chord progressions

[rjarsenault1101]

so in jazz band practice today, I got called out for not playing right. and then he played piano for the band, and then taught me a few things about not having to play inside the chords, and not having to play what's on the page. but... the one thing I don't get is why it always sounds horrible when I play like that? I don't get it! can someone give some like guidelines on how to play? the page shows the chords, they just never sound right when I play them.

[ajspiano]

so in jazz band practice today, I got called out for not playing right. and then he played piano for the band, and then taught me a few things about not having to play inside the chords, and not having to play what's on the page. but... the one thing I don't get is why it always sounds horrible when I play like that? I don't get it! can someone give some like guidelines on how to play? the page shows the chords, they just never sound right when I play them.

Give a specific example of a chord progression and explain what you would normally play.

[rjarsenault1101]

ok. the line is Gm7 for 2 bars, Dm for 2 bars, Gm7 for 2 bars, Dm for 2 bars, Ebmaj7 for 2 bars, Abmaj7 for 2 bars. and I'd usually play the notes on the page, but he doesn't want me to do that any more, he want's me to follow the chords, and play my own style,  but all I know how to do is play what's on the page.

[ajspiano]

ok. the line is Gm7 for 2 bars, Dm for 2 bars, Gm7 for 2 bars, Dm for 2 bars, Ebmaj7 for 2 bars, Abmaj7 for 2 bars. and I'd usually play the notes on the page, but he doesn't want me to do that any more, he want's me to follow the chords, and play my own style,  but all I know how to do is play what's on the page.

OK.

Start by working on some different chord "voicings" (which incase you don't understand, just means different combinations of the notes that make up that chord).

So you're in a band? like a big band kinda thing? You probably have a bass player which means the root of the chord is going to be managed by him/her and you don't need to worry about it. So with that in mind construct your chords initially with the 3rd and 7th..

So in the progression wrote, thats like this..

For Gm7 - Bb and F
For EbM7 - G and D
for AbM7 - C and G

The Dm is trickier because you didnt give any more harmony and I don't know exactly what key you're in..  but its probably F and C, but its possible that the tune has some alteration that will effect the chord, especially on the 5th, 9th, 13th etc.

Note also that these 3rd and 7ths I've listed can be reversed, so it could be 7th and 3rd instead.. use both options so you dont have to jump around all over the piano.

...

Play the 3/7 part in the LH.

In the RH, play other chord tones, such as 5th, 9th and root. Experiment with different options, see what you like the sound of.

Generally, you're LH will play in the octave below middle C, and the RH the one above middle C.

....

Now, rhythm.

Below is an image with a whole bunch of rhythm patterns. They are not necessarily ideal for comping, but they will get you to play your chords in a lot of different ways.. Consider them to either be swing OR straight. Practice both. Practice combining them, so rather than endlessly repeating one, you do one then another, then another etc..



EDIT:
..here are some more basic ones

[rjarsenault1101]

Play the 3/7 part in the LH.

In the RH, play other chord tones, such as 5th, 9th and root. Experiment with different options, see what you like the sound of.

Generally, you're LH will play in the octave below middle C, and the RH the one above middle C.

first off, it's in the key of F, so good judgement!

so for the 3/7 part you mean like the Bb and F for Gm7, and the other ones like that?
and what do you mean by the 5th 9th and root?

[ajspiano]

first off, it's in the key of F, so good judgement!

If its in F there is obviously some complications, Eb and Ab don't fit into F. Unless its F minor? but then Gm7 doesnt fit.

so for the 3/7 part you mean like the Bb and F for Gm7, and the other ones like that?
and what do you mean by the 5th 9th and root?

Lets assume Fmajor for a second, and use Gm7 to explain.

Gm7 is derived from the G dorian scale in this instance, which is F major begining on G.

Here's the scale, I've bolded the basic chord tones (the root, 3rd and 7th - consider that every scale degree has a number, so E for example is number 6, or the 6th - "A" is the 9th [count into the second octave])
G A Bb C D E F G A Bb etc.

So, LH plays the 3rd and 7th, Bb and F, above that the right hand plays some combination of other degress. Minor 7 chords can sound pretty "full" if you use more than the 5th/root or 9th..  (where as dominant 7ths sound great with all sort of crazy extra notes and alterations).

So..

RH - A, D, G. (9th, 5th, root)
LH - Bb, F (3rd, 7th)

Or for another visualisation..

G
D
A
F
(middle C is here - though we are not playing it)
Bb

..use the pedal and play a low G with this to get a gauge of how it will sound in context.

[ajspiano]

Also, take a look here..

These are tailored to guitar, but they will work on piano.. it should give you some ideas about different ways to voice chords that will make it sound like you know what you're doing so far as jazz.

There's a lot to learn though to be really good at this stuff

https://www.jazzguitar.be/II-V-I-VI-chord-progressions.html

[rjarsenault1101]

ok. I get it, but at the same time I don't get it... I just... ugh I don't know what I don't know. does that make sense?
so, say I just used the 4 notes in the Gm7 chord, have my left hand play the G down an octave, and then my right hand play the Bb, D, and F in varying places/rhythms. does that work?

[ajspiano]

ok. I get it, but at the same time I don't get it... I just... ugh I don't know what I don't know. does that make sense?
so, say I just used the 4 notes in the Gm7 chord, have my left hand play the G down an octave, and then my right hand play the Bb, D, and F in varying places/rhythms. does that work?

Whatever sounds good works.

Typically in a "band" situation, such as a big band or a trio or anything like that there is someone playing either a bass guitar or double bass. Their entire job is to do what you are saying you want to do with the LH.

Normally as a solo pianist we are use to playing everything, rhythm, accompaniment, melody..   in jazz ensembles the pianist is just one part of a "rhythm section". You have to listen to the other musicians and play your small part..  which is most of the time just going to be little chord "jabs" here and there.. 

have a look at this video.. I havent actually watched it, but just skimming through it looks as though its going to explain and demonstrate what I'm getting at, and using chord voicings like the one I was explaining above.

If its easier for you to think in root position voicings like you explained (just G - Bb D F) thats fine, do it that way with the band for now..  work on this stuff in your own time to get better at it.. It will make you sound much more like you know what you're doing and probably what like what your teacher did.