Introduction to Stride Piano  

  The Professional Touch

The Art of Pop Piano  

  You Can Play Stride Piano
 

Piano for Guitarists? Let me explain...

I've found that most lifelong musicians have tried their hand at more than one instrument. Usually we gravitate toward one, and that becomes our main instrument. If you're reading this page, it's probably the guitar.
Playing guitar, however, develops musical skills that apply to all instruments, and most readily to the piano. The chord structure and harmony you've learned on the guitar can gain new dimension on the piano. If you're a fingerstyle or classical player, your facility with counterpoint will serve you well on the keyboard.
With the above in mind, I've hand-picked these piano book/CD sets to ensure that they are particularly accessible to guitarists. All of the books meet the following requirements:
  • Full-sounding, well-crafted arrangements that are worth the time and effort you'll spend to master them.
  • Companion CD Included. Unfortunately, there's no piano TAB. However, many guitarists have taught themselves to read music, but still have trouble with note duration and unusual time signatures. To help you master these tunes, each book features a matching CD.
  • Intermediate range of difficulty. None of the books shown here are beginner texts. There are plenty of primer level piano books available that are full of public domain folk tunes and nursery rhymes. Our intent is to provide quality arrangements of familiar jazz and stride standards that you'll want to learn.
I've never had a piano lesson. Using just the books listed below, I've learned to play several jazz standards with some great changes, and a very cool stride piece, Rosetta. Give these sets a try. I think you'll have a lot of fun with them.
   

Introduction to Stride Piano
Judy Carmichael

Revised edition of arrangements by well known stride pianist Judy Carmichael. Great, classic tunes in playable, but pro-sounding arrangements. The first eight tracks of the CD feature each solo performed at a moderate practice tempo. Tracks 9-16 repeat the tunes at performance tempo. Very highly recommended.
  • Rosetta
  • Ain't Misbehavin'
  • Little Rock Getaway
  • Old Fashioned Love
  • Nagasaki
  • I've Got Rhythm
  • I Would Do Anything For You
  • Honeysuckle Rose

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You Can Play Stride Piano
Judy Carmichael

This is really interchangeable with Judy's Introduction to Stride Piano. Both books are great—it really comes down to the choice of tunes. Either way, once you hear Judy's arrangements you'll want both books. Again, great, classic tunes in playable, but pro-sounding arrangements. Note: This time around, there are no tracks at practice tempo. Since the enclosed CD was actually released commercially, it includes all the tunes from the book played at performance tempo, plus an additional 7 songs. Very highly recommended.
  • Ain't She Sweet
  • Love Is Just Around The Corner
  • Oh! Lady Be Good
  • Lazy River
  • Christopher Columbus
  • Jive At Five

Music Book + CD: $29.95
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The Art Of Pop Piano
Lou Stein

Piano veteran Lou Stein has recorded with musical greats Charlie Parker, Percy Faith, Bobby Hackett, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and others. Here are some of Lou's personal favorites, in playable solo settings that will make you sound like a polished pro, with rich harmonies, great chord substitutions, and tasteful flourishes. The CD features a complete performance of each tune. Very highly recommended.
  • Laura
  • Angel Eyes
  • Star Dust
  • The Shadow Of Your Smile
  • Body And Soul
  • A Foggy Dad
     
  • Don't Blame Me
  • Moonglow
  • Once In A While
  • Everything Happens To Me
  • When You're Smiling
  • Blue Moon
     

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The Professional Touch
Lou Stein

Lou Stein is back with eleven more pro-quality arrangements. As in The Art of Pop Piano, great harmonies and chord substitutions. The CD features a complete performance of each tune. Very highly recommended.
  • Over The Rainbow
  • Our Love Is Here To Stay
  • Fools Rush In
  • Someone To Watch Over Me
  • Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
  • More Thank You Know
  • Embraceable You
  • As Time Goes By
  • Alone Together
  • Stormy Weather
  • Indiana

Music Book + CD: $74.95

Music Book only (No CD): $39.95
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