Alfred's Basic Jazz/Rock Course: Performance, Level 1: Piano Book

Konowitz designed this book specifically to reinforce jazz and rock concepts through engaging, performance-ready pieces rather than abstract exercises. The writing reflects decades of work in real classrooms where students need music that sounds good immediately and builds genuine improvisational thinking from the ground up.

These pieces capture the energy and swing of jazz and rock idioms scaled for early learners. The music swings, grooves, and has genuine character—it's not watered-down classical material, but rather authentic jazz and rock writing that sounds convincing even at Level 1.

This book is designed for piano students beginning their exploration of jazz and rock styles. It works best for students who have already completed introductory classical repertoire and are ready to apply new technical and stylistic concepts in a performance setting.

• Pay attention to the swing feel indicated in rhythmic figures. Even straight eighth notes may need articulation adjustments to sit properly in a jazz context.
• Work through the accompaniment patterns independently before combining hands. Rock and jazz rhythms benefit from groove-oriented practice, so establish the pulse in the left hand first.
• Listen to recordings of jazz and rock standards to internalize the stylistic flavor these pieces are drawn from. The more you hear authentic examples, the more naturally your phrasing will develop.
• Treat dynamics and articulation markings as essential to the style. Staccatos, accents, and volume shape the character of jazz and rock piano playing as much as the notes themselves.

Include pieces from this book in student recitals to showcase stylistic diversity alongside classical selections. The book works particularly well as supplementary material during the same term you're teaching the Jazz/Rock Course concepts, allowing students to immediately apply new improvisation and rhythm ideas to performance pieces.

• Recognizing and performing swing rhythms and straight-eighths in jazz style
• Reading jazz articulation and phrasing conventions
• Coordinating syncopated rhythms across both hands
• Understanding basic rock and blues progressions
• Building comfort with chromatic movement and jazz harmony
• Interpreting dynamic and rhythmic nuance in contemporary styles