Up-Grade! Jazz Piano, Grades 0-1: Piano Book

Wedgwood's ear for what makes a tune swing is on full display here. She takes standards that students already love ("I Got Rhythm," "My Favorite Things") and gives them arrangements that sound authentically jazzy without overwhelming early intermediate players, while her original pieces add fresh material that fits seamlessly into the collection.

Cool and approachable. These arrangements have genuine swing and jazz character without pretension. You'll feel the spirit of classic standards and original jazz idioms, all wrapped in writing that lets you focus on the joy of playing rather than wrestling with the notation.

This book serves pianists at the early intermediate level who want to explore jazz repertoire without stepping into complex harmonic territory or advanced comping techniques. It works equally well for students transitioning between grades who need confidence-building material that sounds professional and feels rewarding to play.

• Pay attention to the swing feel notation and listen closely to how the rhythms sit behind the beat, especially in left-hand comping patterns.
• Balance melody with accompaniment by treating jazz voicings as harmonic foundation rather than decoration; let them breathe without rushing.
• Experiment with touch and dynamics across the collection to find where each arrangement sits stylistically, from the bright snap of up-tempo numbers to the laid-back groove of ballad arrangements.
• Use the recorded accompaniment if available to lock in the groove and hear how your melody interacts with the band texture.

Slot pieces from this collection into end-of-term recitals to showcase students' growing sophistication with jazz styles and standards. The variety and accessibility make it ideal for mixed-level student concerts or as a bridge repertoire book when students are progressing through grades and need material that feels neither too easy nor too demanding.

• Reading and executing swing rhythm and syncopation
• Understanding jazz chord voicings and harmonic movement
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in a jazz context
• Interpreting jazz articulation and phrasing
• Sight-reading across a variety of jazz standards and original compositions