How to Transcribe Licks Effectively

Should you transcribe?

I hear this question asked all the time, and the answer isn't quite as simple as you would think.

In today's lesson, I'm going to leave you with a simple, 4-step process that is going to make transcribing 100% worthwhile for you.

Here's a breakdown of the most efficient way to transcribe in four easy steps:

1. Choose your favorite lick(s) from your chosen recording.

2. Internalize that lick by visualizing and hearing it in your head, note for note.

3. Learn to play the lick on your instrument.

4. Practice molding the lick to fit different chord changes and progressions.

I've spent countless hours transcribing not only through memorization, but also through writing down transcriptions as sheet music. The above is what I have found to be by far the most effective method for truly integrating new jazz vocabulary into your playing, and it will save you a TON of time.

Whether you're working on bebop, modern jazz, neo soul, or really any genre of music, this method will work for learning to really hear what you're working on and it will greatly speed up the vocabulary integration process.

Check out the full video tutorial here

The Right Way to Use Diminished 7 Chords for Jazz Piano

How do you use diminished chords & harmony in a way that actually sounds good?

In this jazz piano tutorial, we answer that question.

Using the diminished sound can be a surprisingly tricky piece of the jazz piano equation. Here are some exercises that will help you quickly improve and advance your chord progressions and technical skills!

So how do you feel about your confidence with diminished chords and improvisation?

I have to admit— it took me a really long time to get it down.

Let's put an end to that lack of confidence! Check out the full lesson here:

P.S. I've been having a blast chatting with you all on strategy calls!

These are short zoom calls that you can actually book completely free with either myself or one of our Neo Jazz Coaches (who I trained and are awesome musicians and people).

If you need a little help clarifying your next steps for how to improve your skills, you can schedule a quick call with us and we'll discuss your goals, what's holding you back, some next steps you can take, and whether it makes sense for you to join any of my programs.

Worst case scenario, you'll leave the call with more clarity about what you need to work on and how to approach it. Best case scenario, maybe we can work together in some capacity!

Schedule your free call here.

8 Best Tips for Being Awesome at Stride Piano

What is stride piano?

Stride Piano is an early jazz piano style popularized by greats like Scott Joplin, Fats Waller, and Art Tatum. The Stride Piano Technique involves alternating between a bass note or interval (often an open fifth, seventh, or tenth) in the left hand and a left-hand voicing.

If you're reading this though, there's a decent chance you already know that, so the real question is:

How can you learn stride piano quickly, effectively, and sound both authentic and confident?

The 8 tips in this jazz piano tutorial are based on my own study of Fats Waller, Art Tatum, Scott Joplin, Oscar Peterson, and other stride piano greats.

Check out the lesson below and let me know what you think by leaving a comment under the blogpost or underneath the YouTube video!

Instantly download "20 Killer Stride Piano Exercises" here: http://jazzpianoconcepts.com/store