Bud Powell studied classical music. Roland Hanna and my first teacher, Sanford Gold, insisted on Classical studies. Sanford made me write chord symbols over Chopin etudes. Bach inventions help with hand and finger independence and playing Bebop. You can hear Debussy and Ravel in Bill Evans' voicings. I could go on and on. Lots of things you can find in Bartok and Stravinsky that's suddenly turn up in your imrovs. I could go on and on.
Nina Simone got into Julliard playing classical. Herbie Hancock was performing Mozart concerti with orchestras while in his teens. And I'm pretty sure Mary Lou Williams had a solid classical background. Thanks for all your videos, and PECAN!
Great Video! To me learning the Piano through classical and then expanding it by jazz makes a lot of sense, because it, as you said, kinda originated that way.
Your moving target reason is interesting. Basically, classical music is dead in that it is sort of fossilized and pianists just 'recite' music instead of create it. If classical music culture didn't change as it has and was still like it was before the 20th century, then the museumification of the music would be reduced since classical music would have lots improvisation just like jazz. Then, your reason may not be as strong. Our current situation is just an accident of history. (Well, this is a counterfactual thought experiment: it is the way it is. So, your reasoning stands. Just food for thought.)
I see what you're saying, KM. You're taking a not-incorrect but pretty seldom-used definition of "classical music." But, yes, I guess - technically - I'm advocating for music that's played exactly the same way each time.
Excellent insights. I would say yes because I believe you should always have a skill level that has soft edges. In other words, if you only study jazz piano, all of your limits will be within that zone. If you study classical piano, you'll have skills that cross over those boundaries, so you're less likely to hit a technical limit (in general). Also, simply absorbing the sound and movement of classical into your musical being is a benefit. I think what makes the greats stand apart is that they always tried to push the boundaries of their skills and style into new areas, and learned and absorbed from every bit of music they encountered - it is all fair game.
It seems to me like you know the foundation of classical music is like reading that grand staff, piano music and having a relationship with that. Maybe I'm oversimplifying that but I think you will need to have some type of relationship with that. I think that would definitely help
Maybe that’s the problem with us guitarist - not as much uptake of approaching learning the instrument through the classical guitar approach. For a lot of jazz pedagogy, I see too much emphasis on learning what to play rather than how to play. It seems like classical grounds you by giving you facility on the instrument by providing what to play, so that large variable is taken away and you can focus more on how to play.
According to the Monk BIO he could play and studied classical music and did it WELL...if i recall someone walked in on him playing an etude and he comically told them not to tell anyone he could play like that lom. Not to mention early jazz players played classical and they add OUR rhythm. Donald Lambert playing Grieg stride. It's important to note the actual Black Classical Composers should be included in a thorough study of Black American Music and our music (everyone that contributes to our community). Some names Florence Price William Coolidge Taylor Margewt Bonds. Of course all our great European repertoire.
Being one of those jurassic piano beginners and having played many decades of Jazz guitar I was one of those that was/is trying to avoid the classical route in learning. So I'm still on the fence on this subject sometimes I wish I had spent some time doing the beginning classical stuff, but then I can sit and work on chords and voicing based on my years of guitar and really enjoy myself. I think for me it would of been or maybe need to change up my learning and do both because I do have all that experience of studying and playing Jazz on another instrument.
Great question! I have been mostly learning and playing classical music and am still wondering if I can really focus more on jazz piano without impacting my classical music playing abilities. I do have “Jazz Exercises, Minuets, Etudes & Pieces for Piano” by Oscar Peterson and will be definitely practicing pieces from it. Thank you Jeremy
@@bill3837 The question is if I want to “reprogram my brain away from classical music”? The biggest reason that classically trained pianists find it difficult to learn jazz is that jazz teachers never give a straightforward answer to questions and just insist on “listening to jazz” and trying.
Thank you for this. I’m an old lady piano student, three years now, and have been working with a jazz piano teacher. But just this very day I signed up with a classical piano teacher-planning to keep working with the jazz teacher too. Your video helps me feel more happy about this new adventure. 😊. #pecan
Great! Enjoy, Mary! I think you'll find that you'll be able to move faster with jazz when you have a better knowledge of the keyboard topography and hand coordination.
Hey Jeremy can you recommend some specific classical pieces or composers to look into? Preferably stuff with interesting... dare I say "jazzy" harmonies.
