Tag: improvisation

Learning to play jazz

Play jazz: practice and theory Have you ever been asked the question “What do you do?” When I used to reply “I’m a singing coach” the usual annoying response was “Do you know anyone famous?” Now that I teach jazz piano, an equally infuriating reaction is “Learning to play jazz? How can you teach improvisation?… Read more »

Ear not eye: a guide for learning about jazz piano

Learning about jazz piano: a musical journey. Two facts: for over 40 years, while learning about jazz piano, I have been making my living as a professional keyboard player and piano teacher, and yet failed all my music exams at secondary school. Ear not eye: a guide for learning about jazz piano I’m sure that… Read more »

Introduction to Learn Jazz Piano eBook 4

The best way to use this jazz piano eBook is in conjunction with my learn jazz piano video course.https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com Introduction Over the years, many accomplished classical pianists have asked me to teach them jazz improvisation. It has never ceased to amaze me that they can sight read a Mozart Sonata, yet are usually totally unable… Read more »

Lesson 19 – jazz improvisation: reharmonising a jazz standard

I’ve finally completed lesson 19  of jazz improvisation.This new 30 minute video shows you how to reharmonise a lead sheet and employ substitute chords to make for a more creative solo. This will take your jazz improvisation to the next level. Following on from lesson 18, I’ve taken All The Things You Are and substituted… Read more »

Lesson 15: chord voicing

For a jazz pianist, chord voicing is an essential skill. I’m now in the process of preparing lesson 15 of my video course Learn Jazz Piano Online. This 15th lesson of Learn Jazz Piano Online will be all about chord voicing, particularly how to voice left hand rootless chords. Playing these chords will achieve two… Read more »

My article on WikiHow: ways of studying jazz piano

My WikiHow article contains tips on how to solo using extensions and scales.