Jazz Piano Tips
If you want to be good at jazz piano, you are making a lifelong commitment. While there are no tips to make you an instant jazz pianist, there are some techniques developed through time that can help you acquire experience and style. Jazz piano is upbeat and strong and lends itself to improvisation. As a jazz pianist, you have the freedom to float across the keys or bang down on them hard and loud. Play with a variety of techniques to learn quickly.
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Technique
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Pianists of many styles believe that using classical methods is the best way to gain technique. While classical methods should not be overlooked entirely, you should identify your personal breaking point with scales, sonatas and fugues. Before you burn out and give up because of tedious repetition, move on to something lighter and more enjoyable to break up the monotony. Jazz is a spontaneous art where the musicians are revered for their improvisation--in reality, even great classical composers such as Debussy improvised for inspiration. While practicing chords, veer spontaneously and begin playing from feeling. Improvise for as long as you feel and save the scales for tomorrow's session.
Frequency
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The easiest way to give up on anything is force yourself to do it in long, unmanageable durations. Work around your personal schedule when working in piano practice. Schedule 20 to 30 minute practices every day instead of two to three hour practices twice a week. Start with classical technique and finish your sessions with improvisation.
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Basics
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Jazz pianists use many techniques particular to jazz, such as kicks, blocks and punches. You should know how to do them all while remembering that famous jazz pianists are typically known for being brilliant at just one thing. In your lifetime, you will may not attain mastery at each stylistic jazz technique, but you can quickly identify which one you enjoy improvising with most. Once you memorize kicks, blocks, punches and other techniques, play classic jazz songs and improvise these moves into the song at your discretion. By playing around with these techniques frequently, you will begin to form your own style and preferences.
Combinations
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Jazz pianists often use the left hand to express the underlying harmony while using the right hand to string scales together for the melody. When attempting to explore and improvise, select a standard harmony to set the environment of the song. Match it with a left hand voicing. Compose a melody to play with the right hand making sure it complements the two previous decisions. Line up the pattern, or the right hand melody over the left hand voicing. Practicing this technique in this order will eventually give you more freedom to experiment and improvise. Giving a little structure to a spontaneous exercise is a great way for beginners to gain confidence.
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References
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