Jazz Musicians-How to get started?

[johnjohn320]

I've played classical piano for my entire life, it's my passion and what I love to do. However, lately, I've been wanting to learn about jazz, I have the most basic knowledge, but I want to learn about jazz chord structure, improvisation (what scales over what chords and why, etc), style, y'know...all that good stuff. I'm not going for "I'm gonna be like Oscar Peterson someday" or anything like that, more like I'm going for "my name is Scott, and why yes, I can play jazz."

Anyway, my question is how do I get started in learning about this? A friend of mine is an excellent jazz pianist but a terrible teacher, my current piano teacher is a former college professor (she's incredible, but charges a lot of $$$, so I can't afford more lessons from a jazz teacher), and she doesn't teach jazz. (nothing against it, she just doesn't know anymore about it than I do.)

Any tips are appreciated. Suggested reading, excercices, whatever. Thanks!

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

no no, first you gotta feel the jazz in your soul...

is the jazz in your soul?!

 

[Kitros]

iz da soul dat glides thru ya, guides to ya, listen to yer soul, brotha, and... goto coffee shops.

 

[johnjohn320]

I love and appreciate jazz, I've played in several jazz bands before and loved every minute of it. But, now I want to expand my knowledge of jazz, learn how it's constructed, understand it, and play it well. I can't feel it in my soul until I learn about it and understand it.

Are you a jazz musician? If so, please help me.

 

[johnjohn320]

bump

 

[johnjohn320]

bump

 

[Stark]

Start by listening. Brubeck, Monk, Jelly Roll Morton, Modern Jazz Quartet, Bud Powell, and any other great jazz pianists. Then play.

You can check out http://www.pbs.org/jazz/lounge/ for some basics of jazz theory.

Classical is sweet to the ears. Jazz is sweet to the soul.

 

[Nemesis77]

How to play jazz with a piano? Easy. Just sit down, relax yourself... Then start playing. just hit some random notes (you can do it with your eyes closed!). It doesn't have to make sense, it doesn't have to sound nice.

There, you're playing jazz!

 

[dman]

My college had some great music theory classes. You could possibly take a few of those if you are in college... they teach you about chord structure and progressions, etc. Listening and practice are still key though.

If you aren't in college yet, head on over to the local campus book store anyway, and see if you can find some materials for the college of music "Jazz Theory" classes and pretty soon you'll know all about ii V I.

 

[LemonHead]

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There are so many books out there that it is truly overwhelming. I'm sure you have already hit that reality. :Q I would have to ask you as to what style you are interested in. Specifically, are you into the more "traditional jazz" as the likes of Oscar Peterson? (as you mentioned in your post.) or in the more upbeat, funk, complex poly-rhythm type like the Yellowjackets or S<SPAN style="COLOR: green">pyro Gyra</SPAN> ?

I say this, because for me, while I do like traditional jazz, I'm drawn to the funk, and complex rhythms of more "modern" jazz. What I can recommend is to listen to every and any jazz you can!! I *really* like the Yellowjackets. IMHO they are probably one of the best "quartets" out there today. They have an incredible feel while playing as a group; tremendous musical talents. By listening, you can begin to hear chord patterns, feel, technique, etc. It really works for me. I just dabble with Jazz and am in no way accomplished, but I have fun and by listening to a vast array of stuff I have greatly improved and learned a great deal.

You may be already doing this so sorry if it doesn't give you any new info.

BTW, check out the Y.J. web site at http://www.yellowjackets.comThey have some sound bytes you can listen to from various CD's and each artist gives insight as to what inspires them musically.

Later, and good luck </SPAN>