Product Description

You Can Teach Yourself Piano Chords combines regular music notation with visual illustrations to give a clear picture of how to voice basic piano chords. The first part of the book introduces the student to basic triads and dominant seventh chords in all the inversions. After mastering this concept, material such as Maj7th, min7th, diminished, augmented and suspended chords are introduced, followed by alternate bass note, addition of the 9th and common chord progressions. Regardless of skill level, the student will quickly be able to play an accompaniment by using only chord symbols. The appendix section will give the student a clear understanding in basic music theory. When using this book as a lesson book it's very helpful to refer to the appendix section while chords are being learned. The book can be used both for lessons and reference. Includes DVD.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28957 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 120 pages

About the Author
Jazz pianist, composer, arranger, writer and educator Per Danielsson is a native of Stockholm, Sweden. Growing up with a jazz guitar playing father, Per was exposed to the sounds of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans at an early age. He began his formal musical education with piano lessons at age nine. Later studies included lessons with Robert Malmberg and world renowned jazz pianist Bengt Hallberg.

After graduation from Kungsholmens Gymnasium in 1981, Per spent six months performing in the inaugural Royal Swedish Army Band. In 1984 Per was the recipient of the Pat Coil Jazz Piano Scholarship to North Texas State University, one of the largest music schools in the United States, internationally known for its outstanding jazz studies program. His two years at NTSU included intense studies in performance and arranging with Steve Harlos, Dan Hearle, Paris Rutherford and another important influence, the legendary jazz artist and educator Rich Matteson.

While at school Per was selected to play piano with the NTSU Jazz Singers on their 1985 tour of Taiwan. And in 1986 Per won a national audition and spent the summer performing in Disney's All-American College Orchestra at EPCOT Center. This was followed by the offer of a full-time job as a professional pianist for Walt Disney World.

Per has performed with a variety of jazz and show artists including Rich Matteson, Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Shew, Nick Brignola, John Green, Maureen McGovern, Rich Little, Mike Post and Mark Murphy. He has also performed with Swedish jazz legends Arne Domnerus and Jan Allan.

After fifteen years as a professional musician, Per completed his Master's degree in jazz studies, composition and arranging, studying with one of the finest jazz writer-arrangers of today, Chuck Owen.

Now an educator as well, he teaches jazz improvisation at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Per often shares his musical experience and expertise with students of all ages who participate in Disney's Magic Music Days jazz workshops.

Per's playing can be heard on his own trio CD "Zulu Time," as well as the CD "So It Goes" which he co-wrote and co-produced with jazz saxophonist Tamara Danielsson. His current projects include trio and quartet recordings with jazz great Danny Gottlieb. Per also shares his knowledge in current publications by Mel Bay including, Essential Jazz Lines of Bill Evans, and First Lessons Piano.

Customer Reviews

Learn piano chords like guitar players learn chords
I am enjoying using this book to learn piano chords. It shows the chords using keyboard diagrams along with the notes on the treble and bass cleff (shows fingering). This book includes chords such as Major,Minor, Dominant 7th, Major 7th, Minor 7th, Diminished 7th, Augmented, Suspended, adding the 9th. You will find various chord progessions then Exercise Progressions for practicing. If you are looking for a book to help you with your chords and chord progressions this book is definitely the one to purchase.

Good with one flaw
There are no written instructions inside the book about how to use it as a teaching tool. The contents are entirely diagrams. Thankfully, the accompanying DVD provides excellent instructions on how to do the lessons. The book and DVD work in tandem.

Unfortunately, what this means is that if you misplace the DVD (which I did early on my way up the my learning curve) the book by itself is now only good for reference purposes - it has become worthless as a stand-alone teaching tool. So... I had to order another copy. Had there been (at least minimal) written instructions describing how to do the exercises in the book I would have given it 5 stars.

The book was just what i needed!
I am a new piano player and this book helped me to see the chords more clearly.