Improvising Blues Piano

✍ Scribed by Tim Richards

• Publisher: Schott
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 262
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The forerunner to the awarded-winning Exploring Jazz Piano books, Improvising Blues Piano examines the harmonic, rhythmic and melodic aspects of the blues, assuming a basic competence of around grade 3.
All styles are covered from the 1920s to the present, from the early boogie pioneers via swing, gospel, jump-jive, New Orleans, Chicago and Kansas City schools, to the more sophisticated jazz and funky blues of the current scene.

Over 60 pieces, including many original compositions by the author, together with new arrangements of well-known standarts such as 'Ain't No Sunshine', 'Blueberry Hill', 'Blue Monk', 'Got My Mojo workin', 'Honky Tonk Train Blues', 'How Long Blues', 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee', 'Pine Top's Boogie Woogie', 'St Louis Blues' etc.

• Authentic left-hand patterns and bass lines
• Professional chord voicings, blues scales, licks and riffs
• Co-ordination exercises for both hands
• Suggested listening

Each chapter is graded within itself, providing some challenging pieces towards the end. Improvising is encouraged at all stages, with assignments giving ideas and guidance.

The accompanying CD contains all the pieces, including some play-along tracks, performed by Tim Richards.

"A very useful and comprehensive survey of different blues styles. Tim's clear demonstrations on the accompanying CD make this the essential book for all aspiring blues pianists" (Jools Holland)

"This book leaves any possible competition standing at the post." (Brian Priestley, Jazzwise Magazine)

"I highly recommend the book. It's the best I've seen yet... Helpful features include a grat Cd by the London-based Richards, who is a top-notch performer, recording artist and educator. It's almost like having your own personal instructor." (Blues Review, USA)

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

"A brilliant new publication from Schott. Each chapter extends the player's harmonic knowledge and gives clear instructions how to progress... You learn not just how to play the blues but also its history and major exponents. Tim Richard's enthusiasm for the subject is both infectious and inspiring." (Piano Journal)

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

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

✦ Table of Contents

About the Author......Page 2
Contents......Page 4
How to use this book and CD......Page 6
Abbreviations and symbols......Page 9
Chapter 1: Triads......Page 10
Beginner's Blues......Page 12
Beginner's Blues (Melodic)......Page 15
Beginner's Boogie......Page 18
Blues Third Blues......Page 22
New Orleans Triplets Workout......Page 25
Bluesberry Hill (part 1)......Page 28
Five-Finger blues......Page 31
Trill Blues......Page 35
On-off Boogie......Page 37
Happy Blues......Page 40
Sad Blues......Page 42
Blues for Booker......Page 46
Chapter 2: Sixth chords......Page 49
Sixth Blues......Page 50
Jump Shuffle......Page 53
C Jam Blues......Page 56
Riff Blues......Page 59
Sunday Afternon Blues......Page 61
Barrelhouse Blues......Page 63
Blues with Pick-Ups......Page 66
Slow Blues in D......Page 70
Blue Fifth Boogie......Page 74
Syncopated Boogie......Page 77
Back in the Alley......Page 80
Chapter 3: Seventh chords......Page 83
Seventh Blues......Page 84
Blues for Sal......Page 88
See See Rider......Page 90
Smooth Blues......Page 93
Blues in Thirds......Page 96
Bouncy Boogie......Page 99
On-off Boogie #2......Page 103
Blue Monk......Page 108
Slow Blues in G......Page 114
Tritone Blues......Page 117
Got my Mojo Workin'......Page 122
E Blues Scale Workout......Page 126
Chapter 4 : Ninth and thirteenth chords......Page 129
Ninth Blues......Page 130
Slow Guitar Blues......Page 134
Mary Ann......Page 140
rolling Blues......Page 145
Pine Top's Boogie Woogie......Page 150
Bag's Groove......Page 153
F Blues Scale workout......Page 156
Comping Blues......Page 163
Down Home Funk......Page 168
The Oter Side......Page 172
Chapter 5: Minor and diminished chords......Page 177
Ain't No Sunshine......Page 179
Medium Jump......Page 182
Blueberry Hill......Page 186
How Long Blues......Page 190
Just a Closer Walk With Thee......Page 194
St Louis Blues......Page 200
Slow 12/8 Blues......Page 208
Four Finger Blues......Page 214
C Jam Blues (second version)......Page 216
Blues in Three......Page 220
Minor Blues Workout......Page 224
Rockaboogie......Page 226
Back Street Blues......Page 230
Honky Tonk Train Blues......Page 235
Appendix I: Pentatonic scales......Page 242
Appendix II: Left-hand patterns used in this book......Page 244
Appendix III: Blues licks......Page 246
Appendix IV: Suggested listening......Page 248