What's the best way to learn improvisation in blues and jazz on the piano?

Question

I've been playing the piano since I was six. My training was conventional: Chopin, Debussy, Beethoven, Lecuona.
But I started dabbling with soul, bossa nova, blues and jazz by listening to such artists as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Jobim, Ray Charles, Bachrach, Sergio Mendes, Billie Holiday, Hornsby, Billy Joel, Basia, Clapton, Norah Jones, Benoit, Marsalis, Anita Baker and others in a long list. The chords, the beat, rhythm and vocals just tickled my ears, I guess. But there was something in jazz and blues that stirred me. There was a tinge of sadness, depth, and redemption. Could this be the "blues"? I heard Billie Holiday singing "Strange Fruit", and for the rest of the day, I had it. Ditto Ray Charles singing "Hard Times" and "Drown in My Own Tears."
So I tried to play by ear, not always successfully. I understand some basic chords a bit. If a chord sounds ok, I use it. But everything's instinct. Is there an easier and faster way to learn how to play and to improvise?

Answer 1

Don't be afraid just to do it. Run up and down some scales (especially the blues scale). Play with dominat 7ths and secondary dominants.

Play with other musicians and improvise - even if you suck. You will get better.

Play other people's riffs and incorporate them. Play horn riffs on your piano - when you get them down, harmonize them.

And most importantly - when playing a solo - especially jazz - there are NO 'wrong' notes. If you play a note that you thought was 'wrong' - play it again - and with purpose and conviction. The dissonance will be helpful in learning how to express yourself in new ways.

Answer 2

I've been working with the course for about a week now, and it's incredible. Just the practice aids and the different scales and memory techniques in Book 9 are worth the price of the course, alone! There are two things that make this course stand out. First, all the video and audio files are embedded in the lesson. I have yet to find another piano course that makes it this easy. It's so nice not to have three files going at the same time!

The second thing is that you actually get to play in each lesson! And the songs are not "Mary had a Little Lamb" types! From the Beatles to Bethoven, it's all there. I have several piano courses that I have ordered over the internet. This is the one I use because it makes learning fun! I'm amazed! Once you get the rhythms down, you really can sound like a pro! Great fun! Thanks for making this available at such a reasonable price. Anyone who doesn't grab this up is going to go the long way home! Joy!

Now ANYONE Can Learn Piano or Keyboard?

Answer 3

Some folks to listen to:
Otis Spann
Lafayette Leake
Champion Jack Dupree
Barrelhouse buck McFarland
Pinetop Perkins
Katie Webster
Ann Rabson
Professor Longhair
Dr. John
Steve Winwood
Barrelhouse Chuck
Willie Mabon
Eddie Boyd

It sounds like you already got a good leaping off point. If you can play stride piano, you probably play blues real well. I don't know what else to tell you because I can't read music at all. I play harmonica completely by ear and I'm sure there are plenty of books out there that can tell you better than I. How I learned to play blues was listening to the recordings and immitating what I heard, next I incorporated feel, and then finally added in all my influences to come up with the blues of my own. Hope this helps and happy exploring blues.

Answer 4

there are books on the subject complete with traditional blues chordings and blues scales . Jazz may take a little more experience I understand for example some concert violinists have difficulty with jazz notation but for piano I'm sure there are many excellent books jazz tends to use more dischordant arraingments try adding augmented diminished flated fifths and ninths and the like . jazz also tends to hit the beat early . good luck

Answer 5

there are books on the subject complete with traditional blues chordings and blues scales . Jazz may take a little more experience I understand for example some concert violinists have difficulty with jazz notation but for piano I'm sure there are many excellent books jazz tends to use more dischordant arraingments try adding augmented diminished flated fifths and ninths and the like . jazz also tends to hit the beat early . good luck

Answer 6

Those "tinge of sadness, depth, and redemption" are created by extended and alternative chords. Perhaps you should get a jazz theory book to understand the concept better. But if u'r a kinetic learner you can always get Hanon Jazz exercise book. They included modal scales, 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths chords. Have fun exploring the piano.

Answer 7

Try listening to recordings by Otis Spann.

This may be "out there" advice, but there is a woman in the blues world who began her life as a classically trained pianist and made a very successful transition to one of the best blues pianists in the country. Her name is Honey Piazza and she is one of the nicest people. She might be able to provide some real insight that could help you. Go to www.themightyflyers "dot" com and attempt to make contact. If they're not on the road, she usually emails back pretty quickly.

Answer 8

Mel Bay Play Jazz, Blues, & Rock Piano by Ear, Book One (Paperback)


I hope u can get details for here

regards

Answer 9

well the answer is simple, transcribe all the cats you like to listen to. Then learn your favorite solos/licks in all keys. Do this for 8 hrs a day and your problems will go away,seriously.
:) good luck

Answer 10

1