After Hours Jazz 1 (Piano Solo)

Being largely self taught and not having played for years or ever attempted jazz pieces I have recently started lessons. This series of books was recommended by my teacher and I find it excellent. It’s taken me through new and relevant skills in a series of beautiful well thought out arrangements. Learning has become exciting and really enjoyable.

Fantastic arrangements!

Never too late to learn

Good music, a nice mixed variety. Not too difficult, but because it sounds so good, it makes you want to practice more.

I like the range of pieces. some are fairly easy to master - some are taking a lot of practice

Book is quite thin - 14 songs for £7.99, so only reasonable value. The arrangements are medium difficulty - about Grade 5 on average. The intro claims 'lush harmonies' - couldn't find many of those, and where there are jazzy harmonies they tend to be a bit isolated and inconsistent, with some strange interludes. Probably a good buy for an improving pianist looking for something other than standard arrangements, but the acid test is whether you go back and play the pieces again and again. I'm sorry to say I don't. Not keen on Pam's own compositions, either.

You would have to be grade 2 or above to tackle this, but it is so motivating with familiar tunes such as Pink Panther theme, Let there be love etc

A good selection with some popular pieces which I already had. Liked a couple of the new ones. Liked the arrangement of Autumn Leaves. Good book to keep going back to.