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

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.

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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.

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Keyboard Chords & Scales Book (Fasttrack Series) [Paperback] Review

Before I got this, I debated whether I really needed a chord and scales reference guide. I decided to get it because the table of contents made it appear like it had lots of practice lessons. Once I received it, I was disappointed because it does not. The lessons are only four pages of short comping practice pieces at the end of the book. Over time, however, this book has grown on me as I occasionally need to look up how a chord or scale is played. Now I consider a chord and scales guide to be an indispensable reference, much like a dictionary for piano players.

I strongly recommend that music students get a chord and scales reference book. One alternative is Instant Scale and Chord Guide for Keyboards. Amazon doesn't show the table of contents, but it appears from user reviews of that book that this one organizes chords better. That book apparently organizes chords by key (e.g. all the C chords on the same page), while this one organizes them by chord type (e.g. all the Major chords on the same page). I prefer them being organized by chord type.

One criticism is that I found the right hand fingering of the F Major scale to be extremely difficult to play. The book lists the fingering as 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5. I found it much easier to play it as 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4. I thought I was intentionally doing it wrong, but I eventually looked it up online. Most web sites I found recommended the fingering I was using.

Again, this book is primarily a reference book. For those who want a practice book for chords, scales, arpeggios, and cadences, Keyboard Technique and The Complete Book ofScales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences appear to be good books, but I'm not yet familiar with either one. The former appears to be oriented toward popular music and the latter oriented toward classical.

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Product Description:
The fast way to find just the chord or scale you need. This user-friendly reference book is jam-packed with over 1,400 chords and voicings and includes a "jam session" with 20 original songs using common chord progressions.

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Bastien Theory & Technic for the Young Beginner - Primer A Review

Wonderful primer to education in music theory and reading music.Broken down that even a preschooler can work with it.

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Product Description:
Bastien Piano Basics is an exciting and comprehensive series for piano study designed to get the young student off to the right start. The learning sequence is carefully graded to assure steady progress in all areas. The musical pieces in this book contain an enjoyable variety of original works, folk songs and pop styles. These imaginative and motivating solos are designed for study as well as performance in recitals, auditions and contests.

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Progressive Rock Keyboard: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

I don't why anyone has'nt written a review for this book yet. Its perfect, and the accompanying CD is so helpful to help learn the rhythms of progressive rock keyboard. I would greatly recommend this book if you are sick of playing yankee doodle or any other book with boring sheet music. Contained in the book is an adequate description of the genre and presents perfect examples that you can learn. I found this book very satisfying and not too hard. I also have the rock keyboard and find that one great as well. So do buy these books.

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Product Description:
From the classic sounds of the '70s to modern progressive stylings, this book/CD provides you with the theory and technique to play and compose in a multitude of prog rock styles. You'll learn how soloing techniques, form, rhythmic and metrical devices, harmony, and counterpoint all come together to make this style of rock the unique and exciting genre it is. Also included is an introduction to classic and contemporary keyboard instruments and sounds, and how they can be used in different combinations to produce authentic-sounding keyboard parts. The accompanying CD features many of the examples covered in the book, as well as six complete progressive rock songs recorded by a real band.

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88: The Giants of Jazz Piano [Hardcover] Review

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.

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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

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Worship Medleys for Solo Piano (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

These arrangements are a nice blend of hymns and contemporary praise and worship.The medleys flow beautifully back and forth between songs.Not too difficult to play, but elegant.

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Product Description:
These ten intermediate to upper-intermediate-level medleys by Don Wyrtzen beautifully pair traditional hymns with contemporary worship songs - great for church pianists or personal enjoyment! Medleys include: Above All / Were You There? * For the Beauty of the Earth / Give Thanks * Have Thine Own Way, Lord / The Potter's Hand * I Worship You, Almighty God / Praise to the Lord, the Almighty * Mighty Is Our God/ A Mighty Fortress Is Our God * O Worship the King / Ancient of Days * Open the Eyes of My Heart / Holy, Holy, Holy * Shout to the Lord / I Sing the Mighty Power of God * Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart / Holy Spirit, Rain Down * Worthy Is the Lamb / Crown Him with Many Crowns.

