Improvisation At The Piano ( A Systematic Approach For The Classically Trained Pianist) [Paperback]

Brian Chung (Author), Dennis Thurmond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2007

This unique text uses a step-by-step approach to guide the reader from fundamental concepts to advanced topics in improvisation. Each subject is broken into easy to understand segments, gradually becoming more complex as improvisational tools are acquired. Designed for the classically trained pianist with little or no experience in improvisation, it uses the reader s previous knowledge of basic theory and technique to help accelerate the learning process. Included are over 450 music examples and illustrations to reinforce the concepts discussed. These concepts are useful in all improvisational settings and can be applied to any musical style. For pianists interested in jazz, there are three chapters dedicated to introducing jazz improvisation, which can be used as the basis for further study in this idiom.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Chung serves as Senior Vice President of Kawai America Corporation. He is past president of the Piano Manufacturers Association International, a former Chair of the Board of Trustees for the MTNA Foundation. Dennis Thurmond is currently director of Keyboard Pedagogy at the Thornton School of Music (Univesity of Southern California), was formerly the chairman of the music synthesis department and class piao program at the Berklee College and Teaching Fellow at the MIT Center for Advanced Studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing (April 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739043781
• ISBN-13: 978-0739043783
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, June 24, 2009

By 

S. Ranney (Chicago, Il USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Improvisation At The Piano ( A Systematic Approach For The Classically Trained Pianist) (Paperback)

This is probably the most effective (best) book I've read for any acquired skill.

I'm a pianist (currently working on my Masters at a conservatory) and was searching for a book on improvisation within the classical medium. I was frustrated because I couldn't find any book with the exception of this.

Thank God that I could only find this book. Yesterday, I read through most of it. The exercises are brilliantly isolated to help acquire rhythmic, harmonic, dynamic competence, etc. It demonstrates how to recognize the modes within a passage of a few to several chords, recognize how closely related they are, etc...

You definitely have to have a good backround in theory to understand this whole text, but even if you do not, the first 20 pages or so will stretch your mind and greatly improve your compitence (in terms of improvisation).

The balance between demonstration and exercise is just about perfect. Because they include multiple demonstrations before each exercise (and there are PLENTY of exercises), the exercises are never confusing or misunderstood. Within the demonstrations, great (basic to more advanced) improvisation is shown over the bassline or whatever backing your going to play in your left or right hand before you must do it yourself. They make sure to include certain key ideas within these improv demonstrations, such as outlining a certain chord with embellishment, emphasizing a certain tone, etc.

I plan on dedicated some of my time every day to this book because I believe that we are living in a time where musicians are not well-rounded like they were in the 20's-60's.... we cannot transpose at sight, improvise, understand theory like we used to.

Books like this are truly a savior to this art.

The authors Brian Chung and Dennis Thurmond demonstrate ways of improvising over classics such as the bass lines to Fur Elise and Mozart's C Major sonata, and then changing them to the relative modes etc. I agree with the person who wrote the review above me; this book will help you understand the theory behind music, which in turn helps memorize and understand the composer's compositional style/intentions. Moreso than this, it will do wonders for the ear and the ability to recover from mistakes in performance. I believe that it has potential to cut a performer's memory slips at least in half if not much less during any given performance. With proper improvisation ability comes proper ear training comes a more thorough learning of the music and less of a chance to rely on muscle memory etc....

Great stuff! I rarely write a review on Amazon but this book is truly deserving. I plan on teaching this text to my more advanced students as well.

I applaud the authors of this book. Mastery of an instrument should not just entail a replication of repertoire, but the ability to sightread, transpose, improvise, and know your way around the instrument backwards and forwards.

If I am able to conquer this text, I will finally be able to say that I have true mastery of the instrument.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, May 31, 2009

By 

Mike Dulka - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Improvisation At The Piano ( A Systematic Approach For The Classically Trained Pianist) (Paperback)

A wonderful book-exactly what I was looking for: aimed at musicians with a pure classical bent. I will warn you that a THOROUGH knowledge of music theory is essential for making any sense of this book: don't bother getting this unless you know music theory like the back of your hand: this book could otherwise be called "Advanced music theory for keyboard."

If you memorize the harmonic devices and improvisation patterns in this book, you can review a peice AWAY from the piano to identify patterns such as the true key signature (major or minor/melodic minor), as well as scale and modal shifts (for instance, you'll find aeolian and mixolydian modes in many many peices). A harmonic analysis of a classical piece will not only give you insight into how the greats composed, but will greatly ease the memorization process. You'll have a lot of fun with the info in this book. I feel I have quite an edge on most musicians now. The info in this book is also entirely applicably to ANY instrument.

I hope this review was helpful to my musical brothers and sisters. :)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book title is very accurate, June 10, 2010

By 

Douglas Houck (Dover, NH USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Improvisation At The Piano ( A Systematic Approach For The Classically Trained Pianist) (Paperback)

This advanced book builds up a whole toolbox of techniques for dressing up a simple melody.

As a classically-trained pianist who also plays by ear, I found this book very useful for methodically pushing my improvisational boundaries (way out of my comfort zone!), and putting solid theory behind what I did by feel. Since it is methodical, I plan to use it in my teaching. It systematizes the techniques of the great composers (who were also great improvisers), and makes their work more understandable (and subject to re-improvisation).

On the downside, there is a very strong emphasis on finding the right scale to go with a melody, but there didn't seem to be enough practical examples of what to do with that scale other than 'be creative.' Be warned this book assumes a solid grasp of music theory.