Why Do You Play Jazz?

Posted on by freejazzlessons

music goalsHello my fellow jazz fanatics! I’d like to welcome all 879 subscribers to the free jazz lessons subscription list.

We’re growing by leaps and bounds every day and I’m thrilled to have you here!

Today, we’re going to help you solve some of your musical problems. In order to do that I’d like to share a story with you guys. Hopefully you can relate.

My Motivation is Your Motivation

So, every year around my birthday (which is 2 days from now) :) I like to do a quick assessment of my musical goals for the upcoming year.

I’ll ask myself questions like…..

“What do I want to accomplish musically in the next year?”  

“What is my #1 goal in playing jazz?”

“What do I want to get from playing jazz?” 

The more specific and clear I am about my true inspiration for playing jazz music the easier it is to propel my playing to the next level.

Knowing why I sit down at the piano everyday has brought an incredible sense of joy to my life.

Why Do You Play Jazz?

So, I’d like to ask you now….Why do you play jazz?

  • For some of you it might be to be become a better rock musician?
  • Maybe you love the way the rhythm makes you feel?
  • Do you think learning jazz makes you a better composer?
  • Do you play jazz to try and meet the opposite sex?
  • Maybe, you want to be able to jam better with your friends?
  • Perhaps you want to just improve your improvisation and jazz seems like a good way to do it?
  • Maybe you just want to learn jazz chords to throw in a hip hop track?
  • Maybe it’s something else entirely??

Now, everybody has their own individual reasons to learn jazz. and they’re all fantastic and valid reasons. There is no right or wrong here. It’s all correct!

Your Answers = Your Success

Finding the answers to these questions will give you an incredible sense of clarity and purpose in your own musical pursuits.

You’ll also find your ability to be able to practice for longer hours increasing and your voice as an artist become much more laser focused and clear. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

On a simple level it’s just becomes way more fun to play music everyday!

Your Action Step Right Now

Now, I’d like to turn the floor over to you and let you have some fun.

To help yourself grow as a musician please leave a comment below and share with us. Why do you play jazz??

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Related Lessons:

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  5. The 1 Thing You Can Do Right Now To Immediately Improve Your Jazz Improvisation
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  • Jerome

    Hello there, and thank you steve for the very good and very understandable lessons ou’ve delivered so far!

    I’m trying to learn Jazz because I think it’s the most evolved and richest kind of music for harmony, improvisation, chord voicings for piano comping…

    So I hope to be a much better musician wether it be for playing Jazz and other type of music like Funk, Soul, Hip hop or electro.

    Cheers from France!

    Jérôme

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I think using jazz as your vehicle into other styles is a great idea Jerome. I do the same.

  • Paul

    I play for the PURE FUN of it…..Now.   I would like to improve my ability to infuse my arrangements and playing of the standards with Bill Evans systems/theory.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Paul for your answer.
      Bill Evan is a pure genius. Have a whole section on him in the new DVD plus hope to do some more free lessons on him at one point in the future as well.

  • Amoyemaat

    I play because I love this music. It is part of my heritage and culture. I would love to improve my improvisational and keyboard skills. I would also like to compose.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      awesome.

  • Donald Cameron

    Classically trained and now playing in a large church but never get the chance to play jazz so this has been a great way to pick up ideas. Thank you for being so generous with your talent and experience.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      It’s my pleasure Donald. You may not check the comments again but if so…..have you been able to use the jazz stuff from this site on your church gig?

  • Rico

    when i was younger i liked a different type of music, much simpler rythms and lyrics; basically i was dwelling in the basement of my mind musically speaking. As this music became more and more annoying and boring i looked elsewhere and happened to hear a jazz recording. i was immediately struck by the compexity of the music, by the realization this here was a whole new level, a whole new field ready for exploration and, always eager to learn something new i began a jazz collection. The piano always fascinated me, just the look of the instrument was exciting and to be able to play it was a long deferred dream. I started out with flute lessons and one day while waiting for the teacher i walked into the piano room, sat down and started to “play”. The teacher walked in and said” obviously you had lessons before”. I had not, but somehow, maybe from listening to jazz for so long, the sounds somehow went from my head to my fingers. I realize now i was putting chords ( sounds ) together and making a crude kind of music. So you could say jazz was love at first sight.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I think alot of people have had the same experience as you Rico. Thanks for sharing.