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Jazz Piano Best of Bk/Cd (Signature Licks) [Paperback] Review

I don't remember exactly what I was thinking when I purchased this book, but it had something to do with learning licks and styles from accomplished jazz musicians. That is to say, I was looking for a shortcut. I'm finding out what I already suspected, however: there are no shortcuts. What this is then is a road map, with signposts giving a clear concise sampling of solos and riffs in differing styles from eleven great jazz pianists. There are some easy runs and some hard runs, and some slow songs and some fast songs, bits of fifteen different songs in all. There's no fingering marked in the text, so having an instructor to point things out will make this book more practical. The book is staple bound so it works well on the music stand. As near as I can tell, this contains only pieces of songs, so the serious musician will definitely have to have a songbook handy (but what jazz pianist doesn't already have The Real Book: Sixth Edition?). The highlight of this book is the CD that comes with it, which contains samples of the songs, usually both with a backing band and without, as well as examples of the solos at a slower pace and at speed. Fast forwarding through them and back to them is a bit of a chore (there are 94 sample tracks), but having that resource is really great, and the book includes markings for where each track is used, making the pair way more useful. There are also brief biographies of each of the musicians covered, which I think is a nice touch. In short, it is hard not to like this book and CD set. It is well thought out, well executed, interesting, and productive. No, it isn't a shortcut and you will still have to practice. (Sorry.) And though it might not fit every pianist's concept of a learning tool, it fits mine to a `T' and I will get a lot of use out of this book for quite some time.

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Product Description:
Learn the piano styles and techniques of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Errol Garner, Nat "King" Cole, Ahmad Jamal, and more with this great book/CD pack. Rizzo teaches the styles using examples from actual songs, 15 in all. Includes: Caravan * Come Rain or Come Shine * How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky) * I'll Remember April * In a Sentimental Mood * It's Only a Paper Moon * No Moon at All * On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) * Satin Doll * Speak Low * St. Louis Blues * Stompin' at the Savoy * Take the "A" Train * There Is No Greater Love * Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away). CD includes demonstrations of each.

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Barrelhouse and Boogie Piano (Music Sales America) [Paperback] Review

The transcriptions of some of the greatest barrelhouse and blues pianists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Meade Lux Lewis, Memphis Slim, along with their history are in this music book.
There is also a tantalizing CD of samples of the pieces in the book as played by the great blues pianists. This gives essential information as to how the syncopation and rubato sounds in the hands of the masters. The only problem is that as the snippet gets going, you really want to hear the entire piece and whammo! It's only a few seconds per piece, 12 minutes in all. Why oh why couldn't they put at least a few complete works on the CD?
Other than that quibble, this is a great book for blues piano, though greats such as Roosevelt Sykes are to be found in a companion volume, not in this one.
A must for blues lovers who play keyboard.

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Product Description:
An important instruction guide to the blues-style piano by the author of Six Blues Roots Pianists. Complete with music transcriptions and excerpts from the original recordings of 22 piano greats.

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Cocktail Piano Standards (Piano Solo Songbook) [Paperback] Review

Very nicely written.And great that it comes with an audio CD.But it doesn't have chords above what is written.... not too good.

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Product Description:
15 lush solo arrangements of jazz classics with a CD containing performances of each piece by the arranger. Includes: April in Paris * Easy to Love * Misty * Moon River * Tenderly * The Way You Look Tonight * When Sunny Gets Blue * and more.

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Bebop Jazz Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series [Paperback] Review

I have a few of the other books in this series and find them all great! John Valerio is a wonderful composer and teacher and has a very similar style to Mark Harrison (another composer in this series). This book includes important information about chords, voicings, harmony, chord progressions, scales, tonality, melodic figures and patters, comping, characteristic tunes, styles of Bud Powell and Theolonious Monk...anything that is used in any type of bebop jazz. It goes through the history and evolution of Bebop. The book moves quickly but provides the information that is important. It comes with a very handy CD which allows to hear what it's supposed to sound like. I highly recommend this book and have found that using it with some of the other books in the series is beyond helpful!

