Master Jazz Standards - Play Solo or in a Group Setting from Udemy

Are you a piano player who wants to take your skills to the next level? This course is specifically designed for you. Whether you are a beginner who wants to start learning jazz standards or an advanced player looking to improve your technique, this course will provide you with valuable content.

In this course, you will explore multiple chapters that teach you the classic jazz standard, "The Days of Wine And Roses."

From lead sheets to melody with shells, melody with baselines, rootless chords, two-handed chords, and improvisation - all aspects of playing jazz standards will be covered. Each chapter will build upon your previous knowledge, helping you to develop a solid understanding of the material.

For beginners, starting with the first two chapters is recommended. These chapters will guide you in building a basic arrangement and sound of the song. It will lay a strong foundation upon which you can further expand your skills. If you are interested in solo piano, the first three chapters are essential for you. They will teach you techniques that are particularly important for playing the piano solo.

If you are more inclined towards group piano, comping chapters will be your go-to. These chapters focus on rootless chords and two-handed comping, which are key elements in playing in a group setting. You will learn how to create harmonies and melodies that complement the other instruments in the ensemble.

Improvisation is an important skill in jazz music, and this course has got you covered. Whether you want to learn comping techniques or improve your improvisation skills, you will find clear guidance and exercises to help you become a more confident and creative improviser.

To make your learning experience even better, the course provides various resources, including sheet music and backing tracks. These resources will be released a week before the live training, allowing you ample time to practice and familiarize yourself with the material. The live training session will also give you the opportunity to ask questions and further understand the lesson.

Even if you consider yourself an advanced player, this course has something to offer you. Starting with the melody with shells technique is recommended, as it provides a quick arrangement of the song that can be useful in various situations. Additionally, the course includes a review of chord shells, providing you with different variations for different types of chords. You will be able to expand your repertoire and enhance your technique with new insights and approaches.

Overall, this course is designed to help piano players of all levels to improve their jazz standards repertoire and technique. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, this course has valuable content that will take your piano playing to new heights. So don't wait any longer, join us and unlock your potential as a jazz pianist.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to play jazz standards on the piano, from beginner to advanced level.
Gain valuable content and techniques for playing solo piano or in a group setting.
Understand lead sheets, melody with shells, melody with baselines, rootless chords, two-handed chords, and improvisation.

Build a basic arrangement and sound of the song, recommended for beginners.
Improve comping techniques and improvisation skills in jazz standards repertoire.

Learn how to play jazz standards on the piano, from beginner to advanced level.
Gain valuable content and techniques for playing solo piano or in a group setting.
Understand lead sheets, melody with shells, melody with baselines, rootless chords, two-handed chords, and improvisation.
Build a basic arrangement and sound of the song, recommended for beginners.
Improve comping techniques and improvisation skills in jazz standards repertoire.

Syllabus

Introduction

Standards by the Dozen™ Quick Start

Download "The Days of Wine And Roses" Resources Here

How to play "The Days of Wine And Roses" from a lead sheet

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers lead sheets, melody with shells, baselines, rootless chords, two-handed chords, and improvisation, which are essential elements for playing jazz standards on the piano

Provides sheet music and backing tracks, allowing learners to practice and familiarize themselves with the material before live training sessions

Teaches comping techniques, which are key elements in playing in a group setting, helping learners create harmonies and melodies that complement other instruments

Recommends starting with the first two chapters for beginners, guiding them in building a basic arrangement and sound of the song

Includes Q&A sessions, which may require learners to attend live online events at specific times

Reviews summary

Learn jazz piano standards step-by-step

According to learners, this course offers a structured and practical approach to learning jazz piano standards, primarily using "The Days of Wine And Roses" as a case study. Students particularly appreciate the breakdown of complex techniques like chord shells and rootless chords, finding them highly effective for both solo and group playing. While many find the instruction clear and easy to follow, some note that the improvisation section could benefit from more depth or examples. Overall, reviews are overwhelmingly positive, suggesting it's excellent for developing foundational jazz piano skills.

Includes helpful sheet music and backing tracks.

"The provided resources, especially the sheet music and backing tracks, were invaluable for practice."

"Having the materials available made it much easier to work through the lessons."

"The Q&A sessions linked in the syllabus were also very informative."

Valuable for different jazz piano skill levels.

"As someone newer to jazz, the early chapters were perfect for building my foundation."

"Even with some jazz experience, I learned new voicings and approaches."

