In this multi-part article, I want to give you some pointers on how to practice the piano. Practicing can be fun and when you have clear goals defined, I think you’ll find that it is satisfying and enjoyable! Goals keep you focused If you sit down to practice without a goal, you will most likely…
Getting Older, Getting Old Several years ago, I had a neighbor named Peter. Peter lived a few houses down from me, and I would often see him out walking his dog. In his 60s, Peter was a pleasant enough guy, and sometimes if I saw him on the street I would stop to talk to…
Rock Improvisation Techniques – Bruce Hornsby For me, one of the reasons I love Bruce Hornsby’s music so much is due to his ability to infuse a jazz sound into a rock environment. Let me explain… In this article, I will break down one of the licks that I teach in our Bruce Hornsby, “The…
Recently I recorded a Willie Answers lesson on diminished harmony. Part of that lesson was using a diminished approach technique which I discuss in depth in the lesson. I also covered drop 2 voicings which generated some questions from our students. So, I figured let’s do an article to explain the concept! In this article, I am…
Using Quartals To Make Richer Chord Voicings I love the sound of those big, fat jazz chords. Don’t you? Those tensions and ‘extra’ notes really make the song go from dull to dazzling. Creating these rich chord voicings becomes much easier when we use quartals. A quartal is two stacked intervals. It is two perfect…
There are several ways that you can form chords: 1. Number the scale and choose the appropriate scale degrees 2. Use intervals to “stack” notes 3. Use your ear to “hunt and peck” at the notes Let’s work backwards. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –…
Understanding Jazz Piano Chords Jazz piano chords can sometimes be confusing at first glance. In this article, I am going to explain how jazz players usually interpret chords and pick tensions to create lush chords. Bear in mind, every musician has their own “tricks” that they use to form their chords. However, there are some…
Where do I start? This is a question that I am often asked from new and potential students. I suppose if I only have two DVDs available, it would be easier to pick a place to start. However, I have dozens and dozens of DVDs available on many different topics. So, I completely understand why…
To pay or to be paid? That is the question Watching a NASCAR race this past weekend, I was reminded of something known as the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a fantasy camp of sorts that allows anyone with a driver’s license to pay a fee, pass a morning instructional course, and get behind the wheel…
Club Without a Clubhouse October 17, 2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of one of the most important encounters in rock-and-roll history. It was on that day in 1961 when two English teenagers recognized each other while waiting on a Dartford Station train platform. One had a guitar, the other, some Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry…
I get asked a lot “How do you create those BIG chord voicings and Jazz Piano Chords?” Well, it is not as difficult as it might seem. In this article I am going to share with you my thoughts on good vs. poor chord voicings. What is a chord voicing? Chord voicings are basically how…
In this article, I am going to show you two different Blues piano shuffle licks & riffs that are fun and easy to play. Make sure you click on each sound file to hear the lick played. Do you like the sound of the Blues? So do I. That’s why I created the new Play…
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