Showing posts with label jazz book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jazz book. Show all posts

Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback] Review

Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback]I'm not a big fan of lick and pattern books, but this one has my seal of approval... and more than that, I HIGHLY reccomend it.There are lot's of ideas in here, some powerful stuff. Really hands on Jazz language material, some that if you're a more experienced improviser you might be using instinctively already, and some you wonder why you haven't touched on all along. The idea is to take them and build upon them...Within hours of getting the book, I immediately tuned out the outside world and was having fun experimenting with it... Some other things I like about it :The licks are in more than one key, suggested fingerings for more difficult ones, they're over a nice variety of patterns, typography is nice, and they're stuff that real people actually play, not just text book prototypes.
I venture to say, that of the books I'm familiar with, this is the best one out !!! Great stuff for professionals as well as folks just getting into improv... and not just for pianists !

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback]

Product Description:
TONS OF RUNS is a wide-ranging compendium of runs, licks, and lines found in the jazz vernacular, each written in three different keys, and presented in a straightforward style without ponderous analysis.This book contains useful phrases derived from chord tones, passing tones, resultant scales, and scale-tone chords that piano players can use right away as vocabulary enhancers. These are the raw material and tools that piano players everywhere can use to polish their performance and improvisation skills, and even create new and more interesting ways to play the music they already know!

Buy NowGet 32% OFF

Want to buy Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist [Paperback] at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:



buy it at amazon.combuy it at amazon.co.ukbuy it at amazon.cabuy it at amazon.debuy it at amazon.fr

How To Play Chord Symbols In Jazz And Popular Music [Plastic Comb] Review

How To Play Chord Symbols In Jazz And Popular Music [Plastic Comb]When you read and play the chords described throughout this beautiful, spiral bound (!) book, a world of expressive and gorgeous chords will be heard. Incredible harmonic and jazzy sounds that are easy to play are covered. These are the meat and potatoes of all fake (improvisation) books. This is how those musicians create such wonderful expressive chords and tones in gigs. Everything is clearly written, absolutely clearly illustrated, and comprehensive in description. I am amazed that for under $12. I found such a music book treasure. Go ahead, become a much better piano/keyboard player with this easy to afford and learn book. Amaze yourself!

Click Here to see more reviews about: How To Play Chord Symbols In Jazz And Popular Music [Plastic Comb]

Product Description:
The purpose of this book is to develop facility in reading alphabetical chord symbols at the keyboard, with the ultimate goals being the ability to play fakebook leadsheets and understand popular sheet music chord symbols.

Buy NowGet 25% OFF

Want to buy How To Play Chord Symbols In Jazz And Popular Music [Plastic Comb] at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:



buy it at amazon.combuy it at amazon.co.ukbuy it at amazon.cabuy it at amazon.debuy it at amazon.fr

The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections) [Paperback] Review

The Definitive Jazz Collection [Paperback]No "fake book", or "real book" this.You get full, well-thought-out harmonizations.This isn't how Jazz pianists acquire their numbers, but hey, this graduate of the weekly visit to the traditional read-the-music-and-play-it-exactly-as-written piano teacher likes it just fine this way.Having played through about 25% of the songs, I'll say there are no really bad arrangements, and quite a few very good ones.The technical difficulty is toward the higher end of the non-classical stuff you find in the music stores -- the average song is about as hard (if you want to play all the notes) as a Chopin Waltz or a Clementi Sonatina.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections) [Paperback]

Product Description:
A once-in-a-lifetime collection of 90 of the greatest jazz songs ever compiled into one volume. Includes: Ain't Misbehavin' * All the Things You Are * Birdland * Body and Soul * A Foggy Day * Girl From Ipanema * Here's That Rainy Day * The Lady Is a Tramp * Love for Sale * Mercy, Mercy, Mercy * Midnight Sun * Moonlight in Vermont * Night and Day * Skylark * Stormy Weather * Sweet Georgia Brown.

