I've posted another video demonstrating some things that I've learned lately, related to solo jazz piano. I welcome your comments.

Hi Al,

I enjoyed those "thicker" chord voicings. Sounds great. Sorry to be a pain, but any way you can print out the chord names somehow? Which editing program do you use? Thanks!

Sure, here's a PDF:

http://www.box.net/shared/szr8gkhg8y

ignore the "DC al Coda."

That was created with Band in a Box, which has some shortcomings with regard to notation. I also use Noteworthy Composer for notation.

In solo piano,it all depends on what type of tune /groove it is, as for the way one would approach or look at playing a particular tune. One wouldn't approach playing "A train" the same as playing "Body and Soul" or ?.
Some tunes would work in using "George Shearing" block chord style.some work better with that Red Garland style.

If you are playing the melody more linear (single note) in the right hand,than it is obvious that the shell voicing alone is not gonna cut it exclusively for solo piano.

Initially,I would keep the two approaches seperate as for the basic two hand fingering though of course you can mix and match them within the tune.

Left hand either the 1,1-5,1-7,1-10th etc. with the remaining notes (chordal voicing) built on the right hand with the melody note on top OR

a linear single note melody occasionaly doubled in the right hand and your shell voicing in the left with that comp chord following.

I find if you keep the approaches seperate it is much easier to preliminarily sight read a fake book chart as for solo piano.

Was that a personal convoluted explanation or what ?.

Thanks for the PDF, Al. I really like the chord changes/subs you're using, Eb7#11, etc. My jazz fakebook doesn't have those. Did you get them from a book?

Yes, I either typed those into Band in a Box from the Real Book Volume 2, or downloaded them from a collection of Real Book BIAB files. In any case, I note that those are the chord in the Real Book V2.

Thanks again, Al.. I have all these Real Books on a CD but didn't even know I had that song there in Real Book 2, so I found it and printed it out (#388).

The jazz fakebook of mine I mentioned before is the Ultimate Jazz Fakebook "C" Edition, Hal Leonard. I like the Real Book chords better, though.