The Piano Place - Jazz Piano

Jazz Piano

I don't claim to be an absolute expert in jazz piano -- I am primarily classically trained. However I have played piano in jazz bands for two years and I have learned a lot from the experience. Here I wish to share with you some of my thoughts about jazz and general advice for the young jazz-bound classical pianist.

Jazz is radically different from classical music in several ways. Jazz is based on improvisation -- music created and performed spontaneously, whereas classical is structured, "notes-on-the-page". There is considerably more freedom in the performance and composing of jazz music, although it does have its own set of rules.

In order to learn to play jazz, the most important thing that you could do is to know harmony well. Classical harmony is a good place to start. Jazz is all about understanding the intrinsic relationships between different chords. Classical harmony will give you a good introduction. Do not just learn it on paper -- put it into practice by playing over what you have learned and become familiar with the different sounds of each chords. Then, move on to studying jazz harmony, which has increasingly complex chords to create a different kind of tension.

Playing with a jazz band is a great way to get introduced to the music. Some general guidelines for comping for soloists: keep chords sparce, no pedalling, avoid triads in voicings and avoid the root of the chord. Vary your rhythm, use syncopation, swing, all the devices of jazz.

A lot about jazz is rhythm and feel. It's very useful to learn to play by ear. Learn to play complicated rhythms by playing it over and over, hearing the rest of the rhythm section (percussion and bass) in your head.

Experiment with improvisation. After spending a long time practicing a difficult passage in classical music, you can take a break by just trying out some simple chord progressions on the piano. You may discover new sounds that you've never thought of before.

If you wish to practice your improv, the blue scale is a good place to start. The blues progression is a simple 12-bar progression with the chords as follows: I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-V. There are many possible variations of the basic progression. Play the chords with your left hand with some rhythmic pattern, then try playing a free melody with the right hand, based on the blue scale. More can be learned from many of the popular jazz method books available in music stores and libraries.

Listening to jazz recordings is indispensable in learning to play. Actively listen to the harmony, the sound, the piano solos by the masters such as Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans.

Above all, jazz is a radically different style of music with its unique sense of freedom, while offering infinite possibilities for your creativity and imagination. Feel free to experiment and have fun!