hi quyz...can anyone help me in my problem...well actually i want to learn how to play jazz..but i don't know how...can you please teach me..thanks..and God bless

Hi Joevert,

Learning to play jazz is a long term endeavor, and if you want to improvise freely it's a good idea to learn some theory. I like Ed Roseman's book "Music Theory for Practical People", but I'm sure there will be other suggestions.

As a beginner who's also interested in jazz, I really like Bill Boyd's series of books. He has collections of pieces that get you used to playing in various jazz styles, such as "Jazz Starters" and "Jazz Bits and Pieces", and also a jazz method, "Think Jazz". There are look inside tabs on many of these at www.sheetmusicplus.com and they ship overseas at reasonable rates.

SOME OF THE BOOKS PEOPLE RECOMMEND DONT INCLUDE CD'S. MUSIC IS MORE AURAL THAN VISUAL. PLEASE DONT BUY MUSIC BOOKS WITHOUT CD'S UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT NOTE READER. (BASED ON MY LIMITED EXPERIENCE) GOOD LUCK


http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/topic/37/807.html

To start with I would consider the style of jazz piano you wish to play.

Personally I would listen and watch video or DVD of your favourite jazz style. Get the whole package firmly in the brain and then use some help from the Jamey Abersold play along CD's and song sheets for piano jazz.

Perhaps you can find a jazz teacher who can specialize in your particular style. There are some live teaching methods on the Web so that is another avenue to try.

A very good new jazz pianist is Makato Ozone from Japan, there are some DVD's of him. There are many others, all with differing styles. Even though you may never reach the standard they have,it is their inspiration that will drive you.

Please ask further if in any doubt. There are many posts here that you can read that cover your requests.

swingal

thanks guyz...i thought playing jazz is very easy...heheheh

I suggest you to study music harmony (keys, scales, chords, modulations, substitutions and so on)
transcribe piano solo you love, transpose them in all keys.
But, as said, mastering improvisation requires many years: however it depends on how much you study and play.
Improvisation is not difficult if you know exactly how to improvise (harmony - ear).

Have you suffered?

I think this depends on what you know already. If you play already, and can read music, I suggest you concentrate on learning chords--both theory aspects and especially how to play them in their different guises-- and work from lead sheets ("fake books") of your favorite songs. This will get you comfortable playing without full notation in front of you, a must for learning to improvise.

Join us in the Adult Beginners Forum and look for the Jazz Study Group: Autumn Leaves. We're learning jazz and I'm hosting it. If you want to learn jazz, it can't think of a better yet to start. We started in January and we got several people now improvising.

This question always kills me! Because there are so many facets of Jazz playing!

Anyways, I would suggest Tim Richard's books, "Exploring Jazz Piano" Vol. 1 & 2. They are just the best! The CD's are amazing and help so much! I just love these books!

And if Tim Richards just happens to read this, I just want to send out a big, "Thank You" to him! Sincerely!