Jazz Piano Technique & Runs: Mastering Essential Clichés

Welcome to this lesson on jazz piano technique, where we explore fundamental technical exercises, cliches, and runs that will enhance your fluency on the piano. This session is designed to provide a solid foundation in hand coordination, finger positioning, and common jazz licks that can be incorporated into your improvisation.

Building a Strong Technical Foundation

Before diving into fast runs and jazz clichés, it’s crucial to have a strong technical base. This includes mastering scales, chord arpeggios, and proper fingering. A key principle to remember is avoiding the thumb on black keys whenever possible—use fingers 2, 3, and 4 for black keys to maintain a natural hand shape.

The Jazz Keys

Certain keys appear more frequently in jazz standards. Barry Harris referred to the "jazz keys" as the major keys found in the Ab major scale:

• Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G and their relative minors (F-, G-, A-, Bb-, C-, D-, E-)

Mastering scales and arpeggios in these keys will make navigating jazz repertoire much easier.

Mastering Spread Voicings & Arpeggiation

One of the most effective ways to create fluid and impressive jazz lines is by arpeggiating voicings across the keyboard. This technique, sometimes referred to as "voicing perpetuation," involves taking a chord voicing and running it up the keyboard in octaves.

For example, using drop 2 voicings on a ii-V-I in C Major:

• D-7 → G7 → Cmaj7
• Arpeggiate each voicing up the keyboard to create a flowing, pianistic sound

This technique can be applied to any voicing, including Kenny Barron-style quartal voicings or upper-structure triads.

Common Jazz Piano Runs & Clichés

The Monk Run

A signature Thelonious Monk run is based on pentatonic movement and can be heard in his arrangement of ‘Round Midnight. In Eb Major, this classic run moves in descending patterns, emphasizing strong harmonic tones while maintaining a loose, swinging feel.

Sixth Chord Variations

Barry Harris frequently used minor 6th chords as a substitute for dominant chords. For example:

• D-6 (D, F, A, B) can also function as a G7 altered
• This concept allows for smooth, chromatic passing chords and fluid right-hand runs

Using this principle, you can create rapid descending runs that naturally lead into the next chord.

Classical Influence on Jazz Piano

Many jazz pianists borrow ideas from classical composers. Some notable classical-inspired runs include:

• Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata" (Presto movement) – uses rapid chord inversions to create momentum
• Chopin’s "Revolutionary Etude" – features dramatic descending runs that can be adapted to jazz phrasing
• Oscar Peterson frequently incorporated classical-style runs, blending jazz harmony with classical technical exercises

Listening to and analyzing classical pieces will help develop hand independence, dynamic control, and a broader vocabulary of piano textures.

Advanced Techniques: Dominant Diminished Runs

The dominant diminished scale is a powerful tool in jazz improvisation. A common Tommy Flanagan run involves using a symmetrical whole-half diminished pattern over dominant chords.

For example, over F7, play:

• F-G#-A-C-D-E (ascending)
• Resolve to Bb Major or D minor

This type of run adds tension and resolution, making it a go-to phrase in bebop vocabulary.

Practice Tips

1. Slow Down First – Start technical exercises and runs at a slow tempo, ensuring accuracy before speeding up.
2. Use Consistent Fingerings – Avoid unnecessary hand movements by using logical fingerings, especially for scales and arpeggios.
3. Apply to Chord Progressions – Incorporate jazz clichés into ii-V-I progressions to reinforce muscle memory.
4. Analyze & Transcribe – Listen to recordings of great jazz pianists and try to transcribe their phrasing and articulation.
5. Experiment with Dynamics – Don’t play everything at the same volume—use accents and ghost notes to add interest to your lines.

By incorporating these technical exercises and jazz clichés into your practice routine, you will develop greater dexterity, rhythmic precision, and improvisational fluency on the piano. Keep exploring and refining these concepts in your playing! 🎹