Description: The Buckeye Blues and Boogie was commissioned by the All Ohio Piano Ensemble for the early advanced group of piano students. I have attempted to compose a composition using elements of the blues and boogie style that will challenge and motivate the piano student. Purpose: The purpose of this duet is to stimulate interest and develop skill in practicing and performing music that is inherently American. Born through a conflict of Western tonality and the folk song of the African slave, this juxtaposition evokes a quality of sound known as jazz. Suggestions for Instruction: Be sure to have students use the metronome when practicing. Encourage students to count as they practice the syncopated rhythms and broken triplet figures at the end. Slow practice is highly recommended to achieve confidence and security. Balance is very important in ensemble playing. Encourage the students to listen and determine which part(s) need to be given priority. The lazy swing rhythm enhances the bluesy sound of the melody. If the students have a problem, have them subdivide the quarter note in three. The grace notes are treated like acciaccatura. Key: C Major 16 p.

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.