  • zahiir

    I play because i have to. If i don’t i’m unbalanced.I look forward to the day where i can play what i intend,hear and feel without letting technique be a hindrance and if that leads to better gigs fantastic. If it leads to being able to travel and play with musicians of the highest caliber that’s even more fantastic, and if my wife can tag along for the ride then that’s the cherry on top…lol…

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Very cool zahir. Yeah, the work does pay off. It’s a commitment to yourself.

  • Rob

    I play because its the only way I can truly express myself.  I have a hard time expressing emotions in my daily life, but when I improvise jazz I feel like I am free to be who I really am.  I play gigs because I want to communicate what I feel to others, and when I can do taht without my ego getting in the way then I know I am alive

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Rob, what a great answer.  Awesome stuff there!! I had to read it again  :)

  • Ilya

    The spirit of freedom, joy of life. All this is in my hands! 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Yeah man!! Love the answer.

  • wilbur smith jr.

    Aug.7th is my 63rd birthday! It marks 60 years I’ve been a keyboardist., I started in Gospel but adding jazz to my style made me feel more expressive . I am in school learning theory,my teachers tell me that I play as if I were already trained musically.I’ve also been honored to play at cocktail hours and piano bar! I love jazz and hope to make a living playing it!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Happy B-day a little bit in advance Wilbur. That’s cool that you are doing cocktail gigs etc!

  • Wm Matt Harris

    I used to play jazz because it was fun, and, I wanted to impress the opposite sex…..but now I do it only because I love it…..got a wife, and have grown up…

    I believe also, that music study increases brain function…..the mental exercise is good for our heads.

    Have been playing since twelve years old,… and now am 62. You learn a lot in 50years,… but there’s more to it, even now, that I need to study. 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      50 years of music…wow that’s great!

  • Angelo

    I like the theory that supports the path to playing jazz. The theory alone, I find very intellectual. And applying it on the instrument, takes time, thought and practice. There are so many possibilities when playing jazz, that it makes me feel more self expressed, in a very unique way..

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Yeah it’s funny how the theory can actually open lots of doors of self expression.  Left braining opens the right brain and sometimes vice versa.

  • Dave

    I turned 60 recently, not that it iis particularly important, but I’ve played guitar (rock, classical, blues, etc) since I was 8. I took guitar lessons from Bill Thorpe (Dorsey band guitarist) in High School. My brother and I played top 40 music in bars and night clubs in the SF area in the early 70s. I’ve always played piano by ear. Recently, I was taking singing lessons (my brother was “the singer” in the family and he’s dead, so the position was open)- mostly jazz classics and bossa nova/Braziliian and wanted to do more accompaniment on the piano. I also compose but its more easy listening with some Floyd Cramer hammer-ons and major 7ths thrown in. So, to expand my ability and increase my creativity and the chance for commercial success, I’ve looked around for online help and FreeJazzLessons is a valuable resource. I’ve purchased Sibelius 7. I’m actually being able to transpose using roman numerals surprisingly quickly with Fake books and lead sheets. When I can play jazz chord progressions and improvise, I feel good and that ‘s what its all about.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Great point Dave. If music makes you feel good it inevitably has the same effect on others. 

      It’s funny you mention Floyd Cramer. I think the famous Floyd Cramer licks was the first piano lick I ever learned.

  • Nosliwed

    I find jazz improvisation intellectually challenging. In contrast to other musical genres, it avoids gratuitous noise and clutter. Thus the serious jazz person can focus on new horizons and new ideas. For keyboard players, there is the added challenge of chord voicing.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

       I agree in regards to the intellectual challenge. Jazz is a complete mind and body experience :)

  • Big Paulie

    Loved reading the other comments!!  Well, I find it wonderfully challenging!  Took up the keyboard at 58, I’m 65, have a great teacher.  Of course, the further one digs in, the more you realize how much you don’t know!!  But that can be the beauty of it.
    Now, specifically…in a million years I never thought I’d play a single measure of jazz, but here I am, this weeks lesson is :Foot Prints.
    I had a very dear friend who died about four years ago who asked me to learn a jazz song for him.  Still working on it.  And I find that, the very few times I play in front of small groups of friends, nothing evokes a “Holy_______ (fill in the blank)” reaction more than jazz. Hey, thanks for your great mini lessons.  I love that they are approachable and ‘bite size.”  

