Jazz piano

Why Every Jazz Pianist Should Study Bill Evans

2026-03-10T13:57:52+00:00

Few musicians have shaped the language of jazz piano as profoundly as Bill Evans. Emerging in the late 1950s, Evans transformed the role of the jazz pianist through lyrical touch and emotional harmony, as well as having great influence with his collaborative approach to ensemble playing. His influence extends far beyond his own recordings, and permeates modern jazz piano vocabulary, continuing to shape how pianists think about harmony, rhythm, and musical interaction. He is also considered one of the most influential pianists in developing modern solo piano language. For these reasons, every jazz pianist, regardless of style or experience, should study [...]

Why Every Jazz Pianist Should Study Bill Evans2026-03-10T13:57:52+00:00

Five Modern Jazz Pianists You Should Listen To

2026-02-12T08:56:59+00:00

In the last hundred years, jazz has undergone multiple revolutions on the piano, from stride right through to experimental fusions. In this time, a wide range of styles have been employed, drawing on influences from around the musical world. As a result, there are many jazz pianists today who are masters of the genre, and who can offer students a huge amount of inspiration. Here are five pianists I consider essential listening, and whose gigs I would recommend going to should the chance arise. Photo credit : "Robert Glasper - Leverkusener Jazztage 2016-AL5550" by Andreas Lawen, Fotandi. Licensed under CC BY-SA [...]

Five Modern Jazz Pianists You Should Listen To2026-02-12T08:56:59+00:00

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: 12-Bar Major Blues

2026-01-27T13:24:07+00:00

The 12-bar blues has been the most central and essential form used since the dawn of jazz. The short and harmonically simple nature of the form, combined with its potential for manipulation, makes it the ultimate vehicle for improvisation. Every great jazz pianist has recorded versions of a 12-bar blues, making it a very good way of bottling up an artist’s individual sound. The short form also allows for bitesize transcription, removing the potential necessity for hours of work. With all of this in mind, here are 5 solos that I would recommend for any pianist to transcribe. https://youtu.be/XSjWOTbL5ew?si=kh7ysfdFpaUKGesF Wynton Kelly [...]

5 Essential Piano Solos to Transcribe: 12-Bar Major Blues2026-01-27T13:24:07+00:00

How to Choose the Right Piano Course for You

2026-01-26T09:04:13+00:00

So you’ve decided to start playing the piano… but what happens next? For many beginners, the excitement of learning quickly turns into confusion. You sit down at the keys, ready to begin your musical journey, only to realise you have no idea what you’re doing. Should you dive into classical pieces, experiment with jazz, or maybe try playing some pop songs you already know and love? The truth is, most new pianists don’t even realise there are different types of piano courses to choose from until they’re sitting in front of a teacher who asks, “Which style would you like [...]

How to Choose the Right Piano Course for You2026-01-26T09:04:13+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

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

Delving Deeper Into the World of Jazz

2024-06-03T20:09:27+01:00

Jazz - a beautiful genre where unique rhythmic melodies come alive and improvisation plays a key role in this type of music. There s much to uncover about about this genre, so let us jump right into the world of jazz. History In the late 19th century, in a place called New Orleans, jazz was born. New Orleans, situated along the Mississippi River in the southeastern region of Louisiana, is a port city where many people from all over the world would meet. Thus having the opportunity to experience the nightlife this city had to offer and celebrate different ethnic groups [...]

Delving Deeper Into the World of Jazz2024-06-03T20:09:27+01:00

Is Jazz Piano Harder than Classical Piano?

2024-05-30T16:06:44+01:00

The comparison between jazz and classical piano is often debated among musicians and enthusiasts. Both genres demand a high level of skill, discipline, and creativity to master, yet they differ significantly in their approaches, techniques, and philosophies. Determining whether jazz piano is harder than classical piano is not straightforward, as the answer largely depends on various factors including individual aptitudes, training backgrounds, and personal musical preferences. From the outset it is worth noting that a proficient jazz pianist and a proficient classical pianist can often be the same person, and that the process of becoming a master pianist can often result [...]

Is Jazz Piano Harder than Classical Piano?2024-05-30T16:06:44+01:00

How Long Does It Take To Learn Jazz Piano?

2024-03-28T08:44:49+00:00

Jazz piano is a captivating area of the musical art form, known for its versatility, as well as its affinity with deep improvisation, intricate harmonies, and rhythmic complexity. Learning jazz piano is not merely a task of mastering notes and chords but rather an immersive journey of understanding the language, history, and culture of jazz music. The question of how long it takes to learn jazz piano is multifaceted, influenced by various factors such as individual aptitude, practise regimen, and exposure to the genre. This article explores the intricate path of learning jazz piano, emphasising the dedication and perseverance required [...]

How Long Does It Take To Learn Jazz Piano?2024-03-28T08:44:49+00:00

Five Cool II-V-I Jazz Piano Licks That You Should Know!

2024-03-07T15:06:54+00:00

For most non-jazz musicians and beginners, the assumption is that jazz improvisation is conjured out of thin air, and that improvised phrases are a stream of consciousness. The truth is that jazz musicians are discerning magpies, who always have an ear open to catch a phrase played by another musician, with the intention of using it in their own improvisations. Learning to play jazz is, to me, exactly like learning to speak a foreign language fluently. When learning to speak a language we are usually given stock phrases to use that can be altered to suit different situations. In the exact [...]

Five Cool II-V-I Jazz Piano Licks That You Should Know!2024-03-07T15:06:54+00:00
Go to Top