Jazz Piano Fundamentals (Book 1)
Jazz Piano Fundamentals (Book 1) offers a comprehensive introduction to the world of jazz piano, designed for pianists who want to transition from classical or basic piano skills into the rich, expressive realm of jazz. This methodical approach breaks down complex concepts into manageable lessons that build progressively, ensuring a solid foundation in jazz theory, harmony, and improvisation.
Who Should Use This Book?
This book is perfect for:
- Intermediate pianists with basic reading skills who are new to jazz
- Classical pianists wanting to expand their musical language
- Music students seeking supplementary material for their jazz studies
- Self-taught musicians looking to structure their jazz knowledge
- Teachers seeking a systematic approach for introducing jazz concepts to students
What You'll Learn
Book 1 focuses on essential building blocks that form the foundation of jazz piano playing:
Major 7th Chords and Extensions
Master the voicings, voice leading, and extensions that give jazz its distinctive harmonic palette. Learn to construct and play major 7th chords with 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths in various positions.
The ii-V-I Progression
Explore the most common progression in jazz, understanding its function, variations, and how to voice it smoothly and elegantly. Practice it in all keys with multiple voicing options.
Basic Jazz Scales and Modes
Develop your melodic vocabulary with pentatonic scales, blues scales, and the modes of the major scale. Learn how to apply these scales over different chord types.
Swing Feel and Rhythm
Cultivate authentic jazz feel through exercises that develop your sense of swing, syncopation, and rhythmic articulation specific to jazz piano.
Introduction to Improvisation
Gain confidence in creating melodic improvisations through structured exercises that guide you from simple motifs to more developed musical ideas.
Book Structure
Chapter Breakdown:
- Jazz Keyboard Orientation Understanding chord symbols, basic jazz voicings, and preparing your hands for jazz playing
- Major 7th Chords Construction, voicing principles, and practice routines
- The ii-V-I Progression Theory, voice leading, and application in major keys
- Pentatonic and Blues Scales Patterns, applications, and integration into your playing
- Rhythm and Feel Developing swing, syncopation, and rhythmic vocabulary
- Improv Building Blocks Call and response, motif development, and beginning soloing concepts
- Songs and Application Putting it all together with standard jazz repertoire
Sample Excerpts
Each chapter is packed with practical exercises, musical examples, and clear explanations. Here's what you can expect:
From Chapter 3 Voicing the ii-V-I:
When playing a ii-V-I progression in C major (Dm7-G7-CMaj7), try this two-handed voicing approach. In your left hand, play the root of each chord, while your right hand handles the upper structure:
Dm7: Left hand plays D, right hand plays F-C-E (third, seventh, ninth)
G7: Left hand plays G, right hand plays B-F-A (third, seventh, ninth)
CMaj7: Left hand plays C, right hand plays E-B-D (third, seventh, ninth)
Notice how the right hand notes (F-B-E to B-F-A to E-B-D) move smoothly by half steps or remain common tones while the left hand changes the root. This voice leading technique is essential to the jazz piano sound.
"This book transformed my approach to piano. As a classical player for 15 years, I always struggled with jazz concepts. The clear, step-by-step progression in Book 1 gave me exactly what I needed to begin my jazz journey with confidence."
Sarah Mitchell, Piano Teacher
Practice Tips for Maximum Progress
To get the most out of this book, consider the following practice principles:
- Daily consistency beats occasional intensity Even 20 minutes of focused practice each day will yield better results than one long session per week.
- Practice slowly and accurately Speed is a byproduct of control. If you can't play it slowly with precision, you won't control it when you increase tempo.
- Use a metronome Develop your sense of time by practicing with a metronome, starting slowly and gradually increasing the tempo.
- Learn in multiple keys While exercises are presented in comfortable keys, practice transposing them to develop thorough familiarity across the keyboard.
- Record yourself Regular recordings provide objective feedback on your progress and help identify areas needing improvement.
About the Author
What's Coming in Book 2
Once you've mastered the fundamentals in Book 1, continue your journey with Book 2, which will expand on these concepts with:
- Minor ii-V-i progressions and minor harmony
- Altered dominants and their associated scales
- Advanced voicings including rootless voicings and quartal voicings
- More sophisticated improvisation techniques
- Comping patterns and accompaniment styles
- Interaction with rhythm section concepts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What level of piano proficiency do I need before starting?
A: This book is designed for intermediate pianists who can read basic notation and play simple pieces. You should be comfortable with major and minor scales in several keys and basic chord progressions.
Q: Do I need any special equipment?
A: A well-tuned acoustic piano or quality digital piano with weighted keys is recommended. For rhythmic practice, a metronome is essential.
Q: Can a complete beginner use this book?
A: While motivated beginners may benefit, this book moves quickly into jazz-specific concepts. Those with no piano experience should first develop basic reading skills and technique with a beginner method before progressing to this material.
Q: How long will it take to complete Book 1?
A: This varies greatly depending on your prior experience and practice routine. Most dedicated students complete Book 1 in 3-6 months of consistent practice.
Q: Are there audio examples available?
A: Yes, accompanying audio files demonstrating all exercises and musical examples are available for download with purchase, allowing you to hear proper jazz feel, articulation, and phrasing.
Order your copy today and begin your jazz piano journey!
Includes 128 pages with 75+ musical examples and downloadable audio files
Available as spiral-bound print book or digital PDF
Jazz Piano Fundamentals (Book 1) Your pathway to authentic jazz piano playing starts here.
