What do you classical pianists think about blues piano playing?

Question

or boogie woogie blues on piano? Do you take a break from classical ever to play other genres like blues, jazz or maybe even ragtime?

Answer 1

I've played suzuki piano since i was 2 (i'm 26 now) and i love to play blues and even some 80's rock that has piano in it pretty much anything!

Answer 2

I went through kind of the same thing, and quit playing classical after 10 years or so to start playing more contemporary stuff. I think the important thing is to keep playing. You obviously will know enough about your instrument to play some things by ear and this will improve the more you try and imitate songs that you like. I think you learn a lot about general rudiments in eight years that will help you in whatever style you choose to play. There is no reason you can't keep taking the classical lessons and play more modern things in your own time, but if you are still taking exams then you might not be motivated enough to continue at all. For me, I quit to play what I liked, and now I am at a stage where I would actually ENJOY going back to classical. I don't regret my decision at all. If you keep playing, you will improve, bottom line.

Answer 3

Big problem.. I don't know how to play any of that.. But I'd certainly love to go all funky-like with my piano lol.. I think it's really cool.. I take Introduction to European Classical Music class at uni, and my professor is a Jazz player.. He's just AMAZING and so entertaining to watch and listen to.. Sadly, I only play classical music ;_; Teach me?! =D

Answer 4

I love to mess around with the blues -- and boogie woogie is just fast blues -- but I would love to be better at it. I ran across a little ditty called "Paganoogie" that features a boogie/jazz/ragtime treatment of the famous Paganini caprice that everyone has written a set of variations on. It was so very well done, I spent a couple hours transcribing it to see if I could play it. I can, but not in the style this guy does.

Sigh.

Answer 5

I have played jazz and other improvised music for years and years, but in the end I seemed to have lost my technique. The problem is that by improvising you are tempted to make things not too difficult.
I now have returned to the Classics and enjoy it very much.
If you want to learn jazz, try the books by Oscar Peterson. ("Jazz for the young pianist"; several volumes)
Ragtime is really very difficult. Do not underestimate it. If you are familiar with levels, most Scott Joplin rags are level 7 and higher. Don't break your fingers on it if you are not on that level.

Answer 6

Fun as heck.

You've got to have that break from the serious stuff every now and then. I even take "Beatles breaks". You'd be surprised how much of that stuff translates to the piano (or maybe you wouldn't be surprised, who knows, really)

In addition to the books recommended by the person above me, Christopher Norton has a series for less advanced students called Microjazz. My students tend to get a kick out of his stuff.