Online at:
http://www.learnjazzpiano.com/citadel/scotcit.mvc
Other jazz lessons at:
http://people.uncw.edu/russellr/lessons.html

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thanks for the sites, im looking at them right now!

Here's another jazz piano study site:
http://www.outsideshore.com/index.htm

Question!

On the Learn Jazz Piano site there is a topic about left hand piano players. May I ask if this subject is of interest to anybody and what their views are?

I can say that the genius Erroll Garner was left handed, to the degree that he could, by virtue of brain division isolate his messages to either hand independantly. He could I think have a double thought process that enabled him to play as a classical trained pianist does in some of their music. The biggest difference is that Erroll could not read music at all.

I cannot explain the neurological medical part as you will have noticed.

The difference is I suppose that sight reading pianists coordinate both hands through the sight/hands process and that also seems difficult to me.

So us 'play by ear' people may have some advantage but I am sure that left-handed pianists have the best situation,in my opinion.

Alan

Learn Jazz Piano has a great community... I havent posted there in a while... but I have watched it change and grow over the past 2 years!! Lots of good info there...

I need more coffee

I thought the title of this thread was for "free jazz" piano lessons... Interesting...

Hi,
I have looked at a few of the free piano lesson sites and am usually amazed at how innacurate the lesson information is for musicians wanted to play at a pro level. So far my opinion is that you get what you pay for.

I agree with Rob.

...well , I too understand what Rob means, I've seen his hp.
but, with all respect, between zero and 100 bucks for a private lesson : there must be s.th. between. And look at Mr.Changs free piano book (classical section) for ex. In best quality ! Is there a pendant for the jazz student??
Wouldn't it be a good job giving them the RiGHT informations to start with?
hope the best!

Training someone to practise an art form that is so varied in it's interpretation is near impossible,I think. I agree with the basic chords and scales teaching theory, but to teach the hearing appreciation of jazz is surely impossible.

Much depends on your level of music versus the sound sense of it and what it provokes or offends and the senses involved; the vibes, you know? The rhythm senses and reactions therefrom.

Jazz is to me a a sound and rhythm combination with harmony variations. If it is discordant then it is not for me.

I see the younger people getting fraught with frustration as to how they should expand on modern themes. Well I'm sorry, but that may not be easy.

It is said there is a decline in the popularity of jazz. Is that because the general public cannot relate to it? There are many comments that can be said about that possibility.

I do not write stuff to offend others so will decline from futher comment.

Let me just say I'm happy with something that stirs my sense of rymthm. I just want to keep improving my playing technique to satisfy myself, as 99% of the time that's the only person hearing it.

Alan

As a left-handed jazz pianist myself, I might be able to answer your question.

From what I have heard and read, left-handed people have better access to the right side of their brain, which is the creative side of the brain, as apposed to the left side, which is the logical, mathematical side. That's why (generally speaking) a lot of famous artists are left-handed.

Then again, I don't have any problems sight-reading, and am fairly decent at playing by ear (not trying to sound arrogant here).

So it's an interesting topic, but I wouldn't say that right-handed pianists are at that much of a disadvantage -- they have their advantages, too: namely right-hand dexterity and speed.

True there's lots of crap out there, and to study online comes no less easier that with real lessons, but here's a site I found informative:

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/

As Alan says, it's an art-form that requires lots of patience and study. Plus you have to listen. I'd recommend listening to a jazz station or CD recordings at least a few hours a day. Go to the public library and borrow any recording. You can't get on unless you have a feel for jazz, expecially if you have had lots of classical grounding. I think my improvising got better when I started internalizing the sound I heard - I can hear various solos right now in my mind if I conjure it up. This helps teh fingers immensly.

Jazz is about harmony. Yeah, it's about improvisation and a swing'n rhythm and the player's individual style and.... but it's about harmony and then restating that harmony in new and interesting ways that shape the direction of the tune.

Ultimately we play what we hear, and what we hear is a comprehensive result of what we've heard other players do, what our mentors have enlightened us with, what our proficiency allows us and what our heart inspires us to hear.

As other have already mentioned, it's vital to listen to everything you can get your hands on, then choose a few tunes, get the lead sheets (treble clef melody w/ chord symbols) and see what the tune is all about. What does the tune say to you? What do you want to say with the tune?

'Glad to have said something of use as I'm a pure ear pianist and find it difficult to describe anything in technical terms.
If you go to the 'site; 'learnpianojazz' you will find a huge amount of very good information.
There is an article written by username:- Albetan , it's in the Files section (search)called 'The Subconscious in music' and that was very enlightening for me as it explains how I play by ear.

There is also a great deal of help for what ever style piano jazz you wish to play. Just register and away you go. It did take me a while to get used to the forum and navigation!

Hope this helps.

Alan

http://www.digevent.com/events/consumer/music/keyboard/archives.asp

Best internet piano lessons I've found so far. Enjoy!

Thank you thank you thank you! Excellent site.

I have to teach you somethin'. Just Kidding

Check this out.

http://www.jazclass.aust.com/


Lots of good free stuff here.

I may purchase one or two of the courses.

Bob