January: Winter Wonder

To get started, download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player, as each one features different tasks and levels of difficulty.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas! I’m sure you can come up with so many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Level 1

For those who prefer to play hands separately.

Level 2

For those beginning to feel comfortable playing with both hands.

Level 3

For those who can read and play hands together proficiently.

My Attempt

The best way to test drive Jumpstarts is to try them out myself!

Below are some videos of my students’ “Winter Wonders” that may inspire you and your students.

February: Love Somebody

To get started, download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player, as each one features different tasks and levels of difficulty.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas! I’m sure you can come up with so many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Level 1

For those who prefer to play hands separately.

Level 2

For those who feel comfortable playing with both hands.

Level 3

For those who can read and play hands together proficiently.

March: What’s in a Name

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player, as each one features different tasks and levels of difficulty.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas! I’m sure you can come up with so many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to “What’s in a Name”

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

How to Craft a Melody

Watch this to learn how to create a melody from a person’s name.

Level 1

For those who prefer to play hands separately.

Level 2

For those who feel comfortable playing with both hands.

Level 3

For those who can read and play hands together proficiently.

BONUS TIP

Perhaps C is just not the best fit for the melody that was crafted from a name.

Here are some tips that will guide you in finding the right key!

Extras!

#1 For a surprise intro to this project, try this paper plate dance to
Mozart’s “Rondo Alla Turca!”

#2 Play this online game to master the spelling of chords in C Major.

April: paint a Melody

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player, as the first video shows important details required in levels 2 and 3.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas! I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Paint a Melody

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

Levels 1-3: How to Paint a Melody

Players of all levels, please watch this to learn how to create a melody and harmonize it with paint strips.

Level 2-3

See how to craft Contrasting Answer Phrases and more.

Level 3

See how to create melodies in 6/8 time and how to integrate Half and Authentic Cadences.

Extra! Play this online game to master the terms used in this resource

May: Just Wing It

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player, as all the videos include unique ideas that can be used in any playing level.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas! I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Just Wing it

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

Levels 1-3: Lydian Scale and chords

Players of all levels, please watch this to learn about the Lydian scale, chords and chord progressions.

Level 1 Designs

See how to craft your Section A.

Level 2 Designs

See how to craft your Section A.

Level 3 Designs

See you to craft your Section A.

All Levels: Wing It Patterns

See how to craft your Section B.

Sample Pieces

Watch these to see how to connect your sections to make a lovely butterfly piece.

June: Cadence Capers

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player. They include unique ideas that can be used at any playing level.

You will want to download and print the Cadence Capers PDF as you watch the videos.

Grab a dice, too!

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

NEW!

Introduction to Cadence Capers

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

Level 1 Cadences

Make sure to download and print the Level 1 CADENCES as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 1 Patterns

Make sure to download and print the Level 1 PATTERNS as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 1 Capers

Make sure to download and print the CAPER Page as you watch the video and grab one DICE. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 2 Cadences

Make sure to download and print the Level 2 CADENCES as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 2 Patterns

Make sure to download and print the Level 2 PATTERNS and grab a DICE as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 2 Capers

Make sure to download and print the CAPERS Page and grab a DICE as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 3 Cadences

Make sure to download and print the Level 3 CADENCES as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 3 Patterns

Make sure to download and print the Level 3 PATTERNS and grab some DICE as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 3 Capers—must add to Vimeo!

Make sure to download and print the CAPERS Page and grab some DICE as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 3 Special Cadences

Make sure to download and print the SPECIAL CADENCE Page as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

EXTRA! Review the terms used in Capers Cadence in Quizlet.

July: Sea Life Soundtrack

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player. They include unique ideas that can be used at any playing level.

You will want to download and print the Sea Life Soundtrack PDF as you watch the videos.

Remember to pause the videos so you can practice and memorize the patterns for the sea life creatures you choose.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Sea Life Soundtrack

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

LeveL 1 Sample Soundtrack

Watch this to get the complete picture of how to create your own soundtrack.

