The Jazz Piano Book

Synopsis

The most highly acclaimed jazz piano method ever published. Over 300 pages with complete chapters on Intervals and triads, The major modes and II-V-I, 3-note voicings, Sus. and phrygian Chords, Adding notes to 3-note voicings, Tritone substitution, Left-hand voicings, Altering notes in left-hand Stride and Bud Powell voicings, Block chords, Comping ...and much more!

Summary

Chapter 1: Getting Started

* Outlines the basics of piano playing, including posture, finger technique, and reading music.
* Example: Exercise 1-1 demonstrates correct finger placement and helps develop hand coordination.

Chapter 2: The Major Scales

* Introduces the major scale and its seven notes.
* Example: The C major scale is C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Practice playing this scale in both ascending and descending forms.

Chapter 3: The Minor Scales

* Discusses the natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales.
* Example: The A minor scale in its natural form is A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A. Compare this to the harmonic minor scale (A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A) and the melodic minor scale (A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A).

Chapter 4: The Blues Scale

* Explores the blues scale and its pentatonic nature.
* Example: The C blues scale is C, Eb, F, F#, G, Bb, C. Play this scale in various patterns to develop familiarity and improvisation skills.

Chapter 5: Triads

* Defines and demonstrates the use of triads, which are three-note chords.
* Example: The C major triad is C, E, G. Practice playing triads in different inversions to enhance harmonic awareness.

Chapter 6: Seventh Chords

* Introduces seventh chords, including dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, and half-diminished 7th.
* Example: The C dominant 7th chord is C, E, G, Bb. Practice these chords and experiment with their voicing and voicings.

Chapter 7: Chord Progressions

* Explains the function and structure of chord progressions.
* Example: The I-IV-V-I progression in C major is C major, F major, G major, C major. Analyze and practice various progressions to develop harmonic understanding.

Chapter 8: Walking Basses

* Introduces walking bass lines and their importance in jazz piano.
* Example: A simple walking bass line in C major is C, F, G, C, Eb, F, G, C. Practice playing these bass lines with different chords to develop rhythmic and harmonic coordination.

Chapter 9: Comping

* Provides guidance on creating and playing comping patterns, which accompany soloists.
* Example: A simple comping pattern in C major could be Cmaj7 (strummed chords), C7 (arpeggio), Fmaj7 (strummed chords), G7 (arpeggio). Practice comping with different progressions and styles.

Chapter 10: Improvising

* Discusses the art of improvising over a chord progression.
* Example: Improvise a jazz solo over the II-V-I progression in G major (Am7-D7-Gmaj7). Experiment with scales, arpeggios, and rhythmic variations.