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Product Description:
In this book in the Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series, author John Valerio provides essential, detailed information for bebop and jazz pianists on the following topics: chords and voicings, harmony and chord progressions, scales and tonality, common melodic figures and patterns, comping, characteristic tunes, the styles of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and much more. The accompanying CD features many of the examples in the book performed either solo or with a full band. Also included are combo performances of five of the tunes featured at the end of the book.

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Bastien Piano Technic Primer Level Book Review

The books in these series are the best on the market. After taking piano lessons for 8 years from these books and now teaching piano students from these books as well, there isn't any series of piano techniques book that comes close to this series. Concepts are logically introduced and age appropriate, excersices are fun and a great review of learned skills and the illustrations really keep the little bitties interest (in what could be a very boring lesson!).Also if you are helping your child and have never played piano before you can follow along at home, unlike some other piano books they are easy to follow no matter what skill level. I HIGHLY recommend the entire series!

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Product Description:
Bastien Piano Basics is an exciting and comprehensive series for piano study designed to get the young student off to the right start. The learning sequence is carefully graded to assure steady progress in all areas. Technic contains a variety of exercises to develop hand and finger coordination, and to develop ease, control and facility at the keyboard. The student should allow time each day for technic practice. These exercises may be played as warm-ups before beginning to practice pieces.

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

As a jazz enthusiast, this book was something new that went beyond all other jazz teaching books that I have come across.It has given me a new outlook on the jazz of the 1950's.Left-hand voicings, two-hand voicings, scales, tonality, modality are just some of the main ideas that this book goes through.One thing that really caught my eye, is the in depth look at the impression Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett use in their music.The book is a great option for those looking to expand their jazz knowledge and incorporate their own style.The book moves quickly but provides the information that is important for those of us looking to play.It comes with a very handy CD which allows to hear what it's supposed to sound like. I highly recommend this book.

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Product Description:
This comprehensive book and CD package will teach you the basic skills you need to play post bop jazz 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. THE HAL LEONARD KEYBOARD STYLE SERIES provides focused lessons that contain valuable how-to insight, essential playing tips, and beneficial information for all players. Comprehensive treatment is given to each subject, complete with a companion CD.

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

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.

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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.

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Premier Piano Course Theory 2a (Alfred's Premier Piano Course) [Paperback] Review

Great set of books (4 in all).My child has used this series for over 2years now.All books are clear to read and have fun pictures.

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Product Description:
Correlated page-for-page with the Lesson Book, each new musical concept is reinforced through fun-filled writing, listening and playing exercises. With games and puzzles added to compositional and creative activities, students retain concepts more easily and learn more thoroughly.

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COCKTAIL PIANO STYLES - VOLUME ONE [Paperback] Review

This is a good book for those who are intermediate and higher. Many of the songs are well known and the arranger has added jazz chords to provide a very rich sound. I am a professional pianist who uses this book at weddings, parties and receptions.

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Product Description:
27 favorites as arranged by Bill Irwin for piano solo with lyrics and chords, including: April in Paris * Can't Take My Eyes off of You * Candy * Dream a Little Dream of Me * A Good Man Is Hard to Find * I've Got the World on a String * It Had to Be You * Paper Doll * They Didn't Believe Me * You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) * and more.

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Keyboard Musician for the Adult Beginner (Frances Clark Library for Piano Students) [Paperback] Review

Both my wife and I have been recommending this book for many years to adults wanting to learn the piano. As part-time piano teachers, we found that the lessons progress at an very good pace for most adults. The choiceof songs used in the lessons are tasteful mixing both folk and classicaltraditions. This book also works well for someone with some music readingbackground but no previous piano playing experience. This book uses theclassical approach and doesn't offer instruction on specific styles likerock, jazz, blues, etc. Overall, I still think it's the best adult pianomethod book that I've come across so far.

