PianoGroove.com

Menu
  • Lessons
    • Jazz Piano LessonsStep-by-step lessons to master jazz theory
    • Blues Piano LessonsLearn the blues, jazz blues, funk, & gospel
    • Brazilian Piano LessonsStudy bossa nova, samba, & choro styles
    • Weekly Live SeminarsSeminars, workshops, and live Q&A sessions
    • Subscribe now
  • Resources
    • PDF DownloadsCommon chords, scales, & progressions
    • SyllabusesSyllabuses to guide your learning journey
    • Jazz Standards Indexlearn to play your favourite tunes & songs
    • Subscribe Now
  • Teachers
  • Buy Courses
  • Community
  • GET STARTED NOW
  • Login
Join Login
8

Advanced Harmony Syllabus

Advanced
Courses 3
Syllabus Menu
Syllabus Overview Learning Path Courses Your Teachers Downloads Forum Threads Student Reviews
Syllabus Overview Learning Path Courses Your Teachers Downloads Forum Threads Student Reviews

Syllabus Overview

Our Advanced Harmony Syllabus introduces a range of sophisticated voicing techniques including block chords, drop 2, Barry Harris Voicings, and diminished harmony.

To make the most of these lessons, make sure you have completed the earlier syllabuses in the PianoGroove library.

Learning Path

Our Advanced Harmony syllabus builds upon all previous lessons and courses. The ideas and concepts covered in this syllabus can be applied to a wide range of settings; solo piano, accompanying other musicians, and creating improvised fills and embellishments.

1.

Block Chords & The 4 Way Close

Block chords are used to harmonise step-wise melody lines, create interesting fills, and tasteful accompaniments. In this series of lessons we explore the most common types of block chords including the 4-Way Close, Barry Harris Voicings, & Red Garland Voicings.

2.

Drop 2 Voicings

Drop 2 voicings can be heard in the recordings of many of the great jazz pianists and they are an extremely useful tool for harmonising the melody of jazz standards. To build a drop 2 voicing, we take a simple 4 way close and drop the 2nd to top note into our left hand.

3.

Pentatonic Voicings

Pentatonic voicings are 5 note voicings derived from the pentatonic scale. These voicings are mainly comprised of 4th intervals and create a modern and angular sound. Pentatonic voicings are harmonically ambiguous and so they are well suited to comping under a soloist.

4.

The 1625 Progression

The 1625 progression is great for introductions, turnarounds, endings, and also to transition between tunes. We explore the relationship between these 4 diatonic chords and then we embellish the voicings with chord extensions and altered tones and tensions.

5.

The 36251 Progression

We can extend the 1625 progression to create more harmonically complex and elaborate chord progressions. We apply other areas of jazz theory such as upper structure triads, suspended harmony, and block chords to crate rich and interesting harmonic progressions.

6.

Diminished Chords & Voicings

Diminished Harmony is an interesting area of study for the jazz piano student. In this section of the syllabus, we explore the role and purpose of diminished chords, their relationship to dominant chords, and how to voice and navigate diminished chords in jazz standards.

Courses

The Advanced Harmony Syllabus contains 3 courses which should be studied in the following order:

Open

1. Block Chords & Drop 2

0%
13 Lessons
Lesson Tracking is a pro student feature - sign up to track your learning journey
Get Started Now

Course Synopsis

Block chords and drop 2 style voicings were used extensively by jazz pianists such as George Shearing, Bill Evans, Barry Harris and Red Garland.

Course Lessons

  • 1. Theory Lessons

  • 1. 1Block Chords Tutorial18:38
  • 1. 2Drop 2 Voicings Tutorial26:36
  • 1. 3Red Garland Voicings15:18
  • 1. 4Pentatonic Chord Voicings24:31
  • 1. 5Comping Voicings & Rhythms28:51
  • 2. Jazz Standard Studies

  • 2. 1Laura Jazz Piano Tutorial24:53
  • 2. 2There Will Never Be Another You Tutorial32:34
  • 2. 3The Nearness Of You Tutorial29:19
  • 2. 4Days Of Wine & Roses Tutorial24:59
  • 2. 5Fly Me To The Moon Part 117:58
  • 2. 6Fly Me To The Moon Part 210:52
  • 2. 7Satin Doll Piano Tutorial16:06
  • 2. 8Satin Doll Part 222:06
Open

2. Intros, Endings & Turnarounds

0%
14 Lessons
Lesson Tracking is a pro student feature - sign up to track your learning journey
Get Started Now

Course Synopsis

Introductions are used to set the mood of a performance. We explore the theory and formulas and create killer intros for a number of jazz standards.

