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Need help to just playing standards to really play standards

see, i have this problem when i play. i reached a point in jazz piano playing where i know how to play chords in all inversions and the dorian/minor pentatonic/major mode off all scales, and that's basicly where i am right now. whenever i face a real book standard composition i usally just play the root + 3'th, 7'th' 9'th in the left hand to start out with and do root'3'7'9'th voicings and a few 7,9,3,6'th vocings.. still in the left hand while playing melody / improvisation in the right hand. i'm really stuck on this state, and i do not know where to go and what to learn to get further. what are your suggestions?

by syllerud on 10/30/2010, 13:47

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you need to starting working on left-hand voicings for chords. really learn them in all keys and drill on them. you can find different kinds of chord voicings in several books: randy halberstadt's "metaphors for the musician", mark levine's "jazz piano book", and andy laverne's "quick chords - every chord every key" (a very handy little book). i'm sure there are many others.
it's important to drill these voicings using patterns (like ii-v-i) or a random matrix (as in halberstadt's book).
for building improvised lines in the rh, check out jerry bergonzi's "inside improvisation" series.

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by CynBad on 10/31/2010, 12:58

my suggestion, as always, is to find someone to instruct you. pick an individual who is capable and competent in the things you want to learn. you may need to interview several before you find one that works well for you. i know this can be difficult in some locales but you should at least give it a go. if you are interested, i am in no way shape or form any kind of music instructor, just a broken down piano player who knows what usually works best for most people.

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by wdennissorrell on 11/02/2010, 18:22

two great advices, thank you for the tips and references.

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by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:30

+ i'm lucky to allready have mark levine's jazz piano book.

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by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:32

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Need help to just playing standards to really play standards

There are 4 comments, leave a comment.

by CynBad on 10/31/2010, 12:58

by wdennissorrell on 11/02/2010, 18:22

by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:30

by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:32

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Need help to just playing standards to really play standards

There are 4 comments, leave a comment.

by CynBad on 10/31/2010, 12:58

by wdennissorrell on 11/02/2010, 18:22

by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:30

by syllerud on 11/07/2010, 06:32

Reply to Thread

Jazz Piano Notebook Series

"Latinesque"

LJP Jazz Piano Blogs

Most Recent Discussions

Articles

Top Sheetmusic Picks

Jazz piano education is cool.

Rock on. Follow your passion.

Sign In