3 Ways to Sound Jazzy on the Piano

There’s nothing quite like jazz piano. It’s both sophisticated and relaxed, with just a dash of swagger. So how do you get that authentic jazzy sound on the piano? Lounge pianist and YouTube sensation Sangah Noona is here to show you three easy techniques to get you started: bass walking, comping rhythm, and tensions. Don’t forget to the download the PDF resource for this lesson:

DOWNLOAD SHEET MUSIC PDF

#1. Bass Walking

Main lesson: How to Play a Walking Bass Line on the Piano

A walking bass on our left hand adds groovy forward momentum to our playing. When you’re bass walking, just remember this simple pattern:

1 – 2 – 3 – 5

These numbers represent the degrees of the chords you’re playing. In other words, you’re playing the first, second, third, and fifth notes of the chord.

#2. Adding Tensions

Jazz is all about tensions. Tensions are created when we extend chords past their triad form. A common way to do this is to add a seventh and/or ninth to a chord. These are called chord extensions.

For example, this is an F chord with extensions:

Not everyone can reach all these notes with one hand. And sometimes, it’s nicer to voice these notes with more space between them. So Sangah plays this chord like this:

Left Hand

Right Hand

Practice this voicing a few times. Or experiment around with the notes to create your own voicing.

When adding extensions, just remember these two rules:

If it’s a major chord, add a major seventh (or major ninth, eleventh, etc.).
If it’s a minor chord, add a dominant seventh (or ninth, eleventh, etc.). In other words, a minor seventh.

Now that you’re comfortable with the concepts of tension and bass walking, try playing them together!

#3. Comping Rhythm

It’s time to get really jazzy! You may know that jazz is all about that swing. Our final ingredient is a simple swing comping rhythm.

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of counting, it looks like this:

But we recommend just getting a feel for the rhythm. Maybe clap it a few times.

…And once you do get that swing, add your left hand bass walking! Now your playing should sound totally jazzy 🎷

Keep practicing. Eventually, you’ll be able to play the melody on top with your right hand, your walking bass in your left, and your chord comping in the spaces between.

Learn More With Sangah Noona

Enjoyed this lesson with Sangah Noona? A real Renaissance woman, she has a full course on expanding your musical style in the Pianote Members Area. Not sure if you want to be a Member yet? Enjoy a free trial for seven days. Happy playing!

TRY PIANOTE

Charmaine Li is a Vancouver writer who has played piano for over 20 years. She holds an Associate diploma (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music and loves writing about the ways in which music—and music learning—affects the human experience. Charmaine manages The Note. Learn more about Charmaine here.