Q. I'm a student in the 11th grade. I attend an art school, I am currently studying piano with jazz chords and progressions. I would like to join the jazz band but I need to learn to read a bit quicker. Any ideas?
A. READ --READ--READ--as much music as you can
try to play with other musicians
STUDY-STUDY-STUDY- theory and chord voicings
How is it that you comp piano chords?
Q. I know how to do basic comping with 7 chords.
Like with a C7 I would play LH root C and RH the 3 and the 7 (or 7 and 3).
But how do you comp a chord like Fm? Without the 7 I'm not sure what to play. Just the 3?
I hope this makes sense.
Thank you!
A. I'm not a pianist, but I suggest leaving the root out (odds are the bassist is playing it) and leaving the natural 5th out (it does very little to define the quality of the chord).
Do play 3rd/7th in your left hand and other chord tones or melody notes in your right hand. You'll discover that the LH voice leading falls together pretty naturally this way, and you are free to add tension tones or improvise in the RH.
Less is more, and the larger the ensemble, the truer this becomes.
Now... that said, comping is a delicate art that requires years of study to do well, so take your time, have fun, and perhaps get yourself a jazz piano teacher who can help you along. Also listen to and steal from your favorite pianists a LOT. If you arent' sure who to listen to, start with Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, and Chick Corea just to get their sound into your ear - all are very sophisticated and really playing the way they do will be out of your reach for a while, so cherry-pick the occasional cool voicing that you can and just enjoy the rest. McCoy is known for huge voicings that require a lot of strength, and Chick often plays polytonally (in multiple keys at once) so don't discourage yourself by trying to become like them overnight. Bill is the epitome of mainstream "cocktail jazz" piano, and you will learn and grow conceptually just by enjoying his amazing, delicate, beautiful compositions, solos, and voicings.
what are good jazzbooks for someone to learn and become amazing at playing?
Q. . i play the piano i have natural talent at improvising and have a very good ear. but when i play jazz music i don't know how to incorporate chords and change the voicings.all i play is the root chords so how can i become better? what books are will help me"? or should i get a jazz teacher?
A. get a teacher. books will only get you so far. a teacher can really rocket you to success. I also have an amazing ear and natural talent for improvising on saxophone, piano, and guitar, because of lessons I have taken/ am taking. because of what Ive learned from my teacher, my soloing sound so much better, and even got me a solo with a pro saxophonist from a college near my school! If you get a teacher, and stay committed to learning, i guarantee you will be successful with your piano playing.
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Title : How do I practice reading jazz chords off of a lead sheet? How would I quickly learn to sight read piano music?
Description : Q. I'm a student in the 11th grade. I attend an art school, I am currently studying piano with jazz chords and progressions. I would li...