Mel Bay Jazz Piano Scales & Modes [Paperback]

Misha V. Stefanuk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

Following the best-selling Jazz Piano Chords, this informative volume provides a scale reference and practice tool for any pianist wanting to learn to play jazz. Starting with diatonic, pentatonic, symmetrical and exotic scales, more advanced composer and jazz scales are introduced. The following discussion of polytonality, alternating scales, using scales with chords and scale chords represents the dominating concepts of contemporary jazz. The book ends with extensive 12-key libraries of scales, and scales arranged by chords. Learning to use these scales will help any pianist play with more tonal and modal variety, color, freedom and interest.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mel Bay best-selling author, Misha V. Stefanuk, started playing piano at the age of five. He composed his first piece when he was nine. Mr. Stefanuk studied at the Moscow Studio of Music Improvisation Art, the Moscow Conservatory School, the Russian Academy of Music, Belmont University, Skidmore Jazz Institute, and Washington State University. He has written more then 100 works for a variety of instrumentations, as well as music for over thirty theater shows, including an original score for Y2K Survival Guide with Leonard Nemoy. Misha has composed a significant amount of music for network television, including programs such as All My Children (ABC), One Life to Live (ABC), Passions (NBC), The Chris Isaak Show (Showtime) and First Monday (CBS). Among his works are the Mel Bay best-sellers Jazz Piano Chords (2001) and Jazz Piano Scales (2003), Jazz Piano for the Young Beginner, and Piano for Adults (2003).

Mr. Stefanuk is a monthly columnist for Creative Keyboard and a judge at the "Annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition" in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Stefanuk is a prize-winner of the Stereotypes and Nations Composition Competition held by Muzica Centrum Art Society in Cracow, Poland for his composition Equinokse for oboe, string trio and prepared piano, and of the Concerto Aria Composition Competition at Belmont University for his piece The New American Symphony. He was also named Outstanding Piano Player at the l29th Annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and has won full scholarships at Belmont University, Washington State University, and Skidmore Summer Jazz Institute.

Misha and his wife, Evan, teach over one hundred students at Johnson Ferry Conservatory of Music in Atlanta Georgia and privately. Among them are recording artists, TV personalities, winners of national and regional competitions, and teachers. Misha's students attended a number of prestigious music schools in US, and abroad. Mr. Stefanuk has released over twenty CDs varying from Contemporary Classical to Jazz, New Age and Pop.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786657820
• ISBN-13: 978-0786657827
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,264,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Piano Scale Source Book, September 6, 2009

By 

P. Rhode "High Sierra Bass player" (portola, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Jazz Piano Scales & Modes (Paperback)

What separates this scales book is that the author lays out each mode or type of scale by key. Not only does it contain all the "church scales" (Aolian, Dorian, Ionian, etc.,), it also has the major and minor pentatonic, the blues scales, Bebop, and many others including Neapolitan, Japanese, Hungarian Minor scales, again, all in notation form and in every key! I've been looking for this for a long time. My only wish is that it would be in spiral binding. Other than that, this is better than any of the other scales books I've purchased.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining experience, great book for jazz pianists!, December 5, 2003

By 

Lee Prosser (Foyil, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay Jazz Piano Scales & Modes (Paperback)

Misha Stefanuk has created a fine book for jazz pianists in his JAZZ PIANO SCALES & MODES. Concise, logical, and enjoyable learning experiences sum up this fine book. For the jazz pianist interested in the variety of scales and modes available, this is an excellent reference book. For example, take a close look at page 15 on scales, and the information given. Other sections of great interest include the exotic scales and scales by key, and chords. This a book to share with friends. It is also a book that offers new insights each time it is opened. Well-written, flawless in concept. Congratulations to the author on a job well done!

Lee Prosser, composer of "Ramakrishna Waltz" and author of the memoir ISHERWOOD, BOWLES, VEDANTA, WICCA, AND ME.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz Piano Scales & Modes, December 20, 2006

By 

D. S. HARDEN "a movie fan" (L.A.,CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Jazz Piano Scales & Modes (Paperback)

There is a mountain of information in the book. It is one that must be studied. It's not the easiest of reads, this stuff is fairly (musically) heavy. Study, learn and enjoy! Five stars!!