Course Lessons

  • 1. Theory Lessons

  • 1. 11625 & 436251 Progressions17:28
  • 1. 2Minor Introductions & 1625s12:41
  • 2. Jazz Standard Studies

  • 2. 1The Way You Look Tonight Tutorial Part 119:16
  • 2. 2The Way You Look Tonight Part 226:41
  • 2. 3As Time Goes By Tutorial01:03
  • 2. 4As Time Goes By: Developing Intros12:27
  • 2. 5As Time Goes By: Stride25:32
  • 2. 6My Romance: LH Voicings18:43
  • 2. 7My Romance Full Solo Arrangement18:21
  • 2. 8My Romance – Creating An Introduction06:56
  • 2. 9When I Fall In Love Tutorial30:35
  • 2. 10This Masquerade Tutorial27:08
  • 2. 11Blue Moon Tutorial03:24
  • 2. 12Blue Moon Intro & Outro07:05
Open

3. Diminished Chords & Scales

0%
10 Lessons
Lesson Tracking is a pro student feature - sign up to track your learning journey
Get Started Now

Course Synopsis

Diminished Harmony is a huge area of study for jazz piano. Diminished Scales are versatile scales that are used extensively in jazz improvisation.

Course Lessons

  • 1. Theory Lessons

  • 1. 1Diminished Chords Basics09:35
  • 1. 2Half Whole Diminished Scale18:55
  • 2. Jazz Standard Studies

  • 2. 1Someday My Prince Will17:14
  • 2. 2Stardust Intro Tutorial16:30
  • 2. 3Stardust Tutorial22:11
  • 2. 4Embraceable You Tutorial02:53
  • 2. 5Embraceable You Part 202:53
  • 2. 6Someone To Watch Over Me Intro15:31
  • 2. 7Someone To Watch Over Me Tutorial25:24
  • 2. 8Unforgettable Tutorial35:04

Your Teachers

Hayden Hill

Hayden is a jazz pianist and educator from Manchester, UK. He founded PianoGroove in 2015 with the goal of making the world a more musical place. Hayden shares his love for jazz piano through his online courses and manages the community area of PianoGroove.

View Full Bio

Beginner Theory

Jazz Harmony

Voicings

Solo Jazz Piano

Bossa Nova

Blues Piano

Classical

Improvisation

Downloads

  • file-icon
    Block Chords Intro File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    Drop 2 Voicings Lesson Transcript File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    Major Pentatonic Scales In 12 Keys File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    Pentatonic Scale Choices Cheat Sheet File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    Comping Lesson Supplement File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    1625 & 436251 Introduction Formulas File Type: pdf
    Download
  • file-icon
    Major Scale Diatonic 7th Chords File Type: pdf
    Download
  • file-icon
    143625 Progression – All 12 Keys File Type: pdf
    Download
  • file-icon
    Minor Introductions Lesson Notation File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download
  • file-icon
    Half Whole Diminished Scale Groups File Type: pdf

    Join PianoGroove Pro to access all downloads and learning resources.

    Download theory supplements, midi files, chord changes and full note-for-note transcriptions of every lesson.

    Learn more about pro membership >>

    Download

Try The PianoGroove Course Risk-Free

We’ve Got Everything You Need to Learn Jazz Piano.

PianoGroove Course Risk-Free

You are fully protected by our 100% No-Risk-Guarantee. If you don't like PianoGroove over the next 14 days, then we will happily refund 100% of your money. No questions asked.

Get Started Now

Forum Threads

Ask questions to get prompt replies from our team of teachers, participate in improvisation exercises and studies, and join in the discussion with students and teachers from around the globe:

  1. Major Block Chords - In A Sentimental Mood
  2. Grace Notes & Block Chords
  3. Barry Harris Voicings
  4. Diminished Scale Theory
  5. All About Diminished!

Student Reviews

It’s what our students say that really means something. We use Trustpilot because it tells us – and everyone else – exactly what real students think of our online school and community. These reviews tell us what our students love. What they love a little less. And where there’s room for us to improve. Read on to find out what PianoGroove’s students think of our service:

Trustpilot

UK & Europe: +44 808 196 2012
US & Canada: +1 888 616 5371

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Lesson Categories

  • Jazz Piano Chords
  • Jazz Piano Scales
  • Jazz Chord Progressions
  • Jazz Standard Lessons

Community Resources

  • Jazz Theory Q&As
  • Practice Inspiration
  • Improvisation Exercises
  • Jazz Record & Albums

About Pianogroove

  • PianoGroove Reviews
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Community Area

© 2021 Copyright PianoGroove. All Rights Reserved