My Lesson Plans
COURSE
Date:
Rick Eaton’s Final Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan:
1. Voicing Systems & Shell Expansion
You’ve built a strong foundation in split shell voicings, bebop approaches, and comping textures. This plan will help you refine your solo piano flow, right-hand improvisation, and rhythmic clarity while expanding your voicing vocabulary and phrasing depth.
Goal: Strengthen left-hand and right-hand coordination and expand shell use.
Step #1: Practice split shell voicings with all extension combos
A. Ex. LH 1 & 10 + RH 7 & #9
B. Ex. LH 1 & 7 + RH b9 & 3, b13
Step #2: Rotate through minor, dominant, and major 7th qualities
Step #3: Apply to solo piano textures (broken, block style transitions)
Step #4: Practice rootless voicing progressions in LH alone for time and clarity and improv purposes.
2. Beblop Improvisation + Phrase Design
Goal: Continue developing bebop fundamentals through deliberate structure.
Step #1: Improvise using approach tone targets (add more bebop approaches into your tool bag)
Step #2: Start and end phrases with approach tones as much as possible
Step #3: Use rests and space strategically between lines
Step #4: Swing chord scales up/down to build feel and learn connectivity inside and out
Step #5: Improv over new tunes daily to test yourself.
3. Blues & Rhythmic Textures
Goal: Refine articulation and rhythmic variety
Step #1: Improvise over Bb blues using only:
A. Octaves
B. Two-note shapes
C. Triplet figures
D. Register jumps
E. Rhythmic motifs
Step #2: Practice LH comping alone with metronome for full choruses and switch up voicings
Step #3: Then, layer RH gradually and maintain groove.
Step #4: Add restrictions to your RH to improve. Pick a short rhythm, only solo with 4 notes etc.
4. Solo Piano Ballads
Goal: Deepen control and pacing in rubato or slow swing contexts
Step #1: Continue evolving ballad system over as many new tunes as possible.
Step #2: Build broken style into block style (or vice versa)
Step #3: Explore a new tune Daily
Step #4: Add 4 to 5 note voicings in RH with all extension combos in block chord style.
*Recommended Listening
These albums offer beautiful examples fo bebop articulation, solo piano expression, and voicing clarity:
– Barry Harris *Live in Tokyo* (bebop clarity + LH support)
– Bud Powell *The Amazing Bud Powell* (phrasing + speed control)
– Bill Charlap *Written in the Stars* (melody phrasing + ballads)
– Tommy Flanagan *Overseas* (elegant bebop and comping)
– Mulgrew Miller *Live At Yoshis* (voicing strength and RH phrasing)
*Final Encouragement*
Your technique and phrasing are coming together. Now, the goal is balance and freedom. Keep rotating between form, improvisation, and voicing refinement. Record often and trust your ear.
*Sample Weekly Practice Structure
Weekly Rotation:
Mon: Shell voicing drills + comping in LH
Tues: Bebop phrase building (2-5-1s + iRealPro)
Wed: RH-only improv with LH static support
Thurs: Blues Improv With LH Static Support
Fri: Solo Piano Arrangement Work
Sat: Transcribe + apply one new phrase
Sun: Review and Record
Sample Daily Practice (60 minutes):
– 10 min Warm-Up:
A. LH rootless voicing or shell drifts
B. RH approach tone exercises
– 25 min Focused Tune Work:
A. Practice ballad solo piano (Nearness or new tune)
B. Add RH extensions to slow moments
– 15 min Improv Challenge:
A. One chorus of only octaves
B. One chorus of only triplets or two-note shapes
– 10 min Reflection:
A. Record and listen for time, shape, and clarity.