David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
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Tips, free lessons, and inspiration

Jazz Piano Warmup Level 1

5/17/2025

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My jazz students have begun the following practice ritual. This one page sheet grew out my own quest to quickly play jazz vibraphone. For more information, please visit my practice blog. 
On page jazz piano warmup
Notes:
  1. These exercises are to be transposed through 12 keys. I practice them chromatically on the vibraphone in about 10 minutes or so. 
  2. Level 2? I practice the broken chords in different inversions. 
  3. Level 3? I practice the rootless voicings broken, similiar to measure 5 through9,  instead of in block chords. 
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Practice notes for an intermediate jazz piano student

1/22/2025

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This is the homework assignment for a current student. She plays regularly with a bassist in the Toronto area. She is aiming to build her jazz chops and sophistication at the piano. I'm encouraging her to abandon the books and embrace the ear. 

Play list: 

Sweet Georgia Brown
Satin Doll
Mac the Knife
Rhythm Changes
All of Me
A Train

Ways to practice. Make a playlist of 3 to 5 versions of each song on YouTube. Then...
 
1. Play the melody with the track. Adjust the lead sheet to fit what is going on. 
2. Comp the chords along with the recording. 
3. Solo overtop of the recording. Copy short licks you hear. What you hear will grow with repeated listening. Famed jazz educator, Ed Soph recommended listening 100 times. A little excessive, but he did turn out a legendary list of great drummers from his Texan studio. 
4. Consider making roadmaps. See the roadmap lesson refresher here. How to create a roadmap - David Story, Online Piano Lessons from Toronto
5. Compare the chord progressions found on YouTube transcriptions. For example. Sweet Georgia Brown

​https://youtu.be/NFzHvuaAw8M?si=XEVCkZHksIsJeqZp 
https://youtu.be/rtol5kOngMI?si=dhvTfqPFWn3-sCwt 
https://youtu.be/R7cWDRrEgw0?si=K-qV36XRZ2LUk73A

 

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Practice Regime of an advanced jazz student

1/20/2025

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This is a practice plan created for an advanced jazz piano student. (She earned her Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT as a teenager.)

Jazz warmups and technique

Over the course of a week, she will review the major and minor scales, modes, and left-hand voicing systems: Bebop shells, rootless chords, and occassionally modal or quartal voicings. The scales can be played straight or swung starting on the leading tone upbeat. (see below) She will play these etudes with the metronome playing on beats 2 and 4. This builds an acute sensitivity to the jazz pulse.​
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Repertoire retention and development
She reviews a piece or two to retain it. Furthermore, as she learns to techniques, she can apply them to her existing repertoire. 

Aural Training
Aural or "ear" training is the most important part of practice because jazz is an aural tradition. The training jazz musicians since 1917 has revolved around playing with recordings and "stealing" or lifting interesting ideas. One exercise it to play the melody, for example Satin doll, along with the recording and try to match the rhythm. This is trickier that it sounds.

Sightreading
Randomly open the fakebook and sight read along the chords and possibily the melody to a recording. Slow the recording down if it is tricky. 

Keeping the left hand alive
Jazz piano is not kind to the left hand because in most styles of mainstream jazz it doesn't get much of a workout. So, she keeps the left hand strong by returning regularly to some favourite classical piano tunes. In her case, Chopin. (For me it is Bach. )

If I can help you design a personalised curriculum call me. I will assess your skills, consider your goals, and plan a path forward for you too. 

​David
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Chick Corea and Thelonious Monk give advice.

5/17/2024

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​How to comp chords in swing jazz.

10/20/2023

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​How to comp chords in swing jazz.
 
