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Why do many classical pianists look down on jazz pianists?
What I wrote is based on my observation and opinion.
I've never seen a classical pianist say nice thing about jazz piano music. They say things that imply that jazz is somehow more inferior music than classical music. Yet, I also almost never or rarely see any classical pianist improvise or care to learn improvisation. And in all case, if a pianist is into improvisation, usually they're making transition towards jazz from classical. It's well-known that improvisation in classical music is a lost art.
If I generalize classical pianists usually have better technique and sight-reading than jazz pianists but they play music written by someone else all the time and do not know how to create and improvise. To be straightforward, I think many classical players are insecure about their inability to improvise and re-harmonize on the spot. I think that's enough reason to stop being arrogant and condescending towards jazz musicians. At least this has been my observation. I'd appreciate thoughts and comments.
Thanks.
Thanks for all the comments. Little bit of more details. Well, writing cadenzas and improvisation is different. Improvisation is spontaneous composition done on the spot where as cadenzas are written. I might add that not all jazz players are good improvisers. Many players in pop orchestras and big bands may read well but most of them don't improvise according to my experience and other musicians. I think another great example of all-around musicianship would be Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton. He was classically trained but was a major influence in the early jazz. He mostly stuck to his compositions but could improvise and create different variations of his compositions on the fly. Some other great player came to my mind: Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Erroll Garner.
4 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Well.. I was trained as a classical pianist, but by the time I was 13 I realized there was a lot more MONEY and a much BETTER FUTURE to be playing COMMERCIALLY and I loved Jazz, so it was a marriage made in musical heaven.
When the clasical pianists look down their noses at you.. just point out the YOU ARE WORKING REGULARLY and ask when the last time they played to a SRO crowd of about 60,000 was... then play one of the 8 or 10 difficult CLASSICAL PIECES that you have memorized to use for just such an occasion.
- KabLv 71 decade ago
You definitely hang around a different group of classical players than I do. Almost all of those I know can play jazz and enjoy doing it. They also write and play their own cadenzas.
I think you have developed a prejudice against classical players, even though you give them credit for technique.
Source(s): 50+ years as a professional musician - Captain Jack ®Lv 71 decade ago
They are either total classical music snobs or have never heard of Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Claude Thornhill or Keith Emerson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQIobg0BwU&feature...
xx
- Anonymous5 years ago
Go for it! Its not that hard once you know your notes and rhythm you will go with the flow...just keep on practicing and hey buy some jazz piano books and practice everyday...if you had it in you no sweats ok...good luck! I know you will make it through!
