3 Must-Know Jazz Piano Licks

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LESSON SUMMARY

Do you want to know what one of the biggest myths out there is when it comes to improvisation? As a young jazz student, I was taught that improvisation means “spontaneous composition.” Maybe you have heard a similar definition. This is really a distortion of the truth. In actual practice, improvised lines are not “spontaneously composed” as much as they are “spontaneously recalled.” This is a significant distinction, especially since jazz language parallels spoken language. Proficient speakers do not spontaneously create words or phrases when they speak—the create meaning by drawing from their vocabulary and experience. So if you want to be a great improviser, you really need to learn some jazz piano licks. That’s what this Quick Tip is all about! You’ll learn:

- The most essential jazz chord progression
- 4 chord shell voicings
- 3 essential jazz techniques
- 3 authentic jazz piano licks

Happy practicing!
Jonny May

[kristopherjensen]

Every time you play you look excited that you can play so well! Love the enthusiasm

[dreanof]

Taking up the piano at age 72, had some music theory as a foundation and started with boogie woogie, prob more challenging than a beginner should tackle (hand independence - ugh!) These tutorials are just right and you get some playing gratification right from the start as continued motivation.

[carolinebarley]

Love this guy. The more I watch and learn from jonny the more I feel all the theory but then at the same time it all goes away. The best is when I feel like suddenly it's all the same and there is no theory. I just run my fingers around and find the good sounds. There is no theory or meaning, I just feel what sounds good.

[davidreidenberg]

Learning rootles voicings is an absolute must.

[j-kad]

Best Jazz piano teacher I know. I love the way you clearly explain and demonstrate everything

[superdi]

You are so talented and also a great teacher! Thank you.

[maloneycraig]

Lick2: Super useful as a newbie without a teacher to hear the diminished scale in context in a lick. Thanks! --- Now I gotta go do it in all 12 keys :)

[reinhardheiderich]

Thank you Jonny very nice ! Greetings from Reinhard /Germany...you are my best Teacher 👏

[PIANOSTYLE]

Gr8 lesson Johnny. Very clear tutorial in your free help writeup and accompanying videos. A masterpiece tutorial.

[PIANOSTYLE]

Johnny..heard the Dominant G bebop descending scale and the A major blues scale. I use that often when soloing in C. The 1 6 2 5 and passing chords like C7b9 (C# E G Bb) are related to A7 ( A C# E G).

[PIANOSTYLE]

Johnny, ..I have the lick down..love the bebop scale combined.with the C major blues. Scale degrees b3 3 5 6 8.. Similar to the G Lester Flat Run, except it is in C not G. My dad taught me the G (🏃) run on 🎸about 1968...I didn't know it had a name..we just called it.."picking it out." I enjoy just reading the music and hearing the melody including the chords. I prefer the complete chords on the left. .Ⓣⓗⓔ Ⓑⓔⓢⓣ.

[vyoproject]

great great lesson, liked and subscribed!

[PIANOSTYLE]

Johnny excellent video. Working on video 1 of the must know licks Just about to start on video 2. Thank you for the good quality sheet music.

[michaelcollinsjazz]

cool. can you do some Tigran transcriptions

[PIANOSTYLE]

Very good Johnny. Was looking at the G Half Whole diminished scale. Thought I recognized it. I have been learning all 12 HW diminished scales. Recently, I noticed a helpful pattern. From the top think mixolydian descending
G F E D then It departs to Db B Bb
Ab G..Ascending it's (G Ab Bb B C#
D E F G). it is very close to the G alt scale. Root b9 #9 3 #11 5 6 b7.

[PIANOSTYLE]

Thank you so much for your videos. I have .been off my guitar for awhile..concentrating mostly on jazz licks. btw..It is easier for me to make the complete 4 note chord in the left ✋. Have most of Donna Lee song down..the left ✋ chords are still a work in progress.

[PhG]

Wonderfull ! Awesome ! Great way of explaining and performing !

[htaywin]

Thank you so much for your kind explanation.

[davidgerber]

Really good, solid bebop licks, clearly explained and then performed with REALLY good technique. Can't thank you enough!

[larsuk]

Great lesson. Love the sound of enclosures! 😊