Yep I took Shan’s advice - and after years of books, other UA-cam lessons etc. This focus has done more for me in the last year than I’d achieved in a decade. Instead of a few tunes played with other people’s arrangements, I’m seeing the form, the functions of harmony and the commonality between tunes that allows my repertoire to expand and I pick up tunes more quickly, some simple ones almost on first play through. Can’t recommend Shan’s approach enough, if you are open to it and want to build a process/approach not learn tricks or tunes join the community!
You just described a problem that I vaguely knew I had, but wasn’t clear about what exactly the problem was or how I could go about fixing it. This video is insightful and clearly explained. I appreciate it. I wonder where I can get those great backing tracks to start practicing with?
Very helpful advice! I was guilty of looking up all the walking bass lines and fancy rhythms because I wanted to 'level up' my piano playing even though I'm not yet fluent with my chords. Setting up a metronome and playing easier chords but within time actually made it sound better and succeeding at it kinda made it a lot of fun :)
I am in my 62d year & have been playing for 4 months now. I realized if I''m not going to get discouraged I need to see it as a process & if I'm progressing in that process, then I will be (& I am) satisfied. I have only been working on scales (& all that entails) & fingering exercises. I have bought a handful of Jazz Piano books & they all seem to start above my head. My question to you is, given your 3 levels of players, is Level One a brand new student or someone who has some mileage under their belt. I have watched a number of your videos & have learned more from them than I have any other source. Keep up the great work. (I am considering signing up for JazzSkills, but I should probably find a job first.)
Also! Jazz books and YT videos filled with licks sell like hotcakes because players want the shortcut which won't get them to the desired destination - fluent improvisation. Publishing companies will continue pumping out this material for crass commercial reasons. Your material shows the true way.
Analyzing a piece of music with a composers view is something I've always done, even for classical music (Bach etc). Simply because I cannot learn the music without that. I must understand how it works. I know that classical style teachers often don't advise that, some even say it's a waste of time, but I don't share that opinion. One nice thing is that you discover reusable fragments that appear in several compositions, which makes learning something new shorter.
Thanks. Great advice, mentioning strategies that often get overlooked, like thoroughly practicing the left hand chords before focusing too much on the melody.
I learned something from this, but I still plan to work on basslines with 251s in all keys. I believe they promote hand independence. I don't devote large amounts of time to it, but I do believe it's a good skill to work on.
Its a miracle !!! shan by focusing on 16251 chord pattern , I am singing 3 songs in a week as opposed to learning Autumn leaves over 5 years😂😂❤thanks sooo mucch
Just found your channel and I have to say your approach and ideas are great. Make a lot of sense for me. I'm stuck as you described in this video and so happy I found this video . Thank you for your time
Unbelievable. I just thought the same this morning (not yesterday, not last week, this morning ! after 2 years spending playing the Bach's prelude and few other things, but unable to reach immediately a chord of my choice on left hand) I decided this morning to stop working on tunes, and restart for the beginning by concentrating only on the left hand.
Shan you do great work, carrying the BH torch. The Howard Rees DVD/booklets are a structured way to learn be bop improvisation, harmony and melody and most importantly musical freedom! Your videos are hot stuff and get to the heart of what is wrong with just about all published jazz tutor material. Learning licks is appealing but it is only useful if a player learns ONE and then applies and varies it in a many ways. I learnt the rudiments of jazz from other players and this is what they did. I think that Coleman Hawkins learned movements in this way too.
I have a basic question: Where do you get sheet music like the one you used in this video? I have the real book, but the songs don't seem to have empty (solo?) sections with just chord symbols and no melody. Also, how do I get the associated bass and percussion soundtrack without piano?
thanks that is exactly what I will start doing. When you are coming are you always thinking of the diatonic no. of the chord or is it still ok to say the letter.