    So, let it flow through you, and shine it brightly….

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Paulie. I like your quote at the end. Footprints is a fun tune by the way. I like playing that one.

  • Alprido

    I want to play Jazz because the sound of the rhythm i’ts make me feel comportable. and above all, that i can’t play Jazz.. so i want to learn it.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      The rhythm is spirt moving isn’t it?

  • Jorge

    Hey Steve …. first you have a great happy birthday !! and # 2 I’d like to thank you 4 all this great lessons you have shared with us … your students …. I have being collecting lots of chords from your lessons, and they are very useful 4 the songs I play .. I start the piano 5 years ago from 0 and not necessary I got to be a Jazz player, many chords works great in classy rock, blues  or any other style, it works to me, and I do appreciate the time you take for all of us thank’s again my friend ….. Jorge here bye 4 now and  I wonder if you could teach us the song ( what a dereference a day made ?? can you ?? )       

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Jorge for the b-day wishes :) I’ll add that song to the possible future lessons.

  • Tan Soo Ching

    “If you can improvise, you are not a musician. You are only a copycat.” Improvisation is something from our heart now speeding or playing scales. So, I love jazz, play it, enjoy it.

  • Mark Brazil

    I play jazz because, i love the sound of chords.I love rhythm.
    Playing the piano is like magic,to me.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      It’s magic to me too Mark :)

  • Thomas Halfdan

    I am self-educated and have been playing the piano for some years now. I love to listen to jazz music but, I was never able to grasp how to play it. Your excellent jazz lessons have been an eye opener for me. I also play the piano accordion, so another goal for me is to be able to transfer the jazz sound to the accordion.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      That’s great Thomas. Would love to hear you play some of the material from the site on the accordion.

  • Tan Soo Ching

    Sorry for the spelling mistakes I made in my last commends. What I mean is:
     ”If you can’t improvise, you are not a musician. You are only a copycat.”
    Improvisation is something from our heart, not speeding or playing
    scales. So, I love jazz, play it, enjoy it.
    Actually while improvising we do make mistakes, but so what?

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I like your improvisational spirit and answer Tan Soo.

  • Panagope

    I learn jazz because there is a certain point that your music is quite standardized and clear / boring. Pop music, folk music, is baced on same chords. But jazz opens a new way to more complicated thinks so this is a challenge. I would like to play standard pop music in a more jazzy way, when my friends come to my house or i have the opportunity to play somewhere out.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Yeah, jazz can enrich other styles for sure. Great point.

  • Dante

    I play jazz because it’s beautiful–not only for me; but the listeners noticed it, too. There is something of a ‘WOW factor’ embedded in jazz music that make heads turn and people listen, even when they were not previously acquainted with the music.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      It is beautiful isn’t it Dante :)  

  • Reknes

    I play and learn jazz because I really want to improve my improvisation (so I easier can jam with my friends) and to have the ability to use all kinds of awesome chords when I need it when I compose. 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Great answer!

  • Tslater_1973

    I have recently returned to the piano after years of being primarily an acoustic guitar player and singer-songwriter. The deal I made with myself when I decided to re-take up piano was I would never again become complacent with my skill level and would constantly challenge myself to play better. There was no other place to start except with jazz. I’ve listened to jazz my entire life and never really understood how it all worked, but studying with Steve here in Chicago, it’s beginning to make a lot more sense. It is a lot of fun and extremely challenging, but it has enhanced my soloing, my touch and my rhythm. 

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      You’re sounding better and better every week. Very impressive.  Pleasure to teach you sir!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Barry-Miles/661943370 Barry Miles

    My love of the blues as a teenager lead me toward an interest in, and love of, jazz. This music has always been somewhat of a mystery but following these lessons has helped me to discover ways to better create these amazing sounds and to better appreciate the creations of other jazz musicians. Thanks Steve, and Happy Birthday!