Level 1 Group 1

Please download and print the Group 1 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 1 Group 2

Please download and print the Group 2 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 1 Group 3

Please download and print the Group 3 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 1 Group 4

Please download and print the Group 4 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 1 Group 5

Please download and print the Group 5 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 2 Sample Soundtrack

Watch this to get the complete picture of how to create your own soundtrack.

Level 2 Group 1

Please download and print the Group 1 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 2 Group 2

Please download and print the Group 2 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 2 Group 3

Please download and print the Group 3 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 2 Group 4

Please download and print the Group 4 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 2 Group 5

Please download and print the Group 5 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 3 Sample Soundtrack

Make sure to download and print the Level 3 CADENCES as you watch the video. Pause the video when you like to practice as you follow along.

Level 3 Group 1

Please download and print the Group 1 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 3 Group 2

Please download and print the Group 2 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 3 Group 3

Please download and print the Group 3 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 3 Group 4

Please download and print the Group 4 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

Level 3 Group 5

Please download and print the Group 5 Sea Life page. Pause the video to practice and memorize the patterns for each picture.

August: Minor Matters

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player. They include unique ideas that can be used at any playing level.

You will want to download and print the Minor Matters PDF. As you watch the videos, follow along.

Remember to pause the videos so you can practice and explore the patterns for your composition.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Minor Matters

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

Scales and Chords

All Levels

Download and print the Scales and Chords PDF and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play and master the patterns.

Wistful Chord Progressions

ALL Levels

Download and print the Wistful Chord Progressions and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play and master the progressions and then choose a favorite.

Wistful = full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy, sad or pensive.

Quirky Chord Progressions

All Levels

Download and print the Wistful Chord Progressions and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play and master the progressions and then choose a favorite.

Quirky = bizarre, unique, odd, unpredictable, curious or funny.

Spooky Chord Progressions

All levels

Download and print the Spooky Chord Progressions and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play and master the progressions and then choose a favorite.

Spooky = strange, scary, unsettling, frightening, or eerie.

Wistful Patterns & Sample Pieces

Level 1

Download and print the Level 1 Wistful Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 2

Download and print the Level 2 Wistful Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 3

Download and print the Level 3 Wistful Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Quirky Patterns & Sample Piece

Level 1

Download and print the Level 1 Quirky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 2

Download and print the Level 2 Quirky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 3

Download and print the Level 3 Quirky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Spooky Patterns & Sample Piece

Level 1

Download and print the Level 1 Spooky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 2

Download and print the Level 1 Spooky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression.

Level 3

Download and print the Level 1 Spooky Patterns and follow along as you watch the video. Pause to play to learn each pattern and choose a favorite.
Then plug this pattern into your favorite chord progression. .

Connectors, Parts & Pieces

All Levels

Please download and print the Connectors, Parts and Pieces PDF and follow along as you watch the video. Pause the video to practice your favorite pattern.

Plug this pattern into your composition.

September: Roll Out the Red Carpet

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

I encourage you to watch all of the videos, even if you are a seasoned player. They include unique ideas that can be used at any playing level.

You will want to download and print the Roll Out the Red Carpet PDF. As you watch the videos, follow along.

Remember to pause the videos so you can practice and explore the patterns for your composition.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Roll out the Red Carpet

Watch this to get an overview of the project.

Level 1

“Needs Some Bling” and Intros”

Download and print the PDFs for Level 1 and follow along as you watch the videos.

Outros

Sample piece

Here’s an example of how to add an intro and an outro to “Needs Some Bling.”

Level 2

“Needs Some bling” piece and Intros

Download and print the PDFs for Level 2 and follow along as you watch the videos.

Outros

Sample Piece

Here’s an example of how to add an intro and an outro to “Needs Some Bling.”

Level 3

“Needs Some bling” piece and INtros

Download and print the PDFs for Level 3 and follow along as you watch the videos.

Outros

Sample PIece

Bonus

Can you play this famous outro by ear?

What other “stock” intros and outros can you memorize?

October: Solar Power

SOLAR POWER is a brand-new “flavor” of Jumpstart. It develops the ear skills and guides creators in transcribing rhythms they hear into notation in Simple and Compound Meter.

