How do I practice reading jazz chords off of a lead sheet? How would I quickly learn to sight read piano music?

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

Original Question

where can i get jazz piano chords from jazz songs?

Q. any websites (besides 8notes.com) that have the chords or riffs to jazz songs like "moondance" or something like that?

A. You can google the phrase "The Real Book free".

The other poster gave you an invaluable site for identifying chords and learning to play them, but the main riffs and chord progressions of Jazz standards can be found in The Real Book, volumes 1-3. I would highly recommend just buying the books... they get used A LOT and pay for themselves after the first couple uses... not to mention that musicians still get paid *nudge nudge*!

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Book-Hal-Leonard-Corporation/dp/0634060384

Original Question

How can I prepare to be in a jazz band?

Q. I want to join a jazz band at my school. We will spend the first quarter or so of the year doing technique stuff and I want to get a head start. I've already learned blues scales in every key, but what else can I do to prepare?

A. most of all LISTEN TO JAZZ!!! helps w/ understanding and style. try to copy licks and stuff by ear. your ears are extremely importnant

next learn all your major scales and the modes w/n it
modes are a major scale starting on different degrees. heres the modes:

Ionian (this is also the major scale): starts on 1 and finishes on the octave above it
Dorian:starts on the 2nd
Phrygian:3rd
Lydian: 4th
Mixolydian: 5th
Aeolian (this is a minor scale): 6th
Locrian:7th

examples in F

F Ionian: F,G,A,Bb,C,D,E (nothing changes)
G Dorian: G,A,Bb,C,D,E,F (b7,b3)
A Phrygian: A,Bb,C,D,E,F,G (b7,b3,b6,b2)
Bb Lydian: Bb,C,D,E,F,G,A (#4)
C Mixolydian: C,D,E,F,G,A,Bb (b7)
D Aeolian: D,E,F,G,A,Bb,C (b7,b3,b6)
E Locrian: E,F,G,A,Bb,C,D (b7,b3,b6,b2,b5)

Modes in intervals:

Ionian:1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Dorian: 1,2,b3,4,5,6,b7
Phrygian: 1,b2,b3,4,5,b6,b7
Lydian: 1,2,3,#,4,5,6,7
Mixolydian: 1,2,3,4,5,6,b7
Aeolian: 1,2,b3,4,5,b6,b7
Locrian:1,b2,b3,b4,b5,b6,b7

you see how all of them have the noted w/n the F Ionian (major) scale

Learn intervals names:
# of........name ex: in C
half........
steps......

0Perfect UnisonC->C
1Minor secondC->C#/Db
2Major secondC->D
3Minor thirdm3C->D#/Eb
4Major thirdM3C->E
5Perfect fourthC->E#/F
6Tritone/ Augmented fourth/ Diminished fifth C->F#/Gb
7Perfect fifth C->G
8Minor sixth C->G#/Ab
9Major sixth C->A
10Minor seventh C->A#/Bb
11Major seventh C->B
12Perfect octave C->C+8va

Anything above 7 is known as a compound interval, which is a note 1 8va above. ex: a Major 9th is a Major 2nd + 1 8va C->D+8va

Also learn how to build triads: this essential for understanding chords for improv

U know your arpeggios rt? Like A C Major arpeggio C,E,G,C? Well thats actually a major triad plus an 8va. It consist of the 1st (C), major 3rd (E), and perfect 5th (G) notes of the scale.

triads are the backbone of all chords, and can stand alone as a chord. triads are made by taking 3 notes in the scale, and using every other note. (ex: 1st note, 3rd and 5th; or 2nd, 4th, and 6th; or 3rd, 5th and 7th, etc)

so the triads in C major are (but in jazz they have more complex chord like dominant 7s and 9s, ex:C7...these have a 1,3,5,b7 in them notes=C,E,G,Bb)

C - CEG
Dm - DFA
Em - EGB
F - FAC
G - GBD
Am - ACE
Bdim - BDF

you'll see things like this over parts in jazz music, and its used to for soloing. theres alot of theory behind how to use the chords to solo, which im not going to go in detail. but learn how to make them on your own. there are 4 types to know (lowest to largest): Diminished (1,b3,b5), Minor (1,3b,5), Major (1,3,5), Augmented, (1,3,#5)...you apply this formula to any Ionian (major) scale and you can make triads.

learn your symbols: â,Âµ (rare, ive never seen this in music so far),Â°,Ã¸

Ive given you way too much info on purpose. have of this goes into AP music theory/Music Theory I (college theory class). Its good to have an idea of how much you dont know, it keeps you humble and driven to learn more. You really dont used the blues scale that much if you are an experienced player. heres some site that ive found that helps explain theory concepts and good luck:

http://www.learn-to-play-piano-online.com/piano-scales.html
http://www.jacmuse.com/melodic%20resources/major%20scale%20pages/newpage16.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interval_(music)
http://bmccosar.wordpress.com/chord-abbreviations/
http://www.jazztheorylessons.com/category/chord-theory/
http://tamingthesaxophone.com/jazz-chord-progressions.html

Original Question

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...