Contemporary Music Theory - Level One

A complete harmony and theory method for the pop and jazz musician suitable for all instrumentalists/vocalists as well as composers/songwriters.Level One covers notation major and minor scales intervals triads and 4-partchords modal scales and diatonic relationships.

Noted jazz pianist, composer, recording artist and educator Andy LaVerne has drawn from his decades of experience playing with master musicians from Getz to Lovano to create this comprehensive compendium of contemporary moving voicings. Quartal, quintal, drop 2, dominant 7b9/diminished, triadic, whole tone and chromatic performance proven voicings pioneered by McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Andy himself are presented and fleshed out in all twelve keys. This book picks up where others leave off, enabling you to replace static chords with voicings that move melodically, dramatically, and gracefully over the entire range of the keyboard. Firmly rooted in contemporary jazz theory, the emphasis is on practical performance applications. Andy ties it all together with illustrations of comping choruses for five standard jazz tunes. Chords in Motion satisfies a long awaited need in actual comping situations, and shows you how to move chords through varying harmonic rhythms. FINALLY ' a book that gives you moving voicings, and sets them in motion in all twelve keys. Chords in Motion is a valuable resource for all keyboardists, arrangers, and instrumentalists. Activate, animate, and energize your comping with this encyclopedic volume. 156 pages, spiral bound for easy opening. Andy carries the flame of jazz piano tradition and just great music. He always inspires me. Chick Corea This is a great book! I am going to sit down and play through this!! I am always telling my non-piano playing students how important it is to work with (and internalize) the sounds that we live with all our lives as Jazz musicians. Coltrane spent years sitting at the piano and so should all of us!!! John Patitucci Berklee College of Music One thing about Andy'he is complete as can be and has been consistently so for years in both his teaching materials and playing. He is completely knowledgeable in such a way that when I play with him, I know he KNOWS!! Plus he is one of the smoothest and polished of players around. Great book'encyclopedic in content. Dave Liebman Founder, Artistic Director, International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ) I've played and recorded with Andy LaVerne many times over the years and in many different settings and he's always come up with the hippest, most interesting chords in the most musical way! His way of playing and looking at chords inspires me as a drummer and his rhythm section partner to play things that are in turn inspiring to the rest of the band. This book, helps musicians, understand, in a clear thoughtful presentation, how to go about getting this together. Billy Drummond Jazz Drummer, Educator, Juilliard, NYU Chords in Motion is an outstanding and comprehensive guide by Andy LaVerne, whose encyclopedic knowledge, decades of experience and brilliance as a performer and educator make this an invaluable handbook of modern jazz piano harmony. Its user-friendly, intelligent design enables musicians to expand their harmonic palette and potentially transform their playing, writing and arranging. Chords in Motion is an invaluable contribution to jazz musicians! Lynne Arriale Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator, Associate Professor of Jazz Piano, Director of Small Ensembles, University of North Florida Chords in Motion is exactly the book I'd expect from Andy LaVerne. It's clear, openhearted and inspiring, as has been every conversation I've had with Andy over the years. Long a fan of his playing, I have enjoyed this look behind the curtain at how Andy LaVerne formulated his signature style. One other thing -- any pianist, no matter his/her approach, will gain insight into what will surely be new and exciting musical directions. Pete Malinverni Jazz Pianist, Educator, Director of Jazz Studies, SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Music What a great resource for expanding the harmonic palette! Chords in Motion is a must have for the aspiring young jazz pianist as well as the seasoned veteran. Another winner from Andy! Paul Schmeling Jazz Pianist, Educator, Chair Emeritus, Piano Department, Berklee College of Music In Chords in Motion, I recognize chords and sounds that have inspired me to compose and play: harmony from the music of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. This book is well organized, and from the beginning gets you playing. Each chord structure is explained and developed. There is plenty to practice. I especially like the exercises using contrary motion, arpeggiation and pivot, and the application to tunes. The reader will be tempted to stop on every page and compose. I found the Lost Chord, but won't tell you the page number. Bert Ligon Jazz Pianist/Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Educator, Director of Jazz Studies, University of South Carolina Ever wonder how to move harmony around instead of repeating the same chord voicing over and over' Then Chords in Motion is a must have book for you! Andy has included a ton of information that will open up your comping and should keep you busy with new ideas for a long time! I highly recommend it! Dan Haerle Jazz Pianist, Composer, Author, Educator, Professor Emeritus, University of North Texas Chords in Motion is an essential guide to expanding one's conception of modern Jazz Piano Harmony. Andy LaVerne has managed to outline in a very practical and concise way, modern principles of piano chord voicings, as they pertain to the Jazz Pianist's primary group function of comping. David Hazeltine Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator, SUNY Purchase College Conservatory of Music Chords in Motion should be fun to take into the practice room to explore new ways of sustaining harmonies over the entire register of the piano. It is encyclopedic and thorough in its content. No stone is left unturned! Stephany Tiernan Pianist, Composer, Educator, Chair, Piano Department, Berklee College Of Music Chords In Motion is an excellent practicing resource that provides a garden of harmonic sonorities for a musician to choose and explore at the piano. I like the way that Andy has made the information accessible to any level of student. I look forward to discovering some different sounds with this book. Phil DeGreg Jazz Pianist, Author, Educator, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music I am delighted to recommend Andy LaVerne's Chords In Motion to aspiring jazz pianists! Andy is a superb pianist, very capable of addressing this topic. Prior to pianists like McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, and others, most pianists were content to have acquired a small handful of chord voicings, generally with the chord roots on the bottom of the voicings. Though 'rootless voicings' were adopted in later years, they were primarily for the left hand and generally only used the 3rd or 7th on the bottom. But now the serious jazz pianist needs to be able to move his or her voicings in a more diatonic manner, as shown in Andy's book. Jerry Coker Jazz Saxophonist, Author, Educator Andy LaVerne's Chords in Motion is a study of encyclopedic scope on the use of harmonies based on fourth intervals in the context of jazz harmony. There is a wealth of information in terms of voicings, voice leading and chord/scale relationships and their application to common harmonic formulae (ii-V, etc.) and the chord progressions used in blues and common standard tunes. Jazz musicians interested in this vocabulary should find this book to be a useful launching pad for exploring this important corner of the world of jazz harmony. Bill Dobbins Jazz Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Author, Educator, Professor of Jazz Studies, Conductor, Coordinator Jazz Composition and Arranging, Eastman School of Music Chords in Motion is a highly detailed, informative and filling-in-the-gap text. It's an important and welcome addition to the jazz piano literature, which can be applied to any level of proficiency. Stefan Karlsson Jazz Pianist, Educator, Professor/Jazz Studies Division, University of North Texas Fantastic pianist Andy LaVerne has put together an amazing, detailed, and incredibly comprehensive guide for effectively implementing quartal and related voicings. He has honed in on the 'secret' to using these structures musically and creatively: moving the voicings through changes in logical and interesting ways. Clearly presented, extremely thorough, and loaded with information, Chords in Motion is a must-have for any pianist! Martin Bejerano Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator, Assistant Professor, Jazz Piano, Frost School of Music University of Miami Chords in Motion is an in-depth look at fourth and related voicings that give an atmosphere that you want to improvise on. We play over the voicing, not the chord symbol. Chords in Motion targets that modal atmosphere that horn players love playing over. Love this book - can't wait to start practicing it! Jerry Bergonzi Jazz Saxophonist, Composer, Author, Educator, New England Conservatory I was thrilled when Jazz Piano Great Mulgrew Miller agreed to write a quote for this book. I was deeply saddened to hear of Mulgrew's passing just days before publication. All who loved Mulgrew and his music will sorely miss him, and are grateful for the rich musical legacy he left us. Rest easy, Mulgrew. Andy LaVerne

