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HANDFUL OF KEYS—MJI ONLINE JAZZ PIANO COURSE

Learn the skills required to begin playing authentic jazz piano. These four sessions will show you how to interpret chord symbols, create voicings, and play standard repertoire from a lead sheet.

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HANDFUL OF KEYS: THE BASICS
Online Class (4 sessions)
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Prerequisites: Basic piano proficiency, ability to play the major scale in all 12 keys, and basic music reading skills are recommended.

Required Textbook: Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method – Book 1

Instructor: Mark Davis (click for bio)
Cost: $75 for the 4-week course
Upgrade: For an additional $40, you will receive temporary access to a video recording of each class viewable until one week after the course ends. (Temporary video access for a single class session is available for $20 for registrants who did not upgrade. Contact MJI to purchase.) 

Description: Learn the skills required to begin playing authentic jazz piano. These four sessions will show you how to interpret chord symbols, create voicings, and play standard repertoire from a lead sheet.

WEEK 1

  • Jazz Piano Styles Overview

  • Recommended Listening

  • Pianist’s Role in a Jazz Group

  • Essential Scales

  • Basic Chords (Triads and Four-Note Chords)

WEEK 2

  • Shell Voicings and Concepts of Voice Leading

  • Playing from a Lead Sheet

  • Applying Voicings

  • The Blues

WEEK 3

  • Upper Extensions

  • Altered Extensions

  • Two-Handed Voicings

  • Common Progressions

WEEK 4

  • Harmonizing Tunes

  • Application to “Poor Butterfly”

  • Application to “My Foolish Heart”

Classes are held online via Zoom. Students will generally be on video and unmuted for class discussions and when asking questions. The syllabus shows which pages in the textbook summarize the content of each session, allowing a student to miss a class due to an unavoidable conflict but not fall behind in the course. We encourage participation, discussion, and an interactive class dynamic.

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Required Textbook for Handful of Keys
Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method - Book 1

You can get the book at your local music store or on Amazon. 
Click here to purchase on Amazon

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