Alfred's Basic Jazz/Rock Course: Lesson Book, Level 2: Piano Book

Konowitz writes from the perspective of someone who has taught jazz and rock to absolute beginners and knows exactly where students stumble. Rather than overwhelming pianists with theory, this book introduces style and sound alongside technique, making jazz feel accessible rather than intimidating. Students actually want to play these pieces because they sound contemporary and cool from day one.

Opening this book feels like stepping into a recording studio rather than a practice room. The pieces carry the energy of contemporary music: walking bass lines, blues changes, rock rhythms, and grooves that make you want to move. It's music that sounds finished and satisfying even at Level 2, bridging the gap between your technical abilities and your musical imagination.

Pianists who have completed Level 1 of Alfred's Basic Piano Library and are ready to explore jazz and rock styles without needing prior experience in improvisation or ensemble playing. This book works equally well in private lessons and group classes, whether your student is curious about jazz culture or wants to expand beyond classical repertoire.

• Listen closely to the recorded accompaniments (sold separately) to internalize the groove and pocket before rehearsing with them; this builds your rhythmic confidence in unfamiliar styles.
• Lock into the rhythm section's feel by playing along with the backing tracks multiple times at slow tempos, then gradually increasing speed as the pulse becomes second nature.
• Pay attention to articulation and dynamics marked in the score; rock and jazz rely heavily on accent and release to create that driving, conversational quality.
• Experiment with swing interpretation in jazz pieces by slightly laying back the eighth notes rather than playing them metrically straight; the book introduces this concept but your ear is the final guide.

Integrate individual pieces into recitals alongside classical repertoire to showcase genre diversity and keep programming fresh. Use it strategically mid-year when student motivation needs a boost, or as an entire unit exploring American musical traditions. Many directors program a single Level 2 jazz piece on a concert featuring multiple grade levels to demonstrate that jazz is not reserved for advanced players.

• Reading chord symbols and understanding jazz harmony (ii-V-I progressions, seventh chords)
• Interpreting swing feel and understanding the difference between straight and swung eighth notes
• Playing walking bass lines and left-hand jazz voicings
• Recognizing and performing 12-bar blues progressions
• Coordinating independent rhythm patterns between hands in rock and funk grooves
• Sight-reading contemporary notation including rhythmic syncopation specific to jazz and rock styles