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
Lady Be Good, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:48
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, essential skills, improvisation, harmony, melody, rhythm, Lady Be Good, George Gershwin, music education, jazz standardsSummaryIn this epi…
50 "Must Know" Rhythms! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:09
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, rhythm, improvisation, jazz standards, musical education, melodic vocabulary, jazz techniques, music theory, jazz practice, jazz skillsSum…
Misty, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence guides listeners through the process of improving their improvisation skills using the jazz stan…
Misty, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:30
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the melodic analysis of the classic jazz standard 'Misty.' He emphasizes the importa…
Misty, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the new monthly tune study, emphasizing a skill-centric approach to learning jazz pia…
Rhythmic Major Arpeggios [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:14
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunitySummaryIn this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the essential role of rhythm in jazz music, emphasizing its importanc…
Georgia on My Mind, Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:10
IllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, improvisation, rhythm challenge, Georgia on my mind, music education, jazz skills, harmonic analysis, melodic analysis, jazz community, mu…
Georgia on My Mind, Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsjazz piano, melodic analysis, practice strategy, seven facts of music, Georgia on My Mind, jazz education, improvisation, voicings, tar…
Georgia on My Mind, Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityIn this insightful episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence takes a deep dive into the timeless jazz standard “Georgia on My Mind” by Hoa…
Improvisation, a Rhythmic Command of Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsJazz Piano, Improvisation, Rhythmic Command, Music Education, Jazz Skills, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bossa Nova, Melodic Analysis, Harmonic…