🎹 Swing vs. Straight 🎶: 3 Easy Tips to get Started.
I’ve heard from some of you that you love to play JAZZY pieces! And you probably know by now - that's one of my favorite styles!
But I've also heard that sometimes, this is a tricky style to teach, so I wanted to share some pointers that help my students.
BTW, these types of pieces are great to pull out when you have a student who is bored with their repertoire -- a little bit of jazzy might spice up their life!
Here are 3 easy tips to get your students started with a jazzy style.
1. Staccatos
I think this may be the most overlooked element when playing Jazz.
Make sure the staccato notes are short!
The silence around the notes really make them "pop" and this is SO important to the style.
Observing staccatos is an easy fix and will instantly make a difference!
2. Swing Rhythms
Sometimes, it's really difficult to get students to "feel" a swing beat.
One tip I use to help students feel swing, is to snap their fingers and say "1 a-2 a-3 a-4 a-1..." (think of a lazy horse canter or lope or a triplet feel), If they have trouble snapping, clap instead. Or for some big fun, have them walk around the room using their feet to show the rhythms.
Add some body movement: Sway side to side - in a horizontal motion, which helps to feel with the swing beat.
*What's really tricky is when the phrase starts on the upbeat, or the 2nd eighth note of the beat.
Make sure to have them say "1" or some word, on the down beat to let them know that the 2nd eighth note is the shorter one, (like "1 a - 2..." or "Run - ing")
3. What to do if "Swing" isn't working
What happens if the students just doesn't "get" it?
Start with Jazzy pieces that have Straight eighth notes, but are syncopated.
Don't worry and don't push! This is a difficult concept sometimes takes more time to digest.
Introduce them to a piece with Straight eighths that sound jazzy and are easier to understand.
Tips for Easy ways to get started:
*Listen to different pieces and ask students to identify which ones are SWING and which are STRAIGHT.
*Take a piece with eighth notes they already know, and ask them to play STRAIGHT, then with a SWING feel.
*Have students count out loud, "1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 4 a" and move side to side, with a swaying motion to feel it.
Need some pieces to make it clear?
Ease your students into the swing. Start with something like this….
If your student is having trouble with SWING - start with some syncopated STRAIGHT eighth notes - like Intruder Alert!
Syncopated rhythms don’t have to be hard.
Start with slow counting and omit the tie.
Have students clap all the eighth notes.
When ready, add the tie.
This syncopated rhythm is repeated many times, to reinforce the pattern.
Space Walk has lots of Swagger & Swing.
Much of this piece and be taught by rote - when the students hear and FEEL the Swing, it’s speeds learning along.
Most of the piece is a “Call & Response” structure, letting the student focus on 1 hand at a time.
Encourage them to sing the melody or hum along with the recording. Listening is an important part to learning any kind of style on piano.
Make sure to make the Staccatos SHORT! It’s the most over looked element of Jazz - and so easy to fix.
