Improvisation
Interpreting, improvising, and creating melody treatments.
7 articles
Major Pentatonic
The bright, country- and rock-friendly major pentatonic scale in five boxes, diagonals and full-neck patterns.
Minor Pentatonic
The five-tone minor pentatonic scale in all five box patterns, diagonal shapes and full-neck fingerings for guitar.
The pentatonic scale, explained
What the pentatonic scale is, how to spell the major and minor versions, why dropping two notes makes it sound safe, and how to play one on the piano.
Interpretation and Improvisation
Discover when to play a piece exactly as written and when to improvise, with guidance on interpretation across classical, pop, and jazz performance settings.
Introduction to Jazz Styles
Survey the evolution of jazz piano from New Orleans and swing through bebop, cool jazz, and fusion, and the harmonies and rhythms that define each era.
Forming Triads Below the Melody
Build fuller right-hand arrangements by forming basic and upper-structure triads beneath the melody, adding two chord tones under each melody note.
Using Intervals Below the Melody
Add warmth to a melody by placing 6ths and 3rds beneath it in the right hand, building fuller arrangements without obscuring the tune.