My Lesson Plans
COURSE
Date:
John Weir’s Final Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan:
1. Shell Voicing Systems + Extension Integration
You’ve built a strong base in shell voicings, harmonic awareness, and chord-tone focused improvisation. This plan will help you expand into fuller textures, more flexible phrasing, and expressive control while continuing to deepen your harmonic fluency.
Goal: Refine solo piano shell voicing fluency with RH extension work.
Step #1: Practice split shells between hands w/ extensions:
A. Ex. LH 1&10 + RH 7&9
B. Ex. LH 1&7 + RH 9&3
Step #2: Explore multiple extension combinations in your RH, such as:
A. 7 & 9, 9 & 13, 3 & 11, 7 & 13, 9 & #11
Step #3: Avoid doubling low melody notes. Keep balance and register in mind.
Step #4: Slowly expand into block chord textures using these shells as foundations
Step #5: Apply to solo piano tunes at ~50bpm
2. Improvisation: Chord Tone Mastery + Approaches
Goal: Develop consistent, melodic RH improvisation using voice-leading principles.
Step #1: Swing scales and arpeggios through all keys. 2-5-1, 5-1, and 2-5’s
Step #2: Practice scalar improvisation that lands on chord tones at each change.
Step #3: Use bebop approaches into new chord change. Continue to learn new bebop approaches and practice them.
Step #4: Apply to all tunes
3. Solo Ballad Practice
Goal: Build expressive and harmonically rich solo piano arrangements.
Step #1: Play new ballads every day with the system.
Step #2: Add extensions (9ths, 5ths, etc.) to fill space where melody holds.
Step #3: Vary RH melody rhythm for more expressiveness
Step #4: Try using iRealPro at 50 bpm with straight 8ths feel to internalize time.
4. New Tune Suggestions
To explore your skills in new settings, work on arranging or improvising over:
– I Loves You Porgy
– You Go To My Head
– Everything Happens to me
– I Remember You
– In a Sentimental Mood
* Recommended Listening
These albums showcase elegant shell voicing use, lyrical improvisation, and thoughtful harmonic movement:
– Bill Evans *You Must Believe in Spring* (voicing + phrasing)
– Fred Hersch *Alone at the Vanguard* (solo ballads)
– Chet Baker *Chet* (melodic improvisation)
– Hank Jones *The Talented Touch* (classic voicing simplicity)
– Red Garland *Groovy* (swing comping + fills)
*Final Encouragement*
You’re making great progress. Now, it’s about bringing consistency and expression into your playing. Focus on clarity, phrasing and harmonic depth. Let every note have intention.
*Sample Weekly Practice Structure
Weekly Rotation:
Mon: Shell voicing review through 2-5-1s
Tues: Scalar Improv + approach tone phrases
Wed: Ballad arrangement and pedal control
Thurs: Autumn Leaves arpeggios + comping
Fri: RH melody rhythm flexibility with iRealPro
Sat: Tune study + recording
Sun: Reflect and review
*Sample Daily Practice (60 minutes):
– 10 min Warm-Up
A. LH Shell Patterns + RH 9ths or 3rds
B. Straight 8ths scale lines with metronome
– 25 min Ballad Practice:
A. Work on Nearness or a new tune
B. Integrate block textures, extensions, and pedal nuance.
-15 min Improv Application:
A. Phrase using half-step approaches
B. Target chord tones with confidence
– 10 min Review:
A. Record 8 bars
B. Listen back for voicing clarity + phrase shape