Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner - Non Classical where to start on jazz, bluegrass, etc

Hi, I wonder if anyone could give me a bit of suggestions. I have a kid who is upper intermediate/early advanced in piano, has always played classical pieces and loves composition. Wants to start getting into other genres for the fun of it, especially something that uses improvisation. Willing to read books and explore on his own. Could I get some suggestions on good intro. books? Thanks!

I am working my way through this book and I absolutely love it (I'm doing it on guitar instead of piano, though). Most of all it's really fun!

http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Improv-Book-1-Piano/dp/0793578779

I think there's a thread on this forum where some members are sharing their experience with the method.

As for bluegrass - I dunno, is piano a bluegrass instrument? :-) I'm thinking more fiddle and banjo.

Thanks! I will check out the book. As for bluegrass, oh well, maybe keyboard? I have no idea either, this is just a kid starting to think how to explore different genres.

There are lots of jazz piano methods and hundreds of books. I would recommend having your kid take a few lessons to get him going with a seasoned professional jazz teacher. Books can be wonderful supplementary material but ultimately jazz is passed along from person to person or by transcribing off recordings.

As far as bluegrass piano there are almost no method books out there. There aren't that many bluegrass piano players period.
There is one person that I would recommend listening to though.,,Jeff Little. He is a serious bluegrass piano player. Very creative and loads of chops.
Bruce Hornsby also did a version of "Valley Road" bluegrass that he solos on. Good luck!

See my posts on Willie M.

Thanks for that tip! He's going to be in Hobbs, NM, in October - I've got it on my calendar.

Cathy

Thanks for the great tips everyone. Taking notes... Could be a fun summer.