Learn Jazz Piano: Advanced and Solo Playing

Master scale and chord theory

Jazz is just as much about solo playing as it is about playing in a group, but both require very different skill sets. This more advanced jazz improvisation course will focus on solo jazz piano.

Gain confidence playing solo jazz

You’ll learn through a combination of theory and practice, delving into the challenges of playing solo piano, as well as analysing and playing two jazz standards.

You’ll then go more in depth into root position, otherwise known as playing solo. You’ll learn new techniques, and analyse and play three jazz standards.

Explore a range of beginnings and endings and advance your knowledge of scale theory

With the help of waltz vamp intros, you’ll focus on the devices used by jazz piano musicians for the beginning and ending of tunes.

You’ll explore scale theory, before learning about theIonian and melodic minor ascending scales.

Understand chord theory

You’ll finish the course with an examination of chord theory. You’ll look at how to re-harmonise a chord sequence and play and analyse some classic jazz piano tracks.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to apply your understanding of modulation devices, scale theory and chord theory to your solo playing. And feel equipped to play and improvise on jazz waltzes.

This course is for any keen pianist, but will be particularly useful for university or college piano students. The course requires a basic ability to read music and play the piano, and expects a familiarity with scales.

• Modulation and Rhythmic Phrases
• Introduction
• Preview and Modulation
• The Jazz Standard "I Love You"
• Swing and Rhythmic Phrases
• Application to a blues
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening
• Introduction to Playing In Root Position
• The Challenge of playing solo piano
• The jazz standard "You Took Advantage Of Me"
• The jazz standard "Satin Doll"
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening, and Test
• Further Techniques for Playing in Root Position
• More on Playing In Root Position
• The jazz standard "In Your Own Sweet Way"
• The jazz standard "Satin Doll"
• The jazz standard "How Deep Is The Ocean"
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening
• The Jazz Waltz
• Waltz vamp till ready
• The jazz standard "Someday My Prince Will Come"
• The jazz standard "All Blues"
• The jazz standard "It's A Raggy Waltz"
• "Everbody's Song But My Own"
• More on beginnings and endings
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening, and Test
• Scale Theory
• Scale theory
• The tune "Blackbird"
• Ionian and Melodic Minor Ascending Modes
• The jazz standard "Solar"
• The jazz standard "Stella By Starlight"
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening
• Chord Theory
• Chord theory
• Reharmonisation of "Stella By Starlight"
• The tune "Entering"
• The jazz standard "On Green Dolphin Street"
• Exercise, Learning Objectives, Viewing and Listening and Assessments