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Product Description:
Here is a complete repertoire and textbook for the older or adult beginner. Starting with material appropriate for the first lesson, it moves rapidly through discoveries, music and activities equivalent to The Music Tree and Levels 1 and 2. On completing the book, the student is ready for Level 3 of the Clark Library. The book provides quantities of music, all of it selected or composed to appeal to the older student -- Studies (introducing each of 65 new subjects), Repertoire (155 solos and duets), Accompanying and Transposing (62 melodies to accompany and to transpose to all major and minor keys), Sight Reading (107 one-line pieces that review each of the new discoveries and teach sight reading skills). In addition, the 22 units in 208 pages include: Technical Exercises, Rhythm Exercises, Written Work and Improvising. A Glossary at the end defines all new signs and terms introduced throughout the book.

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Hymns with a Classical Touch (Lillenas Publications) [Paperback] Review

Beautiful piano solos that intertwine hymns with classical favorites. Titles: Amazing Grace (In the setting of Grieg's Morning Mood, Peer Gynt Suite No. 1) Come, Thou Fount (In the setting of Tchaikovsky's Concerto, Op. 23) Crown Him with Many Crowns (In the setting of J.S. Bach's Prelude in D Major) Great is Thy Faithfulness (In the setting of Liszt's Liebestraum) Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (In the setting of J.S. Bach's Fugue No. 2, from the Well-tempered Clavier, Vol. 1) I Surrender All (In the setting of Beethoven's "Pathetique" Sonata, Adagio Cantabile) It is Well with My Soul (In the setting of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata) Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (In the setting of J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring) Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (In the setting of Handel's Prelude in G) Moment by Moment (In the setting of Saint-Saëns' Le Cygne) The Lord's My Shepherd (In the setting of Handel's Largo)
Level: moderate difficulty.(Piano grade 4-5)

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Product Description:
Cindy Berry combines hymns and Gospel songs with classical favorites in these terrific piano solos.

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Jazz Piano: The Left Hand (The Steinway Library of Piano Music) [Paperback] Review

This is not a step by step, "Left Hand Technique for Dummies" kind of book. The author seems to know a lot about the history of jazz and has compiled examples of the left hand technique of many piano masters. The first half the book is more historic and talks about stride piano and the early players. The rest is more from bebop era and forward. His charts are hard to read and definitely require piano experience. I found the latin chapters too short, but is it understandable in a broad subject like this. I also wish there was more meterial about Bill Evans.

Good book. It will take me a lot of time to go through this.

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Product Description:
Arranged for piano by Riccardo Scivales. Here is the first volume in a new Jazz Piano series from The Steinway Library of Piano Music! This masterful book answers the age-old question asked by nearly every jazz pianist: what more can I do with my left hand? Using hundreds upon hundreds of musical examples, jazz scholar and pianist Riccardo Scivales Piano takes you on a tour of the left hand styles and techniques of all the great pianists, from Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller to Chick Corea and Michel Camilo. And he shows you how to use their methods yourself!
An Encyclopedia of Left Hand Style You'll no longer ponder how to get that swinging bass going, or how to fill in and add spark to the music with authentic left hand grooves. That great mystery of how to become a truly two fisted player will remain a mystery no longer, after you've gone through this treasure trove of left hand techniques used by the best jazz players who ever lived! This book is well over 250 pages long-a triumph of historical scholarship and practical, down-to-earth know-how!
Put Your Little Finger Here You'll see exactly what these legendary jazz pianists did, and learn how they made their left hand moves sound so thrilling. You'll become adept at every left hand style as Riccardo let's you in on all the secrets... stride bass as adopted and improved by Jelly Roll, Earl Hines, Eubie Blake, Luckey Roberts, Donald Lambert, Cliff Jackson, Willie The Lion Smith, George Gershwin and Fats Waller... Spanish Tinged left hand stylings... blues and boogie devices... swing style figures made famous by Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum and Bob Zurke... techniques of Prebop, Bebop, and the new left hand... Erroll Garner's strumming left hand figures... walking bass style... playing salsa stride patterns, montunos and bossa-novas... the basics of jazz ostinatos... rootless chord voicings... AND MORE!

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