Product Description

Following the best-selling Jazz Piano Chords, this informative volume provides a scale reference and practice tool for any pianist wanting to learn to play jazz. Starting with diatonic, pentatonic, symmetrical and exotic scales, more advanced composer and jazz scales are introduced. The following discussion of polytonality, alternating scales, using scales with chords and scale chords represents the dominating concepts of contemporary jazz. The book ends with extensive 12-key libraries of scales, and scales arranged by chords. Learning to use these scales will help any pianist play with more tonal and modal variety, color, freedom and interest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #698694 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 104 pages

About the Author
Mel Bay best-selling author, Misha V. Stefanuk, started playing piano at the age of five. He composed his first piece when he was nine. Mr. Stefanuk studied at the Moscow Studio of Music Improvisation Art, the Moscow Conservatory School, the Russian Academy of Music, Belmont University, Skidmore Jazz Institute, and Washington State University. He has written more then 100 works for a variety of instrumentations, as well as music for over thirty theater shows, including an original score for Y2K Survival Guide with Leonard Nemoy. Misha has composed a significant amount of music for network television, including programs such as All My Children (ABC), One Life to Live (ABC), Passions (NBC), The Chris Isaak Show (Showtime) and First Monday (CBS). Among his works are the Mel Bay best-sellers Jazz Piano Chords (2001) and Jazz Piano Scales (2003), Jazz Piano for the Young Beginner, and Piano for Adults (2003).

Mr. Stefanuk is a monthly columnist for Creative Keyboard and a judge at the "Annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Stefanuk is a prize-winner of the Stereotypes and Nations Composition Competition held by Muzica Centrum Art Society in Cracow, Poland for his composition Equinokse for oboe, string trio and prepared piano, and of the Concerto Aria Composition Competition at Belmont University for his piece The New American Symphony. He was also named Outstanding Piano Player at the l29th Annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and has won full scholarships at Belmont University, Washington State University, and Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute.

Misha and his wife, Evan, teach over one hundred students at Johnson Ferry Conservatory of Music in Atlanta Georgia and privately. Among them are recording artists, TV personalities, winners of national and regional competitions, and teachers. Misha's students attended a number of prestigious music schools in US, and abroad. Mr. Stefanuk has released over twenty CDs varying from Contemporary Classical to Jazz, New Age and Pop.

Customer Reviews

An entertaining experience, great book for jazz pianists!
Misha Stefanuk has created a fine book for jazz pianists in his JAZZ PIANO SCALES & MODES. Concise, logical, and enjoyable learning experiences sum up this fine book. For the jazz pianist interested in the variety of scales and modes available, this is an excellent reference book. For example, take a close look at page 15 on scales, and the information given. Other sections of great interest include the exotic scales and scales by key, and chords. This a book to share with friends. It is also a book that offers new insights each time it is opened. Well-written, flawless in concept. Congratulations to the author on a job well done!

Lee Prosser, composer of "Ramakrishna Waltz" and author of the memoir ISHERWOOD, BOWLES, VEDANTA, WICCA, AND ME.

Jazz Piano Scales & Modes
There is a mountain of information in the book. It is one that must be studied. It's not the easiest of reads, this stuff is fairly (musically) heavy. Study, learn and enjoy! Five stars!!