Buy NowGet 24% OFF

Want to buy The Definitive Jazz Collection (Definitive Collections) [Paperback] at other amazon sites? Click the corresponding icon below:



buy it at amazon.combuy it at amazon.co.ukbuy it at amazon.cabuy it at amazon.debuy it at amazon.fr

88: The Giants of Jazz Piano [Hardcover] Review

88: The Giants of Jazz Piano [Hardcover]A bonus 11-track cd comes with this portrait of eighty-eight pioneers and players of jazz piano, from Jelly Roll Morton to Benny Green. Here are insights on lives, techniques, and changing perspectives on jazz piano styles and artistry, enhanced by the author's personal experience as a jazz pianist and his original interviews with many of the players. Avid fans of the genre will find The Giants Of Jazz Piano positively absorbing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: 88: The Giants of Jazz Piano [Hardcover]

Product Description:
This handsome, insightful hardcover volume delves deep into the music of 88 visionaries who have made an indelible mark on the world of jazz through their mastery of the pianoÃ-s 88 keys. This engaging collection describes the intriguing personality and performance characteristics of each pianist. Seven major figures are covered in depth: Jelly Roll Morton, Earl Hines, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Keith Jarrett and Cecil Taylor. Other featured artists include: James P. Johnson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nat "King" Cole, Oscar Peterson, Les McCann, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, Billy Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea and 70 others, in styles ranging from stride to swing, bebop to post-bop, funk to avant garde, and more. Includes a bonus CD with 11 great jazz tracks, 100 photos, and a foreword by Keith Jarrett.
"Like great solos, these essays have grace, wit, and a sense of personal involvement ... Immensely valuable stuff!"
- Dick Hyman

Buy cheap 88: The Giants of Jazz Piano [Hardcover] now

Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Educational Piano) [Paperback] Review

Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook [Paperback]I think it was a really cool idea to split the instruction up into beginner/intermediate/advanced levels as well as technique/improv/etc. The overall approach is very refreshing compared to more traditional piano methods. I like the pep talks Jordan gives in between the exercises. My piano teacher thought that the easy technique section's exercises were too easy, but I've found a way to apply them to all kinds of trouble spots in songs. The harmony section has some cool ideas, and I like the etudes that Jordan inculdes focusing on a point.

Overall, well worth the money, though I can't help voicing some complaints. The grading is a little wierd. It seems like some things in the easy sections are very easy, but then they'll be a run or something that is kind of frusterating and in my opinion not meant for an "easy section." In fact the easy and intermediate sections are really fairly similar in difficulty, and then the advanced just shoots off into a realm that I couldn't dream of playing. The improv and leads sections are a little weak. The improv section just tells you to start improvising on a restricted basis (one, two , three notes) and build complexity. The musical examples you're supposed to learn in this section - written in standard musical notation, seem a little inappropriate. The pep talks in the lead section were pretty weak. The advice is basically to pick a scale and solo using it. Then there's more examples to learn. There's a few licks I got from these examples, but I can't say that they're mind-blowing solos in general (unless you're good enouph for the advanced section). Also, there are only a few keys used for examples, so be perpared to do some transposing.

Honestly, I'd buy this book 100 times over, just in using it so much I've noticed all the little things (and it's more fun to complain).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Educational Piano) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Take your playing to the next level with Jordan Rudess, the Juilliard-trained, award-winning keyboardist of Dream Theater! Work at your own pace to improve your skills in physical technique, improvisation, soloing and comping with clear, easy-to-follow directions and exercises that create real results. With beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that cover everything from classical technique to blazing prog-rock solos and beyond, this book has something for keyboardists of all styles. A CD of the exercises is included - played by the master himself! - as are 12 solo-worthy etudes and a valuable appendix with major and minor arpeggio and scale fingerings.

Buy cheap Total Keyboard Wizardry: A Technique and Improvisation Workbook (Educational Piano) [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF

Joy of Improv, Book 1 (Piano) [Paperback] Review

Joy of Improv, Book 1 [Paperback]As a beginner/intermediate student of jazz, I've found this course to be excellent. If you want to learn how to improvise, this is a great start.If you're already at an advanced level, it can further improve your skills.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Joy of Improv, Book 1 (Piano) [Paperback]

Product Description:
This book/CD course on improvisation for all instruments and all styles will help players develop monster musical skills! Book One presents Lessons 1 through 26 of this unique instructional course that imparts a solid basis in technique, rhythm, chord theory, ear training and improv concepts. Covers: common chord voicings, basic chord progressions, the swing feel, and much more. The CD can be used as a listening and play-along tool.Also available: Book Two00220006 Book/CD Pack $24.95

Buy cheap Joy of Improv, Book 1 (Piano) [Paperback] now Get 10% OFF

Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 (The Schott Pop Styles Series) [Paperback] Review

Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 [Paperback]I've bought several books on improvising jazz piano and this is by far the best. It's a heavy, well bound book (my binding has not come apart), which could explain it's $40 list price tag. The book itself is worth $40, even if it was looseleaf!

I agree with the previous reviewer that Richards quickly covers basic chord theory, but that's what convinced me to try this book. Since I've been studying jazz theory (trying to learn to improvise) and have a fair level of knowledge, I didn't want another book that introduced chords and basic ii V7 I progressions. There's some excellent books on jazz theory out there - try Bert Ligon's books for the most thorough, and challenging, course on theory. I wanted a book that would teach me how to sound like my favorite jazz pianists.

To improvise jazz, you need a thorough command of chord voicings and progressions, and then an ability to improvise scale patterns against a strong left hand rhythm. Many books give examples of those components, but only give a few basic exercises and vague verbal instructions on how to apply them to a song. I have the knowledge needed and I can play great sounding chords and progressions, but I have not been able to play a respectable improvisation and haven't been able to find any real guidance up until now.

What makes this book different--and excellent--are the numerous exercises that show you how to apply the techniques presented in the lessons. Richards' book gives several etudes and exercises in each chapter to help you develop those skills. He offers excellent improvising suggestions and examples for each etude, and shows how to apply them. In addition, he provides 4 or 5 authentic jazz tunes in each chapter - from standards to bebop and all styles - and, again, offers detailed examples and suggestions to apply the techniques presented. In addition, the tunes and drills present various left-hand styles with an emphasis on latin styles.

If you can play piano at a late beginner or early intermediate level, and have a basic knowledge of chords, then you'll get a lot out of this book. If you're an experienced player and know chords thoroughly, this book - and the Volume 2 book - will help you improve and give you excellent training in improvising.

I first bought volume 2 thinking that volume 1 would be too basic for me. But after working with vol. 2 for a week, I decided to buy vol. 1 after all. I know all the theory in volume 1, but the exercises and drills provide so much excellent instruction in playing left hand rhythms or basic chord voicings against a right hand improvisation, that I don't feel that I'm wasting my time with elementary concepts.

The cd that comes with it provides an opportunity to play along with his band. However, the tempos are fast. If you have a keyboard or piano with built in rhythms, you'll be in better shape. You'd definitely want a metronome if you don't have built in backgrounds, so that you can practice slowly and work up to the finished speed. Band in a Box is a great software program that provides some excellent backgrounds to practice with.

Tim Richards is the best teacher - and on top of that a great jazz pianist. He and I are going to be tight for a long time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 (The Schott Pop Styles Series) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Volume 1 introduces the intermediate pianist to the basic chord-types used in jazz, from major and minor triads to seventh and ninth chords. Other topics include: Chord/scale relationships, modes, broken chord and scale patterns, pentatonic and blues scales, walking bass lines, Latin rhythms and bass lines, the diatonic cycle, secondary dominants, IIVI sequences, horizontal and vertical improvisation, tritone substitution, two-handed voicings, rootless voicings, technical exercises and fingering, accompaniment styles, ear-training, discography (suggested listening).28 pieces by the author appear alongside special arrangements of well-known jazz standards, including: Autumn Leaves * Fly Me to the Moon * In a Sentimental Mood * Mannenberg * On Green Dolphin St (Part 1) * Ornithology * Song for My Father * Straight No Chaser * Take the A Train. Also included are transcribed solos by Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, an invaluable source of authentic jazz techniques.

Buy cheap Exploring Jazz Piano - Volume 1 (The Schott Pop Styles Series) [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF

Latin Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback] Review

Latin Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback]This book is absolutely wonderful! I am an 18-year-old piano student and I have been classically trained for 10 years. These arrangements were perfect for me because I needed a large amount of quality jazz songs to play in a hotel lobby just before most people went to bed. These pieces are fabulous because they dont require all the attention from everyone in the room (many people like to read while listening), yet if someone wants to just sit and actively listen to what I'm playing, they have a lot of interesting melodies and chords that keep their attention locked and invested in the music. Often times, people will walk in the lobby and just stand and listen to the beautiful melodies these arrangements create before actually going to the desk and checking in. It's very rewarding for me to play this music because they speak to a huge audience, and I find that my listening audience will grow every time I pull the book out and start playing.
But Beyond the fact that the original melodies are wonderful, it's even amazing to me the great flexibility that the arranging allows. They are superb when plays them simply as they are and just marvels in what is written on the page, but if you like to changearound things and play them your own way, you have the freedom to move things around and put your own "feel" to the music. Even the different styles of songs in this book are very flexible and broad,too. Songs range from slightly melancholy, to pensive, to light and upbeat, all the way to a couple that are loud and boisterous. I can only find two songs in the entire book that written in a similar style and mood.
I dont want to lead you on that these pieces are just the sort that simply find a good groove and then uphold the same simple thing the whole time, either. These are good, melodious SONGS that anyone could make up lyrics to and singly along with if they wanted to.
But anyway, I just wanted to let it known how thankful I am to Hal Leonard and the arranger, Brent Edstrom, for putting together this book. I am SURE that anyone of medium to advanced piano skills will find this book creeping its way into their everyday, multipurpose repertoir for use at any gig, and that they will probably end up considering buying all the rest of the books in this series, as I'm doing too.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Latin Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback]

Product Description:
17 Latin jazz classics, including: Adios (Perez Prado, Astor Piazzolla) * Brazil (Xavier Cugat, Django Reinhardt) * A Day in the Life of a Fool (Stan Getz, Paul Desmond) * Desafinado (Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim) * Mambo #5 (Perez Prado, Xavier Cugat) * Manteca (Dizzy Gillespie, Cal Tjader) * Mas Que Nada (Dizzy Gillespie) * Perfidia (Perez Prado, Nat King Cole) * Samba De Orfeu (Paul Desmond, Vince Guaraldi) * Triste (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cal Tjader) * and more.

Buy cheap Latin Jazz: Jazz Piano Solos Series [Paperback] now Get 10% OFF

Modern Jazz Piano: A Study In Harmony And Improvisation (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

Modern Jazz Piano: A Study In Harmony And Improvisation [Paperback]This book completely changed my understanding and level of jazz piano playing.It is short and to the point, yet carefully written and complete.I like the fact that the author is a trained engineer.As a computerprogrammer I can identify with the way the book is layed out very logicallywith the assumption that the reader is intelligent, interested,andmotivated.I read the entire book while on trains going to and from work. I think it would have been a distraction to have read it while at a piano. The chord pattern excercises at the end of the book are excellent; I ammethododically going through all of them using a PC based sequencerconnected via midi to an electronic keyboard.If you only buy one bookon jazz piano, I think it should be this one. The next book to readafter this one, in my opinion is "All about Chords".I am almostfinished reading it;I could never have handled it if I hadn't read"Modern Jazz Piano" first. The two books together aremagnificently complete. I have a quite a library of jazz piano and jazzbooks; most of them are padded and not of much use."Modern JazzPiano" is by contrast a classic that every jazz pianist should have.I lost many years because I was brain-washed into believing the JohnMehegan jazz system as taught at Julliard was the only way to learn jazz. Inow believe the Julliard system is hopelessly complicated and noteffective.The traditional harmony systems used in "Modern JazzPiano" are the best and also the most popular.It is not somethingesoteric that only propeller heads know about. Buy it and hold onto it. Even if it sits on your bookshelf for years, there will come a day when itwill speak eloquently to you and change your level of playing andunderstanding.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Modern Jazz Piano: A Study In Harmony And Improvisation (Music Sales America) [Paperback]

Product Description:
Based on the authorÂ's experience in teaching in jazz workshop, explains the principles of this art form. Useful for teachers wishing to include jazz in the music curriculum.

Buy cheap Modern Jazz Piano: A Study In Harmony And Improvisation (Music Sales America) [Paperback] now Get 27% OFF

Jazz Piano Voicings: An Essential Resource for Aspiring Jazz Musicians (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] Review

Jazz Piano Voicings: An Essential Resource for Aspiring Jazz Musicians [Paperback]This book is great if you have a young one that hasn't played jazz or if you haven't had much jazz training.This book will give you chord changes in a lot of keys with some very basic bass lines.

THIS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL!!If you don't know what to do if you see a chord like this: Db7#5#9, then this is the book for you!This will walk you through many of the common (and some uncommon) chords and you will generally play these chords in all keys and usually with a walking bass of some sort.

If you are looking for a book that will have you playing repertoire to teach you these chords, you will not like this book.There is not one "song" in here - there are a few progressions that are written out with some right hand patterns as well as bass patterns - but you're not going to finish this book being able to play any repertoire.

But, that is the point - if you finish this book and learn what it has to teach, you'll have the TOOLS to play your favorite standards.

This is a good reference book - even if you have played some jazz...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jazz Piano Voicings: An Essential Resource for Aspiring Jazz Musicians (keyboard instruction) [Paperback]

Product Description:
The jazz idiom can often appear mysterious and difficult for those musicians who were trained to play other types of music. Long time performer and educator Rob Mullins helps players enter the jazz world by providing voicings that will help the player develop skills in the jazz medium and start sounding professional right away without years and years of study.

Buy cheap Jazz Piano Voicings: An Essential Resource for Aspiring Jazz Musicians (keyboard instruction) [Paperback] now Get 32% OFF

Improvising Blues Piano [Paperback] Review

Improvising Blues Piano [Paperback]This is a great book! I'm a beginning/intermediate piano player, I went through the first two Alfred's All-in-One Adult piano books and really enjoyed them (and recommend them!). But I found myself at a fork in the road: I was happy to continue memorizing "pieces", and practicing "technique", but I found myself wanting to know more about improvising. I play drums in a blues band, and I've had some music theory for keyboard percussion, so I'm not a total musical-novice. I tried out some other books (Mark Harrison's "Blues Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series", but it's still a little over my head, perhaps in a year or so it'll be good for me. Also "David Bennett Cohen Teaches Blues Piano: A Hands-On Course in Traditional Blues Piano", but it really didn't light my fire either, and if I recall correctly, didn't have finger markings which I still find helpful.)This book pulls it all together for me: some blues music theory, some blues history, clearly-marked "assignments", a CD included, (a spiral binding that lays flat on the stand!) ... I'm hooked!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Improvising Blues Piano [Paperback]

Product Description:
The basic principles of blues piano explained for the intermediate-level pianist in an easy-to-grasp fashion.

Buy cheap Improvising Blues Piano [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF

Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach (Berklee Guide) [Paperback] Review

Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach [Paperback]I'm a serious amateur jazz pianist who has long noticed that most other jazz piano books--including Mark's Levine's excellent "Jazz Piano Book"--assume you're always playing in a trio or larger ensemble.Consequently, they say very little about the unique problems of solo playing, bass lines, etc.This very well written and organized book contains the best instructional foundation for playing solo jazz piano I've seen anywhere.I had been looking for a book like this for about a decade without success because it was published relatively recently.

After several years of study from Levine's book and others in conjunction with occasional lessons from a couple of good teachers, I decided to study almost exclusively from this book on my own for awhile about a year ago.My solo playing has definitely improved a lot, and studying bass lines in depth seems to have improved my musical ear somehow, making it easier to improvise strong lines in the right hand.

Each chapter of "Solo Jazz Piano" begins with a clear, succinct presentation of the theory that will be drilled throughout the remainder of that chapter.This is generally followed by an etude written out in full (both clefs) that allows the student to feel what it's like to apply the theory immediately.I've learned a lot by analyzing the author's etudes.The etude is then followed by a leadsheet (usually with chord changes the same as or similar to those of the etude).The student is then directed to create an arrangement using the newly learned theory (and techniques learned in prior chapters) to create an original arrangement of the leadsheet.This system is very effective and helps the concepts "stick" in the student's mind, in my opinion.The first part of the book also includes an excellent review of basic chord theory.Once the study of bass lines begins, the author does not abandon the study and use of chords.On the contrary, he reminds the student to play 'comping arrangements in which the left hand plays a bass line and the right hand plays well-voice-led 'comping chords in addition to the usual excercises in which the student plays the melody (with or without added voices in the right hand) and a left-hand bass line.This ensures a well-rounded approach.My only criticism of this book is that it should have been spiral bound like Mark Levine's "Jazz Theory Book" for easier use at the piano.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone desiring to learn how to play SOLO jazz piano.For those just beginning to learn jazz improvisation, I also recommend "The Joy of Improv" (two volumes) by Dave Frank and "How to Improvise" by Hal Crook.Both Dave and Hal have also been faculty at Berklee College of Music.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach (Berklee Guide) [Paperback]

Product Description:
A step-by-step approach to solo jazz improvisation for piano. Learn to improvise using the techniques pioneered by piano greats Lenny Tristano and Dave McKenna. This methodical approach to learning the art of solo jazz piano improvisation will free your creative sense of music. It begins with a review of chord symbol interpretation, walks through bass line development, and ends with how to play several melodic lines simultaneously in stimulating musical conversation. You'll learn how to develop solos that embellish and support the melody, and use lead sheets to help you generate your own musical ideas. Twenty-one lessons present techniques, practice exercises, and tunes based on jazz standards. Notated transcriptions of sample improvisations illustrate each lesson's technique, and the accompanying CD lets you hear a master improviser put these ideas to work.

Buy cheap Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach (Berklee Guide) [Paperback] now Get 34% OFF

Jazz-Blues Piano: The Complete Guide with CD! Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

Jazz-Blues Piano: The Complete Guide with CD Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback]I've been playing jazz piano for about two years now, and have had great success with The Jazz Piano Book (as one might imagine). The next book that has served me well is Post-Bop Jazz Piano - The Complete Guide with CD!: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series, which is from the same series as the Jazz Blues Piano book under review. So, when I began looking for a book to help me sound bluesy, something noticeably lacking from my skill set, I gravitated toward this book for that reason and because my piano instructor didn't have this book (although he had many others in the same series). I have to say, that overnight, this became my favorite book to work from. There are a lot of reasons for that. First is that this book contains a good dose of easy-to-digest jazz music theory and explanation. The student can choose to skip over this and concentrate on playing the exercises, but I chose to read everything carefully and to try and understand and apply it, and I found it very useful. I was also quite pleasantly surprised when I found myself playing a ii-V-I progression (the backbone of jazz music) in a fashion I had never been shown before (with a moving bass note changing the mode of the chord). I was fascinated, and it made it easy for me to work on doing it in all twelve keys (which is normally drudgery), and to quickly press on in the book. As I played through the exercises, read through the material, then reached the exercises that are on the CD, I kept working on the suggested chords. Because I'm not a raw beginner, the first twenty pages went very quickly, and all of a sudden I found myself at about twenty pages in on exercise 9practicing a straight up blues lick. That's right: two hours and I was playing blues. Very, very exciting. Like all piano books, including a number I have reviewed, this still requires practice and stick-to-itive-ness, but this book provides some small rewards on every page, which I find quite motivational and desirable. I can easily picture myself working through this entire book in a relatively short period of time. Beginning piano students will still need to work on some of this material with an instructor, but anybody with a good technical foundation in piano and at least a small amount of jazz knowledge should be able to work through most of this by themselves, thanks to the useful and well executed CD. Although there are many options and levels available, if you want to sound jazzy or bluesy, without a lot of fuss and without spending a lot of money or time, I really think this book is the best and simplest place to start.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Jazz-Blues Piano: The Complete Guide with CD Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback]

Product Description:
This comprehensive book/CD pack will teach you the basic skills needed to play jazz-blues piano. From comping to soloing, you'll learn the theory, the tools, and the tricks used by the pros. The accompanying CD features many of the examples in the book performed either solo, or with a full band, including a full chapter of complete songs. Topics covered include: scales and chords * harmony and voicings * progressions and comping * melodies and soloing * characteristic stylings.

Buy cheap Jazz-Blues Piano: The Complete Guide with CD Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] now Get 32% OFF