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.
Getting started with piano or keyboards lessons might be something you have been thinking about for a long time. The quickest and best way to get started is with private, individual lessons. You will learn everything you’ll need to know to become a proficient piano player. Reading music is not such a mystery when you have all the parts broken down in a simple, easy to understand progression. You can learn to play classical, pop, new age, folk, blues and more.
Learning to play piano will give you an extraordinary skill. Playing piano and keyboards will make you more creative and boost your confidence to master challenges. Kids or adults will not only have fun, but will gain tools for self expression and accomplishment. Learning to play piano can be a wonderful and satisfying experience. You can learn to play music from Bach to Beethoven to the Beatles. There is an entire world of classical, folk, pop, blues, jazz, and new age music.
