Jazz piano 4

About this course

The course develops jazz piano skills through standard tunes featuring minor and altered harmony, dominant substitutions and modal harmony. Learners practise left-hand chords, lead-sheet navigation, memorising harmonic sequences, solo construction and comping within a rhythm section, while considering the piano’s role both in an ensemble and as a solo instrument. Teaching combines piano demonstrations with tutorials on aural and theoretical topics. Participants play together and solo on digital pianos, with opportunities to submit recordings of their playing.

What you'll learn

• Interpret lead sheets and navigate jazz charts efficiently
• Apply minor, altered, substitute-dominant and modal harmony in standard tunes
• Develop left-hand chord voicings for accompaniment
• Construct and perform improvised solos
• Comp effectively as part of a rhythm section
• Memorise tunes and their harmonic sequences

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for improvers developing beyond fundamental jazz piano techniques. The source recommends successful completion of Jazz Piano 3 and experience with scales, modes, swing and Latin rhythms, common jazz progressions and chord voicings. Learners should be prepared to play both independently and with others in class.

• Prior study at Jazz Piano 3 level is expected
• Class work includes playing together as well as solo performance

Before you go

• Learners should use manuscript paper for class notes.
• Course materials are supplied and posted in Google Classroom.
• Participants are encouraged to submit recordings of their playing.