Greetings Kent. I'm 81 years old and have a shelf full of self-help books and tapes i've used over the years to learn to understand and play jazz piano. I'd almost given up trying 'til I found your most interesting and instructional videos. I've watched and listened to my favourites, my idols, over the years like Peterson, Brubeck, Shearing, Evans, Garner etc, but could never quite grasp what they were doing. But now I know, thanks to your friendly and informative approach to the subject. You are a fine musician and teacher. I'll keep watching and learning. Thank you.

Ken, I am a self-taught pianist and was writing songs long before I knew what I was doing. Entering your world has been challenging and thrilling. You have opened so many new avenues for me to explore. I am 86 years old and my fingers don't move so quickly, but I am really enjoying the ride. Your book is my constant companion on this journey.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Ron, thanks for the heartfelt complement ...I'm very grateful.

Hi Kent! I am a cuban musician living in Europe with more than 20 years working with people from every part of the world but let me tell you something. YOU ARE A GENIUS! because you explain the core of the jazz in a very easy and relaxed way. PLEASE DON'T CHANGE! YOU MAKE MY DAYS! Thanks for sharing your time and your knowledge with us!!! Regards!!!

@KentHewittpiano88

6 жыл бұрын

Hey Algarve, with your heritage and musician experiences your comment is most appreciated and very generous. I'm happy I can do this and pass on some of my knowledge, and I learn from the practice and preparation required for each video. So thank you, and we are brothers!

THIS IS THE "CITY OF GOLD" FOR PIANO PLAYING ! WHAT A GREAT VIDEO KENT ! YOU ARE THE REAL THING BROTHER ! KEEP THE FAITH ALWAYS MAN !

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

STEVE, IF WE DON'T HANG OUT SOON, I___ ___ ____ ____ ___ (KNOW WHAT I MEAN?)

Anyone who has given a dislike needs a kick up the butt as your method of teaching and initial quotes from your friends are pure gold so keep it up Kent and ignore those fools who have shown their ignorance. Cheers

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Robert, you're the best. I try not to think negative about the thumbs down, sort of like if someone insults you...you can't take it too personally, otherwise you suffer.

I think you summed up nicely how a non formally trained musician can often times be the better or mor creative improvisers. Seeing, hearing or playing music as a common universal language versus completing a static performance written on a piece of sheet music and then having either the audience or you giving it a binary grade like pass/fail is a BIG part of it. A musician, composer, composition or performamce that connects with the audience emotionally is something that is simply self-evident. It just IS. Its not a letter grade. Being loose and relaxed and not fearing playing "wrong notes" is what loosens and relaxes you. The catch and obligation for the musician is to consciously work towards the goal of playing exactly what you are trying to emote or say therefore a love of practicing.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I agree totally and thanks for sharing your insights! You have to enjoy practicing...without a doubt...but then there's progress...the reward.

@philburpalooza8

7 жыл бұрын

Yes sir. P.S I saw another one of your clips where you tell your life's story about how you consciously took the risk of an uncertain (and at times I imagine difficult times) future in music by trading in the comfortable shackles of a career with the Rothschild's and became a full-time musician. Stories don't get much more inspiring for musicians than that. I KNEW we connected on a level deeper than just my admiration for a great piano player and generous instructor. YOU BEAT THE SYSTEM!! Plus you see through all the pretentiousness of substance-abusing musicians who think THAT is what makes them 'artistic' or 'talented'. God bless you brother...

Once again - wonderful stuff! I think you've got the balance between fun & serious content pretty spot-on. Many thanks - I appreciate all the hard work you put into these. Gives me loads of inspiration to keep practising.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Mark...I really appreciate your spot-on perception. Anyone who understands that dichotomy part of my picture...knows me. So you are my buddy...thanks!

Hi Ken. This a great channel. You are a wonderful player and teacher. Thanks for sharing these lessons :)

Fantastic video, thank you so much for this! You really add that special insight that makes both playing and listening to jazz even more enjoyable!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Knut, that's a great comment..... and keeps me going ....many thanks!