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Barry for the b-day wishes. Very happy to have you as a member of the community here. Enjoy my friend!

  • Chris

    I think it might offer me the possibility of being me

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      I love that answer Chris.  I should put that up on the wall of my studio.

  • Parpata

    I learn to play piano jazz cause it is all I would like to do if I could.
    Happy birthday, Steve.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks Parpata. Very nice of you!

  • Peter Hawkins

    Happy Birthday Steve!! I just joined two days ago, and I can seriously say your obvious effort over the years and generosity with it on this site is the answer to my prayers. I have longed to play in a simple (very!) melodic jazz group of the John Lewis type (so not difficult right!?) and having just retired I feel your research and time-saving might just get me there. Unfortunately the internet is so slow out in the country where I am, it is almost impossible to follow what you are teaching on-line. I have ordered your Blues DVD in the hope that I can start by becoming the local Bill Evans Blues Boogie King! (though I think he was seventeen at the time!). Do you think you might consider producing a similarly introductory Jazz DVD with comping and solo starts, on say the twenty Great Standards that you mention on this site? Just a thought – I’m darn sure you’re busy enough! And very many thanks again,
    Peter Hawkins.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Thanks for the b-day wishes Paul and welcome to the site! We’re happy to have you here. I actually just mailed your blues DVD earlier today. Thanks and hope you love it!!

      Also, thanks for your inquiry about my jazz DVD. I’m actually going to be releasing one very very soon. 

      There’s going to be a TON of info on there…..chords, licks, tunes, in depth study of the  jazz legends, practice techniques, rhythmic concepts, improvisation lessons, and a lot more…….really the whole kitchen sink! 

      So, yes there is one coming. Stay tuned. Thanks again Paul and have a great weekend.

      • peterhawkins

        Hi Steve – thankyou for your fast posting – and on your Birthday!! – of your Blues DVD and the excellent news about your imminent Jazz DVD. FINALLY, I am going to sound so C-O-O-L !

  • Studentojazzkeys

    As a kid I played and loved the romance of being a player. I was influenced by Vince Guaraldi, then being a fan of the Peanuts specials on tv. Still a fan today as well as Bill Evans and so many modern performers as well as rock and pop, I asked myself this very question, and the answer is because jazz makes me happy. Jazz can relax me and pull me out of any funk I might be in and it’s the only music that does. So why do I play? Because its challenging, keeps my brain working and most of all I want to be able to give others the same enjoyment and joy I have from jazz.

  • Parpata

    First of all Happy birthday, Steve.
    I started to listen jazz at the end of the seventies. I used to help a friend in his bar and I listened bands as Return to forever and Weather Report there. I liked a lot that new sound and I got some records by Al di Meola, Chick Corea (I spent many hours listening his piano solos). Then -I have a couple of good friends Who are guitarist and I knew Django Reinhart and Stephan Grapelli. At that time I listened classic jazz bands too. In the 80′s one of my friends began to play with a pianist called Chano Dominguez and I enjoyed a lot watching so close how he played. So I decided to learn to play, and I did it but almost 20 years later.
    I learn for myself and looking for how Bill Evans got to sound so nice
    I found Steve’s website and I practice every day.
    Playing jazz is all I would do if I could. Thank you, Steve and have a good fun.
    Antonio

  • William Rogers7

    i have played guitar for 50yrs,always admired anyone playing piano!i’m still a gigging singer/guitarist.and got into jazz some years ago on guitar,always used nice jazzy chords….
    got a chance 2 1/2yrs ago when a 140yr old piano came my way.the theory was easily transfered,(however scant),now upgraded to a digital.absolutely love it! jazz gives me something to aim for whilst improving generally.always something to learn!
    your lessons are very useful and much apreciated.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Great story you shared William. 140 years old piano..wow!

  • Bob Wainess

    Here’s my comment.  I sing the jazz standards and I’ve been playing the chords in the books exactly as written and clomping on the root with the left hand for like 45 years!  I’m sick of it!  I want to learn two handed chord voicings, play piano with more finesse, play 9s and 13s naturally instead of stopping to count them etc.

