Jazz Piano Chords
If playing jazz piano chords is a new venture for you, there is a reason for your being here. You see, I know what it's like to be in your shoes. Although your background may be different from mine, your curiosity and hunger for musical growth, especially when it comes to this topic of piano chords, have been shared by me, I can assure you. From the age of seven, I had piano chords drilled into my brain... major chords, minor chords, diminished chords, augmented chords... triads, sevenths... up and down the piano... Sometimes it was torture, other times I just did it without question. An important aspect of my training that kept me going was that I was encouraged to actually use these chords as I was learning them. So, yes, I had many opportunities to incorporate them into songs as I progressed. Let's face it, when you get to actually apply what you're learning - whether it's piano chords, scales, or other - you find that you have the energy to keep going. There was something missing, however. You see, by the time I hit junior high school, I found myself taking a special interest in jazz. I started listening to jazz musicians, especially jazz pianists, and they were playing jazz piano chords that totally had my head spinning... I mean, here I was with about 7 years experience learning and playing chords, yet not one teacher I had exposed me to any of this good stuff! Jazz piano chords were never a topic with these authorities. So I starting checking out the music stores for books on the subject. Doing so led me to learning that there was no shortage of material on the subject of jazz piano chords. However, of the books that I had investigated, only one or two actually seemed to effectively show how to actually use these chords. So naturally, like an aspiring learner, I wouldn't go home without at least one of these "hopeful solutions" under my arm. As I got involved with reading some of this material on jazz piano chords, I was astonished. Why? Because I already thought I knew a lot... but, according to what I was reading, I only knew a little... Questions that popped into my mind included, "Why didn't they teach me this in all those years?" ... "What was the matter with these teachers I've been confiding in all time - didn't they know this stuff?" Actually, the latter question was right on. They weren't to be blamed - they simply didn't understand. So, how could they teach me something they didn't know themselves? It started to make sense... So I kept reading. It didn't take long before I discovered what piano chord voicings were. I found myself absorbed in what was in front of my eyes. Often, I would put the book down, and play the jazz piano chord examples I was looking at... geeesh, where did these sounds come from?! More accurately, why didn't I know how to do this?! But as I mentioned, the people I was exposed to simply didn't have a clue. They had their own strengths, but when it came to the subject of jazz piano chords, they were about as knowledgeable as I was on the topic of brain surgery. So, yes, I did learn a lot from those books... and what I learned inspired me to go further by hooking up with local jazz musicians who were offering lessons at the time. I did luck out in the sense that there were a couple who were actually available to help in this regard... And I'm grateful for my experience with these people. Truly, they set me in a good direction. They really did serve as my inspiration to learn more and more. And when it comes to the idiom of jazz, once you arrive at a certain point of understanding, wanting to investigate and learn more on your own just gets in your blood - it becomes a part of you. Looking back, as grateful as I am for having the luxury of getting in touch with the people I did, I often wondered what it would have been like to get connected with them earlier. If I only had some way of getting in touch with these chord principles earlier, it would have saved a lot of frustration... So I asked myself, "What would be an ideal learning tool for those people who don't have a clue where to turn when it comes to getting introduced to this subject in a way that is appealing, educational, and inspiring?" You see, I know getting in touch with professional teachers who understand this kind of material isn't always easy. In addition, many who do have a handle on it often don't have the knack to teach it... So I decided to take action and produce something... I didn't know exactly how it was going to turn out, but I did know what I wanted to accomplish... Firstly, I did not want to create something that would be: The program was several months in the making and is now available. It's name has permeated the Web and it's popularity has made me grateful to a degree that I cannot explain. ProProach can be accessed here ... I truly hope you experience a fraction of the fun that I've had putting this popular piano chord program together. ( If you would like to peek, a press release can be found here ) I want to make one thing clear at this point - this is not a jazz piano course... and it is not a pop piano course. It is not limited to such idioms. Also, it is not specifically a jazz piano chords course. It is quite evident that certain piano chord rudiments are applicable to these styles and others (in other words, jazz piano chords are not just used in jazz music). Therefore, I wanted the person who becomes engaged with this program to know that these concepts can be applied in so many musical situations. That being said, the person who aspires to specialize in one area - in the jazz piano arena (for example) - and wants to learn more about jazz piano chords will likely move onto more advanced concepts as they progress, and this is my hope for that individual. I would like to emphasize two points regarding ProProach: 1) These on line piano lessons are presented weekly. Once you have the lessons in your possession, you will have continued access to them. 2) There will be times when these lessons will be updated - for example, I may replace the current videos with updated ones - you, as a member of the program, will always have access to these updates. So, you see, ProProach is a project in motion... when I see a need for modification that would enhance the quality of the program, I will follow through. Currently, I am aiming to replace a couple of the videos with more up-to-date content. As I touched upon earlier, students with interests in various musical styles will benefit from ProProach. Regarding the aspiring jazz pianist, this program will serve as a good introduction if you want to learn jazz piano chords and open yourself up to a world of creativity. I truly wish I had been exposed to something like this when I was trudging through those music stores - it certainly would have saved me a lot of time. Another mention: even if you have no interest in playing jazz specifically, if you aspire to learn more about piano styling and want to play popular songs, etc., with a more creative mind set, the exploration of jazz piano chords is highly recommended, as it will really add dimension to your perspective and playing. I invite questions regarding this program. Simply send an email to info @ pianoamore.com - include in the subject area "ProProach Question" so I will know that you were here. I would like to acknowledge one question that often gets presented here. I am often asked, "What do I need to know in order to begin ProProach?" I recommend that you have a handle on some 7th chords, such as Cmaj7, G7, Amin7, etc. The reason is simply that we will take these 7th chords in their basic positions and have a lot of fun with them... You see, you won't be introduced to the kind of keyboard chords you're likely to find in the manual that comes with a portable Casio keyboard. We explore jazz piano chords and concepts (again, not just for the jazz musician) that you will have fun incorporating into your music, whatever the style... I get lots of letters from people who simply have a ball creating these sounds that they have been so used to hearing yet didn't know how to actually play them and no one was available to show them how. By the way, the ability to reading musical notation is not a necessary skill to possess in order to take advantage of this program. (Also, if you feel that you need preparation to become ready for the program, consider my personal coaching which I am about to introduce you to below) There is one additional bit of information I would like to present here. ProProach was designed to stand on its own, and I have received a tremendous amount of feedback regarding the success of people who have gotten involved with it. However, a number of people who have already become absorbed in the fun have requested additional coaching, especially when it comes to applying the concepts to what they are actually involved with outside the program... I think it's important that people have the option of communicating with someone who can really be a source of added encouragement, inspiration, and education. In addition, to be able to establish this kind of communication with the very author of the material you're involved is absolutely a luxury I can relate to. This is why I decided to open myself up in this regard... In response to this demand, I created "Coach Me!" which is a program that allows you and me to correspond one-on-one. You can learn more about this unique learning process here ... I wish I could make myself available to each and every person who requests that service; however that would require 100 hours in a day. So when you visit that link you will be able to clearly see if there is any availability at this time (and this changes regularly). Whether it is jazz piano chords that is your main focus, pop piano styling, or another musical area... whatever level you are at, and whatever your age... you have within you potential that you are not even yet aware of. I hope you will give that potential its due attention... allow it to breath. Once you do, it will emerge and manifest itself by taking form in a fashion that you cannot even yet imagine. Truly, you are in for some wonderful times. Have fun making music! And remember...
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