sound and silence."
  • "We avoid falling into the trap of running in place."

For anyone who has ever sat at the piano, felt the keys under their fingers, and wondered how to move beyond the written notes into the realm of spontaneous, expressive music, Jazz Piano Skills Premium offers a direct path. Created by Jazz Piano Skills, this series is a deep, practical immersion into the language of jazz, designed for players who are serious about developing their craft. Each episode functions as a focused lesson, breaking down the harmonic concepts, rhythmic approaches, and melodic improvisation techniques that define the genre. You'll hear clear, step-by-step explanations paired with immediate musical demonstrations, making complex ideas accessible and, more importantly, playable. This isn't about passive listening; it's an active workshop where every topic, from walking bass lines and chord voicings to reharmonization and blues phrasing, is meant to be applied at your instrument. The podcast provides a structured yet creative curriculum that builds week by week, transforming theoretical knowledge into tangible keyboard skills. Whether you're working on standard tunes, developing your swing feel, or seeking to understand the theory behind the masters, this resource delivers substantive content that encourages real growth. Tune in, sit down at the piano, and get ready to play.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 119

Jazz Piano Skills Premium
Podcast Episodes
Stars Fell on Alabama, Solo Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsKeywordsJazz Piano, Solo Piano Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Analysis, Jazz Skills, Piano Practice, Music TheoryTakeawaysSol…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:35
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence dives deep into the art of improvisation, focusing on the classic tune "Sta…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:54
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Expressiveness, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Practice Strategies, Music Theory, Stars Fell on A…
Stars Fell on Alabama, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:37
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, learning jazz, Stars Fell on Alabama, jazz voicings, harmonic analysis, jazz education, music theory, improvisation,…
Four Pillars of Jazz Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
KeywordsJazz Piano, Growth, Harmony, Improvisation, Melodic Design, Solo Piano, Music Education, Jazz Community, 2026 VisionSummaryIn this final episode of 2025, Dr. Bob Lawrence reflects on a year of growth within the J…
A Jazz Piano Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:20
KeywordsJazz Piano, Christmas Music, Solo Piano, Improvisation, Vince Guaraldi, Christmas Standards, Jazz Education, Music Theory, Piano Techniques, Holiday TunesSummaryIn this festive episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. B…
Christmas Time is Here, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:34
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Christmas Time Is Here, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Melodic Analysis, Harmonic Analysis, Music Pract…
Christmas Time is Here, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:01
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, essential skills, Christmas time is here, Vince Guraldi, music theory, harmonic analysis, jazz improvisation, piano v…
How to Start Jazz Improvising [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsmusic theory, scales, arpeggios, harmonic vision, melody, motif developmentSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusse…