Introduction

     The grip system for piano is categorized by a variety of four-note seventh chords, called grips, which can be played by a single hand. This method is primarily for non-pianists seeking to improve their knowledge of harmony and theory through the piano.  This is an  approach for learning harmony and theory, maximizing understanding of theoretical concepts through shape and visualization, to aid in improvisation.  Since these chords can be “gripped” by a single hand, the system is defined by relating numerous types of grips to a variety of chords. 

​

Benefits of the Grip System

Advancing from a simple to intricate fashion, the organization and approach of the system provides the individual with:

1. a development of jazz piano skills specifically for the non-pianist

2. a comprehensive understanding of chord-scale relationships

3. various ways to understand chord structures and scales, including their applications

4. terminology for labeling upper structures of chords

5. additional aural acuteness related to jazz harmony and chord progressions

6. visualization skills in relationship to chord symbols, intervals, and transposition

7. tools for learning improvisation 

​

Describing the grip system, Sidener said, “You’re going to get much better at intervals.  You’re going to get much better at recognizing triads, triads in inversions, and in your head and in your ears—visualizing and hearing."

Concepts within the Grip Method

Using the grip system the student will learn a variety of:

1. chord structures including  major, minor, dominant, half-diminished, diminished, altered, augmented, whole tone, suspended

2. scales including the modes of major, melodic minor, diminished, augmented, pentatonics, tritone

3. piano voicings including closed, drop two, quartal, "Red Garland", "So What", "Bill Evans", "salsa"

4. jazz standards such as Body & Soul, Stella by Starlight, Giant Steps, Dolphin Dance, Someday My Prince Will Come, Very Early, Invitation

5. other concepts related to improvisation such as inversions, triad pairs, common chord progressions, chord substitutions, enharmonics, and transposition 

Sidener’s method addresses many of the major concepts within jazz theory which can aid an individual in successful improvisation.  When discussing how deep and detailed his concept is, Sidener responded, “Once you start to deal with it, it’s all there.”

Praise for the Piano Grip System

“This book will be a required text for my students! Jared Hall has done a great job in explaining the Grip System - an integrated approach to harmony through the piano, as formulated by legendary educator Whit Sidener. This method will not only endow you with functional piano skills, so important no matter what your instrument, but will unlock the harmonic code so that you can easily access and visualize materials for improvising and composing.”Brian Lynch, Multi-Grammy® Award Winning Trumpeter, Composer, Educator; Professor, Frost School Of Music

“My old friend Whit Sidener and Jared Hall have put together a method that is really a life’s work and has applications that any musician on any instrument, whether pro or student can utilize in their development – very well organized and thorough.”

 Randy Brecker – Multi-Grammy® Award Winning Trumpeter & Flügelhornist

“Trumpeter Jared Hall has created an invaluable resource for jazz performers, educators, and students alike, with this comprehensive and detailed presentation of renown educator Whit Sidener’s “Grip System”.  A highly effective method of learning the intricacies and nuances of both standard and modern jazz harmony, this proven system has been taught to students for over 30 years with fantastic results.  A must buy!”

 Martin Bejerano – Assistant Professor, Jazz Piano, Frost School Of Music at The University of Miami

“What Jared has done is create one of the most monumental contributions to music education.  The grip system is a highly successful, time-tested method for learning and understanding jazz harmony.  Jared's book serves to organize and systematize this method in a way that is accessible to students, teachers, and professionals alike!  This is a game changer for music education!"

 Dr. Derek Ganong – Professor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz, Boise State University  

“Whit Sidener’s ‘grip system’ helps unlock the mystery of chords, scales, and progressions. It has played a major role in my personal understanding of harmony, and will make anyone a hipper piano player. Kudos to Jared Hall for getting it into print!”

 Gary Keller – Professor of Professional Practice, Saxophone and Jazz Studies, Frost School Of Music at The University of Miami

“Jared Hall has done some amazing work here.  For those of us fortunate to have had Whit Sidener as a teacher, we know that his method is tremendously effective.  Hall’s book is a must buy for any jazz educator, performer, student, or hobbyist.  I wholeheartedly recommend it.”

 Dr. Angelo Versace – Director of Jazz Studies, University of Arizona

​

An Approach to Jazz Harmony

        Many sources were collected in order to clearly understand, define, and explain the piano grip system as utilized in the teaching of Whit Sidener.  Personal notes from Sidener’s advanced improvisation course in the fall of 2012 have been used as a reference to create examples and figures detailing the grip system in a clearly notated format.  Video recordings from the spring 2013 semester were used to modify and enhance clarity from the author’s personal notes.  Multiple interviews were conducted with Sidener to ensure absolute accuracy of the codification of his approach to the system.  My contribution has come from the transcription of clearly notated examples and figures in combination with explanatory text methodizing the entire grip system. 

       I want to emphasize, especially to theory enthusiasts, that the grip system is designed using chords, scales, and structures which jazz artists and educators in the field are fluent in.  “It’s about the approach—it’s just a way to deal with this stuff,” said Sidener regarding the grip system.  Rather than add to the jazz vernacular, it provides an alternate perspective when dealing with jazz theory and piano.  The approach through the grip system was developed to be accessible to students without overwhelming them with massive and complex philosophies.