Thank you ken! You make it a joy to learn!

@KentHewittpiano88

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

“That’s what classical composers do.” Hahaha That cracked me up! Great playing and reharmonizations!

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

I don't remember when I said that or in what context. Tell me the meter reading and I can look it up. Thanks!

@greggrispart1807

4 жыл бұрын

It started at 11:28. You had said, “You just can’t keep meandering into other keys. That’s what classical composers do...” haha I’m a classically trained clarinetist turned jazz saxophonist and quasi pianist so I totally got the joke. Just listen to Mahler or Brahms and there it is lol. Anyway brilliant playing and teaching.

Who on earth would give this gentleman a thumbs down? Great video(s). I'm glad I've discovered you. Thanks for sharing!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thank, Lars, can't please everyone all the time. I appreciate your support!

Thank you so much for everything you do Kent...you've greatly improved my playing with these free educational videos, and I really enjoyed the "Time on my hands" album. keep up the good work -Julian (an aspiring filmmaker and jazz player)

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Great comment... and special thanks for buying my CD. That puts you on the top of the list of elite fans...keep aspiring and keep at it!

Funny. I always watch your videos at night or afternoon, and you're always recording at this time too. Now I've watched at 11 am, very sunny, and it's a sunny video

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

That's so cool...so I guess we are "in synch". Thanks for writing and cheers!

Great lesson !! again !! as Usual !!!!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment!

Thanks Mr Hewitt for all your Videos, You really Help me to Learning more about this amaizing Jazz Lenguaje... Greatings From Venezuela..

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for writing and I'm glad to help!

Totally hooked..thanks arn't enough!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your telling me!

Class act man. All your quips are great! I see the connection to your playing style. Ive learned so much. Big thanks jedi

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Cool cat!...just shows you are so cool...and that when I thought my life was a failure ...all of a sudden, with a little work, we all can be resurrected! Thanks, bro...you are my buddy...please write to me again and keep in touch. (you have a boat?)

@boatsbeats

7 жыл бұрын

Haha nah man its just a name... We all have those thoughts. You are helping people all over the world. And spreading the good vibe. The filming/editing and sound are really good. I spread your shit to all my piano homies. Were all gaming up tough. I really just wish I could have seen your videos years ago! Cheers mango

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Boss! ...I appreciate your good vibes...be cool!

Hey, love all videos you make and I learn a lot. Keep it up

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

wow Kent amazing tutorial, i really learned something today, also with your book! great progressions! best regards Henning

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Henning! I appreciate your ordering my book ...because with the videos and website scores you have the my best personal picture, next a good private teacher.

Great lesson !!I wanted to be able to play jazz Improvisation.Thank you so much!!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

So nice to hear from you again. Sorry for the delay, I need help. Please check out all my vids on jazz improv and please send me questions, I'd be very happy to answer anytime. kzread.info/head/PLFuMibnl_h5bA7Um3IZ38R1kelnoRTPYc

Great video ken - I really enjoy the repartee while actually learning something!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment ...especially the repartee part.

love your videos! I listen to them on my way to work from Accra Ghana!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

That's a cool thing!

Yes these are great concepts!!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I appreciate the affirmation!

A video I understood relatively well. Im still busy with the Noah Bearman jazz book, still in the beginner section. But your videos are always informative even if I don't understand everything yet it still helps me get motivated to keep practicing.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I'm glad that I can motivate. Please check out my list and you can select the easier videos to start. kzread.info/dron/dmjw5sm9Kn83TB_rA_QBCw.htmlplaylists

Your videos are great !

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!!

Man, that is then nicest return comment and I am very pleased you wrote it to me. I think when you say something quotable, it is like when you improvise using language, like you do when you improvise on your instrument. I will follow the link to see what you mean by a good source of RagTime. Thanks again.

