Mastering and Performing Jazz and Rock n'Roll Piano Styles

Many students who come to learn rock and roll styles are also interested in Jazz. For sure they are related. The basis of Rock and Jazz Styles is the Blues. Teaching the Blues (as well as playing the Blues) is an Art. That is because everyone approaches the understanding of Blues Basics differently. The goal is to be able to feel and play the music, authentically.

The same process that it takes to learn "the Blues" is found and experienced as building blocks for Jazz.

There are many rhythm patterns associated with the Blues. For instance, the "Shuffle" Rhythm. The Shuffle can be slow...or very fast. On top of the Shuffle Rhythm, done with the left hand, the Blues Scale is usually played in the right. Improvising with the Blues Scale is the first step in improvising whether it be in Rock n' Roll or Jazz. Blues is indeed the basis of most Jazz, and Rock and Roll...after Blues is mastered, the styles increase in complexity always building on this foundation.

The same process that it takes to learn "the Blues" is found and experienced as building blocks for Jazz. This process includes learning improvisational scales, Jazz harmony, and classic songs (Standards). Learning to improvise on, harmonize and arrange Standards are some of the building blocks while learning Jazz Styles.

The Rock n' Roll Rhythms of Today....performed by ColdPlay, The Frey and Timbaland/One Republic for example, are all based on Blues and Rock n' Roll influences of the 50's, 60's and 70's.