Josh Walsh @ Jazz-Library

Reader, As we start improvising over C Jam Blues this week, I'm reminded of the first thing I learned about the blues. The minor blues scale. And as I look around, it's still the first thing most teachers teach. For good reason. We absolutely need it. The blues scale works. Every note is safe. You can play it over the entire progression and never hit a wrong note. But the blues scale alone isn't enough for a jazz blues. Friday Workshop: We'll continue our work through C Jam Blues together,...

Reader, When I first learned blues, I spent all my time on scales, licks, and right-hand vocabulary. It took me way too long to realize the groove lives in the left hand. When it's locked in, you feel it. When it's not, something always seems off. Today we're working on creating a rock solid 2-feel bass line as a foundation on the blues. This Friday: We'll walk through C Jam Blues together on Zoom, playing a 2-feel step-by-step, as a group. Come join us to practice together, meet some new...

Reader, "I'm pretty sure that with the right rhythm, I could make people dance to random notes." That's what Joe Alterman told me yesterday as we prepared for this Friday's workshop. Here's what he means: The notes matter. But what you do with them matters more. The right rhythm, phrasing, and groove can make even the simplest notes sound incredible. And when you understand that, you'll be able to create great solos with simple notes. I know this sounds backwards. You've spent years learning...

Reader, If you could achieve ONE breakthrough in your jazz playing in 2026, what would it be? Improvising with freedom and creativity? Comping the changes in a trio? Building a repertoire you can play anytime, anywhere? Making music, not just playing exercises? Name it. Write it down. Make it real. I'm sharing mine in the community #general room this week. My goal for 2026 is to master Bill Evans style voicings. Declaring your goal publicly changes everything. It makes it real. It gives you...

Reader, This is the season to share your musical gifts with others. Many of us are learning to play jazz for our own enjoyment and relaxation. And so you may not even think about performing. But performing is not optional if you are really serious about playing. Even low stakes performing, like for family or church, can teach you lessons you wouldn't get from practice at home. The question is: what lessons? What can performance teach you that practice can't? Joe Alterman Workshop: We're...

Reader, Every December, my piano playing friends pull out their Charlie Brown Christmas sheet music and play through "Linus and Lucy" or "Christmas Time Is Here" exactly as written... and then close the book until next year. The transcription sounds great. But when they sit down to play "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" or any other tune, it doesn't have that same Charlie Brown magic. The Vince Guaraldi sound stays trapped in the arrangement instead of becoming something they can...

Reader, After we wrapped up our workshop last Friday, I was listening to a few different performances of Oscar Peterson playing our tune, Someday My Prince Will Come. There were some great moments, but this phrase below really stuck out to me as a perfect representation of what we've been practicing. Streams of eighth notes, chord tones on the strong beats, handing over smoothly from one chord to the next. I wanted to make sure you had a chance to see it too. Oscar Peterson on Someday My...