I'm a classically trained pianist who is fairly new to teaching, I have a handful of beginners . However, I've started to teach myself jazz/blues piano which I adore, but would like to broaden my knowledge and maybe take some of the jazz exams. I was thinking of doing the ABRSM jazz taster day has anyone done it? Or maybe I should take some lessons with an experienced jazz teacher, as I have no experience in improvisation. I do have the book jazz piano from scratch which is useful, but I feel I need more help. Also. I've taught myself keboard, and would like to take some of the LCM exams, I can play the grade 2 stuff pretty well, but again I'm not sure wether to just enter myself for the exams, or take some lessons just to make sure . Anyone got any suggestions please.
Full Version: From Classical Piano To Jazz & Keyboard
QUOTE(snoopy2 @ Aug 20 2007, 10:33 AM) 
I have never taken a jazz exam myself but attended a few residential courses years ago run by johhny dankworth and met some amazing jazz musicians/ teachers and learnt more from them in the (sometimes drunken!) evening jamming sessions than from any book!
Drunken jamming sessions at a residential jazz course? Surely not!
I've no experience of piano, but I do know that I wouldn't have been able to make much progress playing jazz sax without all the exellent tuition I've had.
Hi Jackie,
I can't give any advice, as i'm in the same boat. I found the book you mentioned very interesting though and since reading Paul Harris's book on how to improve your teaching, have started to improvise. It's not as dificult as I imagined! Please don't think I'm not being rude or even snobby, but why would you want to do keyboard if you can play piano?
I can't give any advice, as i'm in the same boat. I found the book you mentioned very interesting though and since reading Paul Harris's book on how to improve your teaching, have started to improvise. It's not as dificult as I imagined! Please don't think I'm not being rude or even snobby, but why would you want to do keyboard if you can play piano?
QUOTE(Muddy Paws @ Aug 20 2007, 09:27 PM)
Hi Jackie,
I can't give any advice, as i'm in the same boat. I found the book you mentioned very interesting though and since reading Paul Harris's book on how to improve your teaching, have started to improvise. It's not as dificult as I imagined! Please don't think I'm not being rude or even snobby, but why would you want to do keyboard if you can play piano?
Yes, good question, but I'm interested in teaching in schools and have been told by Music Services that there is not much demand for piano lessons in schools, but much more demand for keyboard lessons. Therefore, I thought I better keep up to date and take some keyboard exams, so I can put that on my CV!
As for the jazz, I also found improvising easier than I ever imagined and I just love it!
You're right about Keyboard in schools, I am a piano teacher who does a little piano and a lot of keyboard in schools (Piano only at home!).
Probably a good idea to look at keyboard exams if you're uncertain, although most teaching will be pre exam standard, and I find that generally those with kbds practise less than those with pianos (they have the kbd in their bedroom, not downstairs where mum can hear it !!!).
I did the AB jazz tasters /& workshops, and have done a couple of grades. I teach it at the lower level now.
the tasters were a good place to start.
Probably a good idea to look at keyboard exams if you're uncertain, although most teaching will be pre exam standard, and I find that generally those with kbds practise less than those with pianos (they have the kbd in their bedroom, not downstairs where mum can hear it !!!).
I did the AB jazz tasters /& workshops, and have done a couple of grades. I teach it at the lower level now.
the tasters were a good place to start.
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