Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 1

Exploring Jazz Piano Vol. 1 : Harmony / Technique / Improvisation

Awarded the prestigious Music Industries Association Award in 2006 for Best Pop Publication, Tim Richards' Exploring Jazz Piano was the long-awaited follow-up to his acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano, also published by Schott. The overall level is somewhat higher, and would suit pianists of Grade 4 standard and above. The book comes in two volumes, comprising no less than 56 original pieces by the author, together with special arrangements of 24 standards ranging from Autumn Leaves and Summertime to Straight No Chaser and Coltrane's Impressions.

The two volumes also contain over 800 musical examples, a veritable treasury of styles and techniques for the aspiring jazz pianist, and refers to the work 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.

Each volume has audio files for download, containing between them performances of all 80 pieces, played by Tim alone or with his current 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 turning 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 books as well as enabling them to lie flat on the music stand.

Exploring Jazz Piano fills a vacuum in jazz piano instruction, its comprehensive syllabus taking the reader from first principles in Vol. 1 to professional level in Vol. 2. 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 in the years to come.

Vol. 1 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 St (part 1), 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.

EXPLORING JAZZ PIANO - press reviews

"There's little that comes close in terms of practicality of approach."
Brian Priestley - JAZZWISE magazine

"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

"One of the most detailed studies of modern jazz piano I have come across... a very strong foundation [for a keen student] to build their own style and ideas."
Huw White (3rd year student on Royal Academy jazz course) - JAZZ UK

"Meticulously researched, well-structured and stimulating... a tremendous teaching resource... demands to be in the library of every Music Department that teaches jazz."
Hugh Johns - TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

"Exploring Jazz Piano provides the aspiring new-to-jazz or grade 4-level pianist (and above) with an exciting, comprehensive step into the world of jazz - hi

  • Format: Sheet music | 256 pages
  • Dimensions: 230 x 302 x 22mm | 939g
  • Publication date: 23 Jul 2020
  • Publisher: Schott Music Ltd
  • Publication City/Country: London, United Kingdom
  • Language: English
  • ISBN13: 9781847615060
  • Bestsellers rank: 50,020

More Books:

Exploring Jazz Piano 1
Language: en
Pages: 0
Authors: Tim Richards
Categories:
Type: BOOK - Published: 2020-07-20 - Publisher:

Exploring Latin Piano
Language: en
Pages: 0
Authors: John Crawford de Cominges
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2010-12 - Publisher:

CDs contain full demonstration and backing tracks.
Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method
Language: en
Pages: 203
Authors: Mark Davis
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2015-09-01 - Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

(Piano Instruction). The Hal Leonard Jazz Piano Method is a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide designed for anyone interested in playing jazz piano from the co
Intro to Jazz Piano
Language: en
Pages: 165
Authors: Mark Harrison
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2011-09-01 - Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

(Keyboard Instruction). This comprehensive book with audio is the perfect Intro to Jazz Piano . From comping to soloing, you'll learn the theory, the tools, and
The Jazz Theory Book
Language: en
Pages: 725
Authors: Mark Levine
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2011-01-12 - Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."

The most highly-acclaimed jazz theory book ever published! Over 500 pages of comprehensive, but easy to understand text covering every aspect of how jazz is con
The Jazz Piano Book
Language: en
Pages: 431
Authors: Mark Levine
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2011-01-12 - Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."

The most highly acclaimed jazz piano method ever published! Over 300 pages with complete chapters on Intervals and triads, The major modes and II-V-I, 3-note vo
Berklee Jazz Piano
Language: en
Pages: 113
Authors: Ray Santisi
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2009-01-01 - Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

(Berklee Guide). Play jazz piano with new facility and expression as Ray Santisi, one of the most revered educators at the Berklee College of Music and mentor t
Exploring Jazz Violin
Language: en
Pages: 208
Authors: Chris Haigh
Categories: Art
Type: BOOK - Published: 2010 - Publisher: Schott & Company Limited

(String). Jazz is one of the biggest challenges a violinist can face, with the thought of improvisation likely to strike fear into the heart of even the best cl
Jazz Piano Basics - Book 1
Language: en
Pages: 87
Authors: Eric Baumgartner
Categories: Music
Type: BOOK - Published: 2017-08-01 - Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation

(Willis). Book 1 of a two-volume series that presents the fundamentals of jazz in a logical and accessible manner, primarily through short, progressive exercise
Nikki Iles & Friends, Book 1, with CD
Language: en
Pages: 40
Authors:
Categories:
Type: BOOK - Published: 2021-04 - Publisher: ABRSM Exam Pieces