Special Guest, David Shields

Special Guest, David Shields

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence August 23, 2022 Duration: 1:06:53

Welcome to JazzPianoSkills; I'm Dr. Bob Lawrence. It’s time to Discover, Learn, and Play jazz piano!

I am happy to share my interview with jazz pianist and professional tennis coach David Shields.

David has combined a love of music and sport, tennis in particular, that has taken him worldwide. He studied piano from an early age, mainly classical works, but jazz was never far away.  At the same time, he was working on his tennis game and went on to play through college, with a stint in the Army thrown in.

Teaching tennis became a primary focus for the next few decades. He received an offer to teach and play in France and spent four years there. The piano was always there off the court, and the studies continued.

David has lived in Australia for nearly 40 years, with the past 20 years spent producing and presenting jazz programs on Melbourne radio. He is looking forward to a never-ending journey at the keyboard.

Now, It is my great pleasure and honor to welcome to JazzPianoSkills, Mr. David Shields.

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
A Beautiful Friendship, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsmusic practice, scales, arpeggios, technique, musicianshipSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence discusses the common prac…
A Beautiful Friendship, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordspractice, objectives, focused practice, time management, skill developmentSummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawrence emphasize…
A Beautiful Friendship, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:44
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsharmony, music theory, musical notes, subjective experience, good harmony, bad harmonySummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawren…
Tangerine, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, improvisation, musical facts, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, improvisation trees, jazz skills, music education,…
Special Guest, Lisa Deneau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:11
KeywordsJazz, Piano, Music Education, Jazz Piano Skills, Musical Journey, Influences, Practice, Learning, Community, ListeningTakeawaysLisa's mother was a significant influence on her love for music.She grew up in a musi…
Tangerine, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Melodic Analysis, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Practice Strategies, Improvisation, Music Theory, Jazz Techniques,…
Tangerine, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:11
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, music education, harmony, melody, improvisation, chord voicing, jazz standards, Tangerine, music theory, piano skills…
Jazz Piano: Common Questions Answered [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:29
KeywordsJazz Piano, improvisation, harmony, chords, voicings, practice, learning, techniques, repertoire, jazz standardsSummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores common questions related to j…
Improvisation, The Mastery of Harmony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:48
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Harmony, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Melodic Ideas, Music Theory, Piano Practice, Jazz Standards, Mu…
Blue Bossa, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:10
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Analysis, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Blue Bossa, Music Practice, Jazz Le…