Jazz Piano Intros: Master the Art of Starting Your Next Tune

Hello there, Jack Marshall here from the London Contemporary School of Piano. One of the questions I’m constantly asked is, “How do I start a tune effectively?” For many aspiring musicians, jazz piano intros can feel intimidating. Yet, it’s often those very first chords that set the tone—literally—for your entire performance.

In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite strategies for creating jazz piano intros, whether you’re headed into a laid-back jam session or performing a classic tune like “Bye Bye Blackbird.” By the end, you’ll have a toolbox of techniques—turnarounds, pedals, and chromatic approaches—that will help you kick off any song with style. Mastering jazz piano intros is an essential skill for any pianist looking to deepen their understanding of improvisation and performance practice.

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Why Intros Matter in Jazz Piano

If you’ve watched me teach or perform, you know I emphasize that strong jazz piano intros do two essential things:

1. They establish the key, groove, and mood of the piece. This immediately orients both you and your listeners.
2. They capture attention by signaling what sort of journey the tune will take. Are you going for something relaxed and dreamy, or edgy and energetic?

I also like to remind my students that context is everything. If you’re in a jam session—where musicians might not have played together before—you’ll often want to pick jazz piano intros they recognize. In a solo setting, you have more freedom to be creative or dramatic with your chord choices and phrasing.

My Go-To Method: Classic Turnarounds

One of my favorite ways to begin a tune—especially a standard like “Bye Bye Blackbird”—is by looping a turnaround. In the key of F major, you’ll frequently see:

• 1 – 6 – 2 – 5 (F → D → G → C)
• 3 – 6 – 2 – 5 (A → D → G → C)

I suggest starting with a 1-6-2-5, which nicely cycles back to the I chord (F). It can be as simple or as layered as you like. When I’m teaching, I often have students practice just the right-hand shapes at first:

• F major (I): Invert a simple triad (e.g., A-C-F).
• D (VI): Shift one or two notes to form D major (D-F♯-A) or D minor (D-F-A).
• G (II): Choose G minor (G-B♭-D) or G major (G-B-D).
• C (V): Often a C7 chord (C-E-G-B♭) to resolve smoothly back to F.

Once you’ve got these shapes under your fingers, you can add interest with a walking bass line or syncopated rhythm. I always tell students, “Loop it at a slow tempo first; let your hands memorize the transitions.”

Adding a Chromatic Twist

To give the intro a little more flavor, I’ll often include a chromatic approach in the left hand. For instance, if I’m aiming to land on C, I’ll briefly hit C♯ (or C♭, depending on context) before settling on the chord tone. This half-step “push” can turn a standard progression into something that glides more smoothly—or even more playfully—into the next chord.

Pedal Tones: A Simple But Powerful Technique

Another technique I love showing my students is using pedal tones—holding a single bass note while the right hand moves through a progression. Pedaling the fifth (C in the key of F) is especially common, because it provides a nice, grounded feel. But you can also pedal the root (F) if you want a stronger sense of home base.

During a pedal, I like to experiment with 1-6-2-5 or even 2-5-1 patterns in the right hand. It’s a great way to create depth with very little movement, especially if you’re not yet comfortable with a busier left hand. Pedal tones can add a distinctive, modern vibe to your jazz piano intros as well.

Borrow the Last Bars to Start Strong

I’ll often mention this trick to students who struggle with intros: quote the last four or eight bars of the tune as your intro. This is a perfect solution in jam sessions, since most players know the standard endings. You can play those ending bars either in strict time (so everyone’s locked in rhythmically) or stretch them out with a rubato feel.

It not only signals what’s coming but also helps your brain lock in the harmony. And if your bandmates know the tune well, they’ll appreciate the straightforward lead-in.

Mixing and Matching Your Jazz Piano Intros

A big reason I love teaching jazz piano intros is that there’s no single “right” way to do them. If you’re comfortable with one method, try combining it with another:

• Start with a 1-6-2-5 in slow loop
• Switch on the second pass to a 3-6-2-5
• Add a chromatic approach in the bass
• Then maybe hold a pedal tone for a measure or two

If you’re feeling adventurous, introduce chord substitutions like tritone subs. The key is knowing a handful of reliable intro ideas and being flexible enough to adapt them in the moment. Combining these approaches not only refines your jazz piano intros but also showcases your creativity and understanding of harmony.

My Practice Recommendations

1. Repetition is your friend: Looping chord progressions trains your muscle memory.
2. Keep it relaxed at first: Don’t rush into fancy fills. Focus on locking in the fundamental chords.
3. Pay attention to context: In a jam session, simpler is often better. In a solo show, you can indulge in more elaborate harmonies.
4. Listen to the greats: Miles Davis’s “Bye Bye Blackbird” intros are a gold mine for hearing how legends handle these progressions.

Final Thoughts

I’ve always believed that mastering jazz piano intros is about both technique and storytelling. A good intro not only sets the stage for the tune—it also reflects your personality as a performer. Whether you use a classic turnaround, a pedal tone, or a snippet of the tune’s ending, remember that the most important thing is to feel confident and consistent in what you’re playing.

If you found these tips helpful, check out more of my lessons and tutorials at

The London Contemporary School of Piano
. We’ve got plenty of material to help deepen your understanding of harmony, improvisation, and performance.

You can also explore more videos on

The London Contemporary School of Piano YouTube Channel

to expand your repertoire of jazz piano intros and overall piano technique.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in our next tutorial!

Written by Jack Marshall, Jazz Piano Coach at The London Contemporary School of Piano
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