lesson content

In the jazz piano lessons, the course is primarily about playing songs and improvising using chord names like Cm7, G7, AMaj7, and more. We work on a wide variety of standard jazz numbers, from "Fly Me To The Moon" to "Autumn Leaves," and others. We'll constantly add songs to the lessons, either selected by the instructor or any piece you've always wanted to play.

For the first few months, we'll use the two-part notation commonly employed in jazz piano lessons, gradually incorporating practice with chord names. So, even if you're uncomfortable with chord names but can read music, you can still confidently practice.

The ultimate goal of jazz piano lessons is to improvise and arrange songs in your own style. Many struggle to break free from playing commercial jazz piano scores exactly as written. In our lessons, we thoroughly teach the "magic" of chord names, which are used 100% of the time in jazz piano improvisation.

Once you get the hang of the basic chord names, we'll move on to a slightly more specialized study of something called "chord scales." Chord scales are an essential course at the Berklee College of Music. For every chord, like Cm7 or D7, there is a scale that resonates beautifully. In simpler terms, improvisation is composed of various tones of the scale.

Once you're able to freely use these chord names and chord scales, you can effortlessly and enjoyably perform and improvise songs across all genres. If you try to master improvisation through self-study, you need to listen to records or CDs with your own ears and memorize them. Many veteran jazz musicians have spent a great deal of time and effort doing this.

However, by mastering improvisation theory at Spoonful Music, you can understand how to improvise in jazz in a logical way. Improvisation based on theory, not one's own style, guarantees a high-quality, stable performance in any situation.

At Spoonful Music, we teach jazz theory tailored to your level and individuality, based on the Berklee system. From beginners to professionals stuck in a slump, we promise a reliable level up.

FAQ

Q1: I don't really understand chord names.
In jazz piano lessons, we first explain theoretically how chords are formed and their structure. We explain chords starting from a level that suits each person, so even those who did not understand chords from reading commercially available jazz theory books will deepen their understanding of chords, and any incorrect knowledge or misunderstandings will be eliminated.

Q2: I haven't played the piano in a long time.
Jazz is not like classical piano where you can't play if you have even a little break. It's music that you can enjoy songs and improvisation according to your own level at the time.

Q3: I'm not good at reading sheet music.
Sheet music is not considered very important in jazz. Old jazz musicians mostly learned by listening to recordings of their seniors' fantastic performances and memorizing them. Of course, there are times when sheet music is necessary, but most of the time, we use something called chord names to perform.

Q4: Can anyone improvise?
Most jazz improvisation is made up of some kind of scale, so to put it simply, anyone can enjoy and understand improvisation by learning various scales (through the chord scale theory taught at Berklee College of Music).

Q5: Is it useful for music other than jazz?
Yes. Most genres of music have been influenced by jazz, so by studying jazz theory, you will inevitably improve your understanding and performance skills for music of all genres. You'll also be able to arrange various songs.

Q6: How long is the lesson period?
There is no set duration.

Q7: I want to improve quickly in a short period of time.
I think there are people who want to master it quickly in a short period. If you understand how to use chord scales and tensions, it's possible.

Q8: Do I have to move my fingers fast?
In jazz piano performances, unlike playing classical songs, you can enjoy at a speed that is easy for you to play, so you don't need to worry too much.

Combination course recommendation

The combination course is a course where you can take two subjects at the same time in one 60-minute lesson.
For example, jazz vocal and jazz piano courses can be divided into the first half and the second half of the lesson time and taken in one lesson at the same time. It can be said that this course is ideal for those who do not have a lot of time, or for those who want to experience as much musical education as possible in a short time.