Take the Lead: Jazz: Piano Acc. (Instrumental) Book & CD

Eight beloved jazz classics arranged for solo piano, each one a chance to swing with professional accompaniment behind you. The recorded tracks give you a full ensemble sound, transforming a practice room into a small jazz combo.

Piano players who want to explore jazz standards in a low-pressure, solo-friendly format. This works equally well for high school pianists discovering jazz for the first time and older students or community musicians returning to music after time away.

• Listen to the full version demonstration track first to internalize the groove and harmonic movement before rehearsing with the backing track.
• Use the chord symbols to experiment with voicings beyond what's written; jazz standards reward personal interpretation at the keyboard.
• If performing with other instrumentalists from the series, establish a steady tempo with the CD backing track so ensemble entries lock cleanly.

Feature a piano soloist in a jazz-themed concert alongside your band's jazz ensemble, or use one of these arrangements as an intermission piece. They also work well in spring recitals where you want to showcase pianists outside the classical repertoire.

• Reading chord symbols and applying jazz comping techniques
• Understanding swing rhythm and jazz phrasing
• Listening and responding to recorded accompaniment
• Learning standard jazz repertoire
• Developing ensemble awareness as a soloist