Jazzin' About for Piano / Keyboard (Revised): Piano Book & CD

Wedgwood writes syncopation that feels natural rather than forced, and her melodies stick with you long after rehearsal ends. The mix of blues, rock, and jazz styles keeps pianists engaged across an entire book, and the included CD with both full performances and slowed-down practice tracks removes the isolation of learning new rhythmic styles alone at the keyboard.

These pieces pulse with the relaxed swagger of a jazz club crossed with the energy of a modern pop session. Cool without being cold, accessible without feeling simplistic, the collection inhabits that sweet spot where stylistic authenticity meets genuine fun at the keyboard.

Intermediate pianists ready to venture beyond classical repertoire and explore contemporary styles with confidence and groove. Students who respond well to rhythmic challenges and want to develop comfort with syncopation, swing, and funk idioms. Teachers seeking engaging material that expands students' musical vocabulary while honoring their technical level.

• Explore the accompanying CD first by listening to performances before diving into the printed music. Hearing how the syncopation lands rhythmically will inform your interpretation from the start.
• Work with the slowed-down backing tracks to lock in the groove before performing at full tempo. Contemporary styles demand rhythmic confidence, and these tracks let you build it incrementally.
• Pay close attention to Wedgwood's dynamic markings and articulation choices. They define the character of each piece and distinguish a perfunctory read-through from genuinely stylish playing.
• Treat the riffs and accompaniment patterns with the same care you would a classical melody. Funky rhythms need precise touch and timing to communicate effectively.

Program individual pieces in student recitals to provide stylistic variety alongside classical repertoire, or use the collection to create a dedicated contemporary or jazz-flavored recital that showcases your program's range. The book also works beautifully as a bridge between technique-focused study and improvisation, preparing students for the rhythmic flexibility they'll need in ensemble and jazz contexts.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms with accuracy and feel
• Understanding jazz articulation, swing, and groove conventions
• Playing locked rhythmic accompaniment patterns beneath a melody
• Interpreting dynamic and stylistic variation across blues, rock, and jazz idioms
• Building rhythmic independence between hands in contemporary contexts