Jazz Piano

Performing as a pianist in a jazz ensemble can be very rewarding. But to ensure participation is satisfying for both the individual and the group, requisite skill sets for performance must be learned, and musical responsibilities to fellow performers must be understood. This chapter presents useful harmonic theory and practical jazz piano exercises to help developing jazz pianists build a strong foundation. In addition, various harmonic exercises are presented that educators can provide to assist their pianists’ development, including an overview of basic, flexible voicings that are useful in many different jazz styles. The latter portion of the chapter provides a general philosophy regarding the role of the piano within the jazz ensemble, providing teachers with the perspective necessary to offer their pianists the most effective instruction.