Hi,
I'm a total novice in jazz. I play piano and cello to grade 5 (and am about to take G5 theory) but I'd like to start doing some jazz piano. Does any one know where I can start?; it all looks really confusing!!

Thanks,
piello

Hi Piello

I see you've only just joined, so welcome.

Piano isn't my instrument I'm afraid so I can't help you with how to learn jazz on it. But depending on what sort of jazz you want to play, I could possibly tell you about local jazz concerts around the country (UK) where you could go to listen to it, which might be useful for learning how to play it. Only New Orleans style jazz though, not modern. Or have you already been going to jazz concerts and is that why you want to play it?

If you're a total novice in jazz, do you know that improvisation is expected? A lot of classically trained performers (ie used to playing from notation) are not able to play jazz because they are not able to switch to improvisation, even though they are brilliant performers normally.

Hope you get some more helpful advice on how you can learn!

Thanks, Jazzfan

I have some books with some blues and New Orleans jazz in (i played a piece called New Orleans Nightfall for grade5) and i also have lots of jazz CDs. it just really appealed to me; a bit different to the usual classical stuff.
yes, i did know it involves improvisation and that's the bit i'm not sure about - how it works so that's where i need a teacher! No, I have not been to jazz concerts but i would quite like to!

I get a magazine called Jazz Guide which is published monthly and lists about 70 pages of New Orleans style jazz club concerts in the UK. You can go on their mailing list for £5 annually, or they'll probably just send you a single copy if you ask them because they're given out free at many jazz clubs. Their telephone number is 01908 312392 but they don't appear to have a web site. If you don't mind saying whereabouts in the UK you are (PM me if you'd rather), I can look up where the jazz clubs are in your area and let you know.

If you can find a jazzer who teaches, that would be a great starting point and inspiration.

janexxx and I had a jazz workshop with Violinia who posts on the fora back last October: I hoped it would be fun but didn't think I'd be much good, esp on the violin which is not my most confident instrument.

However: It was SO much fun and so inspirational! Although I haven't had a lot of opportunity to put things into practice since, I have been branching out into more jazzy things, trying some improv on my flute, and have returned many times to the things I learned and played on my violin and viola, and it's all been immense fun! It was the best starting point I could have hoped for

Hey peillo

If you are starting out on Jazz Piano then i would recommend "JAZZ PIANO FROM SCRATCH". Its quite a long book, but contains useful examples of different Jazz Styles, from rock to blues to swing. Also it contains a CD which allows you to listen to the examples, and you can also play along to some of the exercises.
The Book teaches simple Jazz Scales, and shows you how to improvise, with different tips and techniques. It also contains a good list of CD's that you can listen to.
The book costs around £20 - £25 but is well worth it if you are serious about Jazz Piano. Also i would reccommend getting the Jazz scales book, as alot of Jazz Improvisaion is based on jazz scales, so they are a fundemental part of jazz

A regards to Jazz for your 'Cello I can't helo you there

Hope this helps

Ben

Jazz Piano From Scratch

P.S

I Love 'New Orleans Nightfall'

I really couldn't reccommend (as mentioned above) 'The 'Jazz Piano from Scratch' - it was extremely helpful for me. It is a long book, full of lots to take onboard, but really does cover a lot of ground if you want to learn about jazz piano.

WOw! Thanks very much everyone, i really wasn't expecting that many helpful comments!
There are some really useful ideas and links etc. in there so thanks again!

Piello

I'm trying to figure out if that is a recommendation or not , you couldn't recommend it then go on to praise it !

I've ordered that book anyway, as it seems to be comprehensive.

I also had a look in the public library and borrowed "The Easiest Way to Improvise" by Chris Norton. I won't go so far as to recommend it yet (I only started it yesterday!) but the library is certainly a great way to try out a book before you buy

Mel

I think joyjoy might have meant to say 'I couldn't not recommend (as mentioned above) 'The 'Jazz Piano from Scratch''

Thats what I took it as meaning

Good luck Mel, with the Jazz from Scratch book

Ben

For jazz cello check out Ben Davis www.bendavis.info (seems a bit out of date) or part of www.f-ire.com

Ben is touring throughout the autumn as part of both Oriole and the Ingrid Laubrock quintet, many gigs are double bills. The cello / tenor sax combination is really beautiful - go along and see him if you get a chance.

me too! same with the problems of improvisation but i'm wanting to do it on the trumpet, not piano. i played new orleans nightfall too (only piece i passed...) x

http://www.surreyjazz.com
try this site. found it to be quite useful

I have seen that book and think it is really good, and it's by Charles Beale who is the AB 'boss man' when it comes to Jazz and jazz syllabus.

A friend of mine went on a weekend of Starting Jazz Piano which was led by Charles Beale. He said Charles is inspirational, so good... so it's probably a great starting point to get the book.