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

Wedgwood strips away the intimidation factor from jazz by grounding these pieces in straightforward technique while keeping the energy unmistakably high. The accompanying CD transforms practice from a solo venture into a band experience; students hear themselves as part of an ensemble from day one, which builds confidence and makes the work feel relevant immediately.

These pieces snap with attitude. Whether you're bouncing through a hip-hop groove or settling into a blues shuffle, the music carries a casual confidence that makes you want to keep playing. There's personality in every title and melodic phrase; you're not just reading notes, you're inhabiting a character.

Early elementary pianists who need to feel the payoff immediately. This collection speaks directly to students who find traditional beginner books sterile or disconnected from contemporary music; they'll recognize the styles and feel ownership over their progress. Teachers using this will find it especially valuable for students who practice inconsistently or struggle with motivation.

• Spend time with the slowed-down backing tracks first. Let your students find the pocket at a comfortable tempo before they attempt the full performance speed.
• Emphasize the syncopated rhythms by tapping them separately before combining with the melody. These syncopations define the style; locking them in early prevents sloppy performances later.
• Use the full-speed recordings as performance models, not targets. Students should listen to hear articulation, dynamics, and phrasing choices, then make their own decisions about interpretation.
• Balance your left hand accompaniment with the backing track so students hear themselves as part of the texture, not buried by it.

Ideal for student recitals where you want to showcase contemporary repertoire alongside or instead of traditional classical pieces. You might also use selections as appetizers before launching into more demanding jazz method books; students who cut their teeth on Wedgwood's work develop stronger rhythmic intuition and arrive at deeper jazz study with genuine enthusiasm.

• Reading and executing syncopated rhythms in multiple styles
• Recognizing and playing basic jazz/funk chord progressions
• Coordinating hands independently across different rhythmic patterns
• Interpreting style markings (swing, shuffle, straight eighths) and their effect on phrasing
• Listening and responding to recorded accompaniment while maintaining independence