@KentHewittpiano88

6 жыл бұрын

A good quote is like an awesome lick that you improvise (planned or unplanned). Some things come out from the masters that I think they must have planned that ahead,

pra mim o MELHOR do MUNDO!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Very nice compliment....many thanks!

Another great video. So happy to find your channel. What a great resource. Thanks so much for doing this. p.s. I think that intro comes from the end of the iconic Hampton Hawes Trio Vol. 1. recording but could be wrong

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

The intro music is from my CD "Time On My Hands"... available on CD Baby. Thanks for the support!

@nickrees4706

7 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I meant the opening bars of the improvisation at 0:53-1:03 with the sharp 9th chords except in his outro he doesn't repeat but keeps going down.

Kent your lead on this song was mesmerising. Yes presenting your personality plus does help I'm sure. An occasional judgemental type may appear on your channel and pass remarks but I'm quite sure most students like a little lightening up before entering into the study mode and you do have a natural spontaneous way of presenting your videos (unlike BBC and others who sound pompous, canned or pretentious.....so keep it up and it will always delight, as long as you are also enjoying the process.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Angeli...Thanks for the affirmation.....I believe if I'm not having some fun and others aren't telling me that they enjoy it...then there's no reason to be doing this. You always have thoughtful and beautifully expressed statements...you must be a writer?

@angelialvares

7 жыл бұрын

well songwriters are writers of a sort and luckily the Nobel Prize Committee recognising this finally awarded the 2016 Prize for Literature to Bob Dylan so appropriately. Was really happy to hear that on the news today!

A never-ending refinement in being able to articulate emotions or ideas musically... improving technically or pedagogically or having a deeper knkwledge of music theory, rhythm etc... If its something you find fun or interesting rather than rote work you'll stay motivated to keep playing..

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing the wisdom!

I really appreciate your videos. I wanted to be able to play jazz for a while but never seems to figure it out :p

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I'm glad I could help out. Thanks!

The lesson is great as always. I am looking forward to new videos. Btw, your book really helps to make things clearer. There is quite a lot to learn. =) I am not sure if it is ok to make a request. But it is really interesting how the polychord system works. What I mean is you can add upper extensions to chords and you can think of it like it is, let's say, Eb#11. but on the other hand you can think of it as two triads Eb + F as well. And, as I understand, this approach can be used to create interesting lines in improvistaion. Though it looks quite complicated. Probably you would consider it an interesting topic and make a lesson one day.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, that's an interesting concept that I have thought about making a video of. So thanks for the request....I will start planning something. I hope you will find some good information in the book. Thanks so much!

yes, you crack me up with every intro :D

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

That's the best compliment to me of all...so we are buddies!

@Hamppzah

7 жыл бұрын

Kent Hewitt It has been written in stone!

@Hamppzah

7 жыл бұрын

By the way: what is your right hand playing at the turn-around to the solo @ 1:51? It's a very satisfying flow of notes

A fine tutorial!! :p

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment!

Aha! I see INS finally 'ran down' Altered Dominant Ego Man. (Enjoyable and informative lesson, as always!)

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Hey, Max, I've been looking for a car so I'm MAXXED out. What is INS? I need a little help (can you believe I'm actually human!?)

@MaxTooney

7 жыл бұрын

'INS' as in Immigration and Naturalization Service. With Altered Dominant Ego Man's pasty appearance, I figured he probably entered the country illegally from Canada.

The intro's are great! Also, some stories would be nice :)

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them ...I have stories on my intros...but thanks for the suggestion!

@MeanHacker

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I like when you talk about your performance experience... like the one time when the singer was telling you to play correctly or something like that, that was hilarious hahaha :) Also, I really enjoy when you just play or improvise. It's good to learn from because it gives us good ideas on how to improvise :) have you considered doing a "Kent's improv channel"? would be an interesting idea

Bach taps on your shoulder....waits a second and says: god damn it Kent give me a whisky and teach me this shit!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Ha Ha! We're in synch!

