Classical to Jazz Piano: Where Do I Start?!

4 minute read

I see it like clockwork. Perhaps you’re a Classical pianist with a burning desire to explore the improvisational wonders of Jazz. Or maybe you’re a beginner, ready to dive into the realm of Jazz music.

It’s by far the number one question asked by curious Classical pianists looking to get into the world of Jazz and for very good reason.

With a daunting and overwhelming amount of information out there in the form of books, YouTube videos, tutorials and online resources available these days, with no real standard A-Z system available, it’s no surprise that this is the first and number one thing Classical pianists deal with when getting into Jazz piano. Click here to access my free guide on how to set your specific goals, organize and structure your practice!

So where do you start?! You can access thre free guide here or on my home page playbetterjazz.com and keep reading below for more on what's inside:

No matter where you’re starting from, there’s an incredible path that can significantly enhance your journey and lay the most rock solid foundation possible for playing Jazz and becoming a great improviser:

The Blues (and I’m not talking Boogie-Woogie style Blues).

Yes, that soulful and timeless musical form holds the key to unlocking your Jazz piano mastery! In this post we’ll reveal why starting with the Blues is not just a recommendation; It’s a strategic decision that sets the stage for your ultimate success in the world of Jazz and improvisation.

Why the Blues though?

• There’s multiple reasons why starting with the Blues is the absolute best thing you could do as a primer and foundation for Jazz piano playing. The Blues is the lifeblood of Jazz and is used heavily in Jazz playing. Learning to improvise over the Blues is a super important first step to prepare you to take on the complexities of Jazz and builds key fundamental and crucial skills as an improviser. Here’s just a few reasons why:

• Simple Harmonic Structure: The Blues progression — that venerable I-IV-V pattern — provides a gentle yet robust introduction to basic Jazz harmony. For those taking their first steps into the realm of jazz, this simplicity offers a solid foundation on which to build. You’ll also learn about common forms of tunes with it’s 12-Bar structure.

• Introduction to Chord Changes: Navigating through chord changes is a fundamental skill in Jazz. The Blues progression gives you a chance to become comfortable with transitioning between different chords, setting the stage for tackling more complex jazz tunes and chord progressions

Focus on Swing, Rhythm, Feel and Groove: Jazz is not just about notes; it’s MORE about the rhythm and feel. It’s HOW you play those notes that makes all the difference in the world. The Blues is an incredibly effective training ground for developing a deep sense of swing feel, groove, rhythm and good sense of time which are all essential ingredients for creating that irresistible swing in your playing and for taking on Jazz in general. You’ll also learn about common rhythms used to solo with that can apply and work on ANY tune or style of music!

• Building Improvisational Confidence: The Blues is one of the simpler kinds of tunes to improvise over due to it’s 12 bar form, which is shorter and harmonically much more simple than a Jazz Standard. Mastering the Blues progression and improvising over it boosts your confidence as an improviser and gives you crucial skills that you’ll use later on in Jazz playing such as how to solo, using motifs and motivic development for your solo ideas, how to improvise in general and how to unlock your unique voice and creative spirit.

• Versatility Across Genres: The beauty of the Blues lies in its adaptability. As you grasp the Blues, you’re not only entering the realm of Jazz but also gaining a skill set that’s transferable to genres like Rock, R&B, Soul and more.

As you advance, ALL of the skills you learn with the Blues translates to the same techniques and skills used in Jazz playing. You’ll still be using the Blues scales (and especially Minor Pentatonic scales, which are basically the same as a Blues scale) heavily in Jazz playing and in modern styles like Rock, Country, Pop, Soul, R&B and more.

I recommend spending at least your first 6-9 months learning and improvising on the Blues and Blues-based tunes, in the keys of F, Bb and G which are the most common keys found in Jazz. If you’re wondering what songs or tunes to learn, I recommend the following: Watermelon Man (From the Herbie Hancock album “Takin’ Off”), Bag’s Groove, Freddie the Freeloader, Cantaloupe Island, Mr. P.C. and All Blues.

Blues-based Jazz tunes make up a third of Jazz repertoire and are very commonly played on gigs, jam sessions and the like. Learning to improvise effectively on the Blues pays tremendous dividends in the future. And in ways you won’t even see right away!

Whether you’re a beginner, a Classical pianist yearning for Jazz exploration, or simply someone captivated by the allure of Jazz, the Blues is hands down your absolute best starting point.

Are you a Classically trained pianist or new to Jazz piano and don’t know where to start? Check out my comprehensive 75+ page ebook for exactly where to start and what to focus on and how to get started right away!

Check out my YouTube Channel for free tutorials and more.