How to Play Piano Chords - Which Is Harder To Master, Classical or Jazz Piano?
by Jason Chang
I grew up as a classical piano player all along thinking that mastering the classics is the surest way to master the piano. However, once I joined college and started listening to various collections of jazz music, I realized that teaching myself jazz was not as easy as it seemed. In this article, I have given my personal opinion on the differences of both.
Sight reading is by far the most rigorous task for any classical pianist. This requires a thorough understanding of reading various rhythms and melodies. One of the most tedious process when learning to play classics is reading sheet music. The fact that classical music greatly relies on sight readings which were written by master composers like Bartok, Mozart, Bach, Hadyn and others means that guidelines on how songs should be played are many. Advanced concepts of classical music are much more complex. Some of these complex classical pieces can take the average classical pianist a few months to learn and understand.
Jazz relies heavily on improvisation. Because jazz is more free spirited and in the moment, many think that it's easy. Coming from a classical background, this is definitely not the case. Complex chords are often used in jazz music that are never found in classical music. Extended chords such as 9ths, flat 13ths etc. would sound quite dissonant to a classical ear. If Beethoven or Mozart had heard jazz <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawai_%28company%29">piano</a> played, they might have wrinkled their nose a bit pondering questions of harmony before really taking a liking to it. It definitely took some acclimation for me to appreciate this style of music.
One of the most complex things about jazz is theory. Although students of classical music learn a lot of theory, not much of it is actually used because students are not reliant on theory to play their pieces. All they have to do is learn music from sheets and then commit it to memory.
In jazz, students have to learn the many different inversions and chords required before making improvisations on rhythms and melodies over them. An extensive mastering of music theory is therefore a core part of learning jazz music. The changes in jazz music chords are often irregular and complex compared to traditional pieces of classical music. Advanced jazz and classical students will often have extensive knowledge on all scales in different keys but the difference is that playing jazz requires a more hands on approach than playing a classical piano.
Finger technique for both genres can be extremely difficult. In my opinion, neither of them is harder than the other although many classical riffs may be a bit more complex as jazz melodies are often created by running scales. Learning complex classical and jazz riffs will take much dedication and practice to master and proper finger technique will dictate how well one can play for both genres.
In conclusion, the two genres have different obstacles and challenges that students will have to surmount and face. I would say both can be equally as challenging but just in different aspects. A real master pianist will have comprehensive knowledge of both. Learning <a href="http://www.soundscapemusicstudios.com/2012/09/piano-improvisation-techniques-what-key-should-i-solo-in-when-jamming/">how to play piano chords</a> is at the foundation of jazz education.
Jason Johann is a well established piano instructor from Newport Beach. His music school offers <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Soundscape-Music-Studios/111286872243054?sk=info">Orange County voice lessons</a>. He has also compiled several video tutorials on piano improvisation. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/soundscapemusic88">Click here</a> to check them out!
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New Unique Article!
Title: How to Play Piano Chords - Which Is Harder To Master, Classical or Jazz Piano?
Author: Jason Chang
Email: soundscapestudios@live.com
Keywords: learning jazz piano, classical piano, piano playing tips, piano improvisation, music lessons, learning an instrument, music, entertainment, hobbies
Word Count: 551
Category: Hobbies
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