Peter's Practice Log

Practice Inspiration Practice Logs
21

Friday, August 5, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  • Major Key Scales: Random Scale Machine; (RH, LH, HT) Better with D♭ & G♭
  • Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All keys, ascending across the octave; (HT)
  • Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: Random Scale Machine; 1 octave, solid & broken; (HS)
  • Minor Key Scales: A, A♯, F, B, D, E, G, D♯, G♯, C; Natural & melodic + Dorian modes;
    (LH on [tonic]m7, RH ascending, 1 octave)
  • Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: Random Scale Machine; 1 octave, solid & broken; (HS)

Courses/Lessons

  • Jazz Piano Foundations: How to Read Lead Sheets: “Georgia” (to time index 19:03)

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners), mm. 1-5
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; practice

Transcriptions

  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners) from Jazz Piano Foundations: How to Read Lead Sheets: “Georgia” lesson; mm. 1-6
22

Saturday, August 6, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations

Items 1 through 4 take about 50-minutes practice time

  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; (RH, LH, HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian modes;
    LH on [tonic]m7, RH 1 octave ascending
  4. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  5. V⟶I and I⟶IV triad transitions drills
  6. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  7. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: C, F, G, B♭, D Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)

Courses/Lessons

  • Jazz Piano Foundations: How to Read Lead Sheets: “Georgia” (to time index 16:03)

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners), mm. 1-8

Reading/Theory/Study/Listening

Transcriptions

  • Continue “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners) from Jazz Piano Foundations: How to Read Lead Sheets: “Georgia” lesson; mm. 1-16; add an intro
24

Sunday, August 7, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending; (RH, LH, HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: Random Scale Machine; 1 octave, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian, melodic;
    (LH on [tonic]m7, RH 1 octave ascending)
  4. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence; 1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  5. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys; ascending across the octave; (HT)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭, D, E♭, A♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B 251 Progressions: C, F, G, B♭, D, E♭, A♭ Majors;
    (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Courses/Lessons

  • Jazz Piano Foundations: How to Read Lead Sheets: “Georgia”, complete
  • Jazz Piano Foundations: Foundations Practice Guide, complete

Repertoire

Advice: “Play at the speed of no mistakes.” Leah, from Le ChĂ©ile Music

  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners), mm. 5-8, focus on mm. 9-12 (52-bpm)
  • Go back and make sure of a bar-by-bar understanding of “The Nearness of You.”
    Should be able to explain this arrangement to someone else.
25

Tuesday, August 9, 2022 (2 pomodoro cycles)
Returned from overnight staycation

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian, melodic;
    (LH on [tonic]m7, RH 1 octave ascending)
  4. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  5. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Diatonic 7th Chords in F Major
26

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 (3 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian, melodic;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  3. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  4. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  5. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: How To Play Spread Voicings

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners), mm. 1-8
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
27

Thursday, August 11, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian, melodic;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  5. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭, D, E♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B 251 Progressions: C, F, G, B♭; (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: How To Play Spread Voicings
  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Beginner Stride Piano Lesson

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
  • “Georgia On My Mind” (for Beginners), mm. 1-6
28

Friday, August 12, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  5. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Beginner Stride Piano Lesson (to time index 10:42)

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” Stride Drills, mm. 1-4
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
29

Saturday, August 13, 2022 (3 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine;
    2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  5. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B 251 Progressions: C, F, G, B♭; (LH on root, RH guide tones)
  8. V⟶I Triad Transitions Drills; V⟶I in C Major = (G/B – C – G/D – C/E – G – C/G)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Beginner Stride Piano Lesson (to time index 12:13)

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” Stride Drills, mm. 1-5
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
30

Sunday, August 14, 2022 (3 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine;
    2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  5. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭, D, E♭, A Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A 251 Progressions: C, F, G, B♭, D, E♭, A Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Beginner Stride Piano Lesson

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” Stride Drills, mm. 1-5
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
31

Monday, August 15, 2022 (2 pomodoro cycles)

WARM-UP: Finger Independence: Five-Finger Conjunct Motion; C, F Majors (HS)

