Jazz Piano (blues, funk, cd, solo, tracks)

Astronomer · 11-13-2008, 06:22 PM

I am a classically-trained pianist, but my band has recently took a turn towards more jazz-oriented stuff. I really want to start playing jazz piano, I mean I can play jazzy stuff, but I've played classical piano for years and want to become a little more contemporary.

Anyone have any advice or tips?

jackhammer · 11-13-2008, 07:25 PM

Just listen to shed loads of Jazz Piano compositions. If you are classically trained then you should be able pick up on the style of playing. Other than that, I don't know what to say really except that I have always wanted to play a few notes on the piano.

Sorry to be a little off topic but have you heard this track. It is one of my favourite piano pieces ever (Tangerine Dream):

Astronomer · 11-13-2008, 07:36 PM

Wow, that is really beautiful, thanks

I'm currently working on CD compilation filled with tracks that have my favourite piano sessions in them. I'll post it up somewhere when it's done.

And yeah, I think my safest bet is just to get into jazz and contemporary piano and listen to a whole lotta new stuff and gain some inspiration.

mr dave · 11-13-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lateralus

Anyone have any advice or tips?

can't really offer any playing tips besides just play and play some more and be sure to spend time developing improvisation skills as it is one of the major defining elements of playing jazz.

as for listening don't bother with dave brubeck and go straight to thelonious monk. oscar peterson is also gold, same with art tatum. herbie han**** is also top notch especially if you want to get into more funky jazz fusion stuff (like his work with the headhunters in the early 70s).

if you're leaning more towards the free jazz / pure improvisation stuff cecil taylor is the man.

Seltzer · 11-15-2008, 07:14 AM

Thelonious Monk has an unbelievably cool style. And Herbie Hancock is a masterful pianist and musical genius... check out Maiden Voyage.

As for actual jazz piano advice - I don't have to much to offer there. I play keyboard but I'm a noob at it.

mannny · 11-22-2008, 09:51 PM

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a classically trained pianist but I want to expand to be able to play some jazz as well. What I've been doing is just looking over some websites about jazz theory and improvisation. Just google it. It has got me started.

I don't really know how long you've been playing or anything but I've been strictly classically trained for about 5-6 years now. So playing jazz if very new to me.

GuitarPlayer101 · 11-23-2008, 04:05 AM

I can recommend Mark Levine's The Jazz Piano Book ... !
Give you some solid background to a lot of areas in jazz

Dr_Rez · 11-23-2008, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiseido_red

I am a classically-trained pianist, but my band has recently took a turn towards more jazz-oriented stuff. I really want to start playing jazz piano, I mean I can play jazzy stuff, but I've played classical piano for years and want to become a little more contemporary.

Anyone have any advice or tips?

I would just say practice all of your jazz chords and scales a lot so you will become more fluent improvising/soloing and with your progressions. And since your classically trained just pick up some jazz sheet music and you will figure it out in no time.

thebassistX · 11-27-2008, 01:57 PM

yea learn the basic jazz progreessions and blues scales to start off 2-5-1

Kendall2000 · 12-03-2008, 04:05 PM

Start studying Herbie Hancok (note his name is not spelled like thats as i can't say han - c- o - c- k

11-13-2008, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Jazz Piano I am a classically-trained pianist, but my band has recently took a turn towards more jazz-oriented stuff. I really want to start playing jazz piano, I mean I can play jazzy stuff, but I've played classical piano for years and want to become a little more contemporary. Anyone have any advice or tips? __________________

11-13-2008, 07:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Just listen to shed loads of Jazz Piano compositions. If you are classically trained then you should be able pick up on the style of playing. Other than that, I don't know what to say really except that I have always wanted to play a few notes on the piano. Sorry to be a little off topic but have you heard this track. It is one of my favourite piano pieces ever (Tangerine Dream): __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

11-13-2008, 07:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Wow, that is really beautiful, thanks I'm currently working on CD compilation filled with tracks that have my favourite piano sessions in them. I'll post it up somewhere when it's done. And yeah, I think my safest bet is just to get into jazz and contemporary piano and listen to a whole lotta new stuff and gain some inspiration. __________________

11-15-2008, 07:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	Thelonious Monk has an unbelievably cool style. And Herbie Hancock is a masterful pianist and musical genius... check out Maiden Voyage. As for actual jazz piano advice - I don't have to much to offer there. I play keyboard but I'm a noob at it. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

11-22-2008, 09:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
mannny **** Steve Harvey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: MASS Posts: 423	I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a classically trained pianist but I want to expand to be able to play some jazz as well. What I've been doing is just looking over some websites about jazz theory and improvisation. Just google it. It has got me started. I don't really know how long you've been playing or anything but I've been strictly classically trained for about 5-6 years now. So playing jazz if very new to me. __________________

11-23-2008, 04:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
GuitarPlayer101 Groupie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 17	I can recommend Mark Levine's The Jazz Piano Book ... ! Give you some solid background to a lot of areas in jazz

11-27-2008, 01:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
thebassistX Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 104	yea learn the basic jazz progreessions and blues scales to start off 2-5-1

12-03-2008, 04:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kendall2000 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	Start studying Herbie Hancok (note his name is not spelled like thats as i can't say han - c- o - c- k __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]