Recommended books and apps.



You need at least one Real Book. A Real Book is a collection of lead sheets: top line (melody) plus chords. I would recommend ‘The Real Book, 6th Edition,’ published by Hal Leonard.

 

There are two excellent books by Mark Levine: ‘The Jazz Piano Book’ and ‘The Jazz Theory Book.’ Although both are highly recommended, I would offer a word of warning: the mere fact that by chapter 3, Levine is already explaining Phrygian chords, demonstrates that these books are not for beginners.

 

Tim Richards has also written two clear and informative books: ‘Exploring Jazz Piano’ volumes 1 and 2. Book 1 starts at a very basic level, but slowly introduces more advanced concepts in a logical and accessible way.

 

‘Metaphors For Musicians’ by Randy Halberstadt is a fascinating book, full of practical tips and exercises. It also takes a novel approach to families of chords.

 

‘Jazz Keyboard Harmony’ by Phil DeGreg is really a book of exercises that takes you through chord voicings.

 

Bill Boyd has written many jazz books, but I would particularly recommend ‘Jazz Chord Progressions. This focuses on comping through familiar chord sequences, both rooted and rootless.

 

To further investigate stride piano and all things left hand I recommend ‘Jazz Piano: The left hand’ by Riccardo Scivales.

 

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I have already recommended the playalong app iReal B, and two apps that slow tracks down: Transcribe and Tempo Slo Mo.

 

Another useful tool is called Mapping Tonal Harmony by Mdecks. Although not strictly a jazz app, I find it invaluable for tracing and analyzing harmonic progressions.

 

 

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