  1. The chords can be played long or short.
  2. The chords can be played on the beat, before the beat, or after the beat.
  3. Both hands play the same rhythm except if you are soloing in the right.
  4. Don’t overdo it if you are playing with a drummer or guitarists, they are comping too.
  5. If there are a lot of chords you don’t need to play each chord. However, you must stay in place with the band.
Here are the examples. 
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free download
More comping
Keywords: Comping, comp, playing chords
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How to spend thirty minutes practicing jazz piano

8/5/2023

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Spend 15 minutes playing along with a recording. 
  • Comp the chords
  • Play the melody
  • Play the melody and chords
  • Steal licks
​Spend 15 minutes of one of the following activities. 
  1. Practice the scales, chords, and arpeggios for the tune you will be jamming with. 
  2. ​Transcriptions. “Stealing licks” or as Harry Pickins says, collect sounds.
  3. Practice sight reading chords from the fake book.
  4. ​Practice writing out the chords in the following ways. The photo below comes from a recent lesson. 
  • Voice leading chords
  • Sonny’s thumbs
  • Rootless voicings
  • Guide tones
     5. Spend 15 minutes listening and analyzing a recording and ask: “What is going on here? How many times do they play the form in any recording you are listening to?” What instruments do you hear? Is the music played swing or straight? From which era does the music come from or mimic? And so on. 

Have fun. 

​David
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New jazz Student's First Lesson

7/12/2023

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A New Student's Profile
 
The new student is a young professional with a keen interest in learning to play jazz piano. They took piano and trumpet lessons in high school. They have a basic understanding of music theory. Aural skills are excellent.

Their program will include the following components:
  1. Learning several simple jazz melodies by ear. This will give them something to work with as they learn to improvise. And they won’t be simultaneously working on a tune and trying to improvise at the same time. Using their ears to learn the melodies from YouTube recordings will teach them to articulate the melodies in an idiomatic way because reading melodies from the fakebook never does. Jazz is an aural art form not a visual one. Come to think of it, so is Classical piano.
  2. They have started learning, by rote, the sixty jazz chords: Major 7th, Dominant 7th, minor 7th, minor 7b5, and diminished 7th chords. These are the basis of jazz harmony and jazz improvisation.
  3. I recommended that they revisit written piano music to keep their piano skills sharp because jazz piano is notorious for “killing” the left hand of pianists.
  4. First tune up is C jam Blues. (You can view this part of the lesson for free. No strings attached.) They began learning the different interpretations of that famous melody. Along the way they heard simple licks the pianists put in the music. These licks, learned by ear, are the beginning of their library of idiomatic phrases for later use.
If I can help you, call me.
 
David 
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Blue Bossa Jazz Piano Lesson

6/10/2023

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This is a lesson given to a student this week.

Louis Armstrong, on the topic of how to improvise, said something to the effect, "memorize the melody, mess with the melody, and then mess with the mess." For beginners, this is the best advice I've ever come across. It is truly the shortest distance between A and B. Or jazz newbie to intermediate jazz student and beyond. 

Prerequisites:
The student can already play. Therefore, it is a question of what to play and less of how to play it.  
Warmup:
Two octave scales: C, F, Db, Bb, Eb
Four note broken chords: C, F, Db, Bb, Eb 
Two octave arpeggios: C, F, Bb, Db, Eb
Please use a metronome and practice different tempi, dynamics, and articulations.

Etude
Being able to play the broken chords is an important starting point in improvisation. 
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Free Blue Bossa Broken Chords
Repertoire
  1. Listen and copy the interpretations of the melody from the recordings below. Pay attention to articulations and rhythmic variations.
  2. Add the left-hand chords to the melody and mimic what you can recall. 
  3. Now, from memory, play along with the recordings. When the solos begin, keep your left hand playing until the melody returns. Then add the melody back in. 
  4. Start “stealing” cool licks you hear the soloists playing. 
  5. Next, practice the melody from memory with a play along track. Then practice the broken chords over the left-hand chords.  Then experiment with the new licks you’ve discovered.
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Blues Bossa broken chords as licks
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How to practice jazz piano according to ChatGPT

2/1/2023

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How should I practice jazz piano?
  1. Listen and Study: Start by listening to and studying great jazz pianists and their recordings.
  2. Scales and Chords: Practice scales and chords daily to develop finger dexterity and chord vocabulary.
  3. Improvisation: Practice improvising over jazz standards and progressions.
  4. Transcribing: Transcribe solos from recordings and learn to play them.
  5. Theory: Study jazz theory and harmony.
  6. Jam sessions: Participate in jam sessions to gain real-life experience playing with other musicians.
  7. Repetition: Repeat and practice the basics regularly to solidify your foundation.