Level A Method Book-A Progressive Piano Method for the Christian Studentby Joseph Martin David Angerman and Mark HayesKeys for the Kingdom is a fully graded piano series designed especially for the Christian student. Through astylistically diverse set of musical experiences students will learn the foundations of good musicianship. Each lesson is carefully written to provide gradual progress. The graphic illustrations are designed to be fun andinspiring as well as to reinforce the lesson. While learning the basic concepts of piano playing the student is introduced to many styles of sacred music: the wealth of great hymnody songs and psalms of the church; as well asthe great classics in piano literature that every student needs to excel in musical study. Also included in the series are Bible verses affirming spiritual values intended to motivate the student toward excellence at thekeyboard.This multi-key stylistically diverse series of books introduces basic concepts of rhythm intervals scales chords music theory artistry and improvisation. Companion products include hymnbooks contemporaryChristian songbooks theory/technique/improvisation books performance books seasonal books and duet books. These along with planned future companion materials will help support the student's learning quest.Each methodbook establishes a deliberate but steady pace for the developing student. Principles of reading music theory technique interpretation and musicianship are explored. Calling on the combined teaching experience of over 40years the authors have fashioned new ways of teaching proven concepts. Great emphasis is placed on the beauty if the music the lyrics and the art which accompanies individual songs. Each lesson also includes appropriatescripture references to help students discover the joy of worshipping and serving God through their own music.

This exceptional collection draws upon works from 20 of the world?s greatest piano composers. These pieces have been specially arranged for easy piano, giving the beginner-intermediate level pianist engaging and inspiring pieces to enjoy. Includes beautiful pieces by Ludovico Einaudi, Yiruma, Dustin O?Halloran, Joe Hisaishi, Yann Tiersen and may more!

'Bastien Piano Basics: Piano' is the main series of lesson books in the Bastien Piano Basics course. The carefully graded logical learning sequence assures steady continual progress. Originalmusic by the Bastiens includes a stimulating mixture of pop folk classical and contemporary styles. Full-color illustrations throughout entertain and reinforce musical concepts along the way. The gradualmulti-key approach takes students through all 12 keys 3 keys each in Levels 1 2 3 and 4. Each page is carefully correlated page-by-page with Theory Performance and Technique. All in all a dynamic way to introduce studentsto the marvelous world of music! Level 1 may be used with students who have completed any Primer Level. It begins with easy pieces in the C position and presents C F and G 5-finger positions.

