This is your first jazz piano lesson, where I teach you the basics of jazz. First we dive into chords, then the walking bass line, comping and I even show you how to play an improvised solo. A fantastic first start into your jazz journey!
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Get ready to play authentic jazz piano!
I have heard so many people say that jazz piano is "so hard" and "it takes YEARS to learn", which discourages them from even trying. In this lesson I give you your first jazz piano lesson - some easy steps to immerse yourself in this amazing music!
I have dedicated my life to playing jazz and I love teaching it to folks like you!
Get ready to learn a basic blues, walk a bass line and even improvise.
Let's go!
Jazz Piano Step #1: Learn the Blues
The blues is a 12 bar form dating back to the late 1800s. This music evolved as an art form in the United States, influenced by field hollers and spirituals of African American people. Jazz grew out of the blues, which is why we are starting there.
While a simple Blues only uses three chords, in your first jazz piano lesson Igive you slightly more dressed up version. Play the chord in the right hand and play the root of the chord in the left hand.
Practice:
- Practice playing the blues with the left hand playing the root and the right hand playing the chord
- Use the metronome or iReal Pro to make sure your rhythm is steady
- Add vocals for your favorite blues song
Need to learn chords?
Sign up and get my FREE Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheets! Perfect for mastering your chords on piano.
Jazz Piano Step #2: The Walking Bass Line
The walking bass line is a staple of the jazz sound. The simplest way to walk a bass line is just to play 1 - 3 - 5 - 3 in quarter notes. If there are two chords in the bar, just tap each root two times.
Practice:
- Practice playing the blues with the left hand walking the bass line and the right hand playing the chord
- Use the metronome or iReal Pro to make sure your rhythm is steady
- Add vocals for your favorite blues song
Jazz Piano Step #3: Comping
The word "comping" is short for accompanying and represents how a pianist or guitarist plays the chords in a rhythmic way. An easy way to get used to comping rhythms is just to play two eighth notes on beat one as seen below.
Practice:
- Practice playing the walking bass line in your left hand while you right hand comps the rhythmic figure.
- Use the metronome or iReal Pro to make sure your rhythm is steady
- Add vocals for your favorite blues song
Jazz Piano Step #4: Time to Improvise!
There are many different ways to approach improvisation, including using pentatonic scales or the Blues Scale. For your first jazz piano lesson, you are going to improvise using the notes of the chord. Practice them in different inversions or using different rhythms. Have fun!
Practice:
- Practice playing the blues with the left hand playing the root and the right hand playing the chord
- Use the metronome or iReal Pro to make sure your rhythm is steady
- Add vocals for your favorite blues song
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