Jazz Piano - Ultimate Beginners Course for Piano & Keyboard from Udemy

Jazz Piano - The Ultimate Beginners Course for Piano & Keyboard will get you playing some cool jazz sounds in no time at all.

Most methods of learning Jazz piano don't cater for beginners. This course takes a fresh look at learning jazz by following simple steps that anyone can use.

It starts with the basics, and so you don't need any previous knowledge on the to be able to follow along. Even if you have learnt piano previously but would be considered a beginner in Jazz, this course is also suitable, as lot's of the methods throughout the course aren't taught in traditional/classical learning environments.

Want to be able to improvise Jazz on the piano?

Throughout the course you will learn specific scales and arpeggio's, and I have designed special exercises that build in difficulty as you progress, ultimately giving you the skills to be able to improvise over the top of classic jazz chord progressions.

Wouldn't it also be cool to be able to understand and play all those complicated jazzy chord symbols on lead/chord sheets?

Using simple and understandable methods, you'll learn all about jazz piano chords, chord extentions, quartal harmony, chord voicings and much more. We even take a look at some lead sheets (sometimes known as fake sheets) so you can see how you can make rich jazz piano sounds by just following chord symbols. You'll also learn about comping, exploring using different rhythms that you'll eventually be able to use with songs of your own choice.

What else?

One of the best ways to truly take on board what you are learning, is to apply it properly, and so throughout the course you will get the chance to learn excerpts from famous jazz songs such as Autumn Leaves (famously covered by Bill Evans), Fly Me to the Moon, Herbie Hancocks Cantaloupe Island and So What by Miles Davis.

I have transcribed the scales/exercises and songs into piano notation for anyone who can read music, but again you don't need to be able to read piano sheet music to take the course as I have written out the names of the notes for those who can't.

Extra help with your learning.

The course comes with supplementary material in the form of PDF's that you can download and print off to have handy at your piano or keyboard. This way it makes it easier to practise the songs/exercises etc by being able to have them up on your music stand, as well as having the lesson info/chord finding methods easily accessible so you can continue to learn jazz piano outside of the course.

So why not enroll today, and learn jazz piano the easy way?.

What's inside

Syllabus

The Basics - For Complete Beginners - Skip This Section If You Already Know

Introduction

The Basics

The White Keys

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Breaks down complex jazz concepts into manageable steps, making it accessible for those with little to no prior experience in jazz piano

Includes supplementary PDF materials for convenient practice, allowing learners to reinforce concepts and exercises away from the screen

Explores excerpts from famous jazz songs, providing practical application of learned concepts and exposure to classic jazz repertoire

Covers essential jazz piano techniques like improvisation, chord voicings, and comping, equipping students with a well-rounded foundation

Teaches how to read lead sheets and understand jazz chord symbols, enabling learners to interpret and play from standard jazz notation

Requires access to a piano or keyboard, which may be a barrier for some learners without access to these instruments

Reviews summary

Beginner jazz piano fundamentals course

According to learners, this course serves as a solid introduction to jazz piano for absolute beginners, even those with no prior piano knowledge or only traditional experience. It aims to cover fundamental jazz concepts like chords, voicings, scales, and the II-V-I progression. Students appreciate the step-by-step approach and the inclusion of learning excerpts from famous jazz songs like Autumn Leaves, which helps apply theoretical concepts. The course also provides helpful supplementary PDF materials for practice. While it offers a basic introduction to improvisation, some learners might find that aspect or the overall pace less suitable if they already have intermediate skills or are looking for deeper theoretical exploration.

Provides useful practice sheets.

"The downloadable PDFs are essential and great to have on my music stand while practicing."

"Having the exercises and notation written out is very useful for review."

"The supplemental materials aid practice away from the video lessons."

Apply theory by playing jazz standards.

"Loved learning parts of famous jazz tunes like Autumn Leaves and Fly Me to the Moon."

"Applying the theoretical concepts to actual songs was very motivating and helpful for practice."

"Playing recognizable pieces makes practice fun and shows the concepts in action."

Covers core chords, scales, progressions.

"I finally understand the II-V-I progression and why it's important."

"The explanation of 7th chords and different voicings was very helpful."

"Learning the basic scales and grips gave me a strong foundation."

A solid starting point for novices.

"As someone completely new to piano and jazz, this course was perfect."

