Jazz with Classical background

Hey folks, I'm just starting to play jazz piano (first lesson is in about five or six hours). I have a pretty strong upper-innermediate classical background, but this will be my first trek into the jazz world. Anyone have any suggestions for some pieces to start out with? (also, are there any really good jazz piano books out there and where can I get them?)

Thanks a lot.

Howdy, er... MeefmasterQ (?)

I got an arrangement for easy piano of 'Saving All My Love For You,' from sheetmusicplus.com Lots of pretty jazz chords, with a mellow bop/swing feel to it. I am an absolute newcomer to piano, but I was able to decipher it without any great difficulty. (Now if I could only play it! <g>

Here's a good all-around jazz book for piano: http://www.shermusic.com/jazzpno.htm

Faber & Faber books are excellent for the beginning jazz student as well: https://www.pattimusic.com/order/pianomethods/ faber.htm

Also, your instructor should be able to get a good idea of where you are in your skills, and based on that, s/he should be able to recommend some pieces.

Best Wishes,

I'd like to echo Frank's comments about Mark Levine's 'The Jazz Piano Book'. Not only does it give an excellent graduated introduction for people who don't already play jazz, it also is a fabulous reference. I keep going back and working through different chapters because there's so much material, and so many clever ideas and interesting ways of looking at different problems.

Over the years I have bought many jazz piano books. Some of them just cover chord voicings, others offer graduated methods. But Levine's is far and away the best I've ever seen.

K

Whilst on the subject of Jazz and the excellent help from this group and Frank in the past post.

I've got one newbie question about lessons as I'm ready to join for lessons.

Is it best to take Jazz first then classical lessons or can I pick Classical up easier after Jazz or the other way round.

If I had the choice of the two I would select Jazz lessons based on the fact I enjoy listening to Jazz nothing else...

Am I making the right lesson decision here...??

Your beginning lessons should be about learning to read music, learning the proper ways to use your hands, and developing your ear so you can hear harmonies.

The first two areas are essential to *all* serious piano playing, and any good teacher will devote a great deal of time to them. So find the best teacher you can, classical or whatever. Having a good teacher is more important at this stage of the game than the alleged content of the lessons, because the fundamental content should be the same.

The ear training part

Perhaps things have changed drastically over the years, but I never heard of 'beginning' jazz lessons except for folks with years of classical training already. Is it now possible to start from the beginning in jazz lessons?

Gerry

If you're a good reader, there are several transcription books out there, too. For some examples, look under the publisher www.halleonard.com for Artist Piano Transcriptions. You still need to learn the style, and listening can help alot with this (recordings are usually referenced in the above series). One of the Hal Leonard books is a collection of Andre Previn, who happens to be one of the great dual jazz & classical musicians. Also check out the Marian McPartland Piano Jazz transcriptions (Warner Bros.)

Gerald C

I've spoken to a couple who offer beginner Jazz lessons with examinations upto grade 5 (I think).
http://jazzpianolessons.co.uk/ and www.artsound.co.uk

is a couple I've checked out...