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine;
    2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  5. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  6. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  7. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: F, G, B♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH 7th chord)

Courses/Lessons

  • Bluesy Stride Piano For Beginners: Beginner Stride Piano Lesson

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” Stride Drills, mm. 1-6
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording

Transcriptions

  • “Georgia On My Mind,” (for beginners), Stride version

Music

  • Keith Jarrett, tracks from various albums
  • Duke Ellington, tracks from various albums
32

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

WARM-UP: Finger Independence: Five-Finger Conjunct Motion; C, F, G Majors (HS)

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    1 octave ascending (RH)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending; (HT)
  5. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: All 12 Major keys, random sequence;
    (LH on root, RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A 251 Progressions: C, F, G, B♭, D Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Courses/Lessons

  • Beginner Jazz Arrangements : “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners
    (to time index 6:46)

Repertoire

  • “Georgia On My Mind” Stride Drills, mm. 1-5
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8

Transcriptions

  • “Days of Wine and Roses,” (for beginners)

Music

  • “Days of Wine and Roses”: Nancy Wilson, Oscar Peterson
    Best version is Bill Evans with Tony Bennett
  • Art Tatum, The Complete Capital Recordings
  • Joey Alexander, My Favorite Things (2015)
33

Wednesday, August 17, 2022 (3 pomodoro cycles)

WARM-UP: Finger Independence: Five-Finger Conjunct Motion; F Major (HS)

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    D, G, E, C, A, & F minors; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    F♯, A♯, C♯, G♯ & B minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    D, G, E, C, A, & F minors; 1 octave ascending (HT)
    F♯, A♯, C♯, G♯ & B minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  3. Major & Minor Root-Position Diatonic Triads: All Major and minor keys,
    ascending across the octave; (HT)
  4. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    B♭, D♭, A♭, B, G, E, C, F, A & E♭, 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♭, 2 octaves ascending (HS)
  5. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    B♭, A♭, B, G, E, C, F, A & E♭, 1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HT)
    D♭ & G♭, 1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: A, B♭, G, D Majors (RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B 251 Progressions: A, B♭, G, D Majors (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Courses/Lessons

  • Beginner Jazz Arrangements: “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners (to time index 9:40)

Repertoire

  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording

Music

  • Brad Mehldau, RoundAgain (2020)
  • Brad Mehldau, Suite: April 2020 (2020)
34

Thursday, August 18, 2022 (4 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine;
    D, A, E, F, G, & C Dorian, natural & melodic; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♯, F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯ & B natural; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♯, F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯ & B Dorian & melodic minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    D, A, E, G, & C; 1 octave ascending (HT)
    G♯ F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯, F & B; 1 octave ascending (HS)
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending; (HS, HT)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken; (HT, HS)
  5. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: D, F, B♭, G, C Majors (RH 7th chord)

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording

Music

35

Friday, August 19, 2022 (2 pomodoro cycles)

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; Natural & melodic + Dorian;
    D, A, E, F, & C Dorian, natural & melodic; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♯, F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯, & B natural; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♯, F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯, & B Dorian & melodic minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    D, A, E, G & C; 1 octaves ascending (HT)
    G♯, F♯, A♯, D♯, C♯, F & B& B; 1 octave ascending (HS)
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending (HS, HT)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS, HT)

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners
  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8

Music

36

Saturday, August 20, 2022 (3 pomodoro cycles)

Sliced a finger on my left hand while cutting a pear; right-hand only for a couple of days

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; very slow tempo, RH-only
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence; HS
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending (RH)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (RH)
  5. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: E, F, C & B Majors; (RH 7th chord)
  6. Type A & B 251 Progressions: E, F, C & B Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Transcriptions

  • “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words),” lead sheet

Music

  • Dave Brubeck, Bruebeck on Brubeck (1956)
37

:canada:  Sunday, August 21, 2022   :clock4: 4 pomodoro cycles

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine
    Natural; 2 octaves ascending (HS) ; Dorian & melodic, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)

Courses/Lessons

  • Beginner Jazz Arrangements : “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners
    (to time index 11:15)

Repertoire

  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8
  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners; prep for recording
    How do I stop making little mistakes?

