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

Wedgwood's second volume in the Jazzin' About series delivers genuine style without technical overwhelm. The collection moves beyond novelty arrangements into real jazz vocabulary, blues changes, and rhythmic sophistication that feels earned rather than imposed, giving young players authentic musical experiences early in their learning.

These pieces breathe with the relaxed attitude of a jazz club paired with the accessibility of a first-year piano book. Syncopation sits naturally on the page rather than feeling imposed; grooves swing even at modest tempos; and the progression from upbeat funk to reflective ballads gives the collection real emotional range.

Beginning pianists (grades 0-2) who want to break away from traditional classical repertoire and explore contemporary jazz, blues, and rock styles. This collection works equally well for young learners in formal lessons and adult absolute beginners curious about jazz idioms without technical barriers.

• Listen actively to the CD performances before diving into the score. Wedgwood's pieces live in the rhythmic pocket and groove; hearing how swing, syncopation, and space work in practice clarifies what your hands need to do.
• Use the slowed-down backing tracks to lock in time feels that don't exist in classical repertoire. Comping against even a basic groove at half-tempo builds the internal pulse required for jazz phrasing.
• Treat the left hand as rhythmic partnership, not accompaniment. Many of these pieces layer syncopation between hands; practice them as a coordination study, not melody-with-chords.

Program individual pieces as contrasts to classical recital fare, or build a short "Jazzin' About" set into a young performer showcase. The CD backing tracks make these pieces performance-ready even for student recitals where ensemble collaboration isn't available, and they serve equally well as daily practice material that keeps early-stage pianists engaged.

• Syncopation and off-beat rhythmic placement
• Blues and jazz harmony (seventh chords, ii-V progressions)
• Swing feel and groove timing
• Left-hand comping patterns and rhythmic independence
• Listening and responding to chord changes
• Stylistic phrasing across contemporary genres