Jazz Piano Pieces, Grade 1

The Associated Board's Jazz Piano series is a comprehensive introduction to the world of jazz. A pioneering set of publications and a rigorously planned syllabus provide the building blocks you need to play jazz with imagination, understanding and style and to improvise effectively right from the start.

Five books of graded pieces provide a wealth of jazz repertoire for you to play, from the great African-American tradition to the vibrant, dynamic and multicultural nature of jazz today. Throughout, there is a huge range of styles: funky rock grooves, up tempo swing tunes, calypsos, Latin pieces, jazz waltzes, modal pieces, bebop, gospel etc.

There are classic tunes by such jazz greats as Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk in addition to the brand new pieces which have been specially commissioned from professional British jazz pianists and educators. Within each album there are 15 pieces presented in three categories - blues, standards and contemporary jazz. Each piece provides a head which contains all the characteristic voicings, phrasing and rhythmic patterns needed for a stylish performance. An improvised section follows, where guideline pitches and left-hand voicings are given as a practical starting point for your own solos. These pieces will get you playing confidently and creatively.