Transcriptions

  • “Days of Wine and Roses,” (for beginners), to m. 25

Music

  • Jeff Goldbum, Norah Jones, Beegie Adair
  • Joey Alexander, Countdown (2016)
38

:canada:  Monday, August 22, 2022   :clock4:  4 pomodoro cycles

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine
    Natural; 2 octaves ascending (HS) ; Dorian & melodic minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
    Work on A♯, D♯ & F♯
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence; 1 octaves ascending (HS)
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)
  5. Peterson, Exercise No.1
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: C, F, E♭, B♭ Majors; (RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B ii-V-I Progressions: C, F, E♭, B♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners
  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8

Music

  • Beegie Adair, Nearness of You: Romantic Songs of Hoagy Carmichael (2005)
39

:canada:  Tuesday, August 23, 2022   :clock4:  4 pomodoro cycles

Foundations
  1. Minors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine
    Natural minors; 2 octaves ascending (HS)
    Dorian mode & melodic minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
  2. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence; 1 octave ascending (HS)
  3. Majors: All 12 keys, random sequence; 2 octaves ascending (HS, HT)
  4. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS, HT)
  5. Peterson, Exercise No.1 (10-mins) :ok:
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: E♭, F, D, A Majors; (RH 7th chord)
  7. Type A & B 251 Progressions: E♭, F, D, A Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)
  8. 7th Chord Drills - Random Scale Degrees: E♭ Major (RH 7th chord)

Repertoire

  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8 (25-mins)

Music

1 Like
40

:canada:  Wednesday, August 24, 2022   :clock3: 3 pomodoro cycles

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending (HT), 104-bpm
    Dorian mode, 1 octave ascending (RH)
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)
    60-bpm on quarter note for solid; 60-bpm quarter note triplets for broken
  3. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    Natural & melodic minors; 2 octaves ascending (HS)

Courses/Lessons

  • PREVIEW: Beginner Jazz Arrangements : “Just Friends” For Beginners

Repertoire

  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8

Music

  • Beegie Adair, Quiet Romance (2006)
  • Oscar Peterson, Plays the Cole Porter Songbook (1961)
  • Diana Krall, All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio (1996)
41

:canada:  Thursday, August 25, 2022   :clock5:  5 pomodoro cycles

Foundations
  1. Majors: All 12 keys, Random Scale Machine; 2 octaves ascending (HT)
    Dorian mode, 1 octave ascending (RH)
    Phrygian mode in some keys—just for fun
  2. Major Diatonic Triads Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    1 octave ascending, solid & broken (HS)
    Can do most keys hands together, 1 octave, 42-bpm on quarter note
  3. Peterson , Exercise No.1 (20-mins) :ok:
  4. Minors: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    Natural & melodic, 2 octaves ascending (HT)
  5. Minor Diatonic Triad Inversions: All 12 keys, random sequence;
    E, G, C, F, D & A minors, 1 octave ascending (HT)
    C♯, A♯, F♯, G♯ & D♯ minors, 1 octave ascending (HS)
    Spend more time on the black key minors
  6. Simplified Ascending 7th Chord Drills: G, B, F, A, E♭ Majors; (RH 7th chord)
    Using the Yamaha CVP-809 accompaniment styles function to
    generate a backing track and chord names
  7. Type A & B ii-V-I Progressions: G, B, F, A, E♭ Majors; (LH on root, RH guide tones)
  8. 7th Chord Drills - Random Scale Degrees: G, B, F Majors (RH 7th chord)

Repertoire

  • “The Nearness of You” for Beginners
  • “Days Of Wine & Roses” For Beginners; mm. 1-8

Music

  • Thelonious Monk, Monk’s Music (1957)
  • Keith Jarrett Trio, Still Live (1986)
  • Diana Krall, “Night and Day,” Turn Up The Quiet (2017)
  • Lisa Ekdahl & Peter Nordahl Trio, “It’s Oh So Quiet,” When Did You Leave Heaven (1995)
  • Gregory Porter, “Our Love,” Be Good (2012)