Description

Jazz pianist, recording artist, educator, and author Michael Orta offers valuable resources to enhance and refine your jazz piano solos.

Taking the melody and chord progressions of standard pieces found in every jazz musician's repertoire, Michael guides the pianist through several steps: a well-known melody reinterpreted to create a swinging feel, two solo choruses based on the chord changes, and a detailed analysis of the solo focusing on voice leading, phrase connection, and sequences.

This material is designed for intermediate to advanced pianists who possess some understanding of chord scale theory.

Songs / Content

• A Foggy Day (In London Town)George Gershwin (composer); Ira Gershwin (lyricist)
• All the Things You AreOscar Hammerstein II (contributor); Jerome Kern (contributor)
• Beautiful LoveHaven Gillespie (lyricist); Victor Young (composer); Egbert Van Alstyne (composer)
• BluesMichael A. Orta (composer)
• Blues in 3Michael A. Orta (composer)
• Easy to LoveCole Porter (composer)
• How About YouBurton Lane (composer); Arthur Freed (lyricist)
• How High the MoonNancy Hamilton (lyricist); Morgan Lewis (composer)
• I Should CareSammy Cahn (contributor); Axel Stordahl (contributor); Paul Weston (contributor)
• Just FriendsJohn Klenner (contributor); Sam M. Lewis (contributor)
• Long Ago and Far AwayIra Gershwin (lyricist); Jerome Kern (composer)
• Minor BluesMichael A. Orta (composer)
• Rhythm ChangesMichael A. Orta (composer)
• Softly, As in a Morning SunriseSigmund Romberg (contributor); Oscar Hammerstein II (contributor)
• Two, Five OneMichael Orta (composer)
• What Is This Thing Called Love? (from "Wake Up and Dream")Cole Porter (composer)