On Tuesday I will be auditioning for my High school Jazz band. The music director asked me to play piano for the band next year because the current pianist will be graduating at the end of this year. I have never played Jazz before, I’ve been strictly classical. I’m late intermediate to early advanced in classical music, I can play things like Chopin prelude number 4, 15, 20, etc. moonlight sonata, Mendelssohn’s gondola songs, and the Rachmaninoff prelude in C.

I am currently working on the scales for jazz piano. I need to audition with F major Blues and B flat major Blues along with a selection from a piece and improvisation in B flat major.

I’m fine with the first two, scales are no problem and the piece is easy. Improvisation is a problem. I have never done any sort of improv before, let alone in a certain key. I’m not very familiar with keys and stuff like that, I just have always played to play.

Any pointers and tips or links to tutorial websites would be so helpful! I’ll be practicing on my keyboard unfortunately for the next week, as my piano is being repaired. Figures.

Thanks very much!

On Tuesday I will be auditioning for my High school Jazz band. The music director asked me to play piano for the band next year because the current pianist will be graduating at the end of this year. I have never played Jazz before, I’ve been strictly classical. I’m late intermediate to early advanced in classical music, I can play things like Chopin prelude number 4, 15, 20, etc. moonlight sonata, Mendelssohn’s gondola songs, and the Rachmaninoff prelude in C.

I am currently working on the scales for jazz piano. I need to audition with F major Blues and B flat major Blues along with a selection from a piece and improvisation in B flat major.

I’m fine with the first two, scales are no problem and the piece is easy. Improvisation is a problem. I have never done any sort of improv before, let alone in a certain key. I’m not very familiar with keys and stuff like that, I just have always played to play.

Any pointers and tips or links to tutorial websites would be so helpful! I’ll be practicing on my keyboard unfortunately for the next week, as my piano is being repaired. Figures.

Thanks very much!

Here are some Latin jazz piano tips that are sure to help you develop your sound in this free video clip. Expert: Austin McBride Bio: Austin McBride has been doing Break Dancing for 4 years, featuring himself in about 6 clubs. He says break dancing is great for exercise and to impress friends. Filmmaker: joseph wilkins

I must choose between classical guitar lessons versus piano lessons at my liberal arts college where I’ll be enrolling in lessons. I plan to learn both eventually, but I must choose one for the semester I’ll be entering this Fall!

I know basic (electric) guitar and how to read tabs, but I haven’t spent enough time to learn to master composition and improvise. Not only this, but I never had the opportunity to play at home because I wasn’t allowed to disrupt anyone. Now, I finally have the chance! Classical guitar is far more rare and my music theory background should hasten my understanding. My main reason for classical guitar is to improve my versatility in guitar in general yet all the while learning classic pieces. Think: Matthew Bellamy of Muse was classically trained, but plays contemporary music!

However, piano seems far more versatile and fulfilling! I know scales and some common chords but I have not so much as employed them (haven’t practiced sight-reading pieces). Piano, I feel, can be self-taught, but I’d really like proper instruction and am up for a challenge. Also, could I specify a type of genre with piano, such as jazz piano (and others? what are they?) that I could focus on?

What I look for most is an instrument I can learn more quickly so that I can begin improvising and transposing music of songs I know/composing my own.

I understand the concepts of Music Theory fully- I have taken an AP Music Theory course. Be mindful that these lessons are weekly lessons (or more? not sure…) over the course of a college semester.

Thank you!

Hey, In this video I basiclly show how to add a Major7th and a 9th to your chords to add some nice effects. This is fairly simply stuff so don’t flame me if you are an advanced pianist =) Thanks, Ben

so i was curious about some different composing techniques to maybe help writing piano music a little easier. i was curious if there was specific composing techniques (like the ‘mannheim rocket’ used in Beethoven’s 1st piano sonata), or maybe just common strategies used with scales (not chord progressions though, i already understand that).

i kinda wanna play around with different types of techniques and experiment with them, rather than just writing line after line with no real variation and the sheet music itself doesnt look very interesting

Learn to Play Jazz Piano the Funky way! SoloingTechniques.com Improvisational DVD for jazz, R&B, gospel piano to learn tricks, licks, runs, riffs, and soloing techniques. This improvisational DVD will take your licks and chops to another level. Learn Gospel, jazz, R&B scales and soloing skills. Urban Soloing Techniques Volume I is an amazing improvisational soloing DVD for gospel, neo soul, jazz, and R&B styles. You are probably sick of playing the same chords and doing the same few runs and tricks that you find so mundane. Well now you will be able to spice up your playing with an arsenal of solos, licks, tricks, runs, riffs, and “phat” improvisational techniques. Urban Soloing Techniques Volume I is slated for the beginner to intermediate keyboard player. We will teach you the basics of soloing as it relates to scales, grace notes, fingering techniques, and ear training. Most importantly, we are giving you all of the important tools that you can use in today’s music, which will keep you contemporary and not “old-school” sounding. Many of the licks and tricks are taken from very popular gospel runs and jazz improvisational riffs that you hear in your favorite jazz and gospel artists. Look no further! This is the DVD you need to FINALLY phatten up your playing and take your chops to a whole other level. Urban Soloing Techniques Volume II is a continuation to our extraordinary Volume I DVD set and is slated for the intermediate player. We teach in a “shed style” manner in …

I am a guitar player currently teaching myself some scales on the keyboard I just bought. I eventually want to get lessons. I am 20, a college student without a lot of space. Obviously, I would prefer a real piano, but can neither afford one nor have a lot of space. How much am I missing not learning on a real piano? Jazz is my favorite genre for piano, but I also like contemporary music and classical.
This is the one I have:

http://www.andysmusiconline.com/products/yamaha-ypg235.html

Hi! This is a clip from my upcoming instructional dvd, “Unlocking the Keys.” This is a pretty simple clip for pretty simple people… nothing flashy, just smooth jazz for the beginner. The 4 hour instructional dvd will be available (at the latest) May of 2008, through Wheatworks Production Company (www.showmethat.com). It will cover secrets for the beginners as well as the advanced musicians. Thanks for the support, as it is my ultimate desire to keep pretty simple music both, pretty and simple!!! This dvd would not be possible without your support and GOD’S LOVE; Thanks again!!!

Hey, in this video I am going to show you how to play a bit of Jazz. I apologise sincerely for accidently having my piano transposed. I didn’t know it was in the wrong key untill after I recorded the video. I hope the video is still helpful in some way. Ben