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Joined: Apr 2009
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I'm pianist who mainly plays classical pieces, but I would like to play some jazz, so are there any books that you would recommend me?
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Tim Richard's Exploring Jazz Piano. http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Jaz...mp;s=books&qid=1243783341&sr=1-1This book compliments The Jazz Piano Book. Levine's book is a great resource of jazz piano theory with a lot of depth. Richard's book has a CD with musical examples to play along with. It's more of a method to learn the basics and start improvising.
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I have Mark Levine's Book and it is very good, but I have been playing for a long time and feel it only gives you bits and pieces of what jazz piano is about. I use it as reference, but I have many other jazz books.
Since you probably are a good reader, I recommend the George Shearing books, because they demonstrate his block chord style which influenced Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and many others. Playing through these books will get that sound under your fingers and in your ears. Also the Oscar Peterson transcription and Bill Evans series are great. Try to also get the CDs of each artist's version of the tune contained in the transcriptions. I am also a big fan of the Jamie Aebersold system because they cover every level, chord scales, voicings, comping, play-a-long CDs.
Jazz is a language, so you have to internalize it and apply it to your goals. Also try to get out in your area and if live jazz is available, check it out.
katt
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On the Adult Beginners Forum there is a thread for a jazz study group - learning from Autumn Leaves. It's great - I'm learning loads. Would be great to see you there Weldon!
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Weldon29: I think when you say you want to play some jazz you need to think about what you have in mind. There are three choices: 1. Do you want to play jazz style pieces, but which are fully written out? If so, you need a book of jazz arrangements of commonly played tune. 2. Do you actually want to play jazz as jazz musicians do, which means taking a lead sheet (just melody and chords) and workgin up your own arrangment, and improvising on the chord changes? Playing jazz this way is a whole different discipline than classical music. If this is true, you need to study basic jazz theory, and the Mark Levine book is a great start. 3. As a variation on #2 above (and really more of a future concern), if you want to play jazz, do you intend to play in a group, or just solo. I mention this because when to you to a book like Levine's there are many chapters, such as how to comp, that only apply when playing in a group. Just something to think about.
All of the above are great options, but thinking about what you really want to do will help define the kind of materials you need.
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the Mark Levine book is actually not what I'd recommend if you are just starting to learn jazz. I started with that book when I was learning jazz and ended up getting confused as there is so much info.
It is very thorough and detailed, and covers many types of things that advanced players would learn.
First thing is to master the 2-5-1 chord progression. This is the cornerstone for most jazz standards.
I'd go with the James Abersold book on how to play jazz.
Learn the jazz chords, minor 7th, major 7th, dom 7th.
Listen to jazz musicians and find which pianists you like, then get their lead sheets.
Actually, it'd be good to hear how others first got into jazz and how they learned. I came from a classical background but switched to jazz during university. I was pretty much self-taught, but it was very frustrating with a ton of trial and error, and discovering what works. Still is that way.
I wish I had a good teacher but the ones I tried for jazz didn't really teach me, so I did it on my own.
There's another approach to jazz and piano playing in general, that is far easier. Completely the opposite of the Levine method, which is theory/intellect heavy. This is all right brain abstract thinking. I learned it from one of the young jazz piano "prodigies" right now, message me in private if you'd like to hear more.
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2. Do you actually want to play jazz as jazz musicians do, which means taking a lead sheet (just melody and chords) and workgin up your own arrangement, and improvising on the chord changes? Playing jazz this way is a whole different discipline than classical music. If this is true, you need to study basic jazz theory, and the Mark Levine book is a great start.
This is what I mainly want to achieve, but I also want to learn to play as an accompaniment for a band or singer.
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Weldon , There are a lot of resources out there.The Aebersold handbook is great for what you want to achieve. Once that you mastered the II-V-I (or at least be familiar with) you can pick up the Mark Levine's Book,in which I've found a lot of great sources for playing jazz.
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Weldon: Just to add a few words. As someone with a classical background, you may find it strange that to play a new kind of music you have to study theory and chord progressions. Classical musicians think in terms of what notes do I have to play, and I'll practice until I learn how to play them. Jazz is different. In jazz, the key is to figure out, on your own, what notes to play. Sure, you get a basic outline, a one line melody and a set of chords, but everything else is up to you. So you have to learn how the music is put together.
Just for a starter. Learn what a II-V-I progression is, and play it in all twelve keys. Root position is fine, but then play different inversions. Then, go get the music for any standard you know, whether it's Cole Porter, or Gershwin or Ellington. Autumn Leaves or All the Things You Are, for example. Look for all the II-V-I sequences and hear how they sound. Try different notes over the progression, for your first hint of improvisation. This will give you a feel for the journey that is playing jazz.
Last edited by jjo; 06/05/09 04:16 PM.
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Thanks for the additional info guy. I'll be sure to remember these things.
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Oh and I'll like to add that I didn't only play classical, I'm also a church pianist.
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Hmm, I went to a music bookshop to search for the Jazz Piano Book, but they didn't have it.
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amazon.com can provide all the books discussed in this thread.
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I don't think they ship to Malaysia.
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Thanks, I thought Amazon is only for N.A.
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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