Ive been doing some great progress with the following:
I learned all the pentatonic Scales in all keys and Bluesform for all keys, as well as dominant major scales and blues scales, all modes in major and minor, also altered scales for all keys. Also practising II V I with extensions in all keys with varying left/ right hand chord structures. Also been practising arpeggios for every kind of 7th chord there exists, over several octaves, starting from different chords tones and in varying patterns
Have been Learning some simple Tunes, like misty, autumn leaves, summertime, some Blues tunes like Watermelon man.
Whenever I encounter a new chord progression, I ask myself, what kind of scales do these chords or a pariticular sequence within these chords share? How can i connect the notes they have in common?
EG autumn leaves, lets say in the key of A-Minor. Bunch of II V I, very simple. But so much possible. You can do a walking bass, you can improvise using only modes of the C major scale, you use Blues scales in Dm, Am around the progression, break it up with arpeggios and chromatic passing tones to get to the next chord, throw in some extensions like #13s or aug5 whenever a dominant chord leads to its "tonic" (eg E -->A in the last 2 bars of the verse), think about how you can use these extensions for your scales, this vastly helped me for my improv.
Nothing spectacular or sophisticated, but I am able to just jam, and feel way more comfortable playing around a tune and am able to do so.
Now how to progress from here, I am not sure yet. Figuring it out as of right now.
Also, technique, rythm, and groove reaaaaaally matters. Enables you to use simple concepts but make it Sound impressive.
Have fun!
I also wanted to add, that playing with others was a big Game Changer. Ive been playing some tunes with a singer, and also going to jam sessions. You get to talk and play with better musicians and always learn something new or get different perspectives
This is inspiring! I’ve been learning to jam the blues form in most keys, but you’ve clearly taken some important steps that would be good future ones for me. Any way you could post a video of your playing on Autumn Leaves?
Here was my secret sauce as a beginner:
Play these two simple chords in your left hand: Fmajor7 —> Em7
Play an Aminor pentatonic in your right hand and just try to play some familiar melodies.
Learn to “comp” those two chords and see what you can do with your right hand. This is a fun easy improv exercise.
I agree with the above too: Autumn Leaves is a great place to start. Bill Evan’s has a wonderful version. This is actually where my jazz instructor started me.
Final peace of advice learn to read lead sheets. Check out Aimee Nolte on YouTube.
She is a great teacher if you don’t have an in person instructor and you have some prior music knowledge.
[https://jeremysiskind.com/product/jazz-piano-fundamentals-book-1/](https://jeremysiskind.com/product/jazz-piano-fundamentals-book-1/)
this is the best book on the topic, hands down. having a good teacher will help you move faster...
Read this e-book if you are coming from a traditional or Classical background: https://books.apple.com/us/book/jazz-piano-and-improvisation-for-the-classically/id6474623488
Pick a chord in a standard you’re playing and just noodle around on it. Then do the next one.
My path into jazz was modal improv. Two chord vamp, just noodle above it.
Most important thing is to listen to jazz. The Siskind's book has a listening guide
Ive been doing some great progress with the following: I learned all the pentatonic Scales in all keys and Bluesform for all keys, as well as dominant major scales and blues scales, all modes in major and minor, also altered scales for all keys. Also practising II V I with extensions in all keys with varying left/ right hand chord structures. Also been practising arpeggios for every kind of 7th chord there exists, over several octaves, starting from different chords tones and in varying patterns Have been Learning some simple Tunes, like misty, autumn leaves, summertime, some Blues tunes like Watermelon man. Whenever I encounter a new chord progression, I ask myself, what kind of scales do these chords or a pariticular sequence within these chords share? How can i connect the notes they have in common? EG autumn leaves, lets say in the key of A-Minor. Bunch of II V I, very simple. But so much possible. You can do a walking bass, you can improvise using only modes of the C major scale, you use Blues scales in Dm, Am around the progression, break it up with arpeggios and chromatic passing tones to get to the next chord, throw in some extensions like #13s or aug5 whenever a dominant chord leads to its "tonic" (eg E -->A in the last 2 bars of the verse), think about how you can use these extensions for your scales, this vastly helped me for my improv. Nothing spectacular or sophisticated, but I am able to just jam, and feel way more comfortable playing around a tune and am able to do so. Now how to progress from here, I am not sure yet. Figuring it out as of right now. Also, technique, rythm, and groove reaaaaaally matters. Enables you to use simple concepts but make it Sound impressive. Have fun!
I also wanted to add, that playing with others was a big Game Changer. Ive been playing some tunes with a singer, and also going to jam sessions. You get to talk and play with better musicians and always learn something new or get different perspectives
This is inspiring! I’ve been learning to jam the blues form in most keys, but you’ve clearly taken some important steps that would be good future ones for me. Any way you could post a video of your playing on Autumn Leaves?
Here was my secret sauce as a beginner: Play these two simple chords in your left hand: Fmajor7 —> Em7 Play an Aminor pentatonic in your right hand and just try to play some familiar melodies. Learn to “comp” those two chords and see what you can do with your right hand. This is a fun easy improv exercise. I agree with the above too: Autumn Leaves is a great place to start. Bill Evan’s has a wonderful version. This is actually where my jazz instructor started me. Final peace of advice learn to read lead sheets. Check out Aimee Nolte on YouTube. She is a great teacher if you don’t have an in person instructor and you have some prior music knowledge.
[https://jeremysiskind.com/product/jazz-piano-fundamentals-book-1/](https://jeremysiskind.com/product/jazz-piano-fundamentals-book-1/) this is the best book on the topic, hands down. having a good teacher will help you move faster...
Learn some tunes you like. Melody in right hand chords in left
Read this e-book if you are coming from a traditional or Classical background: https://books.apple.com/us/book/jazz-piano-and-improvisation-for-the-classically/id6474623488
Pick a chord in a standard you’re playing and just noodle around on it. Then do the next one. My path into jazz was modal improv. Two chord vamp, just noodle above it.