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

Watch the videos as they explain how to complete the various worksheets in this Jumpstart.

Before you watch the videos, make sure to download and print the Solar Power PDF and follow along.

Keep in mind these are just a few ideas. I’m sure you can come up with many more.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to SOLAR POWER

All Levels

Watch this video to learn what Solar Power is all about.

Tour of SOLAR POWER

All Levels

Watch this video to see how to complete the worksheets and get creative with them.

Extras

Guessing Game

Below is an example of how you can create a game with Solar Power.

• Create a rhythm based on the words of a planet fact.

• Improvise a melody within the rhythm.

• Write down two facts on a piece of paper.

• Ask a friend to listen to you play your melody after they read both facts.

• Ask them to guess which fact you played.

Example

• Read both facts.

• Click on PLAY and listen to the audio.

• Then decide what fact fits the rhythm.

Mars is as cold as the South Pole.

OR

A day is longer than a year on Venus.

Rhythm Trainer

Follow THIS LINK to assess your ear skills when listening and reading rhythms.

Drum Loops

Use these as you chant your facts or improvise within rhythms.

November Off the Charts - Bro Jozzz

Off the Charts: Bro Jozzz introduces pianists to the world of playing from chord charts.

From my considerable experience playing with a worship band and reading chord charts, I’ve learned that chord charts are a compass, a tool that offers a general direction but does not provide a specific “destination.”

Chord charts give keyboardists limited information, and some components are missing—or off the chart—and only your ears can detect them.

In essence, pianists must see what’s ON THE CHART as well as hear what’s OFF THE CHART.

Bro Jozzz includes three chart levels in a format almost identical to what I read when playing with our church worship band. It also includes three audio files so that players get a clearer picture of each chart’s “final destination.”

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

Watch the videos as they explain how to understand chord symbols and read from the charts.

Keep in mind that charts give clues, but there is ALWAYS wiggle room for you to…

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Bro Jozzz

All Levels

Watch this video to learn what Off the Charts: Bro Jozzz is all about.

Tour of a Chord Chart

All Levels

Watch this video to learn about the information found ON a chord chart.

Level 1

Chord Chart

Watch the video to learn more about how to play Bro Jozzz Level 1.

Audio File

Download this audio file and listen and discover what’s OFF the chart.

Level 2

Chord Chart

Watch the video to learn more about how to play Bro Jozzz Level 2.

Audio File

Download this audio file and listen and discover what’s OFF the chart.

Level 3

Chord Chart

Watch the video to learn more about how to play Bro Jozzz Level 2.

Audio File

Download this audio file and listen and discover what’s OFF the chart.

December: Vamp Out

Vamp Out is perhaps THE most practical of all the Jumpstarts.

It invites pianists to learn the skill of vamping—playing patterns repeatedly that may serve as an introduction before a song begins, before someone walks on stage, or to be played quietly while someone is talking.

Vamp Out provides patterns in 3/4 and 4/4 time with clever names in three playing levels.
It also invites pianists to create original vamp patterns based on the ones supplied.

Included are four ways to activate vamping skills:

• Chord Progressions in C

• Roman Numerals so patterns can be transposed to new keys

• Lead Sheet (Deck the Halls)

• Chord Chart (Twinkle Twinkle)

To get started with this Jumpstart, click the button below to download the PDF.

There are QR codes on the PDF with links to the videos below.

Always ask yourself…
What if I?

Introduction to Vamp Out

All Levels

Watch this OVERVIEW video to learn what Vamp Out is all about.

All Levels

Watch this INTRODUCTION before you jump into the vamping pattern videos.

Level One

Vamp Patterns in 4/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

Level One

Vamps in 3/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

Level Two

Vamps in 4/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

Level Two

Vamps in 3/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

Level Three

Vamps in 4/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

Level Three

Vamps in 3/4 Time

Watch this video to see and hear vamp patterns.

All Levels

Lead Sheet

Watch this video to see how to add vamps to a lead sheet.

All Levels

Chord Chart

Watch this video to see how to add vamps to a lead sheet.