Easy Rag

At one time it used to be said, disparagingly, by people who should have known better, that Bill Evans was in reality not a jazz player at all. He was, they claimed, no more than a superior kind of cocktail pianist. Though somewhat misguided, it's easy to see where the idea comes from: the mistaken belief that the only essential element in jazz is 'swing' and, consequently, "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing"!

Take your playing to the next level with Jordan Rudess, the Juilliard-trained, award-winning keyboardist of Dream Theater! Work at your own pace to improve your skills in physical technique, improvisation, soloing and comping with clear, easy-to-follow directions and exercises that create real results. With beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises that cover everything from classical technique to blazing prog-rock solos and beyond, this book has something for keyboardists of all styles. A CD of the exercises is included - played by the master himself! - as are 12 solo-worthy etudes and a valuable appendix with major and minor arpeggio and scale fingerings.