Publications

Exploring Latin Piano - out now!

Tim's latest book is a collaboration with pianist John Crawford. It follows the same format as the previous books, but this one comes with TWO audio CDs, featuring John playing every tune in the book. A wide range of styles from many countries are featured, including:

• Cuba - son, montuno, mambo, cha-cha-chá, bolero, danzón
• Brazil - bossa nova, samba, baion, afoxé, frevo, chorinho
• Argentina and Uruguay - tango, milonga, zamba, chacarera, candombe
• Venezuela - joropo, vals
• Colombia - cumbia
• Dominica - merengue
• Spain - flamenco, rumba, buleria

Over 50 pieces to play, including Oye Cómo Va, Bésame Mucho, Sò Danço Samba, El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor), Mambo No. 5, Mambo Influenciado, Mas Que Nada, Berimbau, The Girl from Ipanema, Manhã de Carnaval, Upa Neguinho, A Media Luz, Vals Venezolano #2 and Alfonsina y El Mar.

Original compositions by both authors feature copious assignments to help with syncopation and coordination, and key rhythm patterns such as clave, montuno and partido alto are given in-depth treatment. All pieces are included on the accompanying CDs, which contain authentic rhythm section tracks and invaluable play-along opportunities.

Schott Music
2010

Exploring Jazz Piano

Exploring Jazz Piano is the long-awaited follow-up to Tim Richards' acclaimed Improvising Blues Piano, also published by Schott Music. The overall level is somewhat higher, and would suit pianists of Grade 4 standard and above.

"There's little that comes close in terms of practicality of approach."
Brian Priestley, Jazzwise magazine

The response from pianists and teachers around the world has been similarly enthusiastic, eg:

"A whole new standard for jazz instruction."
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The new book comes in two volumes, comprising no less than 56 original pieces by the author, together with special arrangements of 24 jazz tunes, ranging from well-known standards such as Autumn Leaves and Summertime, to Thelonious Monk's Straight No Chaser and John Coltrane's Impressions.

For more detailed information on each volume, click here.
If you already own this book see the updates and corrections.

EXPLORING JAZZ PIANO was voted Best Pop Publication
at the 2006 MIA (Music Industry Association) awards.

Schott Music
2005

Improvising Blues Piano

Published in 1997 to wide acclaim, this is now acknowledged as the best blues piano instruction book on the market. It received the following write-up in the world's largest circulation blues magazine:

"I highly recommend the book... It's the best I've seen yet...
It's almost like having your own personal instructor..."
BLUES REVUE magazine (USA)

The response from pianists and teachers around the world has been overwhelmingly positive, eg:

"Without a close second, the best instruction book ever!"
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For more detailed information on content click here.
If you already own this book see the latest update.

IMPROVISING BLUES PIANO won the Best Publication
prize at the 2004 Frankfurt Music Fair

ROCKSCHOOL Popular Piano Syllabus

This series of nine books for solo piano covers Grades 0-8. Tim's pieces appear in Grades 1-6 books inclusive.

Grade 1 Ten-to-Ten
Grade 2 Last Date
Grade 3 Timbo's Gumbo
Grade 4 Raised on The Gospel
Grade 5 Lazy Dog Blues
Grade 6 Beauville Boogie

See the Composition page for audio files of the last three pieces.

The Popular Piano exam syllabus was in force from 2001-2008,
but has now been superceded by a new 'keyboard' syllabus

More information

Rockschool Ltd
2001

ABRSM Jazz Piano Syllabus

This series of graded exam books was introduced in 1999 and covers Grades 1-5.

Two of Tim's pieces were selected from IMPROVISING BLUES PIANO:

Grade 2 On-Off Boogie
Grade 3 Barrelhouse Blues

The ABRSM Jazz Piano syllabus is still in force. Tim is also a jazz examiner
and has taught on several ABRSM 'Let's Teach Jazz' courses for
instrumental teachers. He also runs an annual short course for piano
teachers based on the syllabus at London's City Lit in November.

More information

ABRSM
1999

Music Teacher magazine

Tim has also published numerous articles on jazz and blues piano, such as:

Thickening the Melodic Line (PDF)

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