Start playing jazz piano today with "Monk's Mood" By Thelonious Monk - Arrangement by Greg Lloyd
Hi Folks,
I was playing around with "Monk's Mood" the other day and came up with this (out of time) solo piano arrangement, my own take on this wonderful tune by Thelonious Monk.
Grab your full PDF of this arrangement in the video above now!
Thelonious has been a huge inspiration to me over the years, one of the most influential composers and players of all time. He never gets boring to listen to, always full of musical surprises. I hope you enjoy this arrangement.
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Take it easy,
Greg.
Play all Scale-tone 7ths from the Major Scale in all 12 Keys for Piano - (one octave-two hands) - FREE Sheet Music Below
My first Jazz piano teacher gave me this lesson on the "Scale-tone 7ths” many a moon ago in Sydney back in the 90’s. It’s an exercise I still do today on the piano so I thought I would make a video on it.
The Scale-tones 7ths for me are a great way to do two things at once on the piano. They are a great way to work on your technique on the piano while learning the 4-note chords in all the keys all at the same time. I still do this exercise today as I find it helps maintain my “chops” technique.
I recommend that you start off slowly and build your speed up gradually when it feels right. Also I really suggest that you say aloud which chord you are playing when you are playing it to help you reinforce your knowledge with chords ( I know I am not doing that here in the video but I have been doing this exercise now for over 20 years so I think I can miss that part now)
I would also like to say that the way most jazz musicians write the minor 7 chord is with a (-7). I know I have (m7) on the PDF. I had to do this as Sibelius 6 does not let me do (-7) for the minor 7 chord.
I hope you enjoy this lesson and please do leave a comment below or email me at: greg@classicaltojazzpiano.com with any questions.
Take it easy,
Greg.
P.S. If you have a topic you would like me to cover in a lesson do let me know!
My secret tip to playing Rootless major II - V - I in all 12 keys - II min 7 (9) - V 7 (flat9) (flat13) - I maj7 (9) in all 12 keys - By Greg Lloyd - free sheet music below
This lesson is for the more advance jazz player. Jazz is full of the II - V - I progression. To be a jazz pianist you really have to be able to play all the 12 major and minor - II - V - I's and be able to produce variations of these II - V - I's in the required key in real time when required. Jazz pianists are always looking for variations with chord voicings so I thought I would share some voicings I use. This lesson is showing you a cool rootless (no root notes) major - II - V - I in all 12 keys with a 9 on the II minor 7 chord, a b9 and b13 on the V dominant 7 chord and a 9 on the I major 7 chord. This is a great major II - V - I and I still use it today.
Notice the semitone movement in the right hand. This will help you play it fluently.
I hope it helps.
Take it easy,
Greg.
