{"id":2106,"date":"2018-09-03T09:36:27","date_gmt":"2018-09-03T08:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.londonpianoinstitute.co.uk\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2022-04-29T18:28:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T17:28:06","slug":"how-do-i-get-started-learning-jazz-piano-as-an-adult","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonpianoinstitute.co.uk\/how-do-i-get-started-learning-jazz-piano-as-an-adult\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I get started learning jazz piano as an adult?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover how to get started with jazz piano as an adult. In this article, you will get a much deeper understanding of how jazz works!<\/em><\/p>\n

Learning to play jazz piano as an adult is\u00a0one of the most rewarding things you can do!<\/p>\n

It is, however, important that you understand the process of getting started with jazz piano.<\/p>\n

Jazz piano is not easy to master, it requires a lot of practice\u00a0and\u00a0self-discipline.<\/p>\n

It can be downright arduous at times, but the rewards are humongous once you get it right!<\/p>\n

In this article, I will do my utmost to help you understand the journey and process of learning to play jazz piano as an adult.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Learning to play jazz piano requires a lot of memorisation<\/h3>\n

To become proficient at playing jazz piano, you need a working command of voicings, melodic lines as well as the concept of superimposition.<\/p>\n

All these elements require a tremendous amount of actual memorisation.<\/p>\n

Memorisation takes time.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it will definitely help to think of learning jazz piano\u00a0in terms of an exciting\u00a0journey rather than a destination.<\/p>\n

You cannot really\u00a0speed up the process too much.<\/p>\n

The reason for this, is you need to know your chords or voicings inside-out and be able to use them in a real \u201clive\u201d situation on the spot.<\/p>\n

It is not simply a situation of cramming for an exam the night prior. (See the spacing effect<\/a> on Wikipedia for why learning is greater when spread out over time.)<\/p>\n

Your knowledge of jazz voicings, lines and superimposition need to be embedded in your deep long-term memory and ready to be used at will.<\/p>\n

At The London Piano Institute, we help all our jazz students by constant (fun) drills and practice to recall important voicings, lines and superimposition.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately (and fortunately!), there is no quick method here.<\/p>\n

Memorisation tricks go so far, but will not help you perform at will and creatively in a \u201clive\u201d situation.<\/p>\n

The greatest secret here, is to enjoy the journey!<\/p>\n

\"Do<\/p>\n

Excellent tuition makes it so much easier<\/h3>\n

There is absolutely no doubt, that great jazz education will help you\u00a0achieve your goals much quicker than self-study.<\/p>\n

You may not be able to practice 10-12 hours a day in the likes of John Coltrane and that is why you need someone to help you get there!<\/p>\n

As an adult learning to play jazz, five sessions of 30 to 60 minutes are all that is needed at the first steps of learning. (Along with an hour of quality jazz tuition or more weekly.)<\/p>\n

Once you get the fire of jazz in your belly, and you have the time, you can up your practice time to 90 minutes plus per day!<\/p>\n

Jazz may be an arduous style to\u00a0learn but with dedication, it can be done!<\/p>\n

So make sure you get\u00a0excellent tuition – it is really the first step to your jazz success!<\/p>\n

We offer students jazz tuition in the City and Mayfair in central London. Find out about our in-house courses here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can also explore online jazz Skype piano lessons<\/a> from anywhere in the world with us.<\/p>\n

Even if you do not study with us, find someone great to help you, and stick with a great teacher for at least five years!<\/p>\n

That will really help you improve!<\/p>\n

\"Old<\/p>\n

Listening to great jazz with intent will help you get the \u201cjazz feel\u201d!<\/h3>\n

Whenever\u00a0a student asks me what is the first step to\u00a0learning\u00a0jazz, I always reply: listen, listen, listen.<\/p>\n

By immersing yourself in jazz music, you will get a \u201cfeel\u201d for jazz!<\/p>\n

It is also important to note that listening only to jazz piano is not advised.<\/p>\n

Make sure you listen to jazz that features a saxophone, guitar or a voice. (Or any instrument for that matter!)<\/p>\n

