Special Guest, Lisa Deneau

Special Guest, Lisa Deneau

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence October 22, 2025 Duration: 1:15:11

Keywords
Jazz, Piano, Music Education, Jazz Piano Skills, Musical Journey, Influences, Practice, Learning, Community, Listening

Takeaways
Lisa's mother was a significant influence on her love for music.
She grew up in a musically rich environment with classical and jazz influences.
Lisa's journey into jazz began in college with a history of jazz class.
She moved to New York to pursue her passion for music and art.
Practicing consistently is a challenge for many musicians, including Lisa.
Listening to various musicians is crucial for understanding jazz.
It's important to start where you are in your musical journey.
The Jazz Piano Skills community is supportive and welcoming.
Curating a listening list involves careful selection and consideration.
Lisa emphasizes the importance of making beautiful sounds on the piano.

Summary
In this engaging conversation, Lisa shares her profound journey through music, highlighting the significant influence of her mother, her experiences in jazz education, and the challenges of practicing jazz. She emphasizes the importance of community in learning and the joy of making beautiful sounds on the piano. Lisa also discusses her role in curating the listening list for the Jazz Piano Skills community, showcasing her dedication to sharing music with others.

Titles
From Classical to Jazz: A Musical Journey
The Influence of Family in Music

Sound bites
"I love jazz piano skills!"
"I want to make beautiful sounds."
"I wish she was here to see this."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jazz Piano Skills Community
01:33 Lisa's Musical Background and Influences
11:18 Journey into Jazz Education
17:06 Moving to New York and Musical Growth
28:50 Challenges in Jazz Practice and Learning
35:23 Advice for Jazz Beginners
51:49 Curating the Listening List for Jazz Piano Skills
57:51 Conclusion and Reflections on Musical Journey

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…