"It assumes no prior knowledge and explains everything clearly from the ground up."

"Felt comfortable starting here with zero experience in jazz."

Provides a starting point for improv.

"The improv sections give you a taste, but it's very basic and leaves you wanting more depth."

"Felt like I needed much more guidance and exercises on improvisation techniques."

"Good for a first look, but not deep improv training if that's your main goal."

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 Jazz Piano - Ultimate Beginners Course for Piano & Keyboard with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, chords, and rhythm, which are essential for grasping jazz piano techniques.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review the circle of fifths.
Practice identifying major and minor keys.
Review basic chord construction.

Follow online tutorials on jazz improvisation

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Refine your improvisation skills by following online tutorials that offer different approaches and techniques.

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Search for tutorials on YouTube or other platforms.
Choose tutorials that focus on specific areas you want to improve.
Practice the exercises and techniques presented in the tutorials.

Read 'The Jazz Piano Book' by Mark Levine

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to jazz piano, covering chords, voicings, and improvisation.

View For all musicians, jazz piano voicings on Amazon

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Read the chapters on chord voicings and progressions.
Practice the exercises in the book.
Apply the concepts to the songs learned in the course.

Four other activities

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Practice II-V-I progressions in all keys

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Solidify your understanding of the fundamental II-V-I chord progression, a cornerstone of jazz harmony, by practicing it in all twelve keys.

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Start with C major and work chromatically.
Use different voicings and rhythms.
Improvise melodies over the progressions.

Explore 'Effortless Mastery' by Kenny Werner

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Improve your mindset and approach to jazz piano by exploring the mental and emotional aspects of musical performance.

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

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Read the chapters on overcoming fear and self-doubt.
Practice the exercises for cultivating a relaxed state of mind.
Apply the principles to your practice and performance.

Record yourself improvising over a jazz standard

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Apply your knowledge by improvising over a jazz standard and recording yourself, allowing you to analyze your playing and identify areas for improvement.

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Choose a jazz standard you enjoy.
Record your improvisation.
Listen back and critique your performance.

Compose a simple jazz piece

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Test and solidify your skills by composing a simple jazz piece, incorporating the concepts and techniques learned in the course.

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Choose a chord progression.
Write a melody over the progression.
Add a bass line and accompaniment.
Refine your composition and create a lead sheet.

Career center

Learners who complete Jazz Piano - Ultimate Beginners Course for Piano & Keyboard will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Band Leader

A bandleader directs a musical ensemble, guiding rehearsals and performances. This Jazz Piano course helps to solidify a strong foundation in jazz harmony, improvisation, and arrangement. The emphasis on understanding jazz chord symbols and lead sheets helps when leading a jazz ensemble. Furthermore, the exploration of different rhythms and comping techniques will offer insights into arrangements and musicality. The supplementary PDF materials further help with rehearsing.

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Pianist

A pianist brings music to life, performing in diverse settings from concert halls to intimate jazz clubs. This course in Jazz Piano helps to build a foundation in the fundamentals of jazz harmony, improvisation, and chord voicings. The course emphasizes practical application, including learning excerpts from famous jazz songs like Autumn Leaves and Fly Me to the Moon. The course's structured approach to learning scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions may be useful to anyone interested in becoming a jazz pianist. The course's exploration of comping and rhythms will be helpful in developing performance skills.

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Nightclub Musician

A nightclub musician plays and performs in a nightclub setting. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful to those who want to work in such an environment and learn jazz piano the easy way. You'll learn all about jazz piano chords, chord extensions, quartal harmony, and chord voicings. You'll also learn about comping, exploring using different rhythms that you'll eventually be able to use with songs of your own choice.

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Private Music Instructor

A private music instructor works with individual students, providing personalized lessons and guidance. This Jazz Piano course may be useful for improving one's own piano skills. You can share excerpts from famous jazz songs such as Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon, Herbie Hancocks Cantaloupe Island and So What by Miles Davis to your students, as well. The course comes with supplementary material in the form of PDFs that you can download and print off to have handy at your piano or keyboard. This way it makes it easier to practise the songs/exercises etc by being able to have them up on your music stand, as well as having the lesson info/chord finding methods easily accessible so you can continue to learn jazz piano outside of the course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Music Instructor

Session Musician

A session musician is a versatile instrumentalist who performs in recording studios or live performances. This course in Jazz Piano will get learners ready to play cool jazz sounds. The course's lessons and exercises will likely help you get ready to ace improvisations as well as keep up rhythmic integrity. The course's attention to detail concerning chord symbols, leads, and fake sheets should be useful when sight reading in fast-paced and demanding environments.

