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September 30, 2025 62 mins

Keywords
Jazz Piano, improvisation, harmony, chords, voicings, practice, learning, techniques, repertoire, jazz standards

Summary
In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores common questions related to jazz piano, covering a wide range of topics from fundamental techniques to improvisation, harmony, and repertoire. The discussion is structured around seven categories of questions, providing insights and practical advice for jazz pianists at all levels. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding musical concepts, practicing effectively, and the value of both listening and playing in the learning process.

Takeaways
The importance of engaging your ears while practicing scales.
Using backing tracks can help develop your internal sense of time.
Memorization is less effective than understanding harmonic function.
Improvisation should start with chord tones, not scales.
Inversions are crucial for smooth chord transitions.
Shell voicings are essential for jazz pianists.
Transcribing melodies is more beneficial than memorizing solos.
Practice should be structured with clear objectives.
Recording your practice sessions helps track improvement.
Listening is as important as practicing in jazz education.

Titles
Jazz Piano Skills: Common Questions Answered
Unlocking Jazz Piano: Insights and Techniques

Sound bites
"One tune is all that you need."
"Record yourself. Make it a habit."
"You need to do both."

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