ChatGPT Jan 30 Version. Free Research Preview. Our goal is to make AI systems more natural and safe to interact with. Your feedback will help us improve.

Good advice. 

​David
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FInding New Chords for Jazz Standards

1/30/2023

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Jazz students are often looking for new chords for the standards they are playing. This blog offers you some suggestions if you are unable to transcribe.

1. The iReal Pro app is a useful source. It doesn't always have the most exciting chords, but it does help you move on from the fakebook.
2. YouTube transcriptions, though not always reliable, will help you explore new harmonic ideas.
3. The Real jazz Solos Book by Hal Leonard is a reliable book to consult.

Have fun. 

David
 

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My Funny Valentine PDF
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How to be a jazz musician, a five step roadmap

12/26/2022

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There are no secrets to becoming a jazz musician because the steps have already been mapped out by generations of musicians and educators. My first suggestion? Don't waste your time online looking for "the secret."

Here are my top five non-secrets to learning to play jazz. 
​
  1. Learn to play your instrument. A few students have tried to skip this step. You might ask, "how good do I have to be to play jazz?" Depends on who you want to play with. Therefore, if your skills are a weak or rusty, call a music teacher and get to work. I have several students learning to play piano and jazz simultaneously. They don't sound like Oscar Peterson, but they are having fun while learning to navigate the piano keyboard. 
  2. Learn theory. Students frequently ask me to answer theory questions. However, they don't havet the required background knowledge to understand my answer. This is especially an issue when trying they are trying make sense of YouTube music education videos. 
  3. Find someone to play with and learn together. Jazz is a contact sport; a partner makes it more fun. You will learn to listen to each other, which is a prime prerequisite to playing jazz. 
  4. Learn how to practice. I've written many blogs on this topic, but I would encourage you to seek out many different views on this important subject. 
  5. The number one step to becoming a jazz musician is to learn as many tunes as you can, as fast as you can, because the musician who knows the most tunes wins. Get a list of the most important jazz tunes and get to work. Learn the melodies by ear. Learning chords by ear can come later. If this is difficult, call me and we will work on your aural skills. And you will be on your way. 

Here is a project suggestion. Investigate the jazz curriculum outlines of jazz colleges and compare. Here is a start. 
​
Jazz in America Lesson Plans through the National Jazz Curriculum - Hancock Institute of Jazz 
TRADITIONAL JAZZ CURRICULUM - Jazz Education Network (jazzednet.org)
Yearly Program Study Plan; B.Mus. Jazz | Music - McGill University
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies - Education - Capilano University
Jazz Studies (BJazz) | Explore UM | University of Manitoba (umanitoba.ca)

You will note the following areas are common: lessons, theory, ear training, ensemble playing, history, and improvisation. 
​
If I can help you call me because I teach piano, and jazz. 

David
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Drop 2 Voicings for Jazz piano: Class notes from Berklee, 1977

11/4/2022

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Look what I found tucked away. You can hear examples in the Bill Evans YouTube video below. 
Photo download
Drop 2 voicings with Chromatic 13ths
Drop 2 voicings with chromatic 9ths
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O When The Saints Go March In: Classic Recordings

10/31/2022

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Louis Armstrong key of Ab
Doreen Ketchens, Preservation Hall Dr. John, Rebirth, Al Hirt, Wynton, Tuba Skinny key of F
Fats Domino key of Eb
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Seminal recordings of Manhã de Carnaval (Black Orpheus)

10/10/2022

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When learning to play Brazilian jazz it is best to go to the primary sources, the original and other seminal recordings recorded in Brazil, both past and present. At the end of this sample of Brazilian recordings is a fine recording by Kenny Barron, who it must be said, has listened to the original recordings.

