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Winner of "Best Pop Publication 2006" award at the MIA Music Industry Awards, UK.
VOLUME 1 (Beginner/Intermediate)
A brand new publication by Tim Richards, Exploring Jazz Piano is the long-awaited follow-up to his acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano, also published by Schott & Co. The overall level is somewhat higher, and would suit pianists of Grade 4 standard and above. The book is a veritable treasury of styles and techniques for the aspiring jazz pianist - and refer to the works of Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Horace Silver, Hampton Hawes, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, and many others.
Includes a CD featuring performances of each piece in the book (a total of 28 pieces). These are performed either by Tim alone or with his trio of Dominic Howles (bass) and Matt Home (drums). Play-along tracks are also included in which the piano is panned to one speaker, providing rhythm section accompaniment if desired by adjusting the amplifier's balance control. Copious examples of improvisation are accompanied by numerous assignments, with guidance to hand on every page.
The package is beautifully illustrated with many full-page photographs of piano masters past and present, informative mini biographies and a comprehensive suggested listening section. The practical covered spiral binding protects the book and enables it to lie flat on the music stand.
Exploring Jazz Piano fills a vacuum in jazz piano instruction with a comprehensive syllabus that takes the beginner from first principles to intermediate level in this edition, Volume 1. The subsequent edition, Exploring Jazz Piano Volume 2, takes the performer through to professional level. Any student of jazz piano, piano teacher, or performing musician dipping into either volume will be rewarded with a wealth of ideas and practical information to keep them occupied for many months, or to use as an ongoing resource.
Exploring Jazz Piano Vol.1 builds on the fundamental concepts covered in Improvising Blues Piano and 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, II V I sequences, horizontal and vertical improvisation, tritone substitution, two-handed voicings, rootless voicings, technical exercises and fingering, accompaniment styles, ear-training.
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 Street, Ornithology, Song for My Father, Straight No Chaser and Take the A Train. Also included are transcribed solos by Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver - an invaluable source of authentic jazz techniques.
"The jazz process has been uncovered in the most comprehensive and welcoming way. Clear-cut, informative and easy to use, Tim Richards has given all comers to this music a way in - go and buy it." - Julian Joseph
Book/CD, 240 pages |
