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Improvise Over a Jazz Standard


I Can't Give You Anything But Love (3/3)

It doesn't matter what jazz piece you're trying to improvise over - it's all the same chords basically. This song, as you know from part 2/3, is just a 16251 with a floating 251 to the 4. Herein, I demonstrate how to focus on the right hand by playing notes of the chord, adding passing tones and notes of interest for a very jazzy flavour. Watch your hands. See what happens naturally within this framework. Introduce the left hand using a simple bass octave and take it further if you can.



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Should you be interested in the Water Pianism Syllabus, the price is $100USD ($80 if you’re a registered member) and is only available via PayPal. I recommend reading the Syllabus Overview Document before contacting me (danthecomposer@gmail.com) for the payment address. I hope you will enjoy the concept and be interested in taking the journey.

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Testimonials

Andrew Liao:  As a firm believer of Water Pianism (WP) philosophies, I have no doubt that the philosophical approach to piano established by “danthecomposer” has help me learn to play any Jazz repertoire systematically. Once I select a song I start listening to several recordings to be stored in my “internal jukebox”. Then, I dissect chord progression from a lead sheet. The basic song structure, including tempo, is then stored in my “internal manuscript” and “internal metronome”. Often I spend two to three weeks just to rehearse the aforementioned internals “away” from piano. When I am “at” piano, I focus on my natural fingering and steadiness of execution, not speed. Then, I play the repertoire over and over again to lessen conscious interference, subsequently becoming a spectator rather than a performer. Last, but not least, I work on improvisation and embellishment according to my music personality. At this point I should feel confident to play the repertoire fluently. I recommend highly the WP approach to anyone, especially to beginners who want to be a Jazz piano player.