Practice routine?

Spend an afternoon playing the melody with the recordings, mimicking as much as possible what you hear. Then add the chords.

​David
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Jazz Music for Teens

9/17/2022

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Jazz has been around for 120+ years. It has gone through many different periods: early jazz, swing, bebop, model, free and more. Now it is 2022, what now? The hoary old standards are wearing a bit thin, but just in time, and to the rescue, the next generation of meta-modern musicians has arrived. I'm in awe. 

Here is a small sample of performances that got "2 thumbs up" from my young teen jazz students this week. 
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Wynton Kelly Lick on ii7 V7 and how to use it when you solo

9/15/2022

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I've used a simplified "lick" from a Wynton Kelly recording of Autumn Leaves. You may recognize it. Here is a method to integrate this, or any other "jazz lick" into your playing.  First, play the lick as written, then write out the lick in the keys of C, Eb, F, G, Gb using the following steps.

Materials needed:
  1. manuscript paper
  2. sharp pencil
  3. big eraser

Prerequisite knowledge required:
  1. key signatures
  2. major scales
  3. ii-7-V7 chord progressions in major keys

Steps:
  1. draw the treble clef
  2. add the correct key signature for the ii-7 V7 chord progression
  3. add 2 bar lines
  4. mark in ii-7 V7 beneath the measures as shown
  5. add the chord symbols above the staff
  6. add quarter rest in measure 1
  7. starting on the 5th of the ii-7 chord, draw three quarter notes ascending in steps or 2nds.
  8. measure 2 starts with a quarter note, with a 1/2 step grace note, on the root of the V7 chord and descends a step to the 7th of the chord. This 7th will require an accidental (natural or flat sign) to lower it because of the grace note, which was raised.
  9. Bada boom, you're done.

​Have fun. 

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Trading Fours in Jazz

9/15/2022

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Examples

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Learning Jazz By Ear: A Foggy Day

9/6/2022

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Learning tunes from a fake book is the hard way to go about things. Here is the Bill McBernie method of jazz practice in which you play by ear to multiple recordings. 

I could recall the basic outline of the tune "A foggy day" from playing it years ago. That helped. (If you don't know the tune, you must listen until you can sing along.) Below are the recordings and the order in which I played them. Some were played numerous times as I recalled more of the melody and figured out the key. The song was played in the keys of F, C, Eb, and Bb. I played along on vibes, not piano. I focused only on the melody . As the practicing progressed, I began to recall and understand the chords.

Today I was playing it on the piano, from memory, with the chords. 

David
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Practicing the broken chords in Autumn Leaves

8/19/2022

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autumn_leaves_broken_chords.pdf
File Size: 218 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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What a Jazz piano student needs to know, do, and practice before attending a Jazz Camp?

7/10/2022

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Here is my top 10 list of skills to work on ahead of camp. You don't need to be an expert, but you will need some familiarity with the following skills and activities.​

1. Comping and voice leading chords.
2. Practice sightreading simple chord charts like blues in Bb and F, Summertime, Killer Joe, etc. Click out the Aebersold picture for some suggestions. By clicking on the image, you will go to a product page. I don't take a commission. ​
3. Play along with recordings. 
4. Record yourself and listen back. 
5. Practice playing louder because drums are loud.
6. Practice your right-hand broken chords for every tune on the Aebersold list.
7. Use a metronome on everything you play and practice.
8. Learn to clap and count aloud eighth note jazz rhythms.
9. Listen to jazz daily.
10. Sign up early to camp because piano spots go quickly.