Hmmmmmmmmmm...so Bach is the source of all things, so I'd start there. I think Chopin is the master of melody but his harmonies are pretty interesting. Debussy/Ravel definitely have very jazzy harmonies. Mehldau claims Brahms as his greatest inspiration. Without knowing your level I don't think I can recommend particular pieces.
Reminds me of the people who say you have to learn Latin before you learn living Romance languages. Or people who say you should learn the clarinet before learning sax. Just cut right to the chase. Instead of learning classical, learn jazz transcriptions. Ideally, take down the transcriptions yourself.
I don't think there's a "before," but with piano there's so much hand coordination, chord-finding, and basic technique that I think having solid classical training is really really important.
Me myself. I was a saxophone major but I play piano with a lot of groups. I don't read grandstaff that much at all But I can interpret simple to complex chord changes
Pecan pie w vanilla ice cream 😎 It seems like these pianists had a great love of the Impressionists, Chopin and Bach. Would you reveal some of your faves? Thank you, Maestro.🌹🌹🌹🌹
Pecan. I took classical lessons for a couple of years till I could play Bach inventions and got to an intermediate level. Learning about technique and getting better at reading the dots is very useful. It just became expensive to continue when a jazz book is about the same price as one weekly lesson. And as an adult I didn’t have time for the practice necessary as I got more advanced so it became a waste of money. But my playing and touch improved so much in that time.
Bud Powell studied classical music. Roland Hanna and my first teacher, Sanford Gold, insisted on Classical studies. Sanford made me write chord symbols over Chopin etudes. Bach inventions help with hand and finger independence and playing Bebop. You can hear Debussy and Ravel in Bill Evans' voicings. I could go on and on. Lots of things you can find in Bartok and Stravinsky that's suddenly turn up in your imrovs. I could go on and on.
Nina Simone got into Julliard playing classical. Herbie Hancock was performing Mozart concerti with orchestras while in his teens. And I'm pretty sure Mary Lou Williams had a solid classical background. Thanks for all your videos, and PECAN!
Great Video! To me learning the Piano through classical and then expanding it by jazz makes a lot of sense, because it, as you said, kinda originated that way.
This was so wonderfully and sincerely expressed! The piano’s rich expressive history and the joy of playing it spans it all. Deepest thanks always!
Pecan. Absolutely agree!
Your moving target reason is interesting. Basically, classical music is dead in that it is sort of fossilized and pianists just 'recite' music instead of create it. If classical music culture didn't change as it has and was still like it was before the 20th century, then the museumification of the music would be reduced since classical music would have lots improvisation just like jazz. Then, your reason may not be as strong. Our current situation is just an accident of history. (Well, this is a counterfactual thought experiment: it is the way it is. So, your reasoning stands. Just food for thought.)
I see what you're saying, KM. You're taking a not-incorrect but pretty seldom-used definition of "classical music." But, yes, I guess - technically - I'm advocating for music that's played exactly the same way each time.
Pecan. Nuts!
Haha, nice, Yanny!
Pecan, Opus 1
Pecan
Excellent insights. I would say yes because I believe you should always have a skill level that has soft edges. In other words, if you only study jazz piano, all of your limits will be within that zone. If you study classical piano, you'll have skills that cross over those boundaries, so you're less likely to hit a technical limit (in general). Also, simply absorbing the sound and movement of classical into your musical being is a benefit. I think what makes the greats stand apart is that they always tried to push the boundaries of their skills and style into new areas, and learned and absorbed from every bit of music they encountered - it is all fair game.
How can a jazz pianist start with classical music
It seems to me like you know the foundation of classical music is like reading that grand staff, piano music and having a relationship with that. Maybe I'm oversimplifying that but I think you will need to have some type of relationship with that. I think that would definitely help
Maybe that’s the problem with us guitarist - not as much uptake of approaching learning the instrument through the classical guitar approach. For a lot of jazz pedagogy, I see too much emphasis on learning what to play rather than how to play. It seems like classical grounds you by giving you facility on the instrument by providing what to play, so that large variable is taken away and you can focus more on how to play.
Oh, and pecan
I prefer listening.
There is still a lot to be gained from listening alone even without studying.