"The course structure allows beginners to start simple and more advanced players to jump to specific techniques."

Instruction is clear and easy to understand.

"The instructor explains everything very clearly, making complex ideas accessible."

"I found the explanations patient and easy to follow, even for challenging concepts."

"His teaching style is very encouraging and makes learning enjoyable."

Uses a single song to build skills progressively.

"Focusing on one song really helped me solidify each technique before moving on."

"The step-by-step method, starting with lead sheets and building up, is brilliant."

"I appreciated how each chapter added another layer to my understanding of playing standards."

Teaches highly effective jazz piano techniques.

"Learning the chord shells and rootless voicings was a game-changer for my playing..."

"The section on creating a jazz piano bassline made it so much easier than I thought."

"This course finally helped me understand how to use rootless chords effectively when comping in a group setting."

Improvisation section could be more extensive.

"While the improv section is a good start, I felt it could go deeper or offer more examples."

"I wish there were more lessons focused specifically on building jazz soloing skills."

"The improvisation part felt a bit rushed compared to the detailed comping lessons."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Master Jazz Standards - Play Solo or in a Group Setting with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for understanding jazz harmony and improvisation techniques covered in the course.

Browse courses on Chord Voicings

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Review scales, chords, and key signatures.
Practice identifying chord progressions in simple songs.
Complete online music theory quizzes.

Read 'The Jazz Piano Book' by Mark Levine

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Deepen your understanding of jazz piano techniques. This book provides a comprehensive overview of jazz piano concepts and techniques, complementing the course material.

View For all musicians, jazz piano voicings on Amazon

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Read chapters related to chord voicings and comping.
Practice the exercises provided in the book.
Analyze jazz standards using the book's techniques.

Practice Chord Voicings

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Reinforce your understanding of chord voicings. This will improve your ability to create interesting and effective jazz piano arrangements.

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Practice different voicings for common jazz chords.
Apply voicings to jazz standards.
Record yourself playing and analyze your voicings.

Four other activities

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Create a Jazz Piano Arrangement

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Apply the techniques learned in the course to create your own jazz piano arrangement. This will solidify your understanding of the material and allow you to express your creativity.

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Choose a jazz standard to arrange.
Create a lead sheet with your arrangement.
Record yourself playing your arrangement.
Share your arrangement with others for feedback.

Practice Improvisation with Peers

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Improve your improvisation skills through collaborative practice. Playing with others will help you develop your ear and your ability to respond to musical ideas in real-time.

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Find other jazz piano students to practice with.
Choose a jazz standard to improvise over.
Take turns soloing and comping.
Provide each other with feedback.

Read 'Effortless Mastery' by Kenny Werner

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Cultivate a more relaxed and confident approach to jazz piano playing. This book explores the mental and emotional aspects of musical performance, helping you overcome performance anxiety and play with greater freedom.

View Becoming the Instrument: Lessons on Self... on Amazon

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Read the book and reflect on its message.
Apply the book's principles to your practice sessions.
Focus on enjoying the process of making music.

Transcribe Jazz Piano Solos

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Develop your ear and your understanding of jazz improvisation by transcribing solos. This will help you internalize the language of jazz and improve your own playing.

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Choose a jazz piano solo to transcribe.
Listen to the solo repeatedly and notate the notes and rhythms.
Analyze the solo for chord changes and melodic ideas.
Practice playing the solo along with the recording.

Career center

Learners who complete Master Jazz Standards - Play Solo or in a Group Setting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pianist

A pianist's expertise lies in performing and interpreting music, often in live settings or recordings. This course is perfectly tailored for pianists looking to expand their repertoire and refine their jazz playing skills. The course delves into essential aspects such as lead sheets, chord shells, basslines, rootless chords, and comping techniques, all of which are vital for a pianist aiming to excel in jazz performance. The focus in the course on both solo and group settings will help the pianist develop versatility. A pianist who wants to be able to improvise will find the lessons useful.

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Jazz Musician

As a jazz musician, you are dedicated to the performance, composition, and arrangement of jazz music. This course will directly enhance your ability to play jazz standards, a cornerstone of the jazz repertoire, particularly focusing on the piano. The course equips you with skills in improvisation, comping, and arranging, essential for any jazz musician. The structure of the course, which builds from basic arrangements to more advanced techniques such as rootless chords and two-handed comping, gives a solid foundation. The course's emphasis on improvisation will be valuable.

