LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Mark Harrison's "Blues Piano" vs Tim Richard's "Improvising Blues Piano"

Coolman97 -- 06/01/2007, 08:03:21 -- #35300

Hi everybody I have been playing classical for around 8 years and have been recently trying to play the blues, particularly the boogie woogie style which I'm interested in. I bought Mark Harrison's Blues Piano book to learn it as it got pretty good reviews at Amazon.com. While it did make be understand the blues a lot better, all I could play on the piano was just a boogie woogie left hand bass and the same boring tricks (such as fooling around with the blues scale) with my right hand. Now I'm considering buying "Improvising Blues Piano" by Tim Richards...Think that book will help me achieve a better blues sound with my right hand? How is it compared to Mark Harrison's book actually?

Scot -- 06/01/2007, 08:33:56 -- #35300

I don't know anything about Mark Harrison's book, but coming from a classical background myself, Tim Richards book would have been the only book I needed back when I was getting started. I think if you have Tim's book (IMprovising Blues Piano) and Mark Levine's "The Jazz Piano Book" (or something like that) you will have all the books you need. All two of them. Don't forget, books aren't going to get you where you want to go with jazz.  They can help you say, "Ah ha!" when you hear a particular sound you worked on, but you gotta just jump into the deep end and start transcribing off of recordings.  Start with transcribing melodies and chords then work your way up to solos.

flapjack -- 06/03/2007, 21:57:09 -- #35300

The Mark Harrison book is not bad....as far as these kind of books go.  (I have looked through a lot of instructional books and DVD's....I am affiliated with a music store.) But the Tim Richards book is in a league of its own.  More complete, better musical examples, excellent photos and instruction etc. etc. I would also agree with Scot's advice regarding listening and transcribing (start simple).  Pick up anything you can from other players, particularly grooves and finger/hand attitude (if that makes any sense). Good luck and have fun.

flapjack -- 06/03/2007, 22:02:22 -- #35300

"as far as these kind of books go" - Holy Shnikies! How about "as far as this kind of book goes" or "as far as these kinds of books go".  Sorry

Coolman97 -- 06/04/2007, 09:04:27 -- #35300

Thanks for the advice!!!

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