Preludes for Piano, Volume 4: Piano Book & CD

This final volume rewards pianists who have journeyed through the first three books by opening new harmonic and stylistic terrain while anchoring the series with two beloved masterworks. The arrangements of Beethoven and "Amazing Grace" demonstrate how sophisticated reharmonization can honor tradition while revealing unexpected musical possibilities, making this collection genuinely useful for both recital repertoire and teaching moments about arranging and harmonic thinking.

These preludes balance intricate harmonic coloring with direct melodic expression; they feel both cerebral and lyrical, asking the pianist to think like a jazz musician while playing with classical discipline. The inclusion of Beethoven and "Amazing Grace" creates moments of profound simplicity amid the more exploratory pieces, grounding the collection in music that speaks across traditions.

This collection suits intermediate to advanced pianists who have worked through the earlier volumes and are ready to explore how jazz harmony functions in composed concert music. It also serves piano teachers seeking bridge repertoire that develops students' ability to hear and play sophisticated chord extensions while maintaining classical technique.

• Listen closely to the recorded accompaniment to grasp the harmonic language and rhythmic approach Dobbins employs; these preludes often sit within jazz harmony rather than classical harmony, and the CD anchors your interpretation.
• Work through the harmonic analysis of each prelude before focusing on technique; understanding the chord extensions and voice leading will inform your voicings and rubato more effectively than surface-level practice.
• Pay attention to the folk and traditional influences embedded in each prelude; these often appear in the melodic shape or rhythmic character and will help you find the emotional core of each piece.
• Treat the Beethoven and "Amazing Grace" arrangements as compositional studies in reharmonization; exploring why Dobbins made specific harmonic choices will deepen your own arranging skills and interpretive choices.

Program individual preludes alongside classical sonatas to show students the continuum between classical and contemporary harmonic language. The Beethoven and "Amazing Grace" arrangements work particularly well as recital closers or as teaching demonstrations of how arrangement opens new interpretive possibilities within familiar works.

• reading and voicing jazz harmony (extensions, alterations, and reharmonization)
• recognizing harmonic color and using it expressively at the piano
• connecting melodic phrasing across different stylistic traditions
• understanding how arrangers approach reharmonization and harmonic transformation
• developing independence between hands in complex harmonic textures