THE MUSICAL MUSE
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Jazz Music and Improvisation Guide Books
This is a list of the "How To" books that I use whenever I teach and play contemporary music (e.g. pop, rock, Latin, jazz, ragtime) that I shared with them:
As I mentioned earlier, I recently presented to the Piano Pedagogy Group. The piano teachers in this group are currently working on their Grade 10 or their Piano Pedagogy certification through Royal Conservatory of Music, Conservatory Canada or London College of Music . They are all classically trained (translation: improvisation, lead sheets and chord charts are scary). This is a list of the "How To" books that I use whenever I teach and play contemporary music (e.g. pop, rock, Latin, jazz, ragtime) that I shared with them:
By Blake Neely. For Guitar, Piano/Keyboard. Piano. Instructional. Instructional book. Standard notation and instructional text. 88 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.220019)
By Ann Collins. For Piano. Piano Collection; Piano Supplemental. Early Advanced; Late Intermediate. Book. 80 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing (AP.199)
Volume 1 - How To Play Jazz & Improvise
By Jamey Aebersold. For any C, Eb, Bb, bass instrument or voice. Play-Along series with accompaniment CD. Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long series. Beginner, intermediate. Book & CD. 104 pages. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz (JA.V01DS)
Volume 3 - The II/V7/I Progression
By Jamey Aebersold. For any C, Eb, Bb, bass instrument or voice. Play-Along series with accompaniment CD. Jamey Aebersold Play-A-Long series. Beginner, intermediate. Book & CD. 100 pages. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz (JA.V03DS)
(6)
Arranged by Frank Paparelli. For Piano/Keyboard. Keyboard Instruction. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.120517)
(2)
There are a few more in my "To Check Out" pile. I'll add them once I've had a chance to go through them a bit.
Johnny Summers "Piano Sessions Vol. 1" CD Release Party March 2013
If you love jazz and you live in Calgary, come out to Johnny Summers' upcoming CD release party. Deets as follows: Date: March 16th 2013
Calgary CD release concert for Johnny's new recording "The Piano Sessions Volume 1"
featuring Chris Andrew, piano
Special guests Al Muirhead, Shane Statz, and The Polyjesters Jason and Sheldon Valleau!
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Johnny Summers is the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra.
Here's my CD review.
Here's a video of Johnny in performance:
Japanese Pastries - Oishii desu ne?
Two weeks ago, I went to Cerezo Cafe and Bar for the first time with friends. One friend said that the strawberry soft cake was out of this world. That's the truth.
せんせんしゅう、ともだち と セレーゾ へ いきた。
Two weeks ago, I went to Cerezo Cafe and Bar for the first time with friends. One friend said that the strawberry soft cake was out of this world. That's the truth.
Here's another language learning tip: visit stores and restaurants where you can practice speaking the language you are studying. Although I stumbled a bit, I did order this in Japanese. やっだ!
Sherry Kennedy "Little Secret" CD Release Party February 2013
If you're looking for something musical to enjoy next month, come on out to my vocal coach Sherry Kennedy's CD release party. Deets as follows:
Sherry is a Calgary-based singer, recording artist and vocal coach. Album review to come - stay tuned!
Here's a video of Sherry Kennedy in performance:
Practicing Piano Technique by the Root
This is more for the advanced students, music teachers and anyone who wants to learn jazz chords and scales. Instead of practicing your technical exercises by key, practice them by their shared root. For example, play through:
This is more for the advanced students, music teachers and anyone who wants to learn jazz chords and scales. Instead of practicing your technical exercises by key, practice them by their shared root. For example, play through:
C major Scale
C major Modes
C minor Scales (natural, harmonic, melodic, jazz minor)
C minor Modes
C Penatonic Scale
C Blues Scale
C Whole Tone Scale
C Octatonic Scale
C major tonic chord/triad
C minor tonic chord/triad
C7 (dominant 7th of F major)
Cm7 (ii7 of B-flat major)
Cm7(♭5) (viiø7 of D-flat major)
Cdim7, A.K.A. B#dim (viio7 of D-flat/c# minor)
and so on.
This was one of the first things I learned when I took jazz piano lessons with jazz pianist, clinician, adjudicator and examiner Derek Stoll.
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