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Title: Solo Jazz Piano: The Linear Approach by Neil Olmstead ISBN: 0-634-00761-0 Publisher: Berklee Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Great Book
Comment: This book is one of the most practical piano instruction books that I have come come across--the kind of book that you can sit at the piano with and benefit from immediately. It's minimally theoretical, focusing primarily on drills and concepts that are universally applicable. Particularly useful are the sections on baseline motives. I was able to integrate them into my playing instantly. This is not to say that the book is a quick read. There is a lot of information, and many techniques to master. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to improve as a solo pianist.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent practice resource with genuine depth and insight.
Comment: Neil Olmstead offers one of the most complete jazz piano approaches I have ever seen, and I have a good collection of quality books. All exercises are clearly explained, and there is plenty to work on, so expect to use it for a long time. This book is designed for dedicated enthusiasts and professionals alike. Mr. Olmstead's teaching experience at Berklee combined with his taste, knowledge, and ability contribute to this unique approach to enhancing jazz skills at the piano. His stated influences for his method are Dave McKenna and Lennie Tristano, and if you're familiar with these artists (and you don't have to be; anyone can benefit), you'll want help in analyzing their incredible styles and techniques. The book opens by helping you to arrange appropriate chord voicings--with both hands and the left hand alone. You'll practice comping while recognizing and employing common extensions. The book not only recommends harmonizing melodies--it guides you to the next step which is key to any jazz musician: improvising over the changes with a solid, complementary left hand technique. Gradually, bass line development is helpfully presented. The etudes offer left hand arrangements rarely seen in other books. You'll gain insight to help you with your own ideas. All the tunes are based on real jazz standards, and they are often written in three different formats to give you the scope you need to assimilate them. For example, the first version might give you a full arrangement (left hand nuances written); the second, just the chord changes and and an embellished melody; a third might request that you work on a bass line/ and or comping idea. To top it off, you get a demonstration CD with improvisation samples.
The later chapters get progressively sophisticated with ideas on how to change meter, and how to play ballads with a swing feel and vice versa.
The print is of high quality--though I wish the book were spiral-bound because it is thick.
I take my time with it; there is so much in it, and it is fun. There are many resources that I use for my practice routine, and this one is about as thorough as you can get, especially since it focuses exclusively on solo jazz piano. Some books assume you are always part of a band. So if you are ready to work and enjoy doing it, this volume is for you.
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Title: Tons of Runs: For the Contemporary Pianist by Andy Laverne ISBN: 094374895X Publisher: Warner Bros Pubns Pub. Date: 01 May, 1999 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Building a Jazz Vocabulary: A Resource for Learning Jazz Improvisation by Mike Steinel ISBN: 0793521610 Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation Pub. Date: 01 January, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Intros, Endings & Turnarounds for Keyboard: Essential Phrases for Swing, Latin, Jazz Waltz, and Blues Styles by John Valerio ISBN: 0634023012 Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation Pub. Date: 01 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Modern Jazz Voicings: Arranging for Small and Medium Ensembles by Ted Pease, Ken Pullig, Michael Gold ISBN: 0634014439 Publisher: Berklee Press Publications Pub. Date: 01 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice by Ted Pease ISBN: 0876390017 Publisher: Berklee Press Publications Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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