Jazz Piano Lesson Video

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  If a picture is worth a thousand words than a video may be worth a million.  Today I have scrounged up a unique video for aspiring jazz piano players. Here's a chance to look over the shoulder of an excellent piano player and cop as many techniques as you can.

The video is very unique in that during the improvisation there is running "commentary" across the screen on the exact techniques that are being used.  I remember when I was going to Depaul University in Chicago years ago, I studied jazz piano for a year with Larry Novack.  Larry is one of the greatest piano players you may have never heard of. For years he was the house pianist at Mr. Kelly's in Chicago.  Larry played with practically every great jazz player that came through town.  One of the quickest ways I could learn was to simply watch Larry (and Frank Mantooth too) play a tune and watch how he voiced chords.  The great thing about the piano is that it is so "visual". It is easy to "see" the chords, how they are spaced, the clusters, etc.  Last year about this time I got the chance to hang out with Larry at his house. He played for me some tunes he was working on.  It was just like being back in school watching him reharmonize practically every beat of the tune. Simply amazing.

Anyway, you will find the video below.  If you are piano player you may find you watch it several times.  It really is a terrific way to explain the techniques of jazz piano playing.  It may be best to simply stop the video when you come across a technique you would like to practice.  Enjoy!