POLICIES

The following are my teaching policies followed by versions of the Table of Contents of my Books 1 devoted to the universe of jazz/improvised piano study.

1) Private instruction is $50/hour at my apartment. If the student is unable to travel to my residence for any reason, I will travel to the student's residence, but the fee would then be $60. My book for your study, "Essentials of Jazz and Contemporary Piano" will cost $25.00, payable at the first lesson.

2) Students never pay for more than 1 lesson at a time.

3) Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance, or the student will forfeit the cost of the lesson. Also, this policy works both ways, so I would forfeit the cost of a lesson if I failed to notify a student at least 24 hours before my own cancellation.

4) Lessons are at my apartment in Los Feliz. The nearest cross street is Normandie and Sunset Blvd.

5) Lessons may be scheduled at the students convenience. Usually, this means weekly or bi-monthly. I always try to take care of scheduling before the student departs the lesson.

6) I don't teach beginners. By that I mean that you should have the ability to read music and play a simple piece at the keyboard even if on a rudimentary level only. Lessons 1 and 2 cover rudimentary subjects anyway, so that will help.

So now, to the course itself..................

I have developed a unique approach to teaching improvisation. It is the result of over 35 years of personal experience as a pianist both in my own ensembles as well as my freelance work with other artists be they "serious" or more "commercial" in nature.

Table of Contents
A Primer on Jazz Piano Book 1

Lesson 1 Rudiment Studies

Introduction - Chord Symbols
Intervals - Reference Table 1
Theory Examples - Intervals/Triads and Assignments

Lesson 2 The Diatonic Scale Tone Triads

Introduction: The Diatonic Scale Tone Triads
Triads: Maj/Minor - Inversions and Assignments

Lesson 3 Simple Chord Progressions and the Circle of Fifths

S.T. Sevenths: Major and Minor Examples 3a-d
Voicings - Exercise 3a - ii7-V7-I Click Here to See a Sample
Voicings - Exercise 3b - ii7-V7-I in minor
Left Hand - ii7-V7 voicings Root 7 - Root 3

Lesson 3a Another Simple Progression

Introduction - "I Got Rhythm" and I-VI7-ii7-V7-I
Voicings - Exercise 3a and 3b
Melodic Exercises

Lesson 4 Vertical Approach to Improvising-Chap.1 -
Blues and the Dominant Cycle

Examples of Blues Progressions 1-6
Dominant Cycle Exercises 4a-c

Lesson 5 The Keyboard Bass

Playing Exercises 5a-g Click Here to See a Sample
Exercise 5j-Writing Assignment and Exercise 5k (playing)
Examples of Blues Progressions 1-6

Lesson 6 The Concept of Rhythmic Phrasing Chap.1

Rhythmic Equivalents/ Value Divisions - notes and rests
The 2 measure phrase-syncopation
Examples 6a-i - The 2-bar Syncopated Phrase
Exercises 6j-m - Written Phrasing

Lesson 7 Horizontal Approach to Improvising Chap.1 - Song Form

Momentary Keys - Form Discussion Assignment: "Just Friends, "Robbins Nest", "Triste"

Lesson 8 Concept of Rhythmic Phrasing. Chap.2

Introduction - Early Jazz Syncopation
Excerpt - Fats Waller Blues
Rhythmic Exercises

 

 

Table of Contents
A Primer on Jazz Piano
Techniques and Styles Book 2

Lesson 1 Vertical Approach to Improvisation Chap.2 -
Harmonic Foundations of Bebop

Introduction
Scale/Chord Syllabus 1
Scales and Corresponding Chords table: Examples 1a - e
Assignment - Diminished scale: Exercise 1
Assignment - Diminished Whole Tone Scale
and it's Equivalents: Exercise 2

Lesson 2 Vertical Approach to Improvisation Chap 3. Bebop.

Introduction
Vertical Improvisation Examples 2a-d
Dominant Alterations - Ex2a - 2h
Dominant Chord/Scale Syllabus 2

Lesson 3 Blues, Blues, and More Blues

Introduction
Altered Dominant Cycle - R.H. Exercise 3a Click Here to See Sample Page
Double Altered Dominant Cycle - RH. - Exercise 3b
Altered Dominant Cycle - LH - Exercise 3c
Double Altered Dominant Cycle - L.H Exercise 3d
Examples of Blues Progressions
Assignment Pages

Lesson 4 Chord Substitutions

Introduction: Why substitute?
Non- Definitive Chords and their subs: Min6 chord,
Augmented Chord and Diminished Chord: Examples 4a - d Click Here to See Sample Page
Definitive Chord subs: Major Chord, Tritone Subs
and Minor 7th sub (4e)
Assignment

Lesson 5 Introductions - Endings and Turnarounds

Introduction
Introductions: Examples 5a - 5e
Examples 5f - 5h - Endings
Endings:5i - 5l
Examples 5m - Turnarounds
Assignment: Written Intros
Assignment: Endings

Lesson 6 Horizontal Approach to Imp. Chap. 2 - Modal Harmony

Introduction: Three ways to use them in tunes with examples.
Solo Approach - Modal Improvisation in Jazz History
FAQ and Assignment
Modal Harmony - Scale Tone Triads - Example 6a
Assignment: Hearing the modes - Example 6b
Exercise: 6a - Definitive Modal Chords - Written Assignment

Lesson 7 Influence of Contemporary and Latin Sounds

Introduction
Latin basics
Latin piano styles - Exercises 7a - h Click Here to See Sample Page
Written Exercise: Montuno
Polychords - Exercise 7c
Polychords and their modes - Exercise 7b

Lesson 8 Concept of Rhythmic Phrasing - Chapter 3

Introduction
Rhythmic Subdivisions in the Jazz Waltz
Other Polyrhythms and Assignment