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New articles are published each week.

What makes Jon Batiste sound so hip?

My tribute to the great Dr. Barry Harris:

All rights to this performance are owned by Quincy Jones Productions, performed by Jon Batiste at Montreaux Jazz Fest 2016.

Original video

This guided listening session is intended for jazz educational and music appreciation purposes, under fair use guidelines.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Dec 15, 2021

Emmet Cohen & Patrick Bartley

Jazz musician reacts to Emmet Cohen & Patrick Bartley playing After You've Gone live at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Dec 09, 2021

Barry Harris (1929 - 2021)

Barry Harris made Bebop approachable to everyone. The genre is notoriously complex, and many get lost in the complexity. But through his own study, Barry found "simple things" that any of us could pick up for ourselves.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Dec 08, 2021

Jazz Comping - A Complete Beginners Guide

When I first started to get comfortable playing jazz on the piano, I was eager to learn how to play with an ensemble. I knew my way through lots of tunes, and how to voice each chord. But, I didn't understand what my role was supposed to be in the rhythm section, or what I was supposed to do in order to support the other players.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Dec 07, 2021
Flipping through a collection of jazz records.

Learn to play jazz on your own - step by step guide

We usually think about jazz as a formal study at a university such as Berkelee or Oberlin. Or perhaps, as more of an understudy or apprenticeship, where an upcoming student learns directly from a master. And don’t get me wrong, having a great teacher will really help in your study, but it’s not strictly required for you to become an accomplished player. In this article I’ll break down an approach to learning jazz on your own, at home, without a teacher.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Nov 08, 2021
A set of lead sheets sprawled out across a piano.

Every chord symbol found on lead sheets

In this article you'll find every chord symbol you are likely to encounter while playing from lead sheets or The Real Book. Everything from chord symbols with triangles, circles or chord extension are explained here in detail.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Apr 05, 2021
Hands on a synthesizer

Soloing Using Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale

The melodic minor scale provides all kinds of different options for soloing over altered dominant chords. In this article we explore each of the 7 modes of the melodic scale, and how they work over different chords.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Mar 22, 2021
YouTube Cover for Chris Parks interview

Episode 5: Chris Parks

Chris Parks studied jazz guitar with legendary jazz performer and educator, Barry Harris. On this episode, I get my first lesson in the Barry Harris method and Chris shares his stories from his days in the classroom with the master.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Feb 01, 2021
YouTube Cover for Dr. Bob Lawrence interview

Episode 4: Dr. Bob Lawrence

Dr. Bob Lawrence, founder of the Dallas School of Music and the Jazz Piano Skills podcast, shows us how to add excitement to our jazz improvisation using rhythmic variety.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Jan 29, 2021
YouTube Cover for Arthur Migliazza interview

Episode 3: Arthur Migliazza

Arthur Migliazza, the king of boogie piano, walks us through the techniques in his arrangement of St. Louis Blues, and shows us how to build hand independence.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Jan 26, 2021
YouTube Cover for Jeremy Siskind interview

Episode 2: Jeremy Siskind

Tips to get more out of your jazz piano practice sessions with these techniques from Jeremy Siskind.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Jan 23, 2021
YouTube Cover for Jonny May interview

Episode 1: Jonny May

Disneyland ragtime pianist Jonny May shows us how to take any song and play it in a variety of styles.

Josh Walsh
Josh Walsh on Jan 20, 2021
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