In Recital® with Jazz, Blues & Rags, Book 5: Intermediate Piano Book

Playful and sophisticated all at once. Ragtime's mathematical precision meets blues' emotional depth, while jazz elements bring spontaneity and swagger. These pieces invite the performer to have fun without sacrificing musical substance.

Intermediate pianists ready to move beyond classical solos into contemporary styles that demand rhythmic independence and stylistic awareness. This book works for students preparing for recitals, jazz festivals, or simply wanting to diversify their performance experience.

• Study the recordings before rehearsal to internalize the jazz and blues phrasing; the swing feel and syncopation in these styles live in the ear first, not just on the page.
• When learning a duet, establish the tempo and groove together in the opening measures, rhythmic cohesion matters more than note perfection in jazz-inflected repertoire.
• Listen for the harmonic movement underneath the melody lines, especially in the blues pieces where understanding the chord changes shapes how you voice the right hand.

Scatter these throughout a recital to give variety and energy, or build an entire program around jazz and blues with solos and duets alternating to showcase range. They also pair well in a semester where students are exploring American vernacular music alongside their classical studies.

• Swing rhythms and syncopation in both single-line and harmonic contexts
• Blues harmony and chord progression awareness
• Ragtime articulation and rhythmic precision
• Duet ensemble balance and independence
• Stylistic interpretation beyond classical conventions
• Reading and performing with swing eighth notes