The strong rhythms of jazz and its associated styles are enormously appealing to pianists of all ages and to children in particular.
Thus I find that I am under constant demand from students to provide them with ever more 'jazzy' pieces.
The following are a few of the fruits of my endeavours to please my younger pupils, although several will also be attractive to adults.
They begin at the earliest level and become progressively more difficult so that teachers may find this book a useful tool to supplement other material through the early grades.
Track List & Recordings
1. Swingin' Along
'Swingin' Along' is a bright and happy 12 bar blues which has been created to enable early level playing of this genre.
Very appealing to young and early level pianists.
Elementary Level
Pre-preliminary Grade AMEB/ANZCA
Initial Grade ABRSM
3. Super Sleuth Sam
'Super Sleuth Sam' is a cruisy blues style piece which evokes a detective searching for clues.
Provides opportunities for using dynamics to create atmosphere and character.
Provides opportunities for exploring register.
Elementary Level
Preliminary Grade AMEB/ANZCA
1st Grade ABRSM
5. Daydreamzzzzz
'Daydreamzzzzz' is a cruisy, laid back piece which explores interaction between hands in 3rds and broken triads (arpeggios).
Late Elementary Level
1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA
2nd Grade ABRSM
7. Tailored for Style
'Tailored for Style' is cruisy and laid back with interest provided in the crush notes and triplet runs.
Particularly appealing to teens and adults.
Late Elementary - Early Intermediate Level
1st - 2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
2nd - 3rd Grade ABRSM
9. Shine a Little Sunray
'Shine a Little Sunray' is a cruisy, bluesy piece which has lots of interest with crush notes, rising glissandi an tremolo riffs.
Particularly appealing to teens and adults.
Early Intermediate - Mid Intermediate Level
2nd - 3rd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
3rd - 4th Grade ABRSM
2. Just Jazzin'
'Just Jazzin' is a cool, cruisy blues style piece which has become a popular favourite with young pianists.
Elementary Level
Preliminary Grade AMEB/ANZCA *in AMEB Series 4 Pianoforte Piano for Leisure book
1st Grade ABRSM
4. Up the Creek
'Up the Creek' is a blues style piece with a laid back feel which presents some challenges for the young pianist.
Late Elementary Level
1st Grade AMEB/ANZCA
2nd Grade ABRSM
6. Boogie Man Jack
'Boogie Man Jack' is heaps of fun to play - a 12 bar blues with a driving left hand boogie bass and a varied set of chords and patterns over the top.
Late Elementary - Early Intermediate Level
1st - 2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
2nd - 3rd Grade ABRSM
8. Breakfast Bop
'Breakfast Bop' is lively and fun, exploring coordination and balance between the hands in a jazzy, 'bop' style.
Early Intermediate Level
2nd Grade AMEB/ANZCA
3rd Grade ABRSM
10. Jazzamatazz
'Jazzamatazz, Jazzamatazz, Let's have a bit of that Razzamatazz!'
'Jazzamatazz' is an exciting, fast paced and driven piece with loads of interest as it moves in unexpected directions.
