Special Guest, Ron Drotos

Special Guest, Ron Drotos

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence September 27, 2022 Duration: 1:10:08

As a child, Ron Drotos began improvising on the piano, creating the dinosaur sounds he heard in his imagination. He spent his teenage years playing in jazz and rock bands, and in 1985 received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from The University of Connecticut, where he studied with Hale Smith. During this time, Ron studied jazz piano with Dr. Billy Taylor, Walter Bishop, Jr., Harold Danko, and Ellen Rowe. From 1987-88, Ron worked as an assistant to the baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and then began to pursue his own music career.

 After moving to New York City in 1989, Ron served as Associate Music Director and created orchestrations for the Broadway musical Swinging On A Star, which received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Musical in 1995. Additional Broadway credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, The Life, and Fosse. Ron has orchestrated for the New York Pops Orchestra, with whom he has appeared several times at Carnegie Hall. He has been featured as Music Director on the 92nd St. Y’s famed “Lyrics and Lyricists” series. He has performed with vocalists Julius LaRosa, Judy Collins, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Nell Carter, and Giacomo Gates. In addition, Ron has taught at the Fairbanks (Alaska) Summer Arts Festival since 1999, where he has been inducted into the festival’s Hall of Fame.

 In 2012, Ron created the KeyboardImprov.com website, through which he helps beginning to advanced pianists all over the world learn how to improvise with a sense of joy and fluency. In addition, Ron is the author of The Inner Game of Piano Improvisation, which is available on Amazon.

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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]

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

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Podcast PacketsIllustrationsLead SheetsPlay AlongsForumsJazz Piano Skills CommunityKeywordsharmony, music theory, musical notes, subjective experience, good harmony, bad harmonySummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Bob Lawren…
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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,…
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Improvisation, The Mastery of Harmony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…