What tunes should you practice?

If I can help you, call me. I've attended a dozen jazz camps over the years as a pianist and drummer. 

David
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What do we gain learning Jazz and Pop Standards by ear?

6/18/2022

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What do we gain by learning Jazz and Pop Standards by ear?

1. We acquire an intuitive understanding of jazz and pop rhythm. 
2. We learn the feel of the music, which is something that can't be notated.
3. By playing along with recordings we learn to stay in place.
4. We learn how to solo by acquiring ideas (licks) that we can use in other pieces.
5. We learn how to play our instrument idiomatically by hearing it played in context. 
6. We begin to appreciate the depth and scope of jazz and pop history and its eras and players.
7. We learn how to mess with a melody. A first step to soloing with finesse. "Learn the melody, mess with the melody, then mess with the mess" Louis Armstrong 

If I can help you on your journey, call me. 

David

Revised August 2022
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How to solo on Take the A Train

6/9/2022

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iReal Pro exercises for jazz piano students

6/6/2022

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Lesson Plan

Materials needed:
  • Download the Bebop shell or Rootless chord sheets through these links: Rootless voicings click here.
Bebop Shells as taught to me by Sonny Stitt click here. 
  • In the iReal Pro app search "exercises" in the song list of iReal Pro. I suggest starting with the "II-V-I in 12 major keys" first.
​​Method:
  • Practice the chord voicings "II-V-I in 12 major keys" along with the app. Go as slow as you need to, and continue daily until it is automatic.

Have fun. If I can help, call me. 



​David
revised August 2022
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​Summertime in 5 Keys: Jazz Piano Basics

4/9/2022

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Playing in different keys is an invaluable skill. You will learn to visualize musical shapes, key signatures, and hear rhythm in new ways. Try playing just the melody in the following keys with the recordings. Modify your note and rhythm choices to fit in the best you can. 

  1. D minor: Preservation Hall Jazz Band https://youtu.be/6KJ7ZKXRNGk
  2. B minor: Ella and Louis https://youtu.be/LDF4_qVgbFU
  3. Bb minor: Nora Jones https://youtu.be/xJOtaWyEzaI and Billy Holiday https://youtu.be/uYUqbnk7tCY
  4. A minor: Student key
  5. Eb minor: Learning key, as notes but one on the black keys.
 
The assignment is to play and mimic the melody with the recordings. You will learn jazz rhythm, jazz articulations and phrasing all by ear. 

Have fun. 

​David
Revised August 2022
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How to listen like a musician. Listening to Jon Batiste NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

12/2/2021

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Trained musicians ask themselves, when meeting a new piece of music for the first time, "What's going on here?"

Try answering the following questions on the pieces in this short concert video. 


  1. What are the time signatures of each piece?
  2. What is the form? I suggest writing it out. 
    1. Intro
    2. Verse
    3. Chorus
    4. Solo section
    5. Bridge instead of a solo section
    6. Endings
  3. Which instruments are playing?
    1. What kind of keyboard is he playing? 
    2. Percussion instruments. What is she playing?
    3. Drum orchestration. What instruments is she playing?
  4. Bass
    1. Is it free or structured? (A structured part is repetitive.)
  5. Guitar
    1. Rhythm patterns or free?
    2. Use of space in the solo?
    3. Articulations?
    4. Guitar tone? 
  6. Listen for Jay Dilla beat, the second piece switches to the Dilla beat: Straight-Strung-Swing https://youtu.be/-DkM0Zlsmmg Watch this video first for clarification. 
  7. Piano solo techniques
    1. Blues? 
    2. Register?
    3. Repetitive? 
    4. Riffs or lines?
    5. Dynamics and its relationship to the direction of the line.
    6. Articulations? Swing, straight, accented, legato?

      Have fun listening. 

      David

Revised August 2022

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    You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.
    Charlie Parker

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    I'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. 

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