This Improv Exercise Will Change Your Jazz Playing Forever

[@georgehiggins1320]

Woah. Interesting to actually be playing the future chord in advance. I've never thought of that. Thanks for sharing!

[@mushroomamba]

I'm 16 and I haven't prioritized learning sheet music so unfortunately im basically unable to read it but knowing that you really only figured it out in late highschool gives me some hope that I can be successful like you

[@NoahKellman]

Totally understand how you feel. If I could make any recommendation, I’d say just try to spend an easy 10 mins per day doing a bit of sight reading practice. My teacher had me start doing that in high school and it slowly but surely made a big difference. Either way, imo being an incredible reader isn’t THAT important in today’s industry, depending on your goals of course.

[@XitlalicProductions]

Not to enable you to not learn to read, but there are plenty of successful, talented musicians that can't read. There are so many ways to approach music, just keep at it and as long as you continue learning throughout your musical journey you'll be fine ☺️

[@mariodelrisco2403]

Check out howard richmann, “sight reading secrets” it will take you from 0 to pro rewder

[@98BlackTransAm]

Art Tatum couldn't read sheet music either, because he was blind.

[@mqge2481]

I've got the same problem. One tip - musescore has been pretty helpful for me bc I can associate the sheets and actual music.

[@francisbucher1537]

Very useful Noah, thanks so much! Makes me think of OP (Oscar Peterson) who said in an interview that he would always be thinking ahead when playing especially while improvising.

[@johnmitchelljr]

Great channel. Especially good video. Thank you.

[@chockfullofrag]

I haven't done a lot of jazz improvisation but I've recently been working on some boogie woogie improv and I actually made this realization a few days ago. I think it's basically a variation on creating and resolving tension: the right hand playing an F-scale line while the left hand is still cranking out some C-based riff creates tension that is released when the left hand "catches up" to F, for example. And the simplest version of it is just playing in the C blues scale over the entire CFG or even CADG progression. It doesn't really "go" with all the other chords but your brain knows you're coming back around to C eventually so it's like watching a blurry picture come into focus. Great video!

[@NoahKellman]

Hey, thanks for the comment! Nicely said. Agreed, as long as you are able to stick the landing, that temporary tension can bring a really nice sense of release when you do align the chord with the right hand.

[@edwardvivenzio5843]

This,as with all your lessons,are invaluable,thanks again Noah,hope you are well!

[@copernicus99]

Very helpful! Thinking ahead is indeed key to smoothly connecting melodic lines across the changes. Incidentally, Noah, would you happen to have any videos on how you would voice/arrange particular jazz standards, e.g., Giant Steps, for solo piano? I imagine that many viewers would find that extremely valuable! Maybe do a separate video for each standard in the Real Book? ;)

[@not_jafar]

I just wanted to say that your a wonderful pianist and person! These videos have helped me out a lot!

[@NoahKellman]

Hey, thank you Jafar! I appreciate that. Really glad to hear that the videos are helping you.

[@markbra]

This helps me greatly 😉

[@bobbykay8782]

That I am looking for. You explain very well and easy to understand. I love it your channel. I subscribe for you . Very informative and useful. Thank you so much for sharing!! From Thailand.

[@Marco-bh9im]

thumbs up!

[@justin.johnson]

On point my man, really nice perspective and thought process. Thank you.

[@mojopin1122]

Great stuff Noah. Thank you

[@anderkeyboard]

Excelente canal gracias por tu amabilidad y hermosa labor DIOS te bendiga 🙌 🎹

[@NoahKellman]

Gracias, es mi placer. Me alegro que mis videos te ayudan!

[@anderkeyboard]

@@NoahKellman y te compre un material también DIOS te acompañe siempre 🙌

[@NoahKellman]

@@anderkeyboard muchas gracias!!

[@CharlesAustin]

Cool, helpful.. not so easy !!! Thanks !!

[@cabijista1]

The correct mode for the F-7 in ATTYA is Aeolian not Dorian, as it functions as a vi chord, not a ii chord.