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Accompanist

An accompanist supports other musicians, providing harmonic and rhythmic foundations for vocalists and instrumentalists. This course in Jazz Piano helps to develop essential skills in chord voicings, comping, and understanding jazz chord progressions. The course's focus on applying these concepts to famous jazz songs may be useful in quickly learning and performing alongside other musicians. The exploration of different rhythms and comping techniques will be helpful when playing with diverse musical styles. The ability to read and interpret lead/chord sheets, as covered in the course, is crucial for any accompanist.

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Music Teacher

A music teacher inspires and guides students in their musical journeys, fostering a love for music. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful to anyone who wants to teach jazz piano to beginners. The course's detailed approach, starting with the basics and progressing to improvisation and chord voicings, will be helpful in structuring lessons and explaining complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner. The exposure to jazz standards, like Cantaloupe Island and So What, provides valuable repertoire ideas. Furthermore, the downloadable PDFs may be useful for creating supplementary materials for students.

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Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical pieces, tailoring them for specific instruments or ensembles. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful in gaining a deep understanding of jazz harmony, chord voicings, and improvisation. The course's emphasis on understanding jazz chord symbols and lead sheets may be useful when creating arrangements for jazz ensembles. The exploration of comping and different rhythms in the course will be helpful in creating interesting and effective arrangements. The course's practical approach, using excerpts from famous jazz songs, makes it valuable for any aspiring arranger.

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Composer

A composer creates original music, crafting melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to express artistic ideas. This course in Jazz Piano helps to build a strong understanding of jazz harmony, chord extensions, and quartal harmony. The course's exploration of improvisation and chord voicings may be useful in developing unique and innovative musical ideas. The exposure to jazz standards, such as Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon, and Cantaloupe Island, may also be useful as a source of inspiration and a framework for experimentation. The course's emphasis on practical application makes it valuable for any aspiring composer.

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Musical Director

A musical director oversees the musical aspects of a production or performance, ensuring a cohesive and high-quality sound. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful in gaining a comprehensive understanding of jazz harmony, improvisation, and arrangement. The course's focus on understanding jazz chord symbols and lead sheets is crucial for leading a jazz ensemble. The knowledge of chord voicings, comping, and rhythms derived from the course will be helpful in shaping and refining the overall musical sound. The exposure to jazz standards may be useful for repertoire selection and performance direction.

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Church Musician

A church musician provides musical leadership and accompaniment for religious services. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful in expanding the musical repertoire and offering new and innovative musical styles to the congregation. The course's coverage of jazz piano chords, chord extensions, and quartal harmony may be useful in creating unique arrangements of hymns and contemporary worship songs. Furthermore, the improvisation skills developed in the course may be useful for spontaneous musical expression during services. The understanding of comping and different rhythms may be useful when playing with diverse instrumental ensembles.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful in expanding the musical skills and repertoire for therapeutic interventions. The course's approach to improvisation and chord voicings may be useful in creating personalized musical experiences for clients. The knowledge of jazz standards, as explored in the course, may be useful for engaging clients in musical activities and promoting emotional expression. A music therapist typically requires a master's degree.

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Jingle Writer

A jingle writer composes short, memorable tunes for advertisements. This Jazz Piano course may be useful when needing to work on jingles that require jazz piano. The course's exploration of improvisation and chord voicings will prove useful in composing catchy musical pieces to capture the listener's attention. Learning jazz piano the easy way may be useful due to the time-constrained environment

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Film Scorer

A film scorer creates original music for films, enhancing the emotional impact and narrative power of the story. This course in Jazz Piano may be useful in developing a strong understanding of jazz harmony, improvisation, and arrangement. The course's emphasis on understanding jazz chord symbols and lead sheets may be useful when composing and arranging music for film scores. The knowledge of chord voicings, comping, and rhythms you'll find in this course will be helpful in creating interesting and effective scores. The exposure to jazz standards may be useful for inspiration and exploration of different musical styles.

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Jazz Piano - Ultimate Beginners Course for Piano & Keyboard

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Beginner jazz piano fundamentals course

Activities

Career center

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