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Post by caz on Jul 21, 2006 9:25:57 GMT
I often work with a jazz singer who's a fantastic musician and also plays the piano. I'm not a jazz pianist at all but I do a pretty good job of it for a classical pianist if you know what I mean! The problem is, she is a better jazz pianist than me and when we are working stuff out, she will lean over my shoulder and say "why don't you play this" and demonstrate. My first reaction is of course "why don't you f*** off"  However that is not very polite so I bite my tongue and play what I'm told. This really does get on my nerves though - probably 'cos I'm more used to people gushing over my accompaniment skills! Should I tell her to butt out or just swallow my pride?! (before you say "tell her to play for herself", she does do that sometimes as well but likes to work with an accompanist too) |
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Post by princessmoose on Jul 21, 2006 9:43:43 GMT
Perhaps learn to play jazz piano properly so she has no need to correct you? If it really annoys you then just tell her politely that it does, if you don't need to work with her then tell her in a less polite way  . |
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Post by caz on Jul 21, 2006 9:50:06 GMT
I probably ought to learn to play jazz piano properly, but it's a whole different ball game - it would take ages! (and I'm too lazy ) I don't need to work with her, but we do have fun, other than this one issue. I guess it's good for me really, I just don't like being told! ;D |
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Post by petite joueuse on Jul 21, 2006 11:12:24 GMT
You have my total sympathy! Here I am, about to do Dip but take the music away from me and I'm hopeless! I accompanied the school choir in a concert last night - the bits with music were fine, but I had to Sibelius my own version of a song they were singing, where the music teacher told me to just "play around with the chord sequence - its very easy!". During one rehearsal he told me to finish on an F minor chord - but my fingers went for a D minor (which in the end sounded much better!) - but I really felt out of control!
A question for those of you who teach - I'd be more than happy to teach piano, but what if a pupil wants to do jazz piano, or improvisation? I wouldn't have a clue! Have any of you "picked up" jazz piano after a "classical" training/background?
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Post by caz on Jul 21, 2006 11:19:27 GMT
I don't teach jazz piano - 'cos I'm rubbish at it! (I do teach normal piano) I'm quite happy to work from chords though as long as they don't get too complex! I've always felt the best jazz pianists start playing without music - it's seems a really difficult transition to make from a music-reading background. Personally I do so much sight-reading I sometimes feel like a sight-reading robot - I think the brain to music connection must be too hard-wired in me - I am a lost cause for jazz! ;D
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Post by Steve Hopwood on Jul 21, 2006 13:56:43 GMT
I cannot teach jazz piano either. I keep thinking that a challenge would be to do some jazz piano exams. Trouble is, I would have to do the blasted ear tests as well, and I really can't be bothered ;D My experience is that kids are in love with the word 'jazz'. The instant they discover that it needs work, practise, thought and, dread of all dreads improvisation, they run a mile. Steve |
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Post by caz on Jul 21, 2006 13:59:23 GMT
My experience is that kids are in love with the word 'jazz'. The instant they discover that it needs work, practise, thought and, dread of all dreads improvisation, they run a mile. See - they think they love jazz but what they really love is Pamela Wedgewood! ;D ;D ;D |
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