Jazz Works: Piano Book & CD

Collins understands the specific challenge of teaching jazz to pianists trained in classical repertoire and notation. Rather than starting from scratch, she builds on existing reading skills and musical knowledge, moving classically trained players into jazz language through clear progressions and real tunes they'll recognize and want to play.

Moving from the formal structure of classical method books into the flexibility of jazz standards, yet with enough scaffolding that you never feel unmoored. The recorded accompaniments give you the immediate pleasure of playing alongside a real band, which classical method books rarely offer.

Pianists with solid classical training and intermediate-level reading ability who are ready to explore jazz but need systematic instruction in how jazz harmony, comping, and improvisation actually work. Music teachers introducing jazz to their studio students will find this particularly useful for its methodical progression and built-in reinforcement.

• Reference the recorded accompaniments frequently during practice. Hearing yourself against the rhythm section reveals rhythmic placement issues that silent practice misses.
• Work through the practice exercises before tackling each tune. The exercises isolate specific jazz concepts so you're not solving multiple problems simultaneously when you reach the full pieces.
• Read the lead sheet melody and chord symbols as an integrated unit. In jazz, the harmonic progression shapes phrasing as much as the written notes do.
• Sing the melody first, then play it. This separates melodic understanding from fingering decisions and helps you internalize the jazz articulation before translating it to the keyboard.

Assign this to intermediate pianists during the spring or fall when you're expanding their musical interests beyond their primary classical repertoire. It works equally well for a pianist preparing for jazz electives or for a studio teacher building jazz into their general piano curriculum without overwhelming beginners.

• Reading and interpreting lead sheet notation with chord symbols
• Understanding jazz harmony and reharmonization
• Playing comping patterns appropriate to different jazz styles
• Recognizing and applying swing rhythm and articulation
• Translating melody and chords into improvisational ideas
• Listening to harmonic movement while maintaining independence at the keyboard