Mr. P.C., John Coltrane

Mr. P.C., John Coltrane

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence July 13, 2021 Duration: 50:26

Welcome to JazzPianoSkills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!

Every JazzPianoSkills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explores a specific Jazz Piano Skill in depth. Today you will discover, learn, play Mr. P.C. by jazz great John Coltrane. In this Jazz Piano Lesson you will:

Discover
Mr. P.C. a classic jazz standard by the great John Coletrane

Learn
How to approach the Form, Ckey, Melody, Chord Changes, and Harmonic Function of John Coltrane’s Mr. P.C.

Play
John Coltrane’s Mr. P.C. using contemporary voicings, melodic harmonization, and improvising using the standard minor blues scale

Be sure to use the Jazz Piano Podcast Packets for this Jazz Piano Lesson for maximum musical growth. All three Podcast Packets are designed to help you gain insight and command of a specific Jazz Piano Skill. The Podcast Packets are invaluable educational tools to have at your fingertips while you discover, learn, and play jazz piano.

Download Podcast Packets
Illustrations
(detailed graphics of the jazz piano skill)
Lead Sheets
(beautifully notated music lead sheets)
Play Alongs
(ensemble assistance and practice tips)

Educational Support
Community Forum
SpeakPipe

Episode Outline
Introduction

Discover, Learn, Play
Invite to Join JazzPianoSkills

DEMO 1:
Mr. P.C. performed by John Coltrane

DEMO 2:
Mr. P.C. performed by Dr. Lawrence

DEMO 3:
Form, Key, and Changes
Minor Blues (12 Measures)
C Minor Blues - Classic Changes
C Minor Blues - Harmonic Function

DEMO 4:
Contemporary Shells
Left-Hand Voicings (Quartal Structures)

DEMO 5:
Contemporary Two-Handed Voicings
5-Note Shapes (2 in Left, 3 in Right)
Primarily Quartal Structures

DEMO 6:
Harmonization of Melody
Contemporary Two-Handed Voicings

DEMO 7:
Minor Blues Scale Exercise

DEMO 8:
Minor Blues Improvisation (Scale Tones Only)

DEMO 9:
Harmonized Minor Blues Scale Exercise

DEMO 10:
Harmonized Minor Blues Scale Improvisation (Scale Tones Only)

DEMO 11:
Combo Improvisation
Single Note Minor Blues Scale
Harmonized Minor Blues Scale

Conclusion
Closing Comments

Visit JazzPianoSkills for more educational resources that include a sequential curriculum with interactive Jazz Piano Courses, private and group online Jazz Piano Classes, and a private jazz piano community Jazz Piano Forums.

If you wish to support

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
I Got Rhythm, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:32
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryDr. Bob Lawrence discusses the challenges of modern music education, emphasizing the importance of structured, foundational practi…
The Seven Facts of Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:43
LECTURE SERIESNo Podcast PacketsSummaryDr. Bob Lawrence explores the seven facts of music, providing a clear, logical framework to understand and improve your jazz playing. This episode emphasizes the importance of clari…
Sweet Lorraine, Solo Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryThis episode explores the art of solo jazz piano, focusing on harmonic and melodic analysis, improvisation, and practical approaches to playi…
Sweet Lorraine, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the fundamentals of jazz improvisation, emphasizing the importance of intentional pract…
Sweet Lorraine, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills Community SummaryJoin Dr. Bob Lawrence as he explores the melodic analysis of 'Sweet Lorraine,' emphasizing the importance of phrasing, shaping me…
Sweet Lorraine, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:48
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, harmonic analysis, improvisation, music education, jazz standards, learning process, structured practice, Sweet Lorra…
Embraceable You, Solo Piano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Solo Piano, Music Education, Harmonization, Jazz Skills, Improvisation, Melody, Chord Progressions, Music Theory, Jazz Technique…
Embraceable You, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
Keywordsjazz piano, improvisation, Embraceable You, melodic pathways, jazz skills, music education, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, jazz techniques, music practiceSummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob…
Embraceable You, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Embraceable You, Seven Facts of Music, Articulation, Jazz Education, Improvisation, Practice Strate…
Embraceable You, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:54
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Embraceable You, Jazz Harmony, Music Education, Jazz Techniques, Improvisation, Music Analysis, Jazz Standards, Piano…