A collection of relaxing music to ease the stress and make you smile again! 22 pieces that soothe and inspire, for solo piano. When you're feeling the pressure, why not take time out to play some of the finest contemporary music? This collection brings together 22 calming pieces including themes from films that include 'The Artist', 'Amélie', 'The King's Speech' and 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' as well as compositions from Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and Zbigniew Preisner. So why not sit down and play and sing some of your personal favourites? They'll calm you down and give you fresh energy to face whatever the day brings! / Piano

The Sonata is one of Erkin's works which the casual listener may fail to attribute to a particular geography at a first hearing. He will however become absorbed by a unique sense of identity, surprising harmonies and rhythms which integrate with such sincerity and authenticity in the flow of the music. At a more attentive hearing, one can discover features of ancient Anatolian music which Erkin always transforms with extraordinary inspiration, enfolding audiences unfamiliar with this culture in a music which is often profoundly spiritual with an admirably woven polyphonic texture in which not one bar seems superfluous or out of place. The first movement Allegro is woven from two contrasting themes. The first is a vigorous progression in the middle register with contrapuntal elements quasi as counterpoint. A luminous second theme evoking folk tunes connects back to the first theme and the movement ends in a brisk tone. In the second movement Adagio molto sostenuto a profound, introspective first theme is developed in variations of exquisite lyricism. The imposing middle section which forms a rondo suggests latent unrest. Imbued with energy and determination, the final Allegro consists of abstracted elements of Anatolian folk music bearing the creative stamp of Erkin. The movement ends with an impressive crescendo. / Piano

Soloing is an important part of your playing, but practicing on your own doesn't always get the creative juices flowing---there is nothing like the experience of sitting in with a full band. Though playing with a group isn't possible every time you want to jam, Sitting In: Jazz Piano brings the band to you anytime so you can practice comping patterns and soloing with the same energy as playing live. The book offers tips and techniques from veteran jazz educators Noah Baerman and Jen Allen to give life to your practice sessions and inspire you to add new sounds to your jazz vocabulary. Features: * High-quality studio play-along recordings performed by a live band * Progressions in the most important jazz styles including standards, modern jazz, bebop, Latin jazz, ballads, and more * Recordings include sample solos, and the progressions are repeated so you can jam freely * Soloing tips feature scales, modes, comping patterns, and other ideas to develop your jazz vocabulary * Each tune includes an overview and listening suggestions About the Authors Noah Baerman earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in jazz studies from Rutgers University, studying under Kenny Barron. To date, Noah has released nine jazz albums under his own name. Noah is active as an educator, directing the Jazz Ensemble at Wesleyan University and teaching at numerous other institutions. He has written nine other instructional books for Alfred Music, including the three-volume Complete Jazz Keyboard Method and The Big Book of Jazz Piano Improvisation. Jen Allen received her bachelor's degree in 2000 from The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School, where she studied under McLean and other jazz luminaries, including Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Andy Laverne, and Harold Danko. She regularly appears as a bandleader and sideman at major jazz venues throughout New York City and the Northeastern United States. Jen is a visiting lecturer at Trinity College and is also on the faculty of the University of Hartford. / Piano

For Solo Piano. Par LASH HANNAH. Pianist Lisa Moore has an extraordinary charisma and energy at her instrument, with a kind of musical laser focus that I find tremendously inspiring. I wanted to write her a set of pieces that would play to her wonderful range and character as a performer. So I decided to write pieces in the spirit of etudes: each focuses on a different type of playing or technique or pianistic color. There is one odd piece out: the 'dream,' which is in no way an etude. This 'dream' came about when I was looking after Lisa's petunias while she was away from home. Unfortunately, her petunias languished and died. Feeling very bad, I wrote a piece to commemorate the poor flowers that had perished in my care. The set of pieces as a whole is playful, energetic, and sometimes dark and contemplative. It is a work which reflects my deep admiration for Lisa's musicianship and playing. Hannah Lash/ Etude / Piano