A practical approach to harmony of jazz and related forms of music for piano

Harmony of jazz and related forms of music – music that originated from the fusion ofEuropean and African musical cultures on the American continent – is a very complexsubject.

Significant for these forms of music is the culture of improvisation and interpretation. Amelodic theme, created by the composer with a limited harmonic structure and annotatedwith only a few chord symbols, has to be re-created into a complete musical product by theperforming musician or arranger (in this book both joined in the pianist), based on his owninterpretation, and – very important – without affecting the specific character of style norstraining the ideas of the composer. This requires knowledge and insight, and a huge doseof creativity and musicality as well.

This method is designed to make a complex but very interesting subject accessible in avery practical way. It is aimed at those who, on account of study, profession or pure interest,want to improve their knowledge and skills of harmony and chords in jazz and relatedforms of music.

The author has opted for a methodical, constructive, and from the perspective of performancevery practical approach. Only when needed for a better understanding, some theoreticalsupport is included. The many examples in the book are a source of information. Theexercises guarantee a solid training, but will also invite the performer to make fascinatingand inspiring discoveries, thus challenging his creativity and further development.