More Little Stories in Jazz.(Book review)

[??] More Little Stories in Jazz, by Mike Schoenmehl. Schott Music Corp./Hal Leonard Corporation (www.schott-music.com; www.musicdispatch.com; (800) 637-2852)), 2006. 40 pp. $10.95.

More Little Stories in Jazz by Mike Schoenmehl follows his earlier publication Little Stories in Jazz published more than 20 years ago. The 16 pieces in this collection were written as teaching pieces and are delightfully unique in this regard. Each piece focuses on at least one technical or musical skill to be mastered. The pieces, not presented in order of difficulty, provide excellent material for intermediate to advanced students seeking to improve their understanding of jazz performance style. They also present technical challenges common to all musical styles, such as co-ordination between the hands, fluency, and good tone production with the added appeal of jazz rhythms and harmonies.

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The pieces, which vary in length from one page to three pages, are musically engaging and include swing, jazz waltz, blues and ballad styles. The rhythms and harmonies of the pieces reflect complete understanding of jazz style, and the pianistic accessibility is indicative of seasoned teaching on the part of the composer. In the latter regard, the composer has also included his notes on each of the individual pieces providing valuable assistance ...