Practicing the Piano

Post-Bop Jazz Piano by jazz pianist and educator John Valerio is a focused instructional guide designed for intermediate players ready to move beyond basics and explore the language of modern jazz. Centered on post-bop and hard bop styles, this piano method helps developing musicians build fluency in comping, soloing, and harmonic interpretation while connecting theory directly to real playing situations on the keyboard.

Created for pianists seeking structured growth, the book presents essential concepts used by influential jazz artists in a clear, practical format suitable for self-study or guided learning in lessons. The included online audio-accessible via a unique code-features demonstrations performed both solo and with full band arrangements, helping you hear phrasing, timing, articulation, and stylistic nuance in context. The integrated PLAYBACK+ system allows tempo adjustment, looping, key changes, and stereo control for more efficient, flexible, and personalized practice sessions.

Through its clear exploration of voicings, scales, modality, and stylistic influences, the book strengthens both technical command and musical intuition. Pianists gain insight into the harmonic vocabulary and rhythmic feel that define post-bop, while building confidence in improvisation, accompaniment, and modern jazz expression. The material encourages deeper listening, stronger phrasing, and a more expressive connection to the keyboard over time.

Song List
Left-Hand Voicings * Voicings for Two Hands * Scales and Tonality * Modality * Bill Evans * Herbie Hancock * McCoy Tyner * Chick Corea * Keith Jarrett * Lead Sheets

Whether used for structured practice, performance preparation, lesson support, or as a thoughtful gift for a developing jazz musician, this guide offers a well-rounded path into a sophisticated and expressive piano style within contemporary jazz performance.