Tutorials
SOLOING TOOLS
Major scales
Never underestimate the power of knowing all your major scales fluently. For all styles they are a fundamental and provide you with the musical fitness for getting around your instrument. Major scales are a great soloing tool and the starting point for learning the Jazz modes.
Download these two PDF files:
Use the fingerings and play slowly just one octave to start. When you can do this accurately move to two octaves. Always play slow enough to be accurate.
Improvisation Workshop
Improvisation Workshop – November 2023
Hosted by the Wellington Branch of IRMT NZ on Sunday, 19 November.The workshop features extensive use of my book, *Hataitai Garden*, a collection of 10 piano pieces designed to inspire improvisation.
Listen to all pieces here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgcAS-pp9AAOz2irXWqIUA5Vih8kjS-_Z
*Hataitai Garden* is available from SOUNZ:
PDF: https://www.sounz.org.nz/resources/30039
Hardcopy: https://www.sounz.org.nz/resources/29966
This workshop concentrated on improvisation techniques beyond harmony. While harmony was mentioned, the main topics were space, articulation, dynamics, structure, texture, and imagery—areas often overlooked but valuable for soloing.
Listening
This is another musical fundamental and one of the fun sides to learning. It has surprised me over the years to find that so many students don’t lsiten to much music. So I will say it again Listen Listen Listen and then listen some more. Listen to as much music as you can. Be courageous and listen to a wide range of material you will be surprised at what grows on you.
I would like to make this section of the website a part that my students and site visitors can be involved in. Please feel free to contact me with listening suggestions or pass on your favourites at lessons. Some of the best tunes have been passed onto me from fellow musicians.
I have included lots of playlists in this tutorial page because it is so important to expand our music. Scroll down and pick a few, they are fun I assure you. We have a few favourites in the windows on the page to start us off with please makes some suggestions about your favourite tunes but most importantly listen.
JAZZ
Charles Mingus
“Moanin” is a composition by Bobby Timmons first recorded by Art Blakey in 1958.This is from ‘Nostalgia in Times Square’ 1993 – Ronnie Cuber plays the Baritone Saxophone.
An awesome version the energy that the whole band brings to this chart is what inspires me here. Charles Mingus an American bassist was really making a noise in music around the time when I was first born. This is a great example of energy and pushing the boundaries. Check out the barri whew!!.
Within the IRMT Wellington Branch we have been studying The History Of Jazz By Ted Goia. The play lists created to accompany the book proved marvelous.
A most informative book and when coupled with these playlists it really opens the Jazz music up to you. Enjoy!
How to Play
How to playIn a Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington Lyrics Manny Kurtz
This is the latest inn the How to Play video series, created to support lessons and offer jazz learning to players.
This video covers some usweful jazz musical concepts such as pentatonic scales, CESH chromatically extended Seventh 7th harmony, and starts the player using dominant 7th arpeggios for the soloing.
It is broken down into our normal lesson type segments. Talks first on the head, then it provides all the chord changes needed, next soloing tools. This include arpeggios and scales and where to use them. The arrangement to be used is discussed and then followed by a talk and play. This is a fun way of letting you experience what goes on in a jazz players head as they are playing and improvising. Enjoy!!
Playlists
- Gigging still heavily at this stage of my life a playlist to represent the end of an era 1990-1999
- Worked hard at the music scene this decade. Hence the title Working back through the decade. Even now the keyboard sounds of the 80’s are pretty dodgy. Oh well !! Good times.
- I Loved the 70s, magical bands solid grooves
CLASSICAL
Piano Library books you may consider for intermediate/advanced players (Check out these playlist of the trinity repertoire for piano series)
Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2 no 1 (2nd movement F Major)
Completed in 1795 and dedicated to Joseph Haydn. The sonata was published in 1796 with sonatas 2 and 3 as Op 2. This early Beethoven is quite a beautiful work an outstanding first sonata. The second movement which I have performed here is one of my favourite Beethoven slow movements. It is tricky, approximately a grade 7 however, not as intimidating as perhaps the Waldstein or Appasionata. I love playing this work and have enjoyed recording it for here. With Beethoven being such a pianistic force, it is reccomended that some playing of the sonatas will help all of our playing. With 32 piano sonantas to choose from there is a wealth of beautiful music to learn and something for everyone.
I enjoy these Beethovens so much that we will continue to record them here as we explore them. There are a few easier ones so ask me in lessons (or contact me)for help to choose a Beethoven to suit your level. For a more engaged listening experience try reading the score as you listen.