Improvising Blues Piano


Tim Richards' first book/CD was published to widespread acclaim in 1997 by Schott Music Ltd, receiving the following write-up in the world's largest circulation blues magazine:

"I highly recommend the book... It's the best I've seen yet. It's almost like having your own personal instructor..."
BLUES REVUE magazine (USA)
View more PRESS REVIEWS

The response from pianists and teachers around the world has also been overwhelmingly positive, eg:

"Without a close second, the best instruction book ever!"
Reader's comment
View more READERS' COMMENTS

"I have never seen a book as complete, as professional, and as well put together as this one."
www.learnjazz piano.com
View complete ONLINE REVIEW

If you already own this book click here to view latest UPDATE.

IMPROVISING BLUES PIANO won the Best Publication prize at the 2004 Frankfurt Music Fair, and is now available in German (in two volumes). A Korean translation is also in the pipeline.

 

 
IMPROVISING BLUES PIANO

The basic principles of blues piano explained for the intermediate level pianist in an easy-to-grasp fashion.

Over 60 pieces to play, including many original compositions by the author, together with new arrangements of the following well-known standards:

Ain't No Sunshine, Back in the Alley, Bag's Groove, Blueberry Hill, Blue Monk,
C Jam Blues, Got my Mojo Workin', Honky Tonk Train Blues, How Long Blues,
Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Mary Ann, Pine Top's Boogie Woogie,
St Louis Blues, See See Rider.

Each chapter is graded within itself, providing some challenging pieces towards the end. Improvising is encouraged at all stages, with assignments giving ideas & guidance. The accompanying CD contains all the pieces, including some play-along tracks, performed by Tim Richards.

Click on tune title
to listen to sample tracks
from the CD


Happy Blues
Bouncy Boogie
Slow Blues in G
Got My Mojo Workin'

These are Real Audio files.

To download a Real Player
please click on the icon


Buy IMPROVISING BLUES PIANO now from JAZZWISE

Press Reviews

"This book leaves any possible competition standing at the post"
Brian Priestley
- JAZZWISE Magazine

"The presentation is immaculate, the method is logical and friendly. This book feels good..."
MOJO Magazine

"The essential book for all aspiring blues pianists"
Jools Holland

"Beautifully presented, it has clarity, heart and comprehensiveness."
Michael Garrick

"Helpful features include a great CD by the London-based Richards, who is a top-notch performer, recording artist and educator... All the lessons are presented in an extremely organised and easy to understand manner; it's almost like having your own personal instructor... I highly recommend the book... It's the best I've seen yet."
BLUES REVUE
(USA - the largest circulation blues magazine in the world)

"It is a pleasure to be able unreservedly to recommend this book to aspiring blues and boogie pianists. I for one will be using it in my workshops in future."
Bob Hall
- BLUES & RHYTHM Magazine

"For blues piano, it's about as thorough as any book I've seen."
Jamey Aebersold
(USA)

UK price is £22.99 (includes CD)
Distribution is by MDS
(orders.uk@mds-partner.com), or Music Exchange.
It can be obtained via mail-order online from
JAZZWISE
It is also usually in stock at:
FOYLES BOOKSHOP, 113-119 Charing Cross Road, London WC2
CHAPPELLS, 50 New Bond Street, London W1 (Tel: 020-7491 2777).

To obtain details of other stockists in the UK, please call:
SCHOTT - Freephone 0800-525 566.

USA price is $39.95 (includes CD)
Distribution is via
HAL LEONARD: www.halleonard.com
It can be ordered online via the JAMEY AEBERSOLD mail order service: www.jazzbooks.com

Order No for both USA and UK is ED12504 (ISBN: 0-946535-97-3).

Germany
The German translation is available in two volumes, entitled simply BLUES PIANO I and II.
Price per volume:
Blues Piano I -
order No ED 9695 - 22,95 Euro (includes CD for both volumes)
Blues Piano II -
order No ED 9724 - 19,95 Euro (includes index for both volumes)
www,schott-music.com


Tim Richards Homepage
Exploring Jazz Piano - new publication