Easy Piano Improv: The 4 Minute Jazz Piano Tutorial

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

Kick. Ass.

I'm just taking up the piano (not the classic way; I mainly want to play jazz standards and songs from fake books), so this is right up my alley.

[SimplySincerity]

I am a piano instructor and I agree that most methods for teaching improv at the piano are just too complicated for beginners. I so appreciate your effort to put this video up on Youtube. Your aim was to encourage people who never improved on keyboard before. But you have also encouraged this teacher.

I have improved but I just couldn't explain how I do it so simply. Now I know how to approach the keyboard with students who have struggled. Thank you!

[OfficialBioVapor]

Im sorry but you go way to fast.

[aigerim1209]

he is sooo aaaaa))where is his face?i hope he is very beauty)wahah)

[JorgeL721]

I got it. lol  GREAT video, I'll subscribe.

[loombaron]

I know people who learned piano at early ages, forced by their parents and never played again and they kinda forgot a lot of things. They can play and read music but they get stuck constantly, they have to remember the notes. So if you learned something as a kid but never practiced again its a similar situation I think.

[XxlilbabexX11]

How do you know what notes work and what notes don't? Im fine improvising but I just don't know what notes work with each other? Please answer!

[billhiltonbiz]

@XxlilbabexX11 Well, it's a combination of a couple of things: first, sticking to largely to the blues scale; second, you kind of develop a sixth sense for what things are going to sound like before you play them. The main thing is not to be scared of wrong notes - when you're practising, nobody cares what you sound like, and you learn a lot through trial and error - is that helpful?

[XxlilbabexX11]

@billhiltonbiz Thanks, after reading this I played around and managed to work it out! Thanks for the help :)

[loombaron]

im 30 years old, is it possible to learn piano at my age? I mean, I know its late for being a pro but at least I would like to able to play jazz. Music is what I love the most but I didnt have the chance to study when I was younger. Im asking cause the best moment to learn to play an instrument is when you are a kid, thats what they say. Thanks!

[billhiltonbiz]

@loombaron A neuroscientist would probably say your brain isn't as plastic as when you're a kid, but you can still learn - it's just a wee bit harder. The thing to remember is that when it gets challenging and you feel you're making no progress (happens to all us...) you shouldn't just say to yourself, "it's because I'm too old..." You're not.

[loombaron]

That´s true. I think music lessons should be mandatory to all kids because it is a universal language. The world would be a better place if we could all play instruments and read music. And Im talking about music, not the pretty faces and dancing puppets kids watch on TV. Thanx for the reply!

[horstphil2]

@loombaron its never to late for anything!!

[pellburger]

awesome



[sts089]

Man, that's by far the best tutorial I've ever seen so far, and I browse through a lot piano stuff. Thanks! Others get very lost in explaining stupid things over and over again and try to sound like a teacher. Looking forward for the other vids!

[Madcato1]

very intresting. im new in this and this seems very logical

[DrDiablo36]

Dude!! THANK YOU!! You are really the first to explain it that way, and I understand now :D

[TheTNTian]

You are amazing! I've never tried doing Jazz on my keyboard. You're gonna be my youtube piano teacher now. XD

[billhiltonbiz]

@TheTNTian Glad you like the vids - make sure to practise hard :)

[LilKISSman]

This is absolutley amazing! Ive never heard it explained so well and without destroying my brain just listening

Thanks alot!

[eternity23211]

wow dats so cool

[asdfalex12345]

This is the best kickstart of my future in piano! Thanks alot :33

[jackmcl88]

2 b honest im not sure where your coming from dude. i really dont think it is that simple. i find it very complex and have come to a conclusion thar takes years of transcribing, transposing and of course, practice continually until you have a profound arsenal of lines and licks across all 11 keys. in fact after watching this i feel even more overwhelmed becasue im at that stage where all greats once were. can you post something a bit more advanced

[Billie1982Jean1]

Why can you add d and a

[billhiltonbiz]

@Billie1982Jean1 Short answer: because when you improvise on the piano, you can use any note - it's just that some sound better in some contexts than others. Long answer: because this is in the key of C, and D and A both figure in the C major scale. They'll work particularly well against F chords, because A is part of F, and D gives the sixth sound (it gives a ninth against a C chord, which is a tiny bit more remote). Against C, they're more likely to be passing notes than emphasised notes.

[meggyclaws]

Hi Bill,

I have a few questions re: improvisation. Im not sure if what ive picked up from watching different tutorials is correct, so if you could please put all these in perspective?

So, what i gather is you can solo by either

(1) pressing the notes that belong to the chord that you are using

(2) pressing any note that belongs to they key

(3) using a particular scale? and if this, how do you know which one to use?

Thanks very much! Your tutorials have been really helpful!

[billhiltonbiz]

@meggyclaws Hi Meggy - I'm on holiday and away from the piano at the moment, but I'll come back to you next week. If you don't hear from me, could you send me a reminder? Glad you're enjoying the vids!

[meggyclaws]

@billhiltonbiz Hi Bill, hope your holiday was good... i wrote you some time ago, and if you have time, it would be great if you could enlighten me re: stuff i asked you in the post above... thanks! :)

[billhiltonbiz]

@meggyclaws Well reminded - sorry for the delay, been incredibly busy! Broadly, the answer to your question is "yes", but I've actually got itearmarked for a video response, because obviously there's a bit more to it than that! I *may* get it done today, but if not it'll be next weekend.. I'll send you a message when it's up!

[billhiltonbiz]

@meggyclaws I'm on holiday and away from the piano at the moment, but I'll come back to you next week. If you don't hear from me, could you send me a reminder? Glad you're enjoying the tutorials!

[meggyclaws]

Hi Bill,

I have a few questions re: improvisation. Im not sure if what ive picked up from watching different tutorials is correct, so if you could please put all these in perspective?

So, what i gather is you can solo by either

(1) pressing the notes that belong to the chord that you are using

(2) pressing any note that belongs to they key

(3) using a particular scale? and if this, how do you know which one to use?

Thanks very much! Your tutorials have been really helpful!

[shnitzel100]

cool :-o I've got to try that. :D+

[poeticboser]

wooooo gracias por los subtitulos¡¡......gracia smuchas gracias son muy buenos tus videos

[billhiltonbiz]

@poeticboser Muchas gracias - Espero añadir subtítulos a más de ellos pronto!

[poeticboser]

@billhiltonbiz muchas gracias asi lo espero por que tus videos me ayudan mucho gracias

[Cav3man93]

Can you tell me, where to get some info on how to match left hand chords to your right hand playing? I can come up with some neat stuff with my right hand, but the left hand is really lonely and i can't find chords to accompany it.. any book on that? Thanks :)

[billhiltonbiz]

@Cav3man93 Well, *cough*, there's a whole section in my book (linked from most of my vids, but not this one) on chords and harmony.

Self-promotion aside, if you check out my timeline there are quite a few vids on basic harmony and chords. I'm also going to be adding a couple on common chord progressions in the near future. if you have any specific stuff you'd like to know, give me a shout and I might be able to make a tutorial out of it. I'm always looking for ideas!