Tag Archives: keyboard

Video – Jazz Piano Solo on Keyboard – Excellent Improvisation Style

February 18, 2012postbeginning, blues improvisation, jazz, jazz piano, keyboard, piano lessons, piano solo, portland, students, videoN. Zarr

Here is a great example of a rather complex, advanced jazz piano solo played on a keyboard. The player exhibits great mastery not only in the playing of the piano, but in the art of improvisation.

At my studio here in Portland, Or, students who are taking piano lessons or keyboard have varying interests. Some of the material we cover at lessons includes; learning to read music, play by ear, theory, accompanying voice, blues and jazz improvisation. Learning to play jazz is one of the more complex areas of playing piano. At the lessons, for students expressing an interest in jazz, we often start out with an introduction to blues improvisation. This gives students a great opportunity to develop their playing skills independent of reading music. They gain the valuable ability to hear melodies and chords and be able to play them on the keyboard. Some student own a piano and some have a keyboard, but teaching to play piano is the same.

Jazz is a uniquely American style of playing the piano. It’s a technique applied to virtually any type of music with emphasis on rebuilding the chord structure of a piece to make it more complex and detailed, as well as varying the melody with new and fresh improvisations from that melody. There are many forms of jazz piano from music eras beginning way back at the turn of the 20th century with ragtime piano, thru the 1930s with bebop and stride piano, big band in the 1940s, and the more avant garde styles from the 1950s, and more contemporary styles since.

Studies Show Piano Lessons Can Increase Your IQ At Any Age

December 5, 2011postchildren, keyboard, keyboard lessons, lessons, music, piano lessons, piano teacher, piano teachers, school, studentsN. Zarr

Piano teachers have known for years, that children who take piano lessons or keyboard lessons, do significantly better in school. Now, new research has validated this.

Many people think of IQ as a genetic trait you’re born with it. However, research is now showing that a person’s IQ can rise and fall over the years. IQ Scores can change gradually or quickly, after as little as a few weeks of cognitive training. In one study, IQ scores increased as much as 15% or more for some students.

Recent studies by several researchers have made a connection between music lessons and IQ level. The most pronounced results were in younger people. According to research by E. Glenn Schellenberg, psychology professor at the University of Toronto at Mississauga, music lessons are linked to higher IQ throughout life. He states that six years of music lessons increased children’s IQ scores an average 7.5 points.

In a 2011 study, researchers at the University of Kansas found that practicing musicians who are active for a decade or more continue to post higher IQs beyond age 60. A score in the 90 to 110 range is considered average. A “genius” may score 140 and above. A person’s IQ score fluctuate over their lifetime and is influenced by complex musical training, jobs, advanced schooling experiences, and new experiences. It has been discovered that learning new tasks stimulates the brain the most.

People can take practical steps to increase their long term improvements to IQ. People whose work involves complex relationship or problem solving perform better long term on cognitive tests. Peoples whose jobs little thought will experience declining IQ scores. A 30-year study at the National Institute of Mental Health found that people whose work involves complex relationships, setting up elaborate systems or dealing with people or difficult problems, tend to perform better over time on cognitive tests. Test scores of people whose jobs are simple and require little thought actually tend to decline, according to the research.

from the WSJ

Video – Keith Jarrett – I Loves You Porgy Piano Solo Tokyo 1984

October 5, 2011postblues, classical, jazz, jazz pianist, keyboard, music, piano lessons, piano solo, recording, videoN. Zarr

Keith Jarrett playing a haunting performance of George Gershwin’s ballad “I Loves You Porgy”. This performance is from his album Keith Jarrett – Solo Tribute: The 100th Performance in Japan (1987). Keith Jarrett, well known for his gorgeous intricate harmonies, is considered by many to be the best jazz pianist in the world.

Keith Jarrett is an American jazz and classical pianist and composer. Before the age of three, he was already taking piano lessons. By five, he was already performing on TV. As a youngster Jarrett displayed a great deal of talent. His first piano recital included several of his own original pieces, as well as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.

In his long and fabulously successful career, Jarrett has performed and recorded with many famous musicians worldwide. Jarrett is well known for his extraordinary original jazz solo pieces, as well as trio work, and classical recordings. His piano and keyboard virtuosity is unparalleled in the world of jazz, and he has become a legend in the jazz world. His performances are a sight to behold, throwing himself into the music in his own world. His music is complex and deep, and generally appeals to the more trained ear. Jarrett’s recordings blend themes from jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music. His music has been described as stunning, remarkable, and breathtaking. Keith Jarrett remains one of the most powerful and original American jazz pianists and composers of all time.

more on Keith Jarrett

Billy Joel Video Playing Piano, Singing – Just The Way You Are 1977

September 14, 2010postclassical, keyboard, lessons, music, piano, piano lessons, piano playing, playing piano, portland, recording, recording music, singer, singer songwriter, songwriter, videoN. Zarr

“Just the way you are”, is a classic song by Bill Joel, one of the greatest singer, songwriters ever. His music is articulate, inspiring, and original. His piano playing and his voice go so well together.

