Jazz piano improvisation is a complex art form that requires years of practice, study, and dedication to master. While there are many excellent books on the subject, here are some of the best:
- “The Jazz Piano Book” by Mark Levine
This book is a comprehensive guide to jazz piano improvisation, covering everything from basic chord progressions to advanced concepts like reharmonization and soloing over complex changes. It is widely regarded as one of the best books on the subject and is used by many jazz educators around the world.
Source: Mark Levine, “The Jazz Piano Book” (Sher Music Co., 2011)
- “Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players” by Dan Haerle
Dan Haerle is a highly respected jazz educator and pianist who has written several excellent books on jazz improvisation. This book is specifically designed for keyboard players and covers a wide range of topics, including scales, chord progressions, and soloing techniques.
Source: Dan Haerle, “Jazz Improvisation for Keyboard Players” (Alfred Music, 1986)
- “The Art of Jazz Piano” by Phil DeGreg
This book is a comprehensive guide to jazz piano improvisation, covering everything from basic chord progressions to advanced soloing techniques. It also includes a CD with recordings of the examples in the book, which can be very helpful for practicing and learning.
Source: Phil DeGreg, “The Art of Jazz Piano” (Hal Leonard, 2013)
- “Jazz Piano Voicing Skills” by Dan Haerle
This book focuses specifically on the art of jazz piano voicings, which are the chords and chord progressions used in jazz improvisation. It covers everything from basic voicings to advanced concepts like quartal harmony and upper structures.
Source: Dan Haerle, “Jazz Piano Voicing Skills” (Alfred Music, 1995)
- “The Jazz Theory Book” by Mark Levine
While not specifically focused on jazz piano improvisation, this book is a comprehensive guide to jazz theory and is essential reading for any serious jazz musician. It covers everything from basic chord progressions to advanced concepts like modal interchange and substitute chords.
Source: Mark Levine, “The Jazz Theory Book” (Sher Music Co., 2011)
These are just a few of the many excellent books available on jazz piano improvisation. While reading and studying these books can be very helpful, it’s important to remember that the best way to learn jazz piano improvisation is to practice and play with other musicians.
