Blues Hanon (Hanon Series) [Paperback]

Leo Alfassy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hanon Series | Publication Date: January 1, 1992

While building the necessary skills, this book provides extensive musical and stylistic insight to the blues style of piano playing. It includes harmonic patterns, tempos, syncopation, blue notes, grace notes, and compound meters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Music Sales America (January 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825622247
• ISBN-13: 978-0825622243
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blues Hanon's are fun, April 16, 2000

By 

Will H. "Will H." (Overland Park, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Hanon (Hanon Series) (Paperback)

For those piano students who remember long hours at the keyboard practicing "Hanons"....let me say that Alfassy's "Blues Hanons" are NOT the same old exercises. These fingering techinques provide very good musical insight (and finger practice) for the aspiring blues musician. The lessons progress from easier to harder....and in some cases the later riffs build on skills learned in earlier lessons. One slight problem.......there is no CD or cassette. Blues riffs have a "sound" that requires both rhythm and dynamics to duplicate. Hearing these riffs played would be of great benefit...especially for the late-beginner or early-intermediate student.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This ain't no Hanon, April 25, 2004

By 

"teardown" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Hanon (Hanon Series) (Paperback)

I've now got both "Blues Hanon"s and am disappointed with this one as well in it's own way (see review of the other). By contrast this one is not a Hanon at all by which I mean exercises in all keys each focusing on a specific technical problem, which at least the other one was in format.
This book is more of an introduction to blues piano and has some material of possible value but the "exercises" are essentially a few written out songs that do (to the books credit) focus on a particular technical issue. The songs are in different keys but not even passing mention is made of how to turn them into multi-key exercises.
I'm almost frustrated enough to create my own and I no doubt will create at least as subset for my own use now (...) I will get a little from each of these "Hanons" but I wouldn't recommend either if a "Hanon" is what you seek. This particular book can serve as an intro to blues piano for those in search of such.

4.0 out of 5 stars Blues Hanon - Somewhat a Misnomer, November 8, 2009

By 

Henny Bogan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blues Hanon (Hanon Series) (Paperback)

If you are familiar with the classic Hanon exercises, you will not find the same thing here. The classic Hanon exercises are meant to strengthen the fingers especially 3,4 and 5. They are boring but definitely accomplish the objective. The Blues Hanon will strengthen your rhythmic feeling for the blues. A CD is not necessary but a metronome is recommended. The exercises progress in difficulty and should be transposed by sight. The exercises immediately give you a feel for the blues and are musically interesting. I would definitely recommend this book.