You want to immerse yourself in the language of jazz playing as a whole.<\/p>\n

So listen to lots of different types of jazz.<\/em><\/p>\n

Listen to jazz played on a vibraphone. Gary Burton is the master of this style!<\/p>\n

Or even jazz harp and harpsichord – see: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5gspuW2X_dw<\/a><\/p>\n

It is amazing what is possible if you\u00a0search and listen!<\/p>\n

Make sure you listen to lots and lots of jazz!<\/p>\n

In fact, during my University years when I studied jazz, I made a point of ONLY listening to jazz during my first year of studies.<\/p>\n

I desperately needed to get acquainted with the style in order to excel with my studies.<\/p>\n

Growing up I listened to classical music and rock\u2026<\/p>\n

Jazz is rhythmically the polar opposite of these styles and that is why you need to listen, listen and listen some more!<\/p>\n

So take out your favourite device and create a repertoire of jazz\u00a0to listen to!<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Improvisation requires a complete understanding of chords, progressions and how to play through them!<\/h3>\n

Learning to improvise is definitely a wonderful experience.<\/p>\n

In the early days, you should look at the blues scale as well as the pentatonic scale and start with easy improvisation.<\/p>\n

As your experience grows, move to more intricate harmonic movements and expand your knowledge.<\/p>\n

Learning how to improvise well, requires a complete understanding of harmony, melody and how they interact.<\/p>\n

At a master level, you basically become a composer on the spot!<\/p>\n

That means you need to have a very large selection of melodic devices and options at your disposal in order to create melodies on the spot.<\/p>\n

That is why it is difficult!<\/p>\n

Doable? Absolutely, but it requires time, effort and application!<\/p>\n

\"Jazz<\/p>\n

Comping is the art of jazz accompaniment<\/h3>\n

The art of accompaniment in jazz, is an aspect of jazz performance that is difficult to master.<\/p>\n

When we first learn how to play an instrument, we usually focus on being heard and on the art of improvisation.<\/p>\n

When you accompany others in a jazz setting, your role as a jazz pianist is to very subtly provide a solid harmonic and rhythmic background for others to solo over.<\/p>\n

This requires humility, teamwork and a willingness to let others shine!<\/p>\n

When you comp (accompany) in jazz, the secret is to make the soloist or singer sound great.<\/p>\n

You need to really listen to their improvisation or singing and then accompany accordingly.<\/p>\n

You should make it easy for them to improvise or to sing or play the melody.<\/p>\n

Your role here is to provide a solid back end – your role is to support!<\/p>\n

The best way to learn about jazz comping (accompaniment), is to listen to great jazz playing.<\/p>\n

Count Basie was one of the greatest jazz pianists and leaders in big band jazz.<\/p>\n

Did you know he was initially a drummer?<\/p>\n

I would highly recommend listening to a lot of Count Basie in order to get an understanding of how to comp sparsely. (His rhythmic and timing abilities are uncanny!)<\/p>\n

You can also listen to Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner, as they both have a more aggressive style of accompaniment.<\/p>\n

You can learn a tremendous amount by listening to both spares and aggressive styles of accompaniment.<\/p>\n

Remember jazz is an individual art.<\/p>\n

No two jazz players are alike.<\/p>\n

Each jazz artist will have his or her own flavour of accompaniment.<\/p>\n

In the early days of your jazz education, I would recommend copying the greats and incorporating their ideas into your own playing.<\/p>\n

Of course, as an adult jazz piano student, listening to a lot of jazz is the best course of action!<\/p>\n

You will find accompaniment and the art of comping very difficult in the early days.<\/p>\n

That is why I recommend listening again and again.<\/p>\n

By listening, you will develop your ear and learn the art of comping!<\/p>\n

Once you have developed a feel for comping, then you can try it out at the piano!<\/p>\n

Success comes to those who persevere!<\/p>\n

\"Jazz<\/p>\n

Structure and form are everything in jazz!<\/h3>\n

In one sense, jazz is very simplistic.<\/p>\n

In another sense, it is very complex…<\/p>\n

If we take the jazz standard \u201cAll the things you are\u201d as an example, we note the following:<\/p>\n