📫 Mailbag: Should I Practice Everything in All 12 Keys

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Pianist, author, and part-time circus bear Jeremy Siskind answers a KZbinr question - should jazz musicians practice all licks, tunes, and voicings in all twelve keys?

[@MarkEisenman]

This is GREAT Jeremy, I call the decision about WHAT to practice "Music Practice Triage". Look it up folks (triage)

[@UkuleleAversion]

I'm stealing this (but I'll credit you).

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Mark! Yeah, that is the big question, right? What do we spend our precious time on?

[@michaelhunt7657]

Guacamole 🥑 Great Lesson! 😎🎹

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for watching, Michael! Man, I'm getting hungry for guacamole as I read these comments...

[@pianogirl13669]

Guacamole - Good to “see” you, Jeremy!

[@JeremySiskind]

And it's good to "see" you, Christine. I hope you're keeping warm up there!

[@jacobkuhlmann1616]

Hey Jeremy! I've been wondering about this recently. I've transcribed a handful of solos from various musicians, and I've considered spending the time to learn them in other keys. Hearing your thoughts helps me solidify my decision to practice some things, but not everything in all keys. Also -- I was there Thursday at jax! I regret that I was too shy to say hi. You played awesomely! I especially loved how you improvised on the (spanish? brazilian?) tango style song which was near the middle of the set. #guacamole

[@JeremySiskind]

Oh dang! Jax was so fun and playing for a sold-out crowd there had such great energy! And Arturo is always next level...Well since you're local, let me know if there's ever anything I can do for you!

[@stuartheadey5240]

That was a really helpful and thorough explanation, Jeremy. I've contemplated this often. Nice to have it laid out logically. It helps me realise that some of my own conclusions make sense. Many thanks.

[@JeremySiskind]

I’m happy to hear that, Stuart! I hope it helps you on your journey.

[@donschneider7953]

Thank you. Where is my focus? What is my goal?

[@JeremySiskind]

I hope those are rhetorical questions! Yes, those are great ones to ask yourself!

[@francescomanfredi]

Very helpful!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thank you much, Francesco!

[@IamVegaskid]

Holy moly, guacamole! Another great video Jeremy. I love information that goes beyond the playing itself and discusses the more meta topics. Beyond the path you take us on in your books, I'd love to see you do a video that covers the things beginners should be drilling, in order of importance and/or complexity. That is, the things needed to get 100% automated to allow more thoughtful improvisation.

[@JeremySiskind]

Cool! Great suggestion. Let me think on it! But more than anything...ii-V-I's!

[@samueldesouzamalaquias]

This video helped me so much. Thanks!

[@JeremySiskind]

Awesome, I'm so happy when I do things that are actually helpful, Samuel. Thanks for letting me know!

[@UkuleleAversion]

2:58 Ouch, it hurts because it's true. On the bright side, I have been coming to this realisation on my own. Recently I started transposing this Giant Steps solo into all 12 keys but then I realised... Giant Steps already goes through 3 keys so if I just took the first three choruses through 4-5 keys and worked on those 4-5 with focus and dedication I'd achieve plenty in less time.

[@JeremySiskind]

Sometimes we can do more work and get fewer results. It is sometimes easy to use activities as crutches when really creative, deep learning is too intimidating.

[@brendaboykin3281]

Thank you, Maestro. Nice opening! 🌹🌹🌹🌹Great discussion about 12-key facility. Perhaps analyzing the piece,and then reducing it to a (Roman numeral/Jerry Coker) roadmap is ultimately more useful. (This would also expose and clarify the basic harmonic functions). WAH KA MOH LAY, LA LA LA!!!!

[@JeremySiskind]

Yes, that is so helpful! Understanding function is essential!

[@noelbrown6058]

Hi Jeremy. Glad to see the “hard-copy-hands-on edition” of your new updated book (that I have ordered from you). Just wondering if you know when it will be available for you to ship to those who have ordered? I love all 3 of those books and your videos. Keep it coming!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for checking in. Everything has shipped! Thanks for all your kind words!

[@jolygod]

#guacamole Thank you Jeremy, really needed to hear that... I think you could add another parameter about skill ("Time" and "Short vs Long" can be totally different depending on skill). But this vid left me with a feeling that transposing exercises through 12 keys is a "nice to have" thing. What would you say are the *required* exercises one should transpose through all keys? i.e. what would you encourage your students to transpose through all 12 keys?

[@JeremySiskind]

I think the short answer would be voicings, particularly ii-V-I voicings. Those are the things you *need* to have!

[@jackbussy3133]

Guacamole 🥑 !! Great lesson. Maybe you should have developed the utility of learning things in Eb and Bb if you play with horns and E and A if you play with guitarists. Btw : guacamole is the same in French….

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks, Jack! Yes - it really does depend who you play with, but most jazz players are playing with horn players, so I point people towards the flat keys.

[@humblemai2211]

Waiting for your tutorial about jazz piano beginner ...next

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for your comment and your attention, Mai!

[@DojoOfCool]

guacamole Excellent video on when to and when not to practice in 12 keys.

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks so much! I really want to meet this dog who is on your photo btw.

[@peterbodofsnik9429]

Nice argumentation

[@JeremySiskind]

Why thank you, Peter! Thanks for watching!

[@bethanylowe8773]

What an eye-opening and thought-provoking discussion of the nature of humanity and musicality! I honestly didn't expect such depth from this particular topic. I was saying "ohhh yeahhhh" about every other sentence XD. It's diminishing returns isn't it? Let's all go mash our avocados wisely.

[@JeremySiskind]

Aw, you're very kind, Bethany! I'm glad it resonated!

[@stephanosioannou1825]

guacamole!

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks so much for watching, Stephanos!

[@somedude-tr1mj]

helpful, nuanced advice. (oh, and also... guacamole)

[@JeremySiskind]

Haha, thanks, some dude! I do my best!

[@christopherhuber9037]

Guacamole! I've been really into this guy Lambert lately and am working on this piece currently kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bGlKZqZbqXfa8 I think I'm just a sucker for flat keys, especially Ab, so I gravitate towards his music. He writes a lot in Ab/F minor. So I don't fall in the trap of playing in the same keys, I'll try to look at a piece of music in a key far away. As of late, I've been looking at Time Remembered just trying to get the A/B voicings down on it along with reaching for 10ths on white keys. I think studying in contrasting keys helps when you're time is constrained.

[@JeremySiskind]

Cool! Sounds fun, Chris! Looking forward to seeing you soon.

[@Ludada101]

Guacamole

[@JeremySiskind]

Thanks for watching, Luyanda! I hope it was helpful!

[@JohnColerMusic]

#guacamole 🙌🏼

[@JeremySiskind]

John! I miss you, my friend! 🥑

[@felixtani4030]

Think you should erase the world “should “ in art. Your music will always be a work in progress.

[@JeremySiskind]

Amen! By the way, I've reached out to Stephen and we're working on setting up a time for a chat. 😉

[@felixtani4030]

@@JeremySiskind wonderful!

[@Kroaky108]

There are 30 keys

[@jackbussy3133]

Can you develop ?

[@EANNE1000]

Explain

[@EANNE1000]

Very timely. I don't know what it means but ... guacamole 🥑

[@JeremySiskind]

Hey Kroaky! I can see the 12 major + 12 minor. Are you thinking of C#/Db and F#/Gb as additional too? 🤷‍♂️

[@Kroaky108]

@@JeremySiskind yes, one key without sharps or flats, 7 keys with sharps, 7 with flats = 15 x 2 for major and minor = 30