Learn Jazz Piano by Listening
Learn Jazz Piano by Listening – part 2
Yes, you can learn jazz piano by listening, even if you don’t fully understand what is being played. This is part 2 of my list of essential recordings that I think you should be listening to. You can find the complete list in chapter 10 of Learn Jazz Piano book 3.
Alongside playing and studying, listening to the masters of improvisation will improve your playing without you even knowing that it’s happening. Of course you can study the solos and even transcribe them. There are apps for slowing the tracks down and changing the key like Tempo SloMo and Transcribe. But nothing replaces just listening to the music without trying to analyse it. I guarantee that it will sink in subconsciously and become a backbone of your own developing style.
In part one we looked at the recordings of Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington. I pointed out that it is important that you listen to other soloists besides pianists. Also, by listening to a recording of, say, Lester Young, you will also be hearing the great piano playing of Teddy Wilson.
In part 2 of my list we are now in the 50’s and 60’s.
Artist: Hampton Hawes
Instrument: Piano
Title: The Hampton Hawes trio
Date: 1955
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Artist: Sonny Rollins
Instrument: tenor sax
Title: Tenor Madness
Date: 1956
Piano: Red Garland.
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Artist: John Coltrane
Instrument: sax
Title: Blue Trane
Date: 1957
Piano: Kenny Drew
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Artist: John Coltrane
Instrument: sax
Title: Crescent
Date: 1964
Piano: McCoy Tyner
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Artist: Art Pepper
Instrument: alto sax
Title: Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
Date: 1957
Piano: Red Garland
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Artist: Cannonball Adderley
Instrument: alto sax
Title: Somethin’ Else
Date: 1958
Piano: Hank Jones
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Artist: Miles Davis
Instrument: trumpet
Title: Kind Of Blue
Date: 1959
Piano: Bill Evans
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Artist: Bill Evans
Instrument: piano
Title: Portrait In Jazz
Date: 1959
We have now reached Bill Evans, perhaps the father of modern jazz piano.
Bill Evans
So yes, you really can learn jazz piano by listening.
Here’s the link to my learn jazz piano video course
To be continued…