[@towmoe]

ok nerd

[@davidespinosa1910]

@@towmoe ok dummy

[@scottbaekeland9750]

He's right the first chord sequence is Fm7-Bbm7-Eb7-Ab maj- Db major . These chords are the VI-II-V-I-IV of the key of Ab major (Ab major scale fits the whole sequence ) . Thinking modally it's Aeolian-Dorian-Mixolydian-Ionian-Lydian for which one major scale will contain all the notes.Then it goes to the root a flat fifth away to G7 to C ( in key of C (V-I)). The next sequence is the same relationship as the first one in a new key ( VI-II-V-I-IV in the key of Eb major) Cm7-Fm7-Bb7-Eb maj- Ab maj (Eb major scale fits the whole sequence ). Then it goes to the root a flat fifth away to D7 to G ( in the key of G (V-I)) and on to the bridge. Of course you could play the Dorian mode on any minor chord but that seems myopic when the big picture gives a simpler way to navigate the changes. Each to his own. As we say at rehearsal 'Let's try it both ways and see which one we prefer.'

[@tommyschilb10]

Great! Thanks Noah

[@neilbrowning7089]

This only makes any sense if you use the "this chord means this scale" approach. This always seemed a rather (a) complicated, and (b) mechanical way of making music to me. As you point out, the first few chords of "All the Things You Are" are in the same key centre, so all the scales are the same (possible exception if you're using the D natural over the Fm) - so I always think in key centres and chord tones. After all, knowing "what scale to play" doesn't help you to make good melodic choices; chord tones do that, and flow, rhythm, accents, etc... I'm not saying that anything you say is incorrect, but it's only useful if you think in the "chord --> scale" way. Which ignores the context of 'key'. However, I get that if you're looking at All the Things and Giant Steps, key is so much more fluid that it moves the goalposts rather!

[@lucl5383]

Noah out here with the Quebec maple syrup in the background

[@Zoco101]

It's easier to think ahead when you're not reading. Reading chords can even create a latency in your playing. When I must read, I read 4+ bars at a time. If I get one chord wrong, so what! I can probably make it into something.

[@robshrock-shirakbari1862]

Awesome... what is your piano sound in the opening bit? Is that a Yamaha digital grand?

[@ggggjjjj9543]

Can you slow down when showing the chords please? I don't think you realize how fast you rush through them. You have to put the video in slow mo just to pause it to even see the chord. Just let the chords sustain for like 2 seconds. Big fan. Thanks!

[@marceli155]

first chord i is F min7 but skale is aeolian not a dorian becouse this is VImin7 of I AbMaj 7 !!!!

[@asahnimusic]

The next level to this is to sing all the notes while ghost playing on keys to test your ear.

[@jarbasgoulartdecastro9104]

tHANK yOU !!!

[@amec4385]

D natural in the Fm7 chord in bar one seems wrong. I think VI. II V I in Ab. Your treating the Fm7 as II in Eb????

[@evansakesat2776]

I was wondering the same thing…unless Fm6 was specified Aeolian would be correct in the key of Ab.

[@ganlanwang9286]

both can be used~come on~

[@Sic4ce]

I tried for a bit on Giant Steps I end up loosing focus and just going for it. I think I also need to address some technique issues.

[@NoahKellman]

Yeah it’s a tricky process- it’s okay to practice it for just a little while and then move onto something else in your practice session.

[@leomestre92]

we love youu

[@WoodyGamesUK]

I tried it but what if the scale doesn't change, or rarely? I normally hit the chord tones more often than not, so in this case would you hit the chord tones from the next chord (as if you were already on that chord)?

[@Eliyt577]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@marceli155]

why you play Fmin dorian ?

[@Eyzebian]

I studied 5 years and nobody told me to do so

[@Mike-rw2nh]

I swear, I learn so much from pianists. 34 years on guitar. Time to dust off the piano. 👍

[@_sonicfive]

Still saying "really really" in every video lol

[@princemarvelnzegwu4691]

Hey Noah, hope you're doing well. When will your course be available? I've tried to contact you via Instagram

[@NoahKellman]

Hey Prince! Sorry I got a ton of messages and fall behind sometimes. Did you mean jazz piano secrets? I will try to find your Instagram message and respond there too

[@princemarvelnzegwu4691]

Yes, the Jazz Piano Secrets. I'd really like to purchase it. Thanks. I'll be waiting for your reply

[@NoahKellman]

@@princemarvelnzegwu4691 just hit you up!