I’ve been playing piano for about 9 years and love jazz music and would love to be able to play jazz piano freely and not so technically (or coming at it with a classical mind that I have now). The only thing that’s holding me back [besides money ] is I’m not too good at improvisation. I took my Keyboard Harmony exam (playing not written) and I can tell you it didn’t go well, I’m not even sure if I passed yet but I wouldn’t really count on it. I’m so nervous that because I had so much trouble with this type of Harmony which has been said to be a kind of base for Jazz Piano, I won’t have a real chance at learning Jazz Piano. If anyone has studied jazz piano could you tell me if you need to already be good to really learn? Or will practice and studying will become better (once I start studying it with a teacher)?

I have a teacher in mind already, I need to talk to my parents about it still, they know I’m interested but they don’t really know the extent of that. If someone could help me out that would be amazing!
Thanks!

So I really want to learn how to play the piano, and my parents are getting me an electric one for my birthday, and when we went to look for classes we had to choose between classical and jazz piano classes. I’m not sure what the difference is between them though. Basically i don’t know ANYTHING about playing the piano, even the basics! So which class should i choose to take?

So I really want to learn how to play the piano, and my parents are getting me an electric one for my birthday, and when we went to look for classes we had to choose between classical and jazz piano classes. I’m not sure what the difference is between them though. Basically i don’t know ANYTHING about playing the piano, even the basics! So which class should i choose to take?

I teach piano.

A new student just had her first lesson today. Her lesson goes for 30 minutes.

I wanted to get her straight into things asap. And the thing is, you can’t play if you don’t know what notes are and all that basic jazz. So I started off with theory (teaching her how to sit at the piano, what the notes are, what the treble clef is, what the bass clef is)

So I spent 3/4 of the lesson teaching her about these things. 1/4 of the lesson was spent on me testing her about notes (I’d say ‘play the note G’, and then she’d play it)

She and her father left quite satisfied (at least, that what it appeared to be like, they were smiling and they looked pleased). They said they would be coming next week.

After they left, my parents started dissing me about how I talked too much and completely made them lose interest. I insisted to them that you can’t play piano without the theory, which is the very basics.

It’s like laying out the concrete before building the house – the theory is like the concrete (quite boring, but fundamental) and the house is like playing the piano (much more fun and interesting).

They ignored me and said that I still didn’t need to teach her theory for most of the lesson. They said that I should have taught her theory for half of the lesson and let her play for the other half.

They also said that I should have spent some time showing off my piano playing skills (which I think is a waste of time, esp that piano lessons are not free. The time is supposed to be used on her learning, not me showing off)

They said that most of the time we just sat there in silence doing nothing, while in actual fact, I was writing down what book she needed to buy and all the theory stuff she needed to remember.

I kept insisting that it was right that I taught her theory most of the time and then let her play a little bit. But my parents yelled and me and told me I was up myself and I thought I knew everything. Annoyed, I stormed off. And now they’re making fun of me in the kitchen.

Just keep in mind that my parents aren’t musicians and know little about music.

Who is right? Me or my parents?
The next lesson, I am planning her to play most of the time, as most of the theory fundamentals are out of the way and she will have a book.

ok so i am 1 2 and i play clarinet in band and jazz band at school [not to brag but i am the only seventh grader in my jazz band]
i also play the piano witch i just started private lessons about nine weeks ago it is a challenge but i have social anxiety and am dyslexic so music is the only thing i have.
i was thinking that mabey when school was out i coulp approch my parents and ask about mabey getting private clarinet lessons and starting trumpet over the summer.
what do you think about this? will it be too much for me at one time…….should i go for it or should i wait?

i practice my music every day piano about 30 min- 40
and clarinet about 20 min [ unless i get a new peice of music i will play for about 1 hour]

thnx for reading this!

if not trumet what is another insturment you would suggest for me to start playing?

I want to join jazz band at our school. But I don’t want to play clarinet, I can play piano but there is already too many of those and I kinda want to learn a new instrument. I have always loved the soprano sound. But I am not sure if my teacher will let me play it. My brother plays alto sax already and wanted to switch and she wont let him. So would she let me?
Another reason I want to play the soprano is because I dont know what other intrument i would play.
I dont want to play alto because my brother plays that and my parents dont want to buy another nor will I play on his.
I do not want to play tenor or bari because one I am barely over 100lbs and we have already one person each to those intruments and they are really good and also I never liked the sound of those intruments.
I cannot play any kind of brass because the kind of lips I have cannot play those intruments. I have never played percussion so that is not a option. AndI dont want to play the piano because I want to learn a new intrument.

So how can I convince my band director to let me play soprano?
Since I know how to play the clarinet will that make it easier the play the soprano since they are shaped the same way? (I know it will be hard but will it make it at least a little easier)

I want to join jazz band at our school. But I don’t want to play clarinet, I can play piano but there is already too many of those and I kinda want to learn a new instrument. I have always loved the soprano sound. But I am not sure if my teacher will let me play it. My brother plays alto sax already and wanted to switch and she wont let him. So would she let me?
Another reason I want to play the soprano is because I dont know what other intrument i would play.
I dont want to play alto because my brother plays that and my parents dont want to buy another nor will I play on his.
I do not want to play tenor or bari because one I am barely over 100lbs and we have already one person each to those intruments and they are really good and also I never liked the sound of those intruments.
I cannot play any kind of brass because the kind of lips I have cannot play those intruments. I have never played percussion so that is not a option. AndI dont want to play the piano because I want to learn a new intrument.

So how can I convince my band director to let me play soprano?
Since I know how to play the clarinet will that make it easier the play the soprano since they are shaped the same way? (I know it will be hard but will it make it at least a little easier)

I always wanted to play guitar like Slash and drums like Ringo (of course that would never happen). I already know how to play piano pretty well now (well, I should hope so after eight years), and I got invited to play in my school’s new jazz band. While I was sitting in the band room during my study hall I watched one of my classmates playing on the drums. Than the thought popped in my head again, I know I want to play drums.
Every time I listen to music, think of it, even tap my foot on the ground I picture myself playing along to some song. I’m pretty sure my parents wound probably approve, except there is no room in my house or garage for a drum kit. I’ll be to be fourteen soon, so I can’t exactly move out and get my own place with more room. I could put one in my basement room but that’s going to be my craft room, and I don’t think a damp basement that’s cold in the summer and even colder in the winter is the best place for an instrument..
Is there any way I can learn to play the drums without actually owning a drum kit, or do I have to wait almost five or more years?
Sorry that was so long, I’m not good at shortening things. I also apologize for any grammatical errors, I’m sure there’s some in there. =P

… but my dad insisted on piano, so I took piano. Everyday I tell myself how stupid it was, I really should have taken cello. So I’m constantly trying to reassure myself about my choice by listening to my favorite songs containing piano, BUT piano will never give me that shiver, that feeling that I get when I listen to Bach 1st Suite.
What should I do? Is it too late? I mean I want to continue piano because I don’t think I could live knowing that all possibilities for me to play in a Jazz band are over, and I still do like piano. But do you think that I could start next year (I’ll be 16) and save up for a cello by myself and ask my parents to pay for cello AND piano class?
Cuz I’m a very determined person, I know that I want to make the most of my life which is why I’m open to many passions, like I draw and love photography and piano and music in general (all kinds), I also know I was made for art and that I’d like to have an artistic carreer, would starting cello be a stupid idea?

My school talent show is going to take place in June (yes I know it’s still far away). My piano teacher and parents want me to play at the talent show, so today I grabbed the audition slip. I haven’t realized until now how scared I am to play in front of my school. I’m going to be playing at a piano festival over the weekend and I’m not nervous at all. I’m actually excited XD but when I recently played at a concert my hands were shaking and my heart was leaping out of my body! I swear that i felt like that. It was basically my first concert then (although I’ve been playing the piano for about 3-4 years). I’m twelve and will be playing a jazz piece at the talent show that is pretty popular but I’m not going to post the title. My piano isn’t the best piano so it sounds different when I play on other pianos, and I hate practicing on it.
But I’m just really nervous for the talent show, I’m scared of what the kids will think of me (I’m in middle school by the way). I really want to play the piano though, but I’m nervous. What can I do to get over this fear (please don’t say to think of the audience in their underwear or anything like that becuase it doesn’t work for me).
If you can tell me something that can mE make feel friendlike with the audience or anything that helps you in talent shows then thank you so much!