Starting Improvise Jazz Piano

Jazz originates from the USA where the music of the Afro-Americans, who were taken from West Africa as slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries, combined with European traditions such as church music and marching bands. The music is dominated by strong rhythms and improvisations - making it up as you go along!

This book is for students of any age who want to learn about improvising jazz at the piano. It consists of ten units, each characterised by a different rhythmic feel commonly found in jazz today. The work develops from a three note improvisation in Unit 1, to a full sixteen bar piece in three different keys and the material should be worked through progressively. Each unit contains exercises and ideas leading up to a main piece, together with suggestions for extra group activities.

The book should be used with the help of a teacher, if possible, even though the teacher may not have had much experience of improvising - teacher and pupil can learn together. For younger players, the material can be taught by rote rather than reading all the music.

The book also provides jazz players who teach, with a step by step approach to passing their skills.