Exploring Jazz Piano

Exploring Jazz Piano is the long-awaited follow-up to Tim Richards' acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano, also published by Schott Music. The overall level is somewhat higher, and would suit pianists of Grade 4 standard and above.

"There's little that comes close in terms of practicality of approach."
Brian Priestley, Jazzwise magazine
View more PRESS REVIEWS

The response from pianists and teachers around the world has been similarly enthusiastic, eg:

"A whole new standard for jazz instruction without even a close second!"
Reader's comment
View more READERS' COMMENTS

 

 

The new book comes in two volumes, comprising no less than 56 original pieces by the author, together with special arrangements of 24 jazz tunes, ranging from well-known standards such as Autumn Leaves and Summertime, to Thelonious Monk's Straight No Chaser and John Coltrane's Impressions.

"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 for UPDATES and CORRECTIONS.

If your copy of Volume 1 is spiral bound and looks like the one shown on the right, you need to DOWNLOAD the Vol 1 INDEX (which was omitted from the first printing).

EXPLORING JAZZ PIANO was voted Best Pop Publication 2006 by UK retailers at the MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (MIA) Awards.

 


Play 'Drifting' (track from Vol 1)

EXPLORING JAZZ PIANO

The two volumes also contain over 800 musical examples, a veritable treasury of styles and techniques for the aspiring jazz pianist, and refers to the work of Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Horace Silver, Hampton Hawes, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, and many others

Each volume has its own CD, containing between them performances of all 80 pieces, played by Tim alone or with his current trio of Dominic Howles (bass) and Matt Home (drums). Play-along tracks are also included, in which the piano is panned to one speaker, providing rhythm section accompaniment if desired by turning the amplifier's balance control. Copious examples of improvisation are accompanied by numerous assignments, with guidance to hand on every page.

"Meticulously researched, well-structured and stimulating... a tremendous teaching resource... demands to be in the library of every Music Department that teaches jazz."
Hugh Johns - TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

The package is beautifully illustrated with many full-page photographs of piano masters past and present, informative mini biographies and a comprehensive 'suggested listening' section. The practical covered spiral binding protects the books as well as enabling them to lie flat on the music stand.

Exploring Jazz Piano fills a vacuum in jazz piano instruction, its comprehensive syllabus taking the reader from first principles in Vol. 1 to professional level in Vol. 2. Any student of jazz piano, piano teacher, or performing musician dipping into either volume will be rewarded with a wealth of ideas and practical information to keep them occupied for many months, or to use as an ongoing resource in the years to come.

"The jazz process has been uncovered in the most comprehensive and welcoming way. Clear-cut, informative and easy to use, Tim Richards has given all comers to this music a way in - go and buy it."
Julian Joseph

Volume 1 introduces the intermediate pianist to the basic chord-types used in jazz, from major and minor triads to seventh and ninth chords. Other topics include:

  • chord/scale relationships
  • modes
  • broken chord and scale patterns
  • pentatonic and blues scales
  • walking bass lines
  • 'Latin' rhythms and bass lines
  • horizontal & vertical improvisation
  • tritone substitution
  • two-handed voicings
  • II ­ V ­ I sequences
  • rootless voicings
  • technical exercises and fingering
  • accompaniment styles
  • ear-training.

28 pieces by the author appear alongside Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon, In a Sentimental Mood, Mannenberg, On Green Dolphin Street (part 1), Ornithology, Song for My Father, Straight No Chaser and Take the 'A' Train. Also included are transcribed solos by Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, an invaluable source of authentic jazz techniques.

 

Vol 1
Schott ED 12708
256 pp + CD
RRP £24.99

Buy Vol 1 now from
JAZZWISE

 

Volume 2 deals with more complex and colourful harmony, from suspended fourth, sharp eleven and thirteenth chords to diminished and altered scales. Advanced voicing, accompaniment and improvisation techniques are examined in detail, including the following topics:

  • quartal harmony
  • modal improvisation
  • long and short II ­ V patterns
  • altered dominant chords
  • polychords
  • stride piano
  • Bossa Nova clave and Partido Alto
  • Lydian and Locrian modes
  • how to make scales swing
  • building bebop lines
  • the b3 pentatonic scale
  • 'rhythm' changes
  • turnarounds
  • playing in 3/4 time
  • playing in double-time
  • minor II ­ V ­ I
  • R235 patterns
  • tension and release
  • transcribing solos
  • practice routines.

32 pieces by the author appear alongside Beautiful Love, Blue Bossa, Blue in Green, Caravan, Impressions, Ladybird, Misty, On Green Dolphin Street, Softly as in a Morning Sunrise, Summertime, Tune Up and Yesterdays. Also included are transcribed solos by Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly and Hampton Hawes.

 

Vol 2
Schott ED 12829
304 pp + CD
RRP £24.99

Buy Vol 2 now from
JAZZWISE

 

Press Reviews

"I cannot praise it too highly... Vol. 1 and 2 together rank among the best
instructional books that I have seen in the 21 years since Jazzwise started."
Charles Alexander - JAZZWISE

"One of the most detailed studies of modern jazz piano I have come across...
a very strong foundation [for a keen student] to build their own style and ideas."
Huw White (3rd year student on Royal Academy jazz course) - JAZZ UK

"Exploring Jazz Piano provides the aspiring new-to-jazz or grade 4-level pianist (and above) with an exciting, comprehensive step into the world of jazz ­ highly recommended."
Alec Boulton - MUSIC TEACHER magazine

"Richards' approach is methodical, thorough and progressive. No shortage of useful information, much of it illuminated by the two well-played and well-produced CDs that accompany the books. Years of fruitful and fascinating study to be had, and plenty of good advice."
Mark Gilbert - JAZZ REVIEW

 

UK price is £24.99 for each volume (both include a CD)
Distribution is by MDS (orders.uk@mds-partner.com), or Music Exchange.
They can be obtained via mail-order online from JAZZWISE
They are 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 for each volume (both include a CD)
Distribution is via HAL LEONARD: www.halleonard.com
They can be ordered online via the JAMEY AEBERSOLD mail order service: www.jazzbooks.com

Order numbers for both USA and UK are:
Vol 1: ED12708 (ISBN: 978-1-902455-24-2)
Vol 2: ED12829 (ISBN: 978-1-902455-25-9).

Germany
The German translation is available in two volumes, entitled simply JAZZ PIANO I and II.
Price per volume:
Jazz Piano I - 29,95 Euro (includes CD) - order No ED 20076 (ISBN: 978-3-7957-5818-9)
Jazz Piano II - 29,95 Euro (includes CD) - in preparation, details TBC
www,schott-music.com

 

Top of page
Tim Richards Homepage
Improvising Blues Piano