Intro to Jazz Piano

Question 1

Lead Sheet

pg 4

Answer 1

A musical chart that shows the melody and chord symbols.

Question 2

How does a jazz pianist play from a lead sheet?

pg 4

Answer 2

When reading a lead sheet, the jazz pianist will improvise a part based on the chord symbols and melody.

Question 3

Fake Book

pg 4

Answer 3

A fake book is a collection of lead sheets, normally in a particular musical style.

Question 4

What progression is the foundation of mainstream jazz harmony?
(pg 5)

Answer 4

II-V-I, usually 4 parts (rather than 3 parts like in pop and rock)

Question 5

Diatonic chords

pg 5

Answer 5

belonging to the scale or key

Question 6

maj7

pg 5

Answer 6

Major Seventh Chords
Created by building major 3rd, perfect 5th and major 7th intervals above the root.
In the C major diatonic chord progression this interval pattern occurs in the Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 chords.

Question 7

m7

pg 5

Answer 7

Minor Seventh Chords
Created by building minor 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th intervals above the root.
In the C major diatonic chord progression this interval pattern occurs in Dm7, Em7, and Am7 chords.

Question 8

7

pg 5

Answer 8

Dominant Seventh Chords
Created by building major 3rd, perfect 5th and minor 7th intervals above the root.
In the C major diatonic chord progression this interval patter occurs in the G7 chord.

Question 9

m7♭5

pg 5

Answer 9

Minor Seventh with Flatted 5th chord
Created by building minor 3rd, diminished 5th, and minor 7th intervals above the root (equivalent to flatting the 5th of a minor seventh chord by a half-step).
In the C major diatonic chord progression this interval pattern occurs in the Bm7♭5 chord.

Question 10

Key of C, I chord (“one chord”)

pg 5

Answer 10

Cmaj7

C, (going up) E, G, B

Question 11

Key of C, II chord (“two chord”)

pg 5

Answer 11

Dm7

D, F, A, C

Question 12

Key of C, III chord (“three chord”)

pg 5

Answer 12

Em7

E, G, B, D

Question 13

Key of C, IV chord (“four chord”)

pg 5

Answer 13

Fmaj7

F, A, C, E

Question 14

Key of C, V chord (“five chord”)

pg 5

Answer 14

G7

G, B, D, F

Question 15

Key of C, VI chord (“six chord”)

pg 5

Answer 15

Am7

A, C, E, G

Question 16

Key of C, VII chord (“seven chord”)

pg 5

Answer 16

Bm7♭5

B, D, F, A

Question 17

In the key of C, what are the diatonic chords?

pg 5

Answer 17

Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7♭5, Cmaj7

Question 18

What is the II-V-I progression in the key of C?

pg 5

Answer 18

Dm7, G7, Cmaj7

Question 19

Voice/voicing

pg 6

Answer 19

Rather than playing each chord as it is spelled out it, it is more common for jazz pianists to voice chords for stylistic effect. A voicing is a specific interpretation of a chord symbol by the pianist. This may involving adding extensions or alterations to the basic chord symbol, subtracting notes, redistributing notes between the hands, etc.

Question 20

Seven-Three Chord Voicings

pg 6

Answer 20

The most fundamental jazz piano voicing.
Involves playing just the seventh and third of each chord in the right hand, over the root of the chord in the left hand. This also give a very good “voice leading” (moving by common tones or small intervals) between successive chords.

Question 21

What is the seven-three chord voicing of Dm7?

pg 6

Answer 21

The 3rd (F) is a minor third interval above the root (D), the 7th (C) is a minor 7th interval above the root (D). 
This combination of minor 3rd and minor 7th intervals above the root explicitly defines a minor 7th chord quality.
The D would be played by the left hand.