George Shearing’s “Lullaby Of Birdland” – Jazz Piano Workshop

A jazz standard workshop dedicated to “Lullaby Of Birdland”; a masterful composition by the legendary George Shearing. This workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of George Shearing’s iconic ‘4-way close’ voicing technique and how it can be applied to jazz standards.

Students are encouraged to access the supporting materials provided for this workshop. These resources are crucial for following along with the seminar’s content.

“Lullaby Of Birdland” Harmony and Melodic Structure

Our journey through “Lullaby Of Birdland” begins with a detailed analysis of the basic harmony and melodic structure, comparing it to the jazz standard “Love Me or Leave Me.” We examine the similarities and differences in the harmony, particularly focusing on the bridge section. This comparison sheds light on the unique characteristics of each composition, despite their apparent harmonic similarities.

George Shearing’s 4-way Close Voicings

A significant portion of our workshop is dedicated to George Shearing’s renowned ‘4-way close’ voicing technique. We dive into the theory behind these voicings, demonstrating their application within “Lullaby Of Birdland.”

Students will learn how to employ these voicings effectively, how to practice these voicings, and how to enhance their repertoire with the sophisticated voicing techniques of George Shearing.

4-way Close – Practical Application and Techniques

Beyond theoretical exploration, this workshop emphasizes the practical application of George Shearing’s voicings. Tuomo guides you through exercises designed to integrate these techniques into you playing, from simple harmonization drils to more complex arrangements.

The step-by-step demonstrations will teach you how to bring the elegance and complexity of Shearing’s voicings to your own performances; whether in solo piano arrangements or ensemble settings.

“Lullaby Of Birdland” & Beyond

As we conclude our exploration of “Lullaby Of Birdland” and George Shearing’s 4-way close voicings, we encourage students to delve deeper into Shearing’s discography.

His work with other jazz legends, such as Nancy Wilson and Carmen McRae, provides further context and inspiration for applying the techniques covered in this workshop.

Continue your study through the resources provided and engage in the community area through questions and discussions.