Neil Olmstead: Solo Jazz Piano - 2nd Edition | Linear Approach Solo Jazz Piano Improvisation Book with Online Audio | Chord Symbols, Bass Lines, Lead Sheets, Sample Transcriptions, PLAYBACK+

Solo Jazz Piano - 2nd Edition by Neil Olmstead is a comprehensive Berklee Guide for pianists who want to build a confident, independent voice in solo jazz improvisation. Rooted in the linear concepts pioneered by piano greats Lenny Tristano and Dave McKenna, this methodical approach presents a structured path to improvisation-designed to expand clarity, control, and creative freedom at the keyboard.The book begins with a review of chord symbol interpretation, walks through bass line development, and ends with how to play several melodic lines simultaneously in stimulating musical conversation. Twenty-one progressive lessons include detailed explanations, written exercises, and tunes based on jazz standards. Notated transcriptions of sample improvisations illustrate each lesson’s technique, and the included online audio-accessible via a unique code-lets you hear these ideas put into action by a master improviser. The audio features Hal Leonard’s PLAYBACK+ tools, enabling tempo adjustment without pitch change, looping, key changes, and stereo panning for focused practice.More than a collection of exercises, this method develops the ability to create solos that both embellish and support the melody. You’ll learn to use lead sheets as springboards for generating your own musical ideas, strengthening harmonic awareness, rhythmic flexibility, and independence between hands. Teachers will appreciate the clear, sequential approach, while self-directed learners gain a reliable framework for steady improvement.ContentsTwenty-one lesson tunes based on jazz standardsWhether used in private study, collegiate instruction, or dedicated practice at home, this edition offers a thoughtful and practical path into solo jazz piano improvisation. It’s a meaningful addition to any serious pianist’s library and a lasting gift for musicians committed to refining their craft. Read more