Jazz Piano Tutorial: Just Struttin’ Along by Martha Mier

Just Struttin’ Along can be learned in the top selling book “Jazz, Rags, & Blues: 10 Original Pieces for the Late Elementary to Early Intermediate Pianist,” Book 1 by Martha Mier. o Also, found in Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults, book 1, pp. 344-345. o It is a terrific, jazzy piece appropriate for later beginner pianists. (I teach this piece within my 2nd semester of class piano at the university where I teach.) - Learning and performing music in the jazz style can help the pianist develop many excellent skills. o Jazz music’s rhythm is unique, with swung notes, syncopations, and some occasional challenging rhythms, which require careful counting. o The harmonies and melodies are colorful, often full of accidentals, and fuller chords, which helps develop note reading skills and an understanding of theory and harmony. o Jazz music is also full of an array of articulations (accents, staccatos, slurs), which are often different between the hands, which is great for developing hand independence. o Lastly, jazz music is uniquely marked by its inclusion of improvisation or creating music. Accordingly, jazz pieces should have a relaxed and spontaneous feeling. These terrific piano skills learned in jazz music can then be transferred to other styles of music. A study of jazz music can even help a pianist perform Classical style pieces with more precision and expression. Chapters: 00:00 Demo 00:57 Introduction 03:03 Rhythm, Bronson musical learning pyramid 06:54 Note...