4 TASTY 2-5-1 Substitutions
When you see a 251 chord progression, realize that you don't have to play it as written. There are options. Let me show you a few of my favorites!
comping
A New Jazz Accompaniment Style For You
It's not really NEW, but it might be new to YOU. A contemporary rhythmic addition to your playing; the all-syncopated straight 8th style which originates from the Brazilian Polka style of guitar playing. Have fun with it and let me know if it was helpful to you!
Accompanying Choirs
Taking a choir accompanying gig is a great way to keep your sight reading skills sharp. Hang out with me a bit as we talk about page turning, improvising, jazz trios, noticing mistakes in your part, and how to drive and support your choir. Thanks to Eric Hagstrom and Jordan Richards who hung out with me all day, making music.
Accompanying Yourself Playlist (Intro)
Ever wish you could play piano while you sing? Maybe you wish you could play for your students or other vocalists, or instrumentalists. In this series, I teach you all of the important steps to start to be REALLY good at it! Walking bass lines, voicings, rhythms, styles...it's all right here.
Comping - The Complete Guide
There is so much to learn before you can adequately comp - before you can successfully be the one in the band who lays down the harmony for everyone else. Whether you are a piano, organ, guitar, or vibes player in your jazz band, this video will provide an overview, but also very specific advice about how to comp - from voicings to rhythms to a deep understanding of what your purpose is as a chord instrument.
Comping On Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas"
Some ideas about how to comp on this classic jazz standard, as well as a fun idea at the end of the video based on montuno rhythms. If you'd like the worksheet for that final idea: Comping On Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas"
Comping Rhythms For Jazz Piano
Now that you can walk a bass line, and know which notes to play for a nice 4-note voicing sound with your right hand, let's talk about rhythm and give you something to practice!
Purchase the worksheet from the videos below [PDF - 5.00 $]
Comping Rhythms For Jazz Piano
Now that you can walk a bass line, and know which notes to play for a nice 4-note voicing sound with your right hand, let's talk about rhythm and give you something to practice!
Fly Me To The Moon
I hope you enjoy this little performance of Fly Me To The Moon. Pick up my new album, "Lighten Up," as well as all of my other albums here: Recordings
How To Memorize Lyrics
Using one of the most lyrically-challenging songs I can think of, The Waters Of March (Aguas De Marco) I show you the visualization technique I use to memorize difficult lyrics. I also issue a challenge for rhythm section players and animators to submit themselves playing over my singing. MP3 and PDF for rhythm section players can be found in this page.
Send wave files or mp3 submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow my social media accounts for updates about the contest. It will run for a few weeks, and only the winners will be notified. If you'd like to donate to my channel, please do so here: https://paypal.me/aimn
How To Really Start Swinging
The subtlety of the swing feel is a very tricky thing to learn. Listening to the great jazz players and soaking up what you hear is the best way to absorb and ultimately develop your own swing feel, but there are some things I can teach concretely and this is one of them. Practice these comping rhythms with me and let's get to work!
Jazz Piano Comping With Open And Closed Voicings
Using the tune, "But Not For Me," I discuss open and close comping voicings for jazz piano. Email me if you would like a worksheet to go along with this video.
Jazz Piano Tutorial: How To Comp On A Bb Blues
Simple 4 note voicings to comp with your rhythm section over a Bb Blues.
Making Chords Sound Like MUSIC
#AimeeSaysUseYourEars - 23 min free piano lesson - Once you can figure out simple chords to songs by ear, how do you make them sound like music? Video #2 in the Back To Basics Playlist. Video recorded using: Earthworks SV33 , Earthworks PM40, AKG P220, 5'3 Hallet Davis Baby Grand, Panasonic Lumix G85
My Magic Formula - Walking Bass Lines For Piano
One of the things that gives jazz it’s unique feel and sound is a walking bass line. Follow this simple formula of mine to be able to create your own bass lines with your left hand and really start to sound like a swinging pianist.
Piano AND Guitar? Who Will Comp?
If you have ever wondered what to do in the situation where there is more than one comping instrument, this video will give you some ideas! Really, your mother taught you what to do when you were three. Take turns! :-)
That Bacharach Bounce (Tutorial)
Hang out with me as I teach super-fun, syncopated accompaniment groove that I love to play. I call it The Bacharach Bounce, but it's definitely not limited to Bacharach tunes. Video recorded using: Earthworks SV33 Earthworks PM40 5'3 Hallet Davis Baby Grand Panasonic Lumix G85
Thinking A Tune In 12 Keys
In order to REALLY get to know a tune (a song), you don't only have to play it in all of the keys, but you can also THINK it in all of the keys. This is next level stuff, and I hope you have fun taking this step. If you'd like to donate to my channel, please do so here: https://paypal.me/aimn
Where'd The Bass Player Go?
Playing piano presents us with all kinds of opportunities and challenges. One of them is pretending that we are playing with people when there ARE NO PEOPLE. This is what it sounds like to playas if there IS a bass player with you, when in fact, there is not. I put the metronome at 160 and went for it. If you'd like to play bass/drums along with me, send your videos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Visit https://www.lordofthechords.com to pick up a Lord Of The Chords game for your own! Get the ring I'm wearing (right hand) at https://skateboardjewelry.com