Hey Kent, I assure you that the editing is fine for me, and anything that makes it easier for you to keep knocking out these hugely useful videos at such an impressive pace is a good thing. Tons of great stuff in just 24 minutes of my time, but hours of your time . In this video, at one point you said (roughly) "just gain total technical mastery of the instrument, and then let the improv flow". Right....I'l get back to you on that in a couple of days!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

David, those are great words and very kind of you to tell me. I really appreciate it when you tell me that you got into the lesson in depth and that you understand what I'm trying to do. That's affirming to me. Thanks!

@Gerard_2024

6 жыл бұрын

"just gain total technical mastery of the instrument..." Oscar Peterson must have listened closely to your advice !

thank you so much for 'all the videos you star (in)' - see what I did there? rubbish I know...seriously though you are a very generous and talented young man!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks ...especially the young part! Keep watching.

I have been listening to a lot of ragtime. Maybe sometime you could do a lesson on the progressions and what makes ragtime be ragtime? “Talking is easier then playing the piano, but for me sometimes playing the piano is easier than talking“ Pretty snazzy words, Kent. I like them. You definitely had some good “notch kicking”. there. 😎

@KentHewittpiano88

6 жыл бұрын

Kerry, you always have the coolest comments. I'm glad that sometimes I say something that someone finds "quotable".... because I'm mostly talking off the top of my head. I'll send it back to you that your "notch kicking" is worth quoting...can I use it? Regarding ragtime,.... before I had a 5th finger right hand problem I used to play a lot of ragtime, Joplin, Joseph Lamb, Fats Waller, etc. It's a great way to build your chops and learn good composition (melody, harmony, and rhythm), a kind of definitive piano technique. Since I'm no authority, I'll pass that on to the experts on KZread. Here's one: kzread.info/dash/bejne/en-NuMqwY6inn8o.html

Kent I've notice that jazz players don't seem to worry at all about keeping the thumb of the black keys which seems to help in classical I could see it be a hindrance in blues and jazz.. can you comment on that.

Hi Kent. Thank you for yet another great Video! You have at least one fan in Germany. :) You said Horace Silver is a good example for these connected, melody ideas in improvisation. Do you have a recommendation which CD of him i could hear or dig into this topic? Do you have some kind of personal "all time classic" album?

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Oh, wow, thanks! What an interesting question! For Horace Silver....I would go with "Blowing The Blues Away". You have Amazon... right? We have Prime so it comes in one day. You will love this recording! Please write to me your favorite jazz artists and I will tell you my personal favorite recordings, ....if I can!

@elpis9852

7 жыл бұрын

An old Friend said to me "if you wanna play Jazz you have to listen Jazz". That was 15 years ago, when i started to play the trumpet. So i began to listen to the great trumpeters. But i never really paid attention to the pianists and what they are doing. Now, that i start to play the piano i have to realign my focus. You gave me a great starting point for this with H. Silver and B. Evans. I will listen to them (and with the help of your videos understand them a little bit better). Thank you, Sir! Keep on! :)

also your locked hands sound a lot like Bill Evans Great Sound!

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

George Shearing really mastered it, but Bill Evan's definitely used it as well as everything else possible.

I love your Bill Evans concepts and I immideately got the Em7 A7 concept because I knew it from Aebersold so by listening I got what you did most things also I love your A dim going to Bbm7 at the ending the barry harris/Bill Evans concept, I love this lick also on Fm7 Ab C Eb F# G even better on Bbm7 becaue the B the blue note of the main Key is there I love such things! I loved you G Eb C Ab A Gb F on Fm minor sounds Tremendous good...if people take you films in the right following order you bring them to this point...really I know it is the so..A FRIEND OF MINE (Lindert-Holland) he is autodidact you taught him a lot!!! believe me! pointed me at you I know you only for two years...

