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How to Voice Standards

How to Voice Standards at the Piano: The Menu

How to Voice StandardsJazz pianist Mark Levine of Local 424 (Berkeley, CA) provides an easy-to-learn method for playing the melodies of favorite jazz standards, using hip voicings as played by Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock of Local 802 (New York City), McCoy Tyner, and Kenny Barron of Local 802. Author of The Jazz Piano Book, Levine has created a “Menu,” a succinct guide to learning a multitude of voicings so performers can harmonize melodies on the spot. Using two standards and a bebop melody as examples, he breaks up each tune into four-bar sections and shows the best voicings to use on each chord. Once learned, musicians can spontaneously create a personal style of playing, based on the masters of the art form.

How to Voice Standards at the Piano: The Menu, by Mark Levine, Sher Music Co., shermusic.com.