| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: You Can Play Jazz Piano | |
| Nikos -- 01/03/2007, 08:02:13 -- #32131 | |
| Hello forum, does anybody own the "You Can Play Jazz Piano" DVDs by Warren Bernhardt, especially Lesson Two & Three? Can you recommend it? Thanks Nikos | |
| Scot -- 01/03/2007, 08:17:56 -- #32131 | |
| I've never seen those videos, but Warren Bernhardt is a monster jazz pianist, no question about it. Have several of his recordings and they are great. | |
| jaledin -- 01/03/2007, 10:16:29 -- #32131 | |
| I've watched part of one of the volumes, but I don't own any of them. From what I remember, Bernhardt (in addition to being a heavy musician), was a good teacher, as well. If I'm not mistaken, the lesson I saw was pretty basic. I like his backup on the Donald Fagen Homespun video as well -- he takes at least one killer solo on Rhodes on that one. | |
| Adam1226 -- 01/03/2007, 11:47:16 -- #32131 | |
| I don't recommend the videos. They are like most of the other instructional videos available in that the format is something like this: 1. Warren explains a simple concept in tedious detail (something that actually requires about 5 seconds to explain, like where middle C is, takes 5 minutes). 2. Warren then says, "and the you can also do this..." and does something fancy, and doens't explain it at all. In my experience, this is the problem with most instructional jazz piano books and videos. That's why eventually most people need a teacher--there are some things you just can't get from books and videos. -adam | |
| jace -- 01/03/2007, 17:31:05 -- #32131 | |
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB8VA1lAvPY this is pretty good instructional video by some dude. | |
| jazzvirtuoso -- 01/03/2007, 20:21:21 -- #32131 | |
| Yes, i've heard of them and have them.(I have Andy Lavernes too) I disagree with a few statements here...but I don't have time to go into detail(too tired). Aside from him playing about the most swining solo version of autum leaves, the course comes with etudes and a booklet.(these alone are worth the price). I think the etudes, from what I remember were taught to Warren by his (and lavernes) teacher, the undisputed late great Bill Evans. Anyway, Warren is perhaps the most underated Jazz pianist alive. More later.... JV' | |
| jazzvirtuoso -- 01/03/2007, 20:25:35 -- #32131 | |
| Oh yea almost forgot. The irony in this is that I was getting ready to review some of the materials by Warren, right before I left the house, I come back home and read this. Sometimes I swear people can read my mind. :) JV' | |
| Nikos -- 01/04/2007, 04:25:52 -- #32131 | |
| Ok, JV, it would be great to read more about the videos and Warren Bernhardt material. You mean Andy Lavernes DVD Learn To Play Jazz Piano Standards? Is it good? Nikos | |
| Brotherdavies -- 01/04/2007, 05:13:34 -- #32131 | |
| I can recommend the Jazz Piano Standards DVD. There is a really great reharmonisation of How Deep is the Ocean. Andy really teaches how to reharmonize standards, it is not note-for-note analysis. It's fun just to watch and learn. Bro' | |
| elwapo -- 01/04/2007, 06:37:01 -- #32131 | |
| I agree with Adam 1226 he got it right with Warrens instructional video's. I would not recommend them to anyone | |
| Adam1226 -- 01/04/2007, 11:36:44 -- #32131 | |
| I think a better name for the series would be, "Warrnen Bernhart Can Play Autumn Leaves...REALLY REALLY good." As far as the Bill Sussman "Play Like Me Series," it's good for people who don't yet understand open voicings, which is basically all that Bill shows you how to do in this series (if you have one of the DVD's, you basically have them all b/c he just applies the same chording "formula" to every song that he goes over). The thing is, he doesn't really teach you anything about using any of the more modern tensions used to voice chords (Bill Evans or AB voicings), and, more importantly, the DVD, like most instructional DVD's, doesn't really teach anything about rhythm or feel. I think this is really what most people who buy instructional materials are lookinig for. There are a billion books and DVDs out that teach harmony, but not very many (none that I've found) that can really teach you the sense of rhythm that you need to be a good jazz pianist--the best way to learn that is to sit with a teacher and do drills (I think--I'm still working on it). Let's face it--you don't have to voice chords like you're Herbie Hancock to be a decent jazz pianist, but you've got to develop a sense of swing or your playing will always be boring. What do you guys think? -Adam | |
| Adam1226 -- 01/04/2007, 12:18:37 -- #32131 | |
| I forgot to mention that Bill Sussman is the guy from the youtube link a few posts above this one. -Adam | |
| elwapo -- 01/05/2007, 01:05:32 -- #32131 | |
| I reckon that if Hal Galper brought out an instructional DVD as a backup to his excellent "Forward Motion" then I'd be the first in line to buy it. | |
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