Higgledy Piggledy Jazz Piano

15 reviews for Higgledy Piggledy Jazz Piano

1. Roosmari (verified owner) – December 20, 2014

   I have been teaching for 10 years and use a vast variety of sheet music in my teaching: Higgledy Piggledy Jazz is my favourite book to teach from. Introductory books to Jazz and Blues, are extremely difficult to find. This book illustrates beautifully the 12 bar blues, shuffle bass, walking bass and more. It is also the kind of book that I use for practically any level due to the fact that there are so many patterns. I love how there are “totally non-intimidating” improvisation sections. Elena also has wonderful “improv. teaching aids” on her website to lead those of us who are new to teaching improv. to students. The backing tracks are MAGNIFICENT. Every last one of my students who have played songs from this book, have loved them.

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Sarah (verified owner) – August 20, 2015

   I ordered a couple of copies of HPJ to see how students responded. It has been overwhelmingly positive & they are thrilled to use these catchy pieces to begin learning to use the blues scale for improvisation! In fact, they are enjoying it so much that I’ve decided to purchase a studio license!

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Irma (verified owner) – October 20, 2015

   I ordered several books to try with several students, and all love it. The music is awesome, and I am using this with Elena’s other publication ‘Improvisation Exercise’ as well as the backing tracks. I will continue to use this book with all my students.

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Kay (verified owner) – December 18, 2015

   My students love this book! Even yesterday I caught myself singing a song from this book after work. Each piece is fun and a new musical goal. What can be better for a teacher or a student?

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Kay (verified owner) – March 18, 2016

   I am so excited to introduce to my students new unique music that I received from Elena Cobb site. Each recital during the school year my students play great pieces. In winter there were Higgledy Piggledy Jazz pieces and Duets from My Piano Trip to London. Soon it will be two amazing Duets by Olly Wedgwood at Steinway Piano Gallery stage. Each time I am waiting for the new wonderful music. Thank you for making my students’ musical world more interesting!

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Janet (verified owner) – March 27, 2016

   What fun music! I just introduced it to a student who has recently discovered improvisation, it was just the boost he needed! He also plays trumpet so I’m going to eventually have him try improvising on that too!

7. Rated 5 out of 5

   Amber – April 16, 2016

   I love all things Jazz and have since I was younger. I simply adore this book! I love the jazzy tunes soooo much! As a piano player, I absolutely see the benefit in having jazz music in my repertoire! It forces my brain to work in a completely different way than it does when I play classical pieces. For this reason, I want to make sure that I expose all of my students to jazz pieces. And the artwork?? I’m in love with the whimsical pictures! Get this book! You will not be disappointed! And of course, like everything on Elena’s site, it’s not just for my students. I love playing it too!

8. Rated 5 out of 5

   Swan – April 22, 2016

   My piano students have been enjoying the pieces in this little book enormously! I love that there are many different levels in this book from elementary to intermediate levels, and the tunes are very catchy for any age! I have used the backing tracks for my budding jazz players, and it is a great exercise in keeping a beat (think a fun metronome)!

9. Rated 5 out of 5

   Anna – April 29, 2016

   I am a piano teacher in America who teaches a variety of ages, and I was seeking out books that would not only be enjoyable to play, but would “catch” the attention of my students who were plateauing or who would not practice because of sports, or being forced, etc. I was desperate to find something that would have them sit down at the piano bench ON THEIR OWN because the music in front of them made them happy and eager to learn.

   I stumbled upon Elena Cobb’s website, and I ordered the “Higgledy Piggledy Jazz” book, as well as the “Blue River” book and was very relieved that find that her piