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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #128418 in Books
• Published on: 2005-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780634061233
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

something new
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.

An easy to use jazz primer
I bought this book along with Levine's The Jazz Piano Book and while my instructor and I work a lot from the Levine book, we've found our way back to this one, and it has helped my playing (and enthusiasm for the "work" part of learning jazz) immensely. I like how it just states the theory behind a concept and then shows you lots of different ways to do it. Some of the chords and inversions are very easy to remember and use later on in my own playing. All of a sudden, my dry, straight ahead, playing-the-notes-jazz is sounding fuller and "jazzy" and I couldn't be happier. The CD allows me to practice and work on things without my instructor and serves as a very useful companion to the book. When I get through with this one, I'm going to have a look at some of the other jazz piano guides from Hal Leonard, most definitely.

Money well spent!
This book is a very good deal! No, I don't play well, and I likely never will. As such, my only "less-than-glowing" observation would be that a beginner will likely initially have difficulty playing along with the examples, especially at real-time speed. Of course, (perfect) practice should make perfect. Right?

For me, this book has helped shed much light on the inner workings of jazz piano. Also, as I still compose, the material relating to "rootless voicings" is invaluable. Having employed some of the demonstrated voicings, I have noticed that my chords' tone colors are deeper and much more alluring. Not only is the content of the book excellent and the quality of the CD great, the book is handsomely constructed. The book is flexible enough to sit (and stay open) nicely on my music stand; the print quality and layout are excellent; and the notation of the examples is perfectly clear.

I had always been a Chick Corea fan, but after having read this and listened to the CD, I have acquired a "huge" appreciation for Bill Evans, a man who contributed so much in such a short lifetime. I definitely recommend this fine book.

Joseph L. D'Agostino, author of Modern Music Systems: a new perspective on music scales, clefs, and chords