Jazz Piano Lessons - Practice Tips to Keep You Going
Keep Warm To Keep Limber Any pianist will say they cannot play if their hands and fingers are cold.
How true this is.
When taking jazz piano lessons keeping your arms and hands warm and doing some stretches will help your playing improve.
Before I begin my own practice sessions, I crank up my heating pad and wrap my hands up for a few minutes.
It feels wonderful and gets the blood flowing.
Stretch Those Fingers Once you're warmed up, practice those scales.
Tickle the ivories and get your fingers ready for some real rhythm.
Practice some easy songs first.
Then you are ready for some jazz piano lessons.
Practice In Blocks A good way to learn a new piece of music is to break it down.
If it is particularly difficult, work on the first two to four measures first.
Once you master that, move on.
Take It Slow Do not try to learn a fast piece in the original rhythm.
Practice it slow, then gradually get your speed where it should be.
It is easier to learn this way, and another reason to warm up before you begin playing.
Use That Metronome Good rhythm is important.
If you do not have a metronome it is a good idea to get one.
When beginning jazz piano lessons you will find it to be an invaluable tool.
If Using Sheet Music Do not look at your keys.
Keep your eyes on the music before you.
This will help you to keep your place and to focus on the notes.
Unless you play by ear, there is no reason to look at the keys.
Break Up Those Practice Sessions Try to practice for thirty minutes every day or every other day, rather than an hour or two on the weekend.
This will help keep things fresh in your mind.
Most of us can only remain truly focused for that long anyway.
Keep Your Posture! Posture is very important.
Sit straight, feet flat on the floor, elbows at your sides and wrists up and relaxed.
Make sure you are sitting at the proper height.
Limit Distractions It is advised to have a special area or music room in which to practice.
No television or constant interruptions, if it can be helped.
Ups and Downs Jazz piano lessons can be frustrating.
One thing to remember is this genre of music allows for improv.
Add your own feelings and style of playing into it once you learn a song.
Some days you may feel that you have hit a brick wall.
Other days nothing can stop you.
How true this is.
When taking jazz piano lessons keeping your arms and hands warm and doing some stretches will help your playing improve.
Before I begin my own practice sessions, I crank up my heating pad and wrap my hands up for a few minutes.
It feels wonderful and gets the blood flowing.
Stretch Those Fingers Once you're warmed up, practice those scales.
Tickle the ivories and get your fingers ready for some real rhythm.
Practice some easy songs first.
Then you are ready for some jazz piano lessons.
Practice In Blocks A good way to learn a new piece of music is to break it down.
If it is particularly difficult, work on the first two to four measures first.
Once you master that, move on.
Take It Slow Do not try to learn a fast piece in the original rhythm.
Practice it slow, then gradually get your speed where it should be.
It is easier to learn this way, and another reason to warm up before you begin playing.
Use That Metronome Good rhythm is important.
If you do not have a metronome it is a good idea to get one.
When beginning jazz piano lessons you will find it to be an invaluable tool.
If Using Sheet Music Do not look at your keys.
Keep your eyes on the music before you.
This will help you to keep your place and to focus on the notes.
Unless you play by ear, there is no reason to look at the keys.
Break Up Those Practice Sessions Try to practice for thirty minutes every day or every other day, rather than an hour or two on the weekend.
This will help keep things fresh in your mind.
Most of us can only remain truly focused for that long anyway.
Keep Your Posture! Posture is very important.
Sit straight, feet flat on the floor, elbows at your sides and wrists up and relaxed.
Make sure you are sitting at the proper height.
Limit Distractions It is advised to have a special area or music room in which to practice.
No television or constant interruptions, if it can be helped.
Ups and Downs Jazz piano lessons can be frustrating.
One thing to remember is this genre of music allows for improv.
Add your own feelings and style of playing into it once you learn a song.
Some days you may feel that you have hit a brick wall.
Other days nothing can stop you.