Some really solid great advice. I’m definitely coming your way if in 6 months I’m not progressing to where I want to be cos improvisation is key to freedom and expression.😊
Excellent video. Thank you. I caterpillar the left hand down the circle of fifths in sevenths, which, for me, a very basic learner, does mean the left hand is automatic. Good idea to use your left shell full chord on the right, which I really like. Honestly, your simple 251 progression at the beginning is just a lovely sound.
Practicing single line improvisation without dropping beats is harder said than done--especially when you aren't playing piano. I could still comp for myself--as a guitarist--but the same hand is doing all the "thinking." Knowing where all those downbeats is crucial. Do you have any lessons on what Barry used to teach about 6:4 (quarter note triplet) time feel for ballads and midtempo tunes and 3:4 (half note triplet) time feel for up tempos?
Here are some other lessons about fluency
ua-cam.com/play/PL2GT-F7_oAbnMtpBQ8YT9civomML8JfDZ.html
Yep I took Shan’s advice - and after years of books, other UA-cam lessons etc. This focus has done more for me in the last year than I’d achieved in a decade. Instead of a few tunes played with other people’s arrangements, I’m seeing the form, the functions of harmony and the commonality between tunes that allows my repertoire to expand and I pick up tunes more quickly, some simple ones almost on first play through. Can’t recommend Shan’s approach enough, if you are open to it and want to build a process/approach not learn tricks or tunes join the community!
You just described a problem that I vaguely knew I had, but wasn’t clear about what exactly the problem was or how I could go about fixing it. This video is insightful and clearly explained. I appreciate it. I wonder where I can get those great backing tracks to start practicing with?
Glad to have helped you. We have many practice tracks for Jazz Skills members.
Best jazz teacher ever! Took a lesson with him in Brazil like ten years ago. I still use stuff I learned from him back then. ❤🎹
Wow! So nice to see you here and thank you for your kind comment. I wish you all the best.
You are so right!!!!
Very helpful advice! I was guilty of looking up all the walking bass lines and fancy rhythms because I wanted to 'level up' my piano playing even though I'm not yet fluent with my chords. Setting up a metronome and playing easier chords but within time actually made it sound better and succeeding at it kinda made it a lot of fun :)
Same here mate
You're not alone. Well done for making the change!
I am in my 62d year & have been playing for 4 months now. I realized if I''m not going to get discouraged I need to see it as a process & if I'm progressing in that process, then I will be (& I am) satisfied. I have only been working on scales (& all that entails) & fingering exercises. I have bought a handful of Jazz Piano books & they all seem to start above my head. My question to you is, given your 3 levels of players, is Level One a brand new student or someone who has some mileage under their belt. I have watched a number of your videos & have learned more from them than I have any other source. Keep up the great work. (I am considering signing up for JazzSkills, but I should probably find a job first.)
Also! Jazz books and YT videos filled with licks sell like hotcakes because players want the shortcut which won't get them to the desired destination - fluent improvisation. Publishing companies will continue pumping out this material for crass commercial reasons. Your material shows the true way.
Analyzing a piece of music with a composers view is something I've always done, even for classical music (Bach etc). Simply because I cannot learn the music without that. I must understand how it works. I know that classical style teachers often don't advise that, some even say it's a waste of time, but I don't share that opinion. One nice thing is that you discover reusable fragments that appear in several compositions, which makes learning something new shorter.
Absolutely!
Thanks. Great advice, mentioning strategies that often get overlooked, like thoroughly practicing the left hand chords before focusing too much on the melody.
Shan I love your videos so much dude. Most of what I understand about jazz is because of you and Barry. Thank you.
Wow! Thank you so much and I am really pleased that the videos are helping you.
I learned something from this, but I still plan to work on basslines with 251s in all keys. I believe they promote hand independence. I don't devote large amounts of time to it, but I do believe it's a good skill to work on.
Its a miracle !!! shan by focusing on 16251 chord pattern , I am singing 3 songs in a week as opposed to learning Autumn leaves over 5 years😂😂❤thanks sooo mucch
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.
Brilliant. I needed to hear this.
