The melodies in Level 7 involve more complicated scale-type passages and position changes, including some leaps. The melody is often found on the top of triads and 4-note chords. Harmonies become more sophisticated and textures become more full with larger stretches. Coloristic textures are used more as well as more advanced syncopation. Technical requirements demand reasonable speed, agility and accurate leaps. Improvisation advances step-by-step building blocks for melodic and vamp construction; more advanced terminology and labels for scales, modes and chords; and an increased complexity of interplay between the hands.

The melodies in Level 8 involve a broader range of leaps and turns as well as frequent position changes. The harmonies make full use of jazz harmonies with frequent repeated notes and double-note figures. Rhythm articulation becomes more complex with a variety of off-beat accents and syncopation. Technical requirements require a full range of speed and movement at the intermediate level. Improvisation continues to advance the step-by-step building blocks for melodic and vamp construction and level-appropriate terminology Comparable classical pieces include Bach's Menuets and French Suites, Haydn's easier sonatas, Heller's easier studies and Muczynski Fables Op. 21.

Level 6 is composed for the intermediate to late intermediate student. This level includes melodies that involve an increasing range of simple scale-type crossings and position changes. The melody is often found on the top of triads. Harmonies become more sophisticated but textures are still relatively uncomplicated with minimal inner voices. Rhythm includes syncopation involving ties, rests and shifting accents as well as minimal use of sixteenth notes. Technical requirements call for increasing speed, lightness and a broader range of dynamics, some pieces use octaves. Improvisation expands their skill set to include basic "vamping" skills; adds step-by-step building blocks ofr basic melodic and vamp construction; introduces terminology and labels for scales, modes, and jazz chord notation (charts.) Comparable pieces from classical repertoire include the easier pieces from Bartok's For Children, sz. 43; Clementi's Sonatina Op 36 No. 2 and No. 3; and selections from Bach's Anna Magdelena Collection.

Level 5 is written especially for early intermediate to intermediate level students. More difficult theory and musicianship skills are introduced, comparable to the techniques that are learned from classical sonatinas. Levels 1-4 are reviewed throughout the book as well.

Level 4 is geared towards early intermediate students who are ready to play pieces that have frequent jumps and spans of more than a 5th, triplet eighth note and triplet sixteenth note rhythms. The key signatures of A Major and B-flat Major are introduced as well as the 6/8 time signature. A review of the concepts of Levels 1-3 is also included.

Many musicians in your performing groups are sure to be playing music and forming bands outside of school; why not offer them this series to help them along? Put together by the faculty of the Berklee School of Music, it deals with the techniques they need to succeed including: learning by ear, improvising, music theory, how to read a lead sheet and more. This will make them better musicians both inside and outside of school!

These three comprehensive instruction books from Alfred and the National Keyboard Workshop reveal the secrets of blues keyboard. Students at the intermediate level or above can learn to play and improvise in the blues style with this fun and easy-to-use method. Great as a supplement to traditional piano lessons, or as a primary method for the serious blues student, the "Beginning" book allows the student to dig right in and begin learning blues right away with basic chords and scales, blues melodies, improvisation, turnarounds, intros, twelve-bar blues form, and walking bass. The "Intermediate" book starts with a review and explores chord extensions, blues techniques, building bass lines, playing in the key, ii-V substitutions, slow blues, twelve and eight-bar blues. The "Mastering" book also begins with a review and covers techniques such as tremolos, octaves, grace notes, two-handed chords and various styles such as Chicago blues, New Orleans R&B, jazz blues and more. A CD demonstrating examples and for playing along is available for each book.

This series from Alfred and the National Keyboard workshop reveals all the secrets to playing jazz keyboard. It provides a fun way for the player with intermediate-level or above note-reading and keyboard experience to gain valuable playing and improvisational skills. The "Beginning" book spans the major scale and basic triad theory all the way through 7th chords, pentatonic scales and modulating chord progressions and features a full etude or tune demonstrating every new concept. The "Intermediate" book includes a review of book one, a continuation of modes, chord extensions, making the changes, using chromatic tones and guide tones, chord substitution, "rhythm changes," the blues, altered dominant chords and more. The "Mastering" book starts with a review and quickly moves on to the more advanced concepts of chord voicings, modal soloing, substitution, reharmonization, modes of the minor scales, diminished and whole tone scales, walking bass, stride piano technique, non-diatonic progressions and much more. The optional CD demonstrates examples and gives the student an opportunity to play along. The optional "Beginning" DVD runs 45 minutes and offers comprehensive instruction so any keyboardist with basic keyboard skills can dig right in and begin learning jazz right away.

This book instructs the student on playing chord symbols simply and effectively more than any book available. It only deals with keys up to one sharp or four flats in a key signature. Divided into two parts, the first part outlines basic chords, from triads up to and including 7th chords and altered chords, one key at a time. Part two covers extended chords: 9th, 11th, 13th chords and additional altered chords one key at time. This book is perfect for the intermediate level pianist looking for a way to learn chords to improvise, play by ear, and read lead sheets.

Many beginning jazz methods and repertoire books are designed for more experienced students. The Jazzabilities series is different. The emphasis is on developing rhythmic control through short, jazzy exercises - in essence, building a jazz vocabulary. Jazzabilities, Book 1 is perfect for the student with a late elementary reading level. It is broken up into weekly assignments, one page per week. Each page gives 3 different one-measure rhythmic patterns and matching four-measure tunes with which to realize the given rhythm. At the bottom of each page, three notes are suggested for simple improvisations on the given rhythms. Teacher accompaniments are also offered for every page. Jazz Connection is a series of jazz repertoire books designed to be used in tandem with the Jazzabilities series. Book 1 offers nine performance pieces in a variety of styles. These pieces help reinforce the concepts introduced in Jazzabilities. Jazz Connection, Book 1 begins at the early intermediate level. Book 2 of both Jazzabilities and Jazz Connection offers the same format as Book 1 but at the intermediate level.