Jazz Chords, Harmony and Improvisation

For anyone who plays piano and would like get into playing Jazz piano, here are a few pointers which, hopefully will help you to achieve the aim of playing Jazz by finding lots of nice chords and harmony, and being able to apply these chords and harmony to tunes.

Having played Jazz for around forty five years I have found many nice chords which I have been able to apply to tunes with harmonic
structures.

Always remember that IF THE CHORD OR HARMONY SOUNDS OK TO YOUR EAR---THAT'S FINE!!!!

It took me a long time many years ago to realize that I had to Orchestrate a tune rather than play the tune straight.

One good exercise is for you to is for you to sit at the piano and see what chords you can find and apply them.

Always remember a tune has to have a good front and back and take care of the middle.

Making a number swing is a different matter, but when it does happen it is the most wonderful thing.

One of the best examples of SWING that I have ever heard is the video clip of the Count Basie Orchestra at Montreaux 1979
featuring Ella Fitzgerald along with Eric Dixon and booty Wood playing " A TISCET A TASKET". THE ULTIMATE IN SWING!!!!!

This is one of a number of Jazz music articles that I will be posting and which I hope will be of some help to you and I will be pleased to answer
any questions on this subject that you may ask.

Happy Jazz playing to everyone and thanks for the nice comments on my video postings.

Haydn.