I am really keen to do grade 1 jazz piano.
My teacher is wonderful but as yet not all that 'up' on the new jazz syllabus so we are 'learning together'. I think it best to move through the grades rather than go straight in at Grade 4 or 5. There seems so much that is different.

We started our lesson today with trying to duet the Goldberg Variations and then moved on to GR1 Jazz Piano. Some contrast eh?

Please may I ask some dreadfully basic questions as I go along?

I have the Charles Beale book so perhaps that will help me too.

What exactly is a 'HEAD' ?

Caroline

The HEAD is the main melody/chord progression of the piece. I think.

Thank you Sarah Flute...that makes perfect sense now.
I have played through all the pieces in the grade 1 book so far and now I assume that I experiment and play around with the solo bars using the same progressions and melody variations??????? so that it all sounds as if it belongs to the same piece?

I'm doing a similar thing to you - making it up as I go along, and I'm trying to teach it! I've found it quite helpful to listen to the recommended tracks (listed in the ABRSM Jazz pieces book) and pick up some ideas from there (most are available on iTunes, downloadable) There are some helpful notes at the front of the book which explain what is expected in terms of improvisation and embellishment etc. There is a book called "Jazz Piano from scratch" published by the ABRSM which gives loads more details, exercises, theory etc amd includes a CD. You might not want to buy it as it's quite expensive, but your teacher might be prepared to buy it or go halves with you or something. I've only read a tiny fraction of it, but already feel like I'm getting a handle on this jazz thing...well, sort of...

It sounds like we've got a club of classically trained teachers working our way through the jazz syllabus! I got my Grade 1 jazz with distinction last term and am moving on to Grade 2 this term (gulp)

I'm working towards my DipABRSM on piano on the classical side, but like you felt that I should start at Grade 1 and work my way slowly through the grades. There's a different skill set that you need to acquire. Also the syllabus assumes knowledge of earlier scale patterns for things like the quick study and improvisations.

Try and find a soul mate who can help you along the way. I've been very fortunate to have a fellow teacher on the CT ABRSM course that I'm currently doing who has done Grade 5 jazz and has been very generous with ideas and guidance. Just sitting with someone and watching/listening to them improvise is really valuable.

Obviously you need to listen to lots of jazz!! Although the ABRSM Grade Jazz CDs are expensive I would say they are indispensable, particularly if you don't have jazz musicians around to help you out. Also get the books for the supporting tests. It's quite a big initial outlay, but one book does for all the grades so you get your money's worth.

When are you aiming to do the exam?

Karen

That's what I'm doing with jazz flute.

I was going to do Gr 5 jazz piano but instead went for classical because didn't like enough of the pieces but GO for it with Gr1