Playing Solo Jazz Piano

“Playing Solo Jazz Piano” is an essential new book for creative jazz pianists. Readers will learn essential solo jazz piano concepts like stride piano, one-handed shell voicings, comping, using basslines, shared-hand voicings, leaving out the bass, and playing ballads. Plus, the book explores modern approaches to solo jazz piano including perpetual motion, counterpoint, and borrowing from classical music. With over 200 musical examples, references to over 100 jazz pianists, and numerous hands-on exercises, “Playing Solo Jazz Piano” is a how-to for passionate, innovative pianists.

The 2nd edition includes two new chapters about solo piano basics plus audiovisual content for each of the book’s roughly 200 examples. Watch as Jeremy plays the example and then applies the concept for each example to “Autumn Leaves.”

“Jeremy has done a remarkable job of organizing the whole history of jazz piano in the book you now hold. It is concise and yet open-ended simultaneously. All of the important concepts and historical styles are here, and presented in a way that is thorough and that will also stimulate you to investigate, listen, experiment and have fun with the world of solo jazz piano.” – Fred Hersch, pianist, leader Fred Hersch trio, fifteen-time Grammy nominee

“Jeremy Siskind is a gifted pianist, a thoughtful musicians and knowledgeable educator. Written in a clear, organized and concise style, his book Playing Jazz Piano, is an invaluable resource. I highly recommend it for any serious jazz pianist today.” – Edward Simon, pianist/composer, SFJazz

“Jeremy Siskind’s book takes solo pianists on a journey from basic concepts to a real musical conversation: between both hands, across jazz tradition, with textures and rhythms, counterpoint and new harmonies. There’s a wealth of musical ideas here: how to efficiently practice, creatively delve into a song, and musically tell a story.” – Tamir Hendelman, pianist (Jeff Hamilton Trio, UCLA lecturer, recording artist)

“I’ve been waiting for this book! Jeremy Siskind presents a cogent and stimulating series of techniques and approaches to creative solo piano playing, rooted in the tradition while inviting both students and professionals to find their own voice and musical personality. The material is historically informed, well-organized, and specific, yet quite open-ended and fun to read and practice. Early and often, the book provides excellent guidance on how to develop the oft-neglected left hand. Finally, the lists of recommended recorded examples from the music’s solo piano masters are an invaluable asset.” – Jason Yeager, pianist, Assistant Professor of Piano, Berklee College of Music

“Playing Solo Jazz Piano is an extraordinarily comprehensive text on a complex subject. Jeremy expertly covers a breadth of techniques and styles while introducing fresh concepts drawn from his own unique artistic experience. This book is an invaluable resource for the beginner and advanced student alike.” – David Meder, pianist, Assistant Professor of Piano, University of North Texas