Customer Reviews

Mel Bay Play Jazz, Blues, & Rock Piano by Ear, Book One

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The author of these books states that he came out with these books specifically designed for classical pianists who never got a chance to learn jazz. These books come with explanations of scales and chord progressions designed to help you improvise. There are also transcription exercises.

While the material in this book is "good", it is very "basic" and slow paced in the fact that if you already know your scales and basic chords, learning jazz should not be that difficult given that you already have at least a decent ear. I started learning jazz piano from a jazz piano teacher and learned it so fast that I did not even have to touch this book again. I transcended these books in about 3 weeks because I already had a knowledge of scales, chords ect.

This book is not a book for those who have a good understanding of keyboard harmony, scales and chord progressions. It is good for those who are total beginners or classically trained who lack a decent or mediocre foundation in transcribing, scales, improvising and chords.

Even if you have never studied jazz and have a at least a decent skill in transcribing, playing scales, chords and basic improvisation, you should NOT get these books. Instead just study with a jazz instructor.

This approach to learning to play piano by ear is terrific. You get familiar with playing in all the keys and can explore improvising without feeling self conscious. It's a great way to learn how to speak keyboard. I'm working on Book 1, but bought and looked at all three volumes. I'm sure that it'll be fun to learn from the whole series.