Billy Joel was born William Martin on May 9, 1949 in The Bronx, New York and lived in Hicksville, New York.

His father, an accomplished pianist, was classically trained. Joel is a prodigious musician, pianist, singer songwriter, and classical composer. His first hit song, “Piano Man”, in 1973, launched his extraordinary career. Billy Joel, according to the RIAA, is the 6th best selling recording artist and the 3rd best selling solo musician in the U.S.

As a child, Joel began piano lessons early. His outstanding work as a songwriter and composed has earned him numerous awards and a worldwide following. His music is some of the finest composed for piano and voice. His agility at the keyboard while singing is a hallmark of his performance. Billy Joel has continued recording music and frequently goes on tour, especially with Elton John.

Blues Piano

Uncategorized12 bar blues, beginner, blues piano, children, improvisation, jazz, keyboard, piano lessons, piano lessons portland, play by ear, students, twelve bar blues

“This Is Such A Blast. I’m Finally Learning What I Wanted, Improvise Blues Piano.” – J. Simmons

“Playing The Blues By Ear Has Always Been My Dream. What Fun.” – Sandra Michaels

“Soon I’ll Be Able To Jam With My Friends” 
– D. Baker

Why Blues Piano?
Learning Blues Piano is a great way to expand your piano skills. Blues piano is a great introduction to learning to play by ear, playing jazz, and becoming fluent on the keyboard. Students who acquire basic facility with blues, experience a sense a freedom of being able to play piano with ease and little effort. What makes Blues Piano so much fun? It’s spontaneous, energetic, experimental, imaginative. It’s the most playful type of music.

Students who already play, will discover that learning blues improvisation, will revitalize and energize their playing. It’s a terrific way to learn how to jam along with your friends. Those of you who are complete beginners, will want to spend a few months learning to read music before beginning blues. Once you have basic playing skills, blues is an excellent way to be introduced to new playing techniques.

Along with blues, you might also be interested in working on some extra theory, learning arrange your own music, and writing original music. If you sing, you might want to learn to accompany your voice with chords. Children love to experiment on piano, and blues gives them a way to use their imagination. They take to it immediately and it’s inventive nature.

blues piano player

What Is The Blues?
Blues is truly the original American music. It’s artistic, soulful, and very innovative. The twelve bar blues progression is a structure of chords combined with melodies and improvised. Blues played on the guitar is generally slow and melancholy, and accompanied by vocals. On the piano, blues often has no vocals, and the music is much faster, and full of creative energy.

Blues is a kind of jazz, and it’s a great way to get introduced to the world of jazz improvisation. Blues and jazz have influenced music for decades. It’s everywhere, and internationally loved and appreciated. Some popular blues players piano players are: Oscar Peterson, Abdullah Ibrahim, Otis Spann, Dr. John, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons, Professor Longhair, Barrelhouse Chuck. Blues piano can evoke emotions in many ways. Its constant swirl of textures can be imaginative, delicate, rambunctious, evocative, captivating, elegant, and playful.

play blues piano

Getting Started
Music stores are full of ‘Learn To Play Blues Piano’ books. However, I’ve yet to find a student who could make sense of the material presented in book form. They end up confused and frustrated. Learning blues piano is a hands on experience. I’ve taught hundreds of students to understand and blues. One-to-one training is effective, and the way to go.

Playing blues on the piano is very well suited for beginner players. To learn to play blues, students don’t need any previous piano experience. We can start right at the beginning with reading music. As soon as the student has enough playing skill, we can begin the blues. If you already play piano and have a good ear but don’t read music, then we can begin blues right away.

blues improvisation

The Lessons
My approach to blues is unique; modern, clean, easy to understand. Learning 12 bar blues starts with the left hand chord progression and right hand melodies. I’ll show you all the steps you need to play a real nice blues. After a short time practicing the basics, you’ll be improvising your very first original blues. I’ll teach you everything you need to know to master the basic styles of blues.

You should find blues piano to be a delightful introduction to improvisation. Those who are starting piano from the beginning will enjoy the freedom of playing without music. Those of you that already play will find new energy and expression in this engaging music. If you have tried playing jazz piano, and found it too hard, blues piano should be a much easier style to learn. Each student is a unique individual, so the lessons are guided by each students interests and comfort level.

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Examples of Blues

Some techniques covered in the lessons:
• Understanding Basic Chord Theory
• Left & Right Hand Swing Rhythms
• Left Hand Walking Bass
• Left Hand Rhythmic Variations
• Alternative 12 Bar Chords
• Diminished Chords & Scales
• Boogie Woogie & New Orleans Styles

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