Jazz is an art form that has developed from its Blues origins, then drawing influences from every other existing genre. For the beginner, however, it is perhaps more appropriate to focus on the first Swing in the beginning and learn to improvise. Here are some very simple tips to help you tune into this world.
Steps
Step 1. Listen
This is absolutely the fundamental element of becoming a musician. Try to get your hands on as many recordings as possible. Don't discriminate: listen to the great classics, such as Art Tatum, Count Basie and Thelonius Monk, but also emerging contemporary pianists. Listen, absorb their work, and transfer it to your music. By doing so, with perseverance and dedication, you will become an excellent Jazz pianist.
Step 2. Assuming you already know the basic theory, first learn all 12 major scales (there are 12 different scales, but in theory B / Cb, F # / Gb and C # / Db are separate scales)
Learning all the scales will be extremely helpful to you.
Step 3. Make sure you can read scores and can play some simple songs, even if it's not jazz
The first real step to start your "career" will be to "get out of line" and train your ear. So…
Step 4. Buy sheet music of the "masters":
Cole Porter, Gershwin, etc. Make sure that the chord symbols or guitar tabs are written above the melody line, such as "Dbm7".
Step 5. Learn the major 7th, minor 7th, dominant, semi-diminished and diminished chords of each clef
So, for example, to play C7 (C dominant 7th) you will play C, E, G and Bb. For a diminished C 7th, you will play C, Eb Gb, and A (Bbb). You have to get to know them so well, that you are able to perceive the chord symbols without even thinking about them. If you are familiar with major scales, you may be able to master this step in just a week.
Step 6. To reward your hard work, "get rid" of the score
Choose a song you like and play the melody line with your right hand, and the chords with your left, as if you were reading the score: congratulations! You're playing a song without reading the score!
Step 7. Even if it may "sound" for granted, continuous practice and constancy are the two tools that will allow you, over time, to obtain a "sound" closer to what was written on the score
You can always pick up the score again to try to understand what you are missing in order to be able to play with their "sensitivity".
Step 8. Next, learn the chord revolts:
learn to play CM7 like (C, E, G, B), (E, G, B, C), (G, B, C, E) and (B, C, E, G). Learn these four positions for every single chord, but only after you have really mastered the chords, and have worked through Step 4. But don't overdo yourself!
Step 9. Learn the pentatonic scales of your favorite key
Step 10. Add a couple of notes by playing a song you are familiar with
Then add a few more, until you go "freewheeling".
Step 11. Now it's time to learn the Blues scales of the respective keys as well and try to combine them
At this point you will already be IMPROVISING! Learn both scales of each key.
Step 12. Observe the chord sequences of the songs you are playing
Also try to "blend" one song with another.
Step 13. Learn the harmonic progressions 3, 6, 2, 5, 1
Also learn the "tritonic substitutions" and the "Circle of Fifths". Play the same songs, but in different keys.
Step 14. When you feel ready, learn diatonic and chromatic harmonies
Learn different ways and scales. Listen to different genres of music, from different periods, and anything you can "steal" harmonic and melodic ideas from. At this point, you will be your own teacher.
Advice
- Experiment! Experience everything. There are no rules. None. Change the rhythms, melodies, harmonies and even the structure if you prefer. Do it every day, it's the best practice.
- Love Jazz, and learn to love the art of writing music. Listen to Jazz music.
- Focus your attention on the best pianists, if only to try to understand why they are considered the best. Write down the solos you like most or identify with the most. Also, try to tune into the emotions expressed in their music. Make your own the brutality and intensity of Bud Powell, the beauty and passion of Bill Evans, the drive and ferocity of McCoy Tyner, and so on. Emotion is something that just can't be taught, and in music that's all.
- Don't forget: you learn to play the piano by “playing”, not by reading a book or article on wikiHow. You learn by practicing. Experience is everything. What you are really looking for is for your hands to play, not your brain. One step at a time you will learn to master a song, so as to absorb the technique and notes you are playing.
Warnings
- During your research on the history of piano jazz, you will meet Art Tatum. And here comes a real dilemma, because if you approach it too early, you will have a hard time appreciating its music, which would be a great loss; conversely, if you meet him after you have already built some musical understanding, you may stop playing the piano the next day. This is a serious warning: Oscar Peterson almost stopped playing the piano after listening to Tatum, and like him many others.
- But if you can be reasonable, listening to Art Tatum or Oscar Peterson will give you a good reason to engage more intensely. Keep in mind: "The ultimate goal is not to be better than your neighbor, but to improve yourself"
