Customer Reviews

Jazz, Rags & Blues, Book 2 (Alfred's Basic Piano Library)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The concept of jazz piano is not complete without learning "comping" or free-composing of melody and improvisational ideas over a basic chordal structure. So, in that respect, this series will not teach you to be a jazz pianist. However, these are really fun, cute, and even artfully composed pieces that will be a great addition to your existing "classical" piano repertoire.

Quite a challenge because of their non-diatonic notes and irregular rhythms. The simplicity of the melody over a simple open 5th or other such basic patterns allows the beginning pianist to be introduced to more advanced ideas without going completely over their head. I strongly recommend this for beginning pianists with at least a year or so of sight-reading experience.

I got this book for my 16 year old son per request from his piano teacher and he seems to like it very much. It is something different from the traditional material for this level. I don't get tired of listening to this type of music as quickly as the other lesson books.

This book is recommended by musical teacher. My daughter is very fond of it. The only reason I gave it as 4-star is, somehow, I got a copy without CD which I thought it should come with CD. Really don't know how it happened.