Berklee Jazz Piano – Piano Method Book | Learn Jazz Chords, Scales, and Improvisation | Includes Online Audio | Jazz Instruction from Berklee College of Music

by Ray Santisi

(Berklee Guide). Play jazz piano with new facility and expression as Ray Santisi, one of the most revered educators at the Berklee College of Music and mentor to Keith Jarrett, Diana Krall, Joe Zawinul, and thousands of others reveals the pedagogy at the core of Berklee's jazz piano curriculum. From beginning through advanced levels, Berklee Jazz Piano maps the school's a unique blend of theory and application that gives you a deep, practical understanding of how to play jazz. Concepts are illustrated by the accompanying practice audio, accessed online for streaming or download, where you'll hear how one of the great jazz pianists and educators of our time applies these concepts to both jazz standards and original compositions, and how you can do the same. You will * Jazz chords and their characteristic tension substitutions, in many voicings and configurations * Modes and scales common in jazz * Techniques for comping, developing bass lines, harmonizing melodies, melodizing harmonies, and improvisation * Practice techniques for committing these concepts to your muscle memory * Variations for solo and ensemble playing * Advanced concepts, such as rhythmic displacement, approach-chord harmonization, and jazz counterpoint. The accompanying audio is accessed through Hal Leonard's popular MyLibrary system using the provided code. The audio can be streamed or downloaded and includes PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.

Genres: Music

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2008

Reviews

[Richard Pohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some exercises and commentaries were not perfectly comprehendable at a first sight, so it might be most beneficial as a supplement to other methods or regular classes. On the other hand it is not bloated with too much information like many other books. Overall, it is obvious that it was written by a professional pedagogue and it may be useful addition to any musician's library.

[Ian Dodds · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the complete pieces at the end of the book, in solo format, with trio then pianoless backing track. However I was at a loss to understand a good few of the preceding chapters. Some of it didn't seem to make sense. Slightly confusing.