Q. Could anyone tell me a site where I can find lessons or tips on how to write or improvise jazz. Most sites just talk about 7th chords and blues scales but I find that too simple coz am grade 8 piano and theory ABRSM. I need to know more about chord substitutions, some useful chromatic chords and common embellishments lyk the ones u hear jazz pianists use all the time. And where I can get good jazz piano mp3s. Please help coz am really interested in jazz.
A. This site has links to a LOT of Jazz weblinks
http://www.learnjazzpiano.com
/citadel/scotcit.mvc?screen=lm
But being that youre eigth grade I think youre going to be past what they have to offer
I'll give you some basic Jazz tips for your chords. Jazz uses a technique called chord extension.
If the chord says plain C you should add the next chord note from the KEY youre in.
If you were in the key of C then you would play CM7 BUT if you were in the key of F you would play C7
If it already says C7 then use C9, and turn CM7 into CM9
Whatever it is, ADD the next available note to the chord from the KEY.
If it says 9, use an 11, if it says 11 use a thirteen.
Then there are what are called POLY chords.
Play C7 in your left hand, (the next note after C is D) and play Dm7 in your right hand. (also known as C13)
C7 is Bb, so you could also play a c chord LH and a Bb chord RH
If you want some COOL sounding chords, play C chord left hand, and C#dim7 R.H. (=C -9)
All chords can be replaced (substituted) with their RELATIVE=substitute C with Am.
Also C6 with Am7. (easy way to remember=opposite of Major is minor, opposite of 6 is 7)
So if the chord says Eb6 (E F G A B C=6th note), Eb6 is C, so play Cm7.
Youd be better to play a pentatonic scale with Jazz = 1 2 3 5 6 (no 4 and no 7) rather than a blues scale.
Try this chord progerssion (semibreves held per bar) with only those notes over the top R.H.
CM7 Dm7 CM7 Dm7 Em7 FM7 Em7 FM7 and repeat
when you get used to it, add an off beat rhythm to the LH of dotted crotchet dotted crotchet quaver.
Also go to ***tube site and in the search bar type in "how to improvise jazz piano" and choose the most appropriate one to you.
There is a technical book you can buy it is called JAZZ HANON (Its the same Hanon exercises that are used for classical exams) but they are set out like pieces of music and there are text explanations all the way through.
The best way for you to find GOOD jazz mp3s is to search for them yourself. A lot of places allow you to make your own playlist at their site. Here is a link to a page full of music search engines, choose one of those and just enter jazz piano into the searchbar at the site.
http://www.addictivetips.com
/internet-tips/30-free-music-
search-engines-that-will-
rock-your-world/
Chord notation in a fake book on piano?
Q. So, I'm learning to play piano....
I have a fake book, which has single line melodies of popular songs, so it's easy to play. It also has chord notation. I'm wondering if someone could explain that to me. What does it mean? For instance, Cm7 or G7 or G. There's usually one per measure. Whatever chord it corresponds to, do I hold it the entire measure? Or do I improvise based on that chord?
A. find out how many beats are in the measure, then how many chords. if there's 4 beats and 2 chords, then play 2 of each. i'm not sure that i entirely get your question but that's the best i can come up with.
I need a combination of piano chords that sound sad. Any ideas?
Q. I'm trying to compose a song and I would like to use a lot of minor chords. However, I'm a little stuck. I've got a bad case of writer's block and I'm looking for some assistance. I don't need a melody, just a list of possible combinations of chords that I could use to make the song sound sad and/or dark. Any ideas??
A. I don't know what key you're in, so I'll give you some in the key of Am, which has no sharps or flats (unless you add some). See if any of these work for you.
If you want the chords in another key, use
http://www.autotransposer.com/transpose/
It's easy and free. (You'll need to remove the bar lines because the transposer doesn't understand them.)
__
Am |Dm |Em |Em |
Am |Am/G |FM7 |FM7 |
Am |Dm |Esus4 |E |
Dm7 |Am |Em7 |Dm7 |
Am |Bm7b5 |Dm/E |E7 |
Am |Am/C |Dm7 |FM7 |
Am |CM7 |Dsus4 |D |
Am |E |FM7 |Dm7 |
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Title : How do you play piano jazz?
Description : Q. Could anyone tell me a site where I can find lessons or tips on how to write or improvise jazz. Most sites just talk about 7th chords an...