Play Boogie: Piano Book

Runswick captures the authentic groove and swagger of boogie-woogie piano without requiring virtuosic technique. The writing sits comfortably under the hands while maintaining genuine style, which means students actually want to practice these pieces rather than struggle through them.

Bouncy, soulful, and utterly fun. These pieces have the warmth of a smoky club and the infectious energy of music meant to make people move.

Pianists ready to move beyond classical etudes and explore American vernacular styles. This collection works equally well for intermediate students seeking repertoire that genuinely speaks to them and for teachers looking to build groove and rhythmic independence.

• Establish the left-hand pulse early in rehearsal; boogie's infectious quality lives entirely in that walking bass line.
• Experiment with the tempo until you find the pocket where the rhythm feels relaxed rather than forced.
• Let the swing naturally emerge from the bass before layering in the right-hand figures.

Perfect as a recital opener or closer when you want to shift the mood from classical formality. Boogie also pairs beautifully with ragtime or jazz standards in a program exploring American keyboard traditions.

• Left-hand independence and consistent bass pulse
• Swing feel and jazz-inflected rhythmic phrasing
• Blues-based chord progressions and voice leading
• Boogie-woogie articulation and pedal control
• Rhythmic accuracy in syncopated figures