My Lesson Plans
COURSE
Date:
Dwight Miller’s Final Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan:
1. Reharm Practice & Application
You’ve built a deep vocabulary of reharm voicings, textures, and rhythmic improvisation. This plan will guide you in refining those tools while continuing to integrate them musically into your solos and comping with control, dynamic range, and personal flair.
Goal: Deepen comfort and creativity with altered and sus voicings.
Step #1: Practice LH altered voicings through the circle of 4ths
Step #2: Solo with RH using improv scales we’ve worked on. (Alt, half whole, Hexatonic, blues in all keys.
Step #3: Play LH sus voicings and RH modal or minor lines over them in all keys.
Step #4: Apply these voicings over static grooves, modal vamps, and blues.
*Suggested New Tunes for Application:
– Black Narcissus
– Solar
– Mr. P.C.
– Out of Nowhere
– Footprints
2. Improv Texture & Phrasing
Goal: Expand your command of range rhythm, and articulation.
Step #1: Continue skip exercises: 1379, 3579 in all keys (swung 8ths)
Step #2: Create phrases using limited textures: all octaves, all slides, all double notes, fast vs slow.
Step #3: Play one chorus at full density; one chorus with extreme space.
Step #4: Use RH only, then add LH in a structured way (bass, shells, voicings).
3. Dynamic Range & Whole Keyboard
Goal: Broaden expressive control and pianistic fluency
Step #1: Practice full dynamic spectrum: whisper soft, loud as possible.
Step #2: Improvise across full keyboard range (low, mid, high).
Step #3: Alternate RH-only and LH-only choruses to build independence.
Step #4: Layer density and volume with intention, not default.
4. Tune Intergration & Challenge Play
Goal: Bring all tools together with time and musicality.
Step #1: Apply sus and altered voicings in live tunes like *Footprints* or *Solar*
Step #2: Practice at high and slow tempos (150-180 bpm) focusing on simplicity and space.
Step #3: Record play-alongs using iRealPro or left hand comping.
Step #4: Work on fluid transition from structured vocabulary to spontaneous lines.
*Recommended Listening:
These albums showcase dynamic range, reharm textures, rhythmic phrasing, and creative soloing approaches:
– Herbie Hancock *Speak Like a Child* (sus textures, modal control)
– McCoy Tyner *The Real McCoy* (power and reharm depth)
– Joe Henderson *Inner Urge* (space + altered scale usage)
– Chick Corea *Now He Sings, Now He Sobs* (range and density)
– Kenny Kirkland *Kenny Kirkland* (energy and advanced substitutions)
*Final Encouragement*
You’ve built an arsenal of ideas. Now the name of the game is control, musicality, and flow. Keep practicing with a clear mind and strong ears and keep pushing your dynamics, textures, and creativity forward.