I knew you did 😉
Ireal pro with just chords. Such a good idea.
I'm coming back to piano after a few decades away where I was not playing chord friendly instruments. This is great advice. Thanks 👍
You're very welcome! I wish you well with your playing.
Just found your channel and I have to say your approach and ideas are great. Make a lot of sense for me. I'm stuck as you described in this video and so happy I found this video . Thank you for your time
Welcome and I know that with the right approach and practice, you can do it!
Unbelievable. I just thought the same this morning (not yesterday, not last week, this morning ! after 2 years spending playing the Bach's prelude and few other things, but unable to reach immediately a chord of my choice on left hand)
I decided this morning to stop working on tunes, and restart for the beginning by concentrating only on the left hand.
Amazing!
Aligns with the interview Bill Evans gave with his brother. Practice substance over style, being the core message.
thank you, i will watch this video i didn't know
Thank you Shan! Your approach is so valuable.
Thank you and I'm happy to help.
Shan you do great work, carrying the BH torch. The Howard Rees DVD/booklets are a structured way to learn be bop improvisation, harmony and melody and most importantly musical freedom! Your videos are hot stuff and get to the heart of what is wrong with just about all published jazz tutor material. Learning licks is appealing but it is only useful if a player learns ONE and then applies and varies it in a many ways. I learnt the rudiments of jazz from other players and this is what they did. I think that Coleman Hawkins learned movements in this way too.
I have a basic question: Where do you get sheet music like the one you used in this video? I have the real book, but the songs don't seem to have empty (solo?) sections with just chord symbols and no melody. Also, how do I get the associated bass and percussion soundtrack without piano?
Amazing advice here, thanks a lot, subbed!
thanks that is exactly what I will start doing. When you are coming are you always thinking of the diatonic no. of the chord or is it still ok to say the letter.
Nice lesson as always! Where can i get backtracks like yours?
Some really solid great advice. I’m definitely coming your way if in 6 months I’m not progressing to where I want to be cos improvisation is key to freedom and expression.😊
I wish you well with your playing.
Thank you, just came across your chanel.
Thank you, Sean. Great tips and insights.⭐🌹⭐
I love what Shan is teaching about fluency! It is the way!
Thank you, Maestro 🙂
Excellent video. Thank you. I caterpillar the left hand down the circle of fifths in sevenths, which, for me, a very basic learner, does mean the left hand is automatic. Good idea to use your left shell full chord on the right, which I really like. Honestly, your simple 251 progression at the beginning is just a lovely sound.
Thank you and I wish you well with your playing.
Thanks Shan! I’m enjoying jazz skills fluency course. Exactly what I need! All the best!
That's fantastic. Thank you for sharing!
Hey friend, is being a music teacher worth it? I’m at a crossroads right now, a career in music has always been my dream
It certainly can be if you want to work harder than you've ever worked and care for your students with everything you have.
solid information. Thanks
you are such a lovley person a light house in the sea of overwheming "cool Shit" on the internet:)
haha thank you so much for your kind words. I am fortunate to have great people like you who are part of this journey.
That is me!
Practicing single line improvisation without dropping beats is harder said than done--especially when you aren't playing piano. I could still comp for myself--as a guitarist--but the same hand is doing all the "thinking." Knowing where all those downbeats is crucial. Do you have any lessons on what Barry used to teach about 6:4 (quarter note triplet) time feel for ballads and midtempo tunes and 3:4 (half note triplet) time feel for up tempos?
🥰
So basically it sounds like ur saying the skill of comping should possibly be at the forefront of learning the language of JaZz ? 🎹
Comping as a means to focussing on the chord progressions first.
👍🎹🎹👍
You give such good advice. Thank you!
Thank you so much and I'm happy to help!
Woahh what is that software you're using? That sounds like a great backing track
Good stuff, it does seem letting go of thr lrfy yand is important at a certain point so it can play freely to a certain degree during improv
Best teacher ive seen in youtube