I am a classically trained pianist but love playing some of the great jazz tunes What you need are called "Transcriptions". Transcriptions are the exact musical notation of the piece. It's quite easy to buy a book of your favorite musician's transcriptions and learn exactly what they played.
Here's a link for the Monk Transcription book!
http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/boo...
Easy to buy, more difficult to learn, even harder to play the tune exactly like they did...even with all of the right notes, rhythms and styles written out!
I'd recommend picking up transcriptions of some Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell or Bill Evans
The more transcriptions you do, the better you'll actually get at improvising as you'll be learning what the best improvisationalists of all time played over specific changes! Challenge yourself to try and transcribe some on your own... start with something basic (theoretically) like dixieland (just as long as your chops can handle it!) and work your way to more complicated things like bebop and finally beyond.
Don't know how much jazz your listening to... but If you're listening to Monk then that's real hip. Just in case you're new to it...here's a great article from today I showed my jazz piano students today in school...
http://www.waer.org/30pianists.html
I don't know if I'd rank them in this order, but there's some good cursory info....
Good luck and Happy Practicing! |