Bud Powell's Bud on Bach begins with a direct quote from C.P.E. Bach's Solfeggietto. th-cam.com/video/eiY4xrTRn4U/w-d-xo.html
According to the Monk BIO he could play and studied classical music and did it WELL...if i recall someone walked in on him playing an etude and he comically told them not to tell anyone he could play like that lom.
Not to mention early jazz players played classical and they add OUR rhythm. Donald Lambert playing Grieg stride. It's important to note the actual Black Classical Composers should be included in a thorough study of Black American Music and our music (everyone that contributes to our community). Some names Florence Price William Coolidge Taylor Margewt Bonds. Of course all our great European repertoire.
Personal favorite Jason Moran playing Nancarrow....so cool
Absolutely! I'm reading that Monk bio now. It's interesting how the "myth" that people like Monk couldn't play classical pieces perpetuates.
That's the most Monk story ever lmao
Beautiful intro, what is it?
Being one of those jurassic piano beginners and having played many decades of Jazz guitar I was one of those that was/is trying to avoid the classical route in learning. So I'm still on the fence on this subject sometimes I wish I had spent some time doing the beginning classical stuff, but then I can sit and work on chords and voicing based on my years of guitar and really enjoy myself. I think for me it would of been or maybe need to change up my learning and do both because I do have all that experience of studying and playing Jazz on another instrument.
Great question! I have been mostly learning and playing classical music and am still wondering if I can really focus more on jazz piano without impacting my classical music playing abilities.
I do have “Jazz Exercises, Minuets, Etudes & Pieces for Piano” by Oscar Peterson and will be definitely practicing pieces from it.
Thank you Jeremy
Why not. Don't be uptight about it. I don't know where you're skill level is. But why not .
@@bill3837 The question is if I want to “reprogram my brain away from classical music”?
The biggest reason that classically trained pianists find it difficult to learn jazz is that jazz teachers never give a straightforward answer to questions and just insist on “listening to jazz” and trying.
@@mfurman it's all music. "Jazz" vocabulary will help you to understand classical music more clearly in terms of harmony.
Pecan
Thanks for watching, Mark!
Hey Jeremy, (again & again) you touched down your point on this sensitive issue! 🙏👏👏🎹
Much appreciated, my friend!
Thank you for this. I’m an old lady piano student, three years now, and have been working with a jazz piano teacher. But just this very day I signed up with a classical piano teacher-planning to keep working with the jazz teacher too. Your video helps me feel more happy about this new adventure. 😊. #pecan
Great! Enjoy, Mary! I think you'll find that you'll be able to move faster with jazz when you have a better knowledge of the keyboard topography and hand coordination.
Hey Jeremy can you recommend some specific classical pieces or composers to look into? Preferably stuff with interesting... dare I say "jazzy" harmonies.
Hmmmmmmmmmm...so Bach is the source of all things, so I'd start there. I think Chopin is the master of melody but his harmonies are pretty interesting. Debussy/Ravel definitely have very jazzy harmonies. Mehldau claims Brahms as his greatest inspiration. Without knowing your level I don't think I can recommend particular pieces.
Reminds me of the people who say you have to learn Latin before you learn living Romance languages. Or people who say you should learn the clarinet before learning sax. Just cut right to the chase. Instead of learning classical, learn jazz transcriptions. Ideally, take down the transcriptions yourself.
I don't think there's a "before," but with piano there's so much hand coordination, chord-finding, and basic technique that I think having solid classical training is really really important.
Only study classical music if you love the music.
Good point - life's too short to play music you don't like!
Me myself. I was a saxophone major but I play piano with a lot of groups. I don't read grandstaff that much at all But I can interpret simple to complex chord changes
Pecan pie w vanilla ice cream 😎 It seems like these pianists had a great love of the Impressionists, Chopin and Bach. Would you reveal some of your faves? Thank you, Maestro.🌹🌹🌹🌹
Pecan. I took classical lessons for a couple of years till I could play Bach inventions and got to an intermediate level. Learning about technique and getting better at reading the dots is very useful. It just became expensive to continue when a jazz book is about the same price as one weekly lesson. And as an adult I didn’t have time for the practice necessary as I got more advanced so it became a waste of money. But my playing and touch improved so much in that time.
My favorite jazz was this is have some type of classical background
I say “pecan”, great stuff!!!
Pecan but now what?
Pecan