The Emotional Landscape of Chord Progressions: Unleashing Music's Storytelling Power Music has an unmatched ability to stir our emotions and take us on auditory journeys. In many ways, it's the universal language of feeling, and much of this emotive power comes from chord progressions. Today, we're going to explore different chord progressions and the emotions they can convey. For consistency, we'll use C Major and C minor as our starting points in all examples. Sudden Change (M1M): Moving from C Major to Db Major (1 half step) can suggest an abrupt shift or surprise. The Hero's Journey (M2M ..read more

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a tricky condition. It causes your muscles to stiffen up and can lead to sudden spasms. When jazz pianist and long-time student David learned he had SPS, he had to rethink his relationship with music. David had always been a jazz enthusiast. His piano playing made people feel the music's heartbeat. However, when SPS started making his muscles stiff, playing the piano became more of a battle than a joy. His fingers, once light and quick, struggled to dance along the keys. But David refused to let SPS silence his music. He chose to view his condition not as a roadb ..read more

Think you're too old to learn piano? Think again! It's never too late to tickle those ivories. Here's why: 1. Keep Your Brain Sharp: Learning piano as an adult keeps your mind active. It's great for memory and problem-solving skills. 2. It's Fun and Relaxing: Playing piano can help you relax. It's a great way to share your feelings and blow off steam. 3. Good for Your Hands: Playing piano can improve your hand skills. It boosts coordination between your eyes and hands. 4. Make Friends: Learning piano can help you meet new people. You can join music groups, or simply play for loved ones. Rememb ..read more

In the realm of jazz piano, Bill Evans was a true master. One key aspect of his unique style was his understanding of silence in music. He didn't just play notes – he played the silences between them. Let's delve deeper into this concept and explore how you can incorporate it into your own playing. The Art of Silence In music, silence is just as crucial as sound. Think about it – without pauses and breaks, music would just be a continuous wall of sound. The gaps between notes let the music breathe and create a rhythm that keeps us engaged. This is something that Evans understood deeply and use ..read more

Keith Jarrett, a renowned jazz pianist, is celebrated for his emotionally charged performances. His ability to convey emotion through music is a defining aspect of his playing. Let's explore this aspect and how we can apply it to our own piano playing. Expressing Emotion: Listening to Jarrett, it's clear that he's not just playing notes on a keyboard. He's expressing deep emotions. His playing can be joyful, sorrowful, contemplative, and so much more. He connects with his audience on an emotional level. You too can express your emotions through your playing. The next time you sit at the piano ..read more

Renowned jazz pianist Keith Jarrett is well known for his expansive use of the piano's range. This is one of the key aspects that make his playing so captivating. Let's dive into this technique and see how you can apply it to your own playing. Wide Range Playing: When we listen to Jarrett, it's clear that he doesn't limit himself to the middle of the keyboard. He uses the entire piano, from the low bass notes to the high treble notes. This full-range approach adds richness and variety to his music. How can you embrace this in your playing? Start by exploring the entire keyboard. Don't just sti ..read more

Listening to the music of renowned jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, one can't help but notice the various musical influences at play. Let's delve into how Jarrett blends elements of folk and classical music into his jazz playing and how you can do the same. Mix of Genres: Keith Jarrett's music isn't strictly jazz. He sprinkles his jazz improvisations with tastes of folk and classical music. This creates a rich tapestry of sounds that's uniquely his. You too can experiment with mixing genres in your playing. It could be as simple as incorporating a folk melody into a jazz tune or using a classical a ..read more

Keith Jarrett's jazz piano style is truly one-of-a-kind. One key element that stands out is his fluid sense of rhythm. So, let's dive into this aspect and learn how we can apply it to our own playing. Freedom in Rhythm: When you listen to Jarrett play, one thing you might notice is his rhythm isn't fixed. He doesn't stick to a strict tempo. Instead, he moves freely, slowing down and speeding up as he feels the music calls for it. This is what we call "rubato" in musical terms. How can you apply this to your own playing? Start by breaking away from the metronome once in a while. Let yourself sp ..read more

Listening to jazz pianist Keith Jarrett play, you'll notice a fascinating dialogue between his hands. His left hand and right hand interact like characters in a story, each contributing to the music in a unique way. Let's explore this key aspect of his playing style. Hand Interaction: In music, especially jazz, both hands have important roles. Jarrett takes this to a new level. His hands seem to chat with each other. One hand may keep the rhythm while the other improvises a melody. Then they might switch roles. How can you apply this to your own playing? Try thinking of your hands as two diffe ..read more

Keith Jarrett, renowned jazz pianist, has a unique way of crafting melodies that's worth studying. Let's look at how his melodious playing can inspire your own style. Melodic Emphasis: When you listen to Jarrett, you'll notice his right-hand lines sing. They're not just random notes. They're beautifully woven melodies that float over the chords. They have rhythm, direction, and emotion. So, how can you incorporate this into your playing? Try focusing on making your right-hand lines more melodic. Think of them as a singer's voice, floating over the rest of the music. Instead of just playing the ..read more