Elements of Jazz Music – Renzo Ruggieri – Translated by Romano Viazzani

 Elements of Jazz Music – Basic Level – for accordion (adaptable to the piano) by Renzo Ruggieri

At last a tutor book which contains a structured course in jazz music as applied to the Accordion. The world-renowned jazz accordionist Renzo Ruggieri leaves no stone unturned in this educational journey through playing jazz on the accordion, from the history for jazz and its various styles to the knowledge of modes, chords and rhythms, needed to make the first inroads into playing a solo.

The book contains scale runs in various modes and has some great little tunes based on the chord structures of some popular jazz standards. It looks at chord voicings and how to accompany with the left hand too whether one plays standard or free bass.

With a charming Introduction by Gianni Coscia (whose accordion can be heard in many a film) all in all this is a very well-thought-out book which will be a great help to the budding jazz accordionist.