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. My Beginner Playlist videos go in order of difficulty or subject matter. I'm glad that I'm having self taught people learn from my videos, so thanks for that.

Delicious!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment!

thanks for such great content. I'm just now getting into jazz and these videos are heavy with terminology and are fast-paced for me, which is a great thing because I learn best when diving in the deep end. Is there a way to donate to you either on here or on your website? Also, you mentioned you do private lessons, and I know this video is older, but do you still do them? Where are you located? Thanks again for spreading such great information for free.

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words. I'm in CT, USA but you can find my complete list of videos here: kzread.info/dron/dmjw5sm9Kn83TB_rA_QBCw.htmlplaylistsAlso check out my free score downloads on my website. Thanks for the affirmations!

is that intro the same as last time? ah you reposted the videos sir?

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

This is a repeat of a previously posted video. If you've already seen it, than you can skip it. But many subscribers have not seen it. I think it's a good one, so I'm trying to expose it to other people that could benefit.

@heavynov

7 жыл бұрын

New subscriber [couple of days] here, glad you reposted it :-) Love your channel, looking forward to having more time delving into it and learning. Thank you for the great videos!

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

There you go! You just gave me a affirmation and I'm grateful...thanks!

I would suggest to play in stead of the Emaj7 the Dbmaj7 G#(Ab enharmonic) meleodie tone and than play the riff of the intro going to C7#9, I am surprised that nobody is playing this nice riff during it makes knitting together the intro and the Theme Like Glue

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

Are you referring to the Emaj7 that's at the end of the bridge? I think I see your point because the next chord is a C7 alt to take us back to Fm. The Emaj only makes sense because of what precedes it.

I would be interested to read that article........

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

That was a humorous quote I read, then I made up the article bit.

Other suggestion would be with exact your alterations to play just right befor Dbmaj7 on the off beat: B7 #9 b13 A D G right hand

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

I read it, thanks!

on dominants I would suggest this Lick: 1 4 b5 maj7 8 5 #4 b2 it mirrors again a bit the sphere of the intro Lick, maybe nice to throw it in once or twice during a solo...maybe once is enough!

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion.

It would maybe nice to do a video with more steps: the chorus with Root notes in the bass and shell vocings R hand would be maybe a nice thing for beginners also lick like Eb g A C# on Dominants instead of too difficult altered scale and maybe 10 steps later introduce the aleterd scale...or octatonic on the dim

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks again for your ideas.

could you show us a couple of runs? :)

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Do you mean write them out? We'll be more on that in the future.

Hey Kent, can I assume there is little pedaling going on here?

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

I use the pedal if it helps to smooth things out ...more legato. But it takes practice to get it just right.

Also altered scale with bebop tone is nice: -Eb E F# G A B Db D -Eb D Db B A G F# E -Eb Eb grooves like smooking banana's

@KentHewittpiano88

4 жыл бұрын

It's like a super lydian with the leading tone added...nice!

Came here to see the intro xD

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment!

36 bars

@KentHewittpiano88

6 жыл бұрын

I've hung out in more than that!! (Great American Songbook.)

@mdmellis

6 жыл бұрын

LOL Most of us jazz cats have too. BTW, that intro was originally used in a Billy Eckstine tune called "Good Jelly Blues." Dizzy was the arranger and creator of this intro. He calls it a parody of the Rachmaninoff' Piano Prelude in C-Sharp Minor (starts with the first 3 notes A G# C#). I think Charlie Parker was the first to use it on ATTYA. Thanks for all the vids!

Don't apologise for making fun of classical players ;). Jazz has the benefit of a few centuries of music theory development ;).

@KentHewittpiano88

7 жыл бұрын

That's hypothetical if Bach really said that... or was misquoted for the joke factor. I think jazz theory goes back to the early 1900's, although it borrows from western European tradition.

Yeah, the breaks in train of thought / editing doesn't bother me either.

@KentHewittpiano88

5 жыл бұрын

That's helpful to me, thanks!