Articles for Full Members

Articles for Full Members

Top 12 Tips for Teachers Blending Jazz/Pop with Classics

1-Half steps, whole steps, and major five-finger patterns may be introduced as warm-ups, at about the time the student reaches the beginning of Part A (1) of the Music Tree, or commensurate level in other core books. http://bit.ly/5FPats.
2-Most students are ready to take on and soon enjoy playing all twelve 5-finger patterns at this point, as long as they are gradually added, usually over the span of about 4-6 weeks.

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Top 12 Reasons Why Popular Repertoire Books are Problematic

The Faber Piano Adventures series, used by many piano teachers today, includes Popular Repertoire Books, with pieces that will, hopefully, appeal to students. It’s terrific that these “popular” pieces are included with the Faber series! However, it is not reasonable to expect that the materials in these books will truly teach students how to play popular music as it's most often performed. Why not? The specific arrangements the authors have included do indeed sound reasonably good. So then, what is wrong?

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Understand the Bass Lines of Jazzin' Giovanni

The featured piece, Jazzin’ Giovanni, had a famous melody, previously used both as an operatic aria (hint), and as a theme for a classical piano piece by a well-known composer (of the "mystery piece" - I don't want to give away the answer!) However, in Jazzin' Giovanni, it's as if this famous tune has taken a side trip into the swing era...and brought back a walking bass line as a souvenir! You and/or your students may enjoy performing this piece, perhaps along with its progenitor, the “mystery” piece, as I do in the video.

Wondering how I created the bass line for Jazzin' Giovanni?

Playing a melody with a walking bass line is one of the more difficult jazz arranging styles to master. In this texture, the left hand’s job description includes:

setting a solid and grounded rhythmic pulse and feel,
strongly implying all the harmonies, and
ornamenting structural notes,

all in a pleasing melodic way, which complements and supports the melody and other rhythmic elements in the piece! It’s a senior level position!! Knowledge of major scales and triads are required, some experience playing Bach Inventions is preferred. Fortunately, it is not rocket science. Read on for encouragement and practical tips...

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