J. S. Bach taught his children using the music of his day. He didn't think of using styles that were 100 years old to inspire and develop musical skills in his children. Respected piano pedagogues Christopher Norton and Dr. Scott McBride Smith have created American Popular Piano with this premise in mind. They've taken contemporary music styles and written highly motivating, musically sound material for piano students. Best for students age nine through adult, the method begins at the Preparatory Level with tunes on the grand staff in C Major. Each Repertoire book is chock full of tunes in a variety of contemporary dance styles including Blues, Bossa Nova, Cha Cha, Jazz Waltz, and Ska, just to name a few! These styles will grab your students' attention and keep them motivated while they develop a lifelong love of playing the piano. Sophisticated teacher duets are included so the students' ear develops, preparing them for more advanced playing and listening! A CD is included with each Repertoire book, offering equally sophisticated instrumental accompaniments to tunes in the Repertoire and Etudes books. Etudes books at every level offer solid, step-by-step opportunities for improvisation and also include classical and pop etudes.

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!

This DVD presents an informative and organized approach to rhythm, improvisation and blues. Exercises and demonstrations enhance the learning experience. Includes: playing in time, sight-reading rhythms, basic rhythms and their permutations, rushing and dragging, an innovative approach to the basics of improvisation, the blues and basic blues forms. Intermediate level. 56 minutes.

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.

This comprehensive book and CD is the perfect "Intro to Jazz Piano." From comping to soloing, students will learn the theory, the tools, and the techniques used by the pros. The accompanying CD demonstrates most of the musical examples in the book. The full band tracks feature the rhythm section on the left channel and the piano on the right channel, so that students can play along. Topics include: jazz chords and progressions; swing and bossa nova comping; voicings and patterns; melodic treatment; soloing techniques; how to play from a fake book and more. Get them started today!

Learn the intros, endings and turnarounds that all of the pros know and use! This keyboard instruction book by John Valerio covers swing styles, ballads, Latin tunes, jazz waltzes, blues, major and minor keys, vamps and pedal tones, and more.

Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson has long been devoted to the education of piano students. In this 71 page book he offers dozens of pieces designed to empower the student, whether novice or classically trained, with the technique needed to become an accomplished jazz pianist.