Lesson

OK here's an etude for stride playing. A couple things to keep in mind. Put the pedal down on every and life it up on the eighth. when you play stride the quarter notes shouldn't be real quarter notes, they should have space in them. With this exercise you should be able for MOST of the etude to do exactly the same thing with the pedal on every beat and everything fits in.

Ok you've had some time to work on Satin Doll. Here's my version of a chord melody.

You want a chord solo etude as well? That means someone has to practice it and post it!!!

Download the PDF, add in the chords and play the solo. Notice how we can hear the tune in the solo. Check out some of the more interesting notes with the chords to find out what extension the note is. Then finally why not try to make your own solo over the tune!

BTW - I'm learning Sibelius and did the solo in one pass using flexitime!

A very simple lesson (In theory). Learn the melody. Play it with the rests. Remember the rests count as much as the notes.