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Music Teacher

A music teacher instructs students in music theory, performance, and appreciation. This course provides valuable material for teaching jazz piano, offering structured lessons on jazz standards. By mastering the techniques taught in the course, such as lead sheet interpretation, chord shell arrangements, and improvisation, a music teacher is better equipped to guide their students. The course's resources, including sheet music and backing tracks, can be integrated into a music teacher's curriculum, enhancing the student experience. The music teacher can use the course as a guide.

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Accompanist

An accompanist provides musical support to vocalists or instrumentalists during performance or rehearsal. An accompanist can use the course to deepen their understanding of jazz standards. The course emphasizes comping techniques, rootless chords, and two-handed voicings, which are crucial for providing harmonic support in a jazz setting. The lessons on creating basslines and improvising will help an accompanist create a richer and more engaging accompaniment. The accompanist can use the course to gain a new perspective.

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Session Musician

A session musician is a versatile performer who plays on recordings or in live performances, often hired for their expertise in a particular genre. This course can help a session musician add jazz standards to their repertoire, enhancing their marketability. The course covers essential jazz piano techniques, from lead sheet reading to improvisation, making it ideal for quickly learning and performing jazz pieces. The included resources, like sheet music and backing tracks, can help a session musician prepare for gigs or recording sessions. A session musician will find the course useful.

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Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical compositions for different instruments or ensembles. This course may give an arranger insights into jazz piano arrangements, focusing on techniques like chord shells, basslines, and voicings. Understanding these elements is crucial for creating effective and idiomatic jazz arrangements. The course’s breakdown of “The Days of Wine And Roses” can serve as a case study for how to approach arranging jazz standards. The arranger will develop new skills to incorporate into their arrangements.

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Composer

A composer creates original musical works. While this course focuses on existing jazz standards, it may provide a composer with inspiration and techniques applicable to their own compositions. Learning how to use chord shells, rootless chords, and improvisation in jazz contexts can broaden a composer's harmonic and melodic vocabulary. The course's emphasis on improvisation can help a composer develop new ideas. This may be useful for a composer who wants to learn more about jazz.

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Bandleader

A bandleader manages and directs a musical ensemble. This course may help a bandleader gain a deeper understanding of jazz standards and how to effectively incorporate them into the band's repertoire. The course's focus on group piano playing, including comping techniques, helps a bandleader guide and coordinate the piano section. The bandleader may gain a new ear for music.

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Music Director

A music director oversees the musical aspects of a performance or production. This course may help a music director who works with jazz ensembles, deepening their knowledge of jazz standards. Understanding the nuances of lead sheets, arrangements, and improvisation can enhance the music director's ability to guide musicians and shape the overall sound. The music director may find the course to be useful.

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Instrument Technician

An instrument technician maintains musical instruments. Although this course is not directly related to instrument repair, exposure to the nuances of piano performance, particularly in jazz, may give an instrument technician a deeper appreciation for the instrument. Understanding how different techniques affect the instrument's sound and playability can inform their repair and maintenance work. The technician may appreciate the course.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer records, mixes, and masters sound. While not directly related, this course may offer audio engineers insights into the nuances of jazz piano. Understanding the techniques and arrangements discussed in the course can help them capture a better recording of a jazz piano performance. The audio engineer may find this to be beneficial when recording a jazz pianist.

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Music Journalist

A music journalist writes about music, concerts, and musicians. While not directly related, this course may give a music journalist a better understanding of jazz piano techniques and repertoire. This knowledge can inform their writing and allow them to offer more insightful commentary on jazz performances and recordings. The music journalist may find this to be helpful.

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Piano Technician

A piano technician specializes in tuning, repairing, and maintaining pianos. While the course focuses on playing jazz standards, it may provide a piano technician with a greater appreciation for the instrument. Understanding the nuances of jazz piano performance can inform their work and help them better serve their clients' needs. The course might be useful.

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Arts Administrator

An arts administrator manages the operations of arts organizations. While the course is not directly related, this course may deepen their understanding of jazz music and piano performance. This may inform their decision-making and help them better support their organization's musical programming. The course may prove useful.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address patients' physical, emotional, and social needs. While not directly related, this course may expand a music therapist's knowledge of jazz piano techniques. This can broaden their repertoire and provide them with new tools to use in their therapeutic practice. Jazz may be useful for therapy.

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Master Jazz Standards - Play Solo or in a Group Setting

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Learn jazz piano standards step-by-step

Activities

Career center

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