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Category: Learn jazz piano tips
Here you will find a collection of my learn jazz piano tips relating to learning jazz piano.
The turnaround in jazz, part 3.
The jazz turnaround is a sequence of 4 chords and appears in many guises. In part 2 of the turnaround in jazz we looked at a ‘I-VI-II-V’ chord sequence in the key of F major. We then exchanged the VI minor chord (Dmin7) for a dominant 7 (D7). This has now created a second V… Read more »
The Jazz turnaround part 2
The jazz turnaround is usually a sequence of four chords that starts with the tonic chord (I) and ends with the dominant (V). In part 1 we looked at what I describe as a pop turnaround, rather than a jazz turnaround. The pop turnaround looks like this: I – V I – IV – V.… Read more »
Jazz basics 3: the dominant 7 chord in jazz
Why is the dominant 7 chord in jazz so important? To answer this question I will first separate this chord into two categories: moving and static. Moving This applies generally to any classical harmony but when this dominant 7 chord in jazz is moving towards its resolution it can be thought of as a tension… Read more »
Jazz Basics, part 2
More about the most important chord in jazz: the dominant 7. When discussing jazz basics there is nothing more basic than your understanding of the dominant 7 chord and its functions. Let’s begin by taking a look at the row of the seven 7th chords constructed over one major scale. Here is an example of… Read more »
Learning jazz basics
Learning jazz basics part 1. The dominant 7 chord and its uses.
My learn jazz piano video course
Subscribe to my Learn Jazz Piano video course and work through all 31 video lessons. It’s never been easier to learn jazz piano online! A jazz piano video course with backing tracks, sheet music and quizzes. On week one you will also receive your free copy of my eBook: Learn jazz piano.Then, each week you… Read more »
Finding the sweet notes
In video lesson 24 of Learn Jazz Piano I focus on how songwriters employ ‘sweet notes’ to add that spine tingling effect to their melody. I then relate this to jazz improvisation and show you how to employ this technique of finding the sweet notes in your solos. Using these well-chosen notes is a good way… Read more »
Checklist for jazz piano solos
Here is your checklist of jazz piano solos with 12 essential tips. (This is an extract from my fourth eBook: Learn jazz Piano: How To Solo.) 1) Chords belong to families. A chord rarely exists in its own right and is far more likely to have a relationship within a family. It has usually… Read more »
Learning jazz standards, part 2. (Full list in book 3)
The best way when learning jazz standards is to identify the map, in other words, spot the key centres. Autumn Leaves only has two, but All The Things You Are moves through no less than five keys! Here are 10 more jazz tunes you need to be familiar with. Although they are all popular, the… Read more »
Are you ready to start jazz piano lessons?
I receive many enquiries from people who want to start jazz piano lessons but I take on only about 10% of them. So why do I turn away so many potential students? One of the first questions I ask is ‘Do you listen to jazz?’ and if the answer is ‘no’ then my interest quickly wanes.… Read more »