Cocktail Piano Basics

Learn the essential foundations of cocktail piano with this beginner-friendly course. Using Fly Me to the Moon and Night and Day as learning tools, you'll explore core concepts such as introductions, accompaniment, soloing, and endings. These skills will help you build your own cocktail piano arrangements and develop a smooth, flowing style.

The course breaks down key techniques like left-hand accompaniment, swing rhythm, and reharmonization. You’ll also discover multiple ways to interpret and arrange jazz standards, allowing you to mix and match different approaches for a personalized sound. A dedicated lesson on practice strategies ensures that you make the most of your learning experience.

Ideal for pianists who want to get started with cocktail piano, this course provides step-by-step guidance to help you create elegant, professional-sounding arrangements.

The Key Elements of Cocktail Piano Playing

Cocktail piano is all about creating smooth, stylish arrangements that feel effortless and natural. This course introduces the essential techniques you need to develop a strong foundation in cocktail piano, starting with classic jazz standards like Fly Me to the Moon and Night and Day.

One of the first steps is learning how to structure an arrangement by focusing on introductions, accompaniment, soloing, and endings. These elements work together to create a well-rounded performance that keeps your playing interesting. Another key skill covered in the course is left-hand accompaniment—whether using walking bass, stride, or shell voicings, the left hand plays a crucial role in setting the feel of a piece.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to take a lead sheet and transform it into a polished cocktail piano arrangement. Whether you’re playing for yourself or for an audience, these techniques will help you sound confident and sophisticated at the piano.

Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
Yes! This course is designed for those who are new to cocktail piano and want to build a solid foundation.

Will I learn how to improvise?
Yes, the course covers basic soloing techniques to help you create your own melodies over chord changes.

Do I need to read sheet music?
Some basic music-reading skills are helpful, but the course emphasizes learning by ear and applying concepts in a practical way.

Can I use these techniques for other jazz standards?
Absolutely! The skills learned in this course can be applied to many different cocktail piano songs and jazz standards.