Mel Bay's Complete Book of Improvisation, Fills & Chord Progressions

This book is appropriate for the pianist with a reading ability at the intermediate level or above and was written to provide a method for improvisation at the piano. Dozens of patterns are provided, analyzed, and notated in all keys. Examples are given to illustrate how and where a fill fits. Then, step by step, one can learn how to add the left hand accompaniment based on a lead sheet, or improvise with the right hand. While improvising, patterns may be woven into a beautiful tapestry of sound. Just as a kaleidoscope creates beautiful, colorful patterns before your eye, the patterns in this book will enable you to create a kaleidoscope of musical sounds for your ears. Most of the book consists of short examples using familiar tunes. Chapter titles include: Improvise with the Whole-Tone Scale; Chords and Roman Numerals; The Scale Used as a Fill; Chimes; The A B C's of Improvising; Right-Hand Whole Measure Fills; Left-Hand Patterns in 3/4 Time; Left-Hand Patterns in 4/4; Faster Left-Hand Patterns in 4/4 Time; Special Effects; Chord Progressions; Faster Right-Hand Riffs; Minor Chord Patterns and Progressions; Improvise with the Left-Hand; Fills for Both Hands Together; Pseudo-Modulations; Happy Endings and The "Two-Five-One" Progression.