Piano Week 06: Comping rhythms level 1

Weekly Focus

Week 06 is about making comp rhythms intentional and repeatable, not random. The goal is to keep harmony simple while building rhythmic vocabulary that stays locked to the pulse.

Success this week means you can play one full form using at least three rhythm-bank patterns, including Charleston rhythm, without timing drift.

Repertoire & Chord Map

Primary application is My Romance, with Fly Me to the Moon as transfer material. Keep voicings familiar so attention stays on rhythm placement and space.

Use this function loop for rhythm drills:

Imaj7 | VI7 | iim7 | V7 Imaj7 | VI7 | iim7 | V7

Daily map task: hold harmony constant while changing rhythm pattern every 4 or 8 bars.

Rhythm Bank Reference

Four levels to cycle through. Pick one per block of practice time.

Pads: whole-note hold

X ~ ~ ~ | X ~ ~ ~

Charleston: hit on 1 and & of 2

X - - X - - - -

Anticipation: new chord on & of 4

- - - - - - - X

Quarter-note pulse: one chord per beat

X X X X

Supplementary Listening & Ear Training (Required)

Treat this as part of your weekly agenda, not optional background listening: it targets “Comping rhythms level 1”.

Weekly listening pick:

• Satin Doll — Duke Ellington

Why this track now: It highlights cycle motion and elegant comping space, which matches Week 6’s goals.

Ear tasks (10–15 min, at least 3 sessions this week):

1. Listen once without the instrument and name the key center by ear (major/minor/modal). Then verify the key at piano.
2. Find one cadence or arrival point, then play: root + shell ii-V-I (or closest functional equivalent) in that key.
3. Lift a short 4–8 bar fragment by ear, play it slowly, and record ~30s so you can compare your hearing vs. the recording.

Extra challenge (optional): transpose your lifted fragment to the weekly priority ladder when possible (F → Eb → G → Bb → C).

End-of-Week Reflection

Which rhythm patterns now feel reliable enough to use on demand, and which still collapse under tempo? Keep one stable pattern as your anchor and carry one weak pattern into Week 07 as a specific upgrade target.