'Bastien Piano Basics: Piano' is the main series of lesson books in the Bastien Piano Basics course. The carefully graded logical learning sequence assures steady continual progress. Originalmusic by the Bastiens includes a stimulating mixture of pop folk classical and contemporary styles. Full-color illustrations throughout entertain and reinforce musical concepts along the way. The gradualmulti-key approach takes students through all 12 keys 3 keys each in Levels 1 2 3 and 4. Each page is carefully correlated page-by-page with Theory Performance and Technique. All in all a dynamic way to introduce studentsto the marvelous world of music! Level 2 presents binary and ternary form one-octave scales with tetrachords identified intervals of 6th and 7th primary chords triads and inversions 6/8 time and the keys of D A andE.

The Perfect Way To Rediscover The Piano-Did you used to play the piano' Would you like to play again' Play it again: Piano uses real pieces from the piano repertoire to teach specific techniques and tips getting you playing fluently once again. This is the second book which is for the more confident 'former' piano player or for those continuing their journey from Book 1. The level of pieces in this second book progresses from around UK grades 5 to 8 (intermediate to late advanced). 'I used to play the piano''Aimed at 'returning' players who have spent some time away from the keyboard Play it again: Piano gives you the confidence to revisit this fulfilling pastime and go beyond what you previously thoughtyou could achieve.Each of the 21 pieces in Book 2 is accompanied by two full pages of easy-to-understand practice tips all designed to get your fingers speeding comfortably across the keys once again! There are more comprehensive Piano Technique and Theory sections at the front and back of each book so you can also delve deeper to regain a fuller understanding of music and technique. A refresher course for all abilities each book is arranged in 4 progressive sections with Book 1 moving from 'Elementary' to 'Intermediate' and Book 2 taking you from 'Late Intermediate' to 'Late Advanced'. Dip in and out wherever your level of playing suits: this two-book course starts with simple and elegant miniatures and concludes with the famously showy Prelude in C-sharp minor by Rachmaninoff! Confident pianists could start with Book 2 but there is a wealth of delightful repertoire and valuable practice tips in Book 1 it's always useful to go 'back to basics'. From Schumann to shuffles. Baroque Classical and Romantic works sit alongside Jazz Ragtime contemporary or traditional pieces at every level so each lesson brings something different and you'll learn to play in a range of styles some of which may be new to your fingers. If you often find yourself saying 'I used to play the piano'' but wish you still did then Play it again:

Media Type : Book Level : Intermediate Musical Genre : Jazz Series : Complete Number of pages : 144 A comprehensive text teaching elements of jazz phrasing, articulation, vibrato, harmony, and technical studies leading to improvisation. For the flute student beginning the serious study of jazz and contemporary styles, this book will help in many ways. Phrasing and interpretation of rhythms are studied through exercises and original pieces. Scale and arpeggio studies will help the student learn both the music theory and technical skills needed to improvise.

Media Type : Book Level : Beginning Musical Genre : All Styles Series : You Can Teach Yourself Number of pages : 120 This method is loaded with information. In the author's words, The electric bass is in a very exciting developmental period. No longer does it just provide 'low-end support.' Now entire songs are built around the bass line. This method is both easy to understand and thorough! It provides the theory and technique needed to play contemporary bass, and it covers such modern effects as slap and pop and right-hand hammering techniques. While note reading is taught, tablature is also presented.

Media Type : Book CD DVD Level : Beginning Musical Genre : All Styles Series : You Can Teach Yourself Number of pages : 120 This method is loaded with information. In the author's words, The electric bass is in a very exciting developmental period. No longer does it just provide 'low-end support.' Now entire songs are built around the bass line. This method is both easy to understand and thorough! It provides the theory and technique needed to play contemporary bass, and it covers such modern effects as slap and pop and right-hand hammering techniques. While note reading is taught, tablature is also presented. The companion DVD is included in this package in DVD format. CD also included.

Jennifer and Michael Watts are a husband-and-wife team active in the music industry in Southern California. Jennifer holds a BA in Music Theory degree from California State University ? Chico and maintains a full pianostudio. A classically trained jazz pianist her teachers have included Terry Trotter and Julien Musafia. Mike is a multi-talented studio musician working mainly in the motion picture and television industries. He has been thefeatured pianist on several major motion pictures plays synthesizers and accordion and also works as an arranger/composer and orchestrator. Some of the more recent films he has been involved with include Tangled Toy Story3 and The Princess and the Frog. Blues Jazz Rock and Rags is comprised of original compositions Jennifer uses in her studio to keep piano students motivated. After being unsuccessful in finding just the rightmusic for individual students Jennifer asked Mike to partner with her in composing their own material. A keen understanding of contemporary styles combined with valuable teaching experience results in a collaborative effortthat is fun motivating and educational!This follow up to Book 1 (HL00296849) features a dozen more original solos at the Intermediate level: Charley B's Disco ? Chasin' Monsters ? The Doctor Is In ? FancyBlues ? Jammin' Away ? Klumzy Kangaroo ? Nobody Doesn't Like Jerry Lee ? Pretty Slick ? Remember When ? Surf's Up! ? Swingin' Rag ? Where'd They Go.