Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Harmonic Analysis

Jazz Piano Skills

Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!
Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explores a specific Jazz Piano Skill in depth. Today, you will discover, learn, and play "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." In this Jazz Piano Lesson, you will:

Discover (Podcast Packet)
A classic jazz standard, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town..”
Learn (Podcast Packet)
Form, Chord Changes, and Harmonic Function for “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Play (Podcast Packet)
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” using my suggested Voicings plus Six Common Harmonic Progressions for Ear Training Development.
Use the Jazz Piano Podcast Packets for this Jazz Piano Lesson for maximum musical growth. All three Podcast Packets are designed to help you gain insight and command of a specific Jazz Piano Skill. The Podcast Packets are invaluable educational tools to have at your fingertips while you discover, learn, and play Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Summary
In this episode of Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. Bob Lawrence introduces the new month and the new tune, 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town.' He emphasizes the importance of forward motion in learning jazz piano and the need to assess one's skills regularly. The episode outlines the systematic approach to tune study, including harmonic and melodic analysis, and offers tips for practicing chord inversions. Dr. Lawrence also discusses the benefits of membership in Jazz Piano Skills, providing access to valuable resources and support for jazz pianists. In this episode, Dr. Bob Lawrence explores the classic Christmas tune 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' through a detailed analysis of its structure, chord changes, and voicings. He emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding the form, and practicing unique chord changes to enhance jazz piano skills. The discussion includes harmonic analysis, common progressions, and practical applications of voicings, culminating in a comprehensive approach to mastering the piece.
Takeaways
A new month signifies a fresh start in learning.
Forward motion is crucial for motivation in jazz piano.
Assessing strengths and weaknesses is essential for improvement.
Harmonic analysis is the first step in tune study.
Membership provides access to premium educational resources.
Paper practice can enhance understanding of chord inversions.
Grouping chords by family aids in learning inversions.
Listening to various artists helps in understanding a tune's form.
A structured approach to learning tunes is vital.
The process of learning chords and their inversions lays a strong foundation. Listening is essential when learning a tune.
Understanding the form of a piece is crucial.
There are 14 unique chord changes in this tune.
Practice thinking the opposite of what you see in lead sheets.
Common harmonic progressions are vital for ear training.
Voicings can be mixed and matched for desired sound.
Harmonic analysis secures understanding of a tune.
Patience is key in the learning process.
Utilize lead sheets to structure your practice.
Engage with the music to enhance your jazz skills.

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1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Discover, Learn, Play (00:06:59)

3. Question of the Week (00:10:22)

4. Lesson Rationale (00:24:22)

5. Today's Educational Agenda (00:27:43)

6. Brubeck, Santa Claus is Coming to Town (00:30:38)

7. Invite to Join JazzPianoSkills (00:36:10)