Search - Andy Laverne's Guide to Jazz Piano, Vol. 1 and 2 on DVD

Difficult academic way to learn jazz

James R. Anstey | Melbourne, Australia | 02/28/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I must say that this DVD (DVD 1) has not helped me at all to learn jazz piano and I find it unnecessarily complicates the process.

The DVD is obviously somewhat dated, with a very 80s look from the presenter.

My background is in classical piano (some years ago and rusty), and jazz guitar.

Andy Laverne's way of explaining jazz is to start with all the modes of the scale. The process is for him to play C ionian, C dorian, C phrygian etc etc. and run through these rapidly, playing different chords underneath. I find his approach very academic, impractical and quite unnatural. I have been playing jazz guitar for some years and have seen others explain this in a far more natural, less academic style (eg jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno) that actually translates into making sounds and music.

I have tried to study using this DVD several times but it really does not work for me at all, and I was unable to get beyond 20 minutes into it. I don't know- maybe it improves later on, but I could not persist. Maybe others who like to intellectualise the process will enjoy this, if they are the "mathematician" style of jazz player.

Rather than this DVD, I would recommend Warren Bernhardt's series of Jazz Piano DVDs which are taught in a far more musical, practical, and enjoyable way by a charismatic musician."