Wave, Harmonic Analysis

Wave, Harmonic Analysis

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence April 2, 2025 Duration: 32:10

Podcast Packets
Illustrations
Lead Sheets
Play Alongs

Jazz Piano Skills Community

Keywords
Jazz Piano, Essential Skills, Harmonic Analysis, Melodic Skills, Improvisation, Rhythm, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Wave, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jazz, Piano, Wave, Chord Changes, Harmonic Analysis, Voicing Techniques, Music Education, Jazz Standards, Improvisation, Music Practice

Summary
In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the essential skills needed for jazz piano, emphasizing a structured approach to learning tunes. He discusses the importance of harmonic, melodic, improvisational, and rhythmic skills, framed by the seven facts of music. The episode also explores the classic tune 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim, detailing the harmonic analysis and voicings used in the piece. Additionally, Dr. Lawrence addresses a listener's question about dominant voicings and highlights the benefits of membership in the Jazz Piano Skills community. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence delves into the complexities of the jazz standard 'Wave' by Antonio Carlos Jobim. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique chord changes, harmonic functions, and voicing techniques necessary for mastering this challenging piece. The discussion includes practical tips for creating practice templates and the significance of analyzing harmonic progressions. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the educational content provided in the Jazz Piano Skills community and prepare for an in-depth exploration of the tune in upcoming sessions.

Takeaways

  • A skill-centric approach is crucial for learning jazz tunes.
  • Essential jazz piano skills include harmonic, melodic, improvisation, and rhythm skills.
  • The seven facts of music provide a framework for understanding musical concepts.
  • Transcribing melodies by ear is preferred over reading from sheet music.
  • Membership in Jazz Piano Skills offers ad-free content and educational resources.
  • Understanding voicings is key to playing jazz effectively.
  • Listening to various artists enhances musical understanding.
  • Harmonic analysis is the first step in learning a new tune.
  • Improvisation development follows harmonic and melodic analysis.
  • Engagement in the community fosters learning and support. The tune 'Wave' has a unique structure with extended A sections.
  • Understanding unique chord changes is crucial for jazz improvisation.
  • Creating a practice template helps focus on specific sounds.
  • Harmonic analysis is essential for grasping the complexities of jazz standards.
  • Voicing techniques vary and can include traditional and contemporary styles.
  • The key of D major presents unique challenges in 'Wave'.
  • Practicing ear training is important for recognizing harmonic movements.
  • Jazz often substitutes chords for creative expression.
  • The tune 'Wave' is considered one of the more challenging pieces.
  • Engagement with the community enhances the learning experience.

Titles

  • Unlocking Jazz Piano Skills
  • Mastering the Essentials of Jazz Piano
  • The Seven Facts of Music Explained
  • Dive into 'Wave' by Jobim
  • Benefits of Joining Jazz Piano Skills
  • Understanding Dominant Voicings in Jazz

Sound Bites

  • "It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano."
  • "Music is the production of sound and silence

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
Inside Outside, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:50
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Inside Outside harmony to develop melodic jazz improvisation vocabulary. For maximum musical growth, be sure to download the Podcast Guides for this Jazz Pia…
Inside Outside, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:52
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Inside Outside harmony to develop melodic jazz improvisation vocabulary. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates 12 jaz…
Major Chromaticism, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:52
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Major Chromaticism, Pt. 1, to develop jazz improvisation vocabulary. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates 12 jazz im…
Minor Chromaticism, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the Minor Chromaticism, Pt. 1 to develop jazz improvisation vocabulary. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates 12 jazz…
II-V-I Progression, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:51
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the iconic II-V-I Progression, Pt. 2. In this episode, we layer various melodic triad patterns over the II-V-I Progression to begin developing improvisationa…
II-V-I Progression, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:24
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the iconic II-V-I Progression, Pt. 1 using traditional and contemporary shell voicings for your left hand. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this pod…
Two-Handed Voicings, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Secondary Two-Handed Voicings using 5-Note Shapes for all primary sounds (major, dominant, minor, half-diminished, diminished). Be sure to Download the Podca…
Two-Handed Voicings, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:07
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Two-Handed Voicings using 5-Note Shapes for all primary sounds (major, dominant, minor, half-diminished, diminished). Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide f…
Triads, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:33
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Triads using Lower Neighboring Tones (Half-Step Approachments) to create "intentional tension"; an essential jazz piano skill in for improvisation developmen…
Triads, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:32
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Triads using Major and Minor shapes played harmonically and melodically; an essential jazz piano skill in preparation for improvisation development. Be sure…