  • David Beal

    Hey what’s up?! I’m really believing for a fresh start at playing jazz piano. I’m self taught but I praise God with my music. Inside I’m full of jazz but my fingers would disagree. I need help retraining my fingers…is this possible. If so I can’t. Wait to dig deep inside and find new inspiration. I love improving and can’t wait to be able to articulate what’s inside. Thanks …David

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Sounds like a great plan David. I look forward to hearing about your progress. Welcome to our community!

  • Leah

    I play jazz because I have big ambitions for my music. I love to play the piano i’ve been classically trained thus far and I feel playing jazz is me taking my own route through the music I love. I also want  to produce hip hop music and as jazz heavily influences hip hop I want to know what i’m doing when I do it. Thank you for this wonderful website!

  • Design Larry

    After years of rock and blues, I found that jazz is the most expressive form of music. There is nothing even close to the complex harmonies, rhythms, and melodic phrasing that flows in a good jazz tune. Cool or fusion jazz inspires me in a way that only musicians, or people with a deep appreciation of this art can understand. It’s like seeing color in a black and white world.

  • Ricardo_ortiztapia

    gracias profesor por la informacion que nos brinda gentilmente

    pregunta ,,,,, 

    que tipo de escalas  puedo utilizar ejemplo en el acorde de C mayor, que escalas funciona encima de el DO mayor,,,

    que escalas funcionan encima de re menor 7,

    que escalas funcionan encima de G7

    estas preguntas prof es por que quiero improvisar con unas pistas  y quiero aplicar de una manera correcta las escalas que encima de estos acordes funcionan con certeza,

    GRACIAS POR HACER UNA DE LAS MEJORES APORTACIONES MAS COMPLETAS ALA CIENCIA DEL JAZZ,,,,

  • Mark Carey

    What a great site, just what I am looking for. I am 54 and have been mostly a classical musician my whole life, mainly a trombonist. I want to study jazz to free me from just playing notes I read on the page. I played in a big band for several years, but I could not improv, mostly out of fear of doing something that didn’t sound good or did not fit the tune. I want to learn jazz piano to help me in my trombone playing. I also want to learn jazz voicings so I can add horn arrangements to any tune.

  • Harald

    It`s nice to be guided by the several sounding chords .
    It´s music for the moment

  • Julian Lambert

    Thanks so much for your site Steve. I am a classically trained pianist and music teacher. Currently out of work I am loving getting “into” jazz piano …and learning how to cook! Your site is just what I need. The iPad is on the piano and there you are giving me a jazz harmony lesson! Thank you so much.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Hi Julian. Thanks and welcome to the community. We’re all learning together here :) I hope the material here helps you get a new gig too!

  • Matt Harris

    Steve–Thank you so much. At the Univ. of Texas, Austin, 1975, my professor was Glen Daum…..you are reminding me of what he taught–plus ideas I missed from his patient lessons/teaching. Your efforts in this endeavor are much appreciated in Bossier City, La. Soon we’ll all be using Bill Evans inspired ideas.

    I play because I just have to. It is my theory that jazz playing,… can be an expression of joy or a reflection of one’s inner life.

  • Nathan House

    I am learning to play Jazz because I love this music. I want to be apart of something special and sacred, and share my learned skills to the world one day. I want to keep Jazz alive, and inspire other people like it inspired me.

    Specific enough?

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      Great answer Nathan and definitely specific enough :)

  • Piano Harry

    I’ve played jazz guitar for close to 40 years and I guess you could say I am fairly accomplished. At various times in my life I’ve been a professional musician and at other times I have had to do other things to keep the lights on.
    Then, about 18 months ago, I put the guitar away and took up piano. I can’t explain the reasoning behind my action. I am very capable of playing sophisticated music on the guitar and yet I have given this away in order to play fairly elementary music (at first anyway – getting better) on the piano.
    But here is the rub; I am enjoying playing like never before. And I am still a couple of years away from playing a gig, even as sideman playing simple music.
    The piano has given me a new lease on life when I was bone-weary tired and ready to throw in the towel.
    Thank you for starting and running this wonderful resource, this site.

    • http://www.freejazzlessons.com/ Steve Nixon (freejazzlessons)

      That’s a great story Harry. Glad the piano gave you a new lease on music ;) Enjoy it. It’s brought me a lot of joy.