Lady Be Good, Harmonic Analysis

Lady Be Good, Harmonic Analysis

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence July 2, 2025 Duration: 30:48

Illustrations
Lead Sheets
Play Alongs

Jazz Piano Skills Community

Keywords
jazz piano, essential skills, improvisation, harmony, melody, rhythm, Lady Be Good, George Gershwin, music education, jazz standards

Summary
In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the essential skills needed for jazz piano, emphasizing the importance of harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm. He discusses the seven facts of music that frame these skills and addresses a listener's question about improvisation challenges, particularly with the blues. The episode culminates in a detailed harmonic analysis of George Gershwin's 'Lady Be Good', providing insights into chord changes, voicings, and practice techniques.

Takeaways
The start of a new month means a new tune.
Essential jazz skills include harmony, melody, improvisation, and rhythm.
Understanding the seven facts of music is crucial for practice.
Improvisation is often misunderstood and requires a proper mindset.
Notes without rhythm lack musicality.
Isolate sound before tackling complex progressions.
Keep improvisation simple to build confidence.
Listening to various renditions of a tune is essential for learning.
Common harmonic progressions are vital for ear training.
Utilizing different voicings enhances musical expression.

Titles
Mastering Jazz Piano Skills
The Importance of Essential Jazz Skills

Sound bites
"Tunes illuminate our weaknesses very quickly."
"Keep it simple."
"Enjoy the sounds of the voicings."

Support the show


There's a certain magic in hearing a great jazz pianist, a feeling that it's both complex and effortless. Jazz Piano Skills pulls back the curtain on that magic, transforming it into a clear, practical path forward. Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence, an educator and the President of The Dallas School of Music, this series feels less like a lecture and more like a series of private sessions. Each episode focuses on a tangible skill, breaking down the theory, harmony, and technique that define the jazz language. You'll hear Bob at the keyboard, demonstrating chord voicings, improvisational patterns, and rhythmic concepts, explaining the 'why' behind every note. Whether you're deciphering a standard or building a solo from scratch, the guidance is always rooted in practical application. This podcast is designed for those who want to move beyond simply playing notes on a page and start speaking through the instrument. It’s a deep, methodical exploration of the art form, offering structured lessons that build upon each other. Tune in and find your voice at the keys, learning directly from a professional whose teaching strips away the intimidation and fuels genuine musical growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

Jazz Piano Skills
Podcast Episodes
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:12
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Jazz Piano with Mark Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:09
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills. It’s time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano!Today, I welcome to Jazz Piano Skills, jazz pianist, educator, and author Mark Davis. Mark has been a mainstay on the Milwaukee jazz scene f…
Learning Jazz Tunes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:57
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Jazz Piano Skills: Past and Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:23
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills. It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano!Today’s podcast will be quite different from what I typically do regularly. We won’t study any specific jazz piano skill, analyze and digest…
Let It Snow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…