ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Reuben

About Reuben

Reuben is a freelance jazz multi-instrumentalist. Having initially trained in classical piano and cello, he moved to London 10 years ago to study jazz, and now performs regularly around the country in a host of bands, including funk band John Motors.

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: Rhythm Changes

2026-01-21T14:18:19+00:00

Transcription is an essential element of developing improvisational language in jazz. Throughout the history of jazz, emulating the sounds of artists you admire has been the fastest way of developing the sound you wish for, and in the 21st century this has become easier than ever. There are now countless albums on streaming services, thousands of bootleg recordings hidden on the web, and hundreds of concert videos of every artist on sites such as YouTube. Because of this, you can take any artist you like and transcribe their work on the spot without having to buy their music or attend their [...]

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: Rhythm Changes2026-01-21T14:18:19+00:00

Five Christmas Jazz Albums for Pianists

2025-12-17T11:45:41+00:00

December is the best month to be a pianist. Whether it’s carols, chart-toppers or jazz classics, there is a wealth of repertoire available for pianists of all levels to play. For jazz pianists, the Christmas period allows us to apply everything we have learned throughout the year to a familiar set of tunes. Many jazz artists throughout the years have taken the time to make Christmas albums, and these collections of musically simple tunes present very honest reflections of the artist. I’ve found many of these albums inspiring, and when not studying the contents they also make for excellent easy listening. [...]

Five Christmas Jazz Albums for Pianists2025-12-17T11:45:41+00:00

Preparing for ABRSM Exams

2025-09-22T15:58:10+01:00

A brief guide to the practical grade exams The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is the primary practical music examination board in the UK. For decades it has provided examinations and qualifications for aspiring musicians on a huge range of instruments. Taking an ABRSM exam presents a helpful challenge for students, necessitating the development of skills in prepared performance, sight reading, and music theory. It also provides a clear and obvious milestone for a student’s improvement. These exams can however prove daunting for the uninitiated, as performing in general can be a lot of pressure for a [...]

Preparing for ABRSM Exams2025-09-22T15:58:10+01:00

The Circle of Fifths and How to Use It in Your Piano Practise

2025-05-13T16:31:22+01:00

The Circle of Fifths is one of the most powerful tools in music theory, and when applied to piano practise, it can sharpen your skills, deepen your understanding of music, and make learning pieces a much simpler and faster process. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, mastering the Circle of Fifths can transform your practise sessions from routine to revolutionary. Below I will explain what the Circle of Fifths is, and exactly how you can use it to level up your piano playing. What Is the Circle of Fifths? The Circle of Fifths is a diagram showing the relationships [...]

The Circle of Fifths and How to Use It in Your Piano Practise2025-05-13T16:31:22+01:00

The Modes of the Melodic Minor and their Usage in Jazz

2025-04-23T13:33:14+01:00

A brief study of jazz theory will have you familiarising yourself with major modes. Mixolydian and Dorian modes, for example, are the most fundamental to learn as a basis for jazz language. Once a jazz musician is fluent at using the major modes for soloing, they will be able to achieve a very diatonic major sound, but this inevitably has its limits. In order to build more options of scales to use, we apply the modes of the melodic minor scale. These don’t just work for minor keys or chords, and some work as good alternatives to major modes. I’ll give [...]

The Modes of the Melodic Minor and their Usage in Jazz2025-04-23T13:33:14+01:00

Memorising and Practising II-V-I Licks on the Piano

2025-04-23T14:04:21+01:00

II-V-I progressions, otherwise known as Perfect Cadences, form an integral part of jazz harmony. By establishing and reasserting the key-centres you move through, they anchor the tonality of a chord sequence. Because of this, being able to construct improvised lines that encompass Perfect Cadences is a huge boost to any aspiring jazz musician. A good way of becoming adept at this is to build a library of licks in your memory. Having even a small collection of licks memorised in every key will give you a set of safe options for traversing these cadences. With this in mind, here is how [...]

Memorising and Practising II-V-I Licks on the Piano2025-04-23T14:04:21+01:00

The Origins of Jazz – The Birth of America’s Music

2025-03-17T10:35:38+00:00

Jazz, often hailed as "America’s music," is one of the most influential and distinctive genres of music to emerge in the 20th century. Known for its unique rhythms, improvisational style, and blending of various musical traditions, jazz has evolved into a global phenomenon. Its roots, however, are deeply embedded in the cultural, social, and musical landscapes of late 19th and early 20th-century America. Understanding the origins of jazz requires a look at the interplay of African rhythms, European musical traditions, and the socio-political context of the time. African Musical Traditions The foundations of jazz can be traced back to the African [...]

The Origins of Jazz – The Birth of America’s Music2025-03-17T10:35:38+00:00

The Best Jazz Piano Albums of All Time

2025-02-13T11:00:07+00:00

In the world of jazz, the piano stands as the most versatile instrument, and a key figure in the continuing evolution of the genre. Throughout the history of jazz, the piano has been employed both as a rhythm section member, and as the focal instrument, either in an ensemble or solo setting. As a result, there have been countless albums released in the last 100 years that have explored the piano as a lead instrument, giving aspiring pianists a wealth of material to take inspiration from. Here I will outline the qualities of what I think are the most inspiring and [...]

The Best Jazz Piano Albums of All Time2025-02-13T11:00:07+00:00

Preparing for a Live Gig as a Jazz Pianist

2025-01-17T15:45:13+00:00

Gigs are the source of the most thrill in what we do as musicians. Playing an intimate gig to a small room of people, or a pounding set on a festival stage, can provide lasting memories for us. For jazz pianists, the former is usually the case, but this can come with its own challenges. In this article I’m going to outline some of the things you should be ready for on a live gig, and how to prepare for them. Live gigs can have you playing in numerous line-ups, all of which require different preparation. You may be playing a [...]

Preparing for a Live Gig as a Jazz Pianist2025-01-17T15:45:13+00:00

Playing Piano in a Jazz Band: A Beginner’s Guide

2024-11-13T09:10:12+00:00

Learning jazz piano is a process that takes hundreds of hours of practise. Gaining an affinity with all of the necessary chords, scales, language and tunes can have you marinating in a practise room for a long time before you start feeling like you are playing fluently in your own style. However, there have been countless musicians who have become adept at jamming to backing tracks, or playing solo in a way that they are satisfied with, who have found themselves lost when they reach the bandstand. In reality, no matter how many hours you put into honing your craft alone, [...]

Playing Piano in a Jazz Band: A Beginner’s Guide2024-11-13T09:10:12+00:00
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