As a classically trained pianist, I find jazz SO difficult! Does anyone know of any good self help books? The notation is particularly hard for me (I mean the chord notation really). Any advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks

Have you tried Jazz Piano From Scratch - published by the Associated Board to go with the exams? It got me through grade 1.

Learning the chord notation is only a tiny part of learning to play jazz. True, there are standard formulae to apply, but a jazz pianist will play what is apparently the same chord in a different way depending on the context, who he's playing with, what he feels like on the day etc, etc. And different pianists will interpret the same chart in a different way. What's written down on jazz charts is just a framework, everything's up for being changed and re-interpreted.

The best piece of advice I was given was to leave the books alone and start listening - everything you need to learn is recorded somewhere or other.

To get to the point of being semi-competent at playing jazz (as a sax player) the steps I took were
1. Get some 1-2-1 lessons from a jazz musician to point me in the right direction
2. Join a group workshop - this is the thing that has helped the most.

I also listen to jazz, go to live gigs etc as much as possible - that's really important too.

Good advice, imo. Everything you need to know is on the records.

Listen to lots of jazz, live and recorded, get involved with jazz playing sessions, and get some lessons with a jazz specialist. In a nutshell, all that TSax has mentioned, and she knows her stuff when it comes to jazz

I am a jazz piano teacher my website is www.tonymusicteach.co.uk if you want a booklist and some advice email me.

Do you want to

1 Improvise over a tune
2 Do your own arrangements of standards and jazz tunes
3 Play in a band
4 Play published arrangments
5 Exams

There is a set of skills which pianists need to learn which don't apply to horn players which you need to have at your fingertips Tony