Free That’s Jazz MIDI Accompaniments
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Enhance creativity by practicing That’s Jazz with with a virtual band. The zipped download folders contain standard MIDI files, which should playback on computer media players, sequencer software, Clavinovas, or similar keyboards. The MIDI format is preferred over mp3s by many music teachers because it allows you to take advantage of additional options such as controlling the tempo or transposing the key.
Download by clicking the corresponding links below:
That’s Jazz Book 1 – “Getting Into It”
That’s Jazz Book 2 – not available yet
That’s Jazz Book 3 – not available yet
That’s Jazz Performance Book 1 – “Get Your Groove On”
That’s Jazz Performance Book 2 – “Walk the Talk”
That’s Jazz Performance Book 3 – “Wave Goodbye”
Teach Them How to Fish
So what happens when creative music teachers accept students who are passionate about finding the means to personal expression? When teachers take it upon themselves to explore the whole range of expressive tools, these lucky students come to understand that whether playing written music or improvising, they actually have artistic choices! Read more
Talk to the Hand
One of the most consistent challenges beginning improvisers face is keeping track of the form while playing creatively. It’s a little like writing one’s name with one hand while drawing a picture with the other. Playing piano is a whole brain activity! Read more
88 Creative Keys Camps and Clinics
- Play well known tunes using both by ear and with lead sheets
- Personalize music by embellishing melodies and improvising variations
- Interpret pop/jazz chord symbols and apply stylistic accompaniments
- Understand practical music theory tips as a means to playing more creatively
BTW, we have a new website. 88CreativeKeys.com is now EyeEarRevolution.com.
12-Year-Old Blues Player
What does it take for 12-year-old to play a blues complete with riffs, kicks, an improvised solo, and even a key change along the way without reading music? Read more…
New Video
“Clear Air” – solo piano by Bradley Sowash with photos by Stephen Wolfe. Enjoy.
The Best Place to Start
I get a lot of questions from teachers regarding ability levels. They usually fall into three categories: Read more…Improvisation Piano Teacher Training
Learn to integrate improvisation into studio piano teaching alongside traditional skills in two workshops April 19 and 20 in Denver.
Friday, April 19, 1 – 3 pm
University of CO/Boulder, 19th and Euclid, Boulder CO, Room C191
Saturday, April 20, 9 – 12 pm
Rockley Music, 8555 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO
New Product: Understanding Chord Symbols
Understanding Chord Symbols $24.95
By Bradley Sowash, Edited by Leila Viss
This 20-page booklet provides a straightforward explanation of the principles, common practices, and variations in contemporary pop/jazz chord nomenclature. Use it as a reference for teaching or interpreting popular arrangements, lead sheets and chord charts.
Part of a new product category: Improvisation Booklets designed to provide succinct answers to common improvisation questions.
As for the book: I love it. It’s stuff I knew, but always had to go hunting for high and low on the internet. Now I have it all together in one place. Awesome. – Roosmari (Canada)
How to host an improvisation master class
Organize an 88 Creative Keys workshop in your area.
It’s easier than you might guess. Think through this list of considerations and then get in touch.
- I have tracks for student-aged pianists, adult classical pianists who would like to learn to improvise, teacher training, church musicians and band room/orchestra master classes (all instruments). Which of these are of interest?
- Who are the powerhouse piano teachers in your area or take their profession seriously enough to seek continuing education and could bring students to a master class?
- How many sessions would it make sense for me to teach? It could be one or two days or even a week-long summer camp.
- What month or specific dates will w
ork around other piano teacher events, competitions, conferences in your area? - How many students or teachers do you anticipate may attend?
- What music facility/instruments are available? (home studio, piano lab, or otherwise)
- Are there other institutions such as colleges, high schools or churches who might co-sponsor my residency by hosting their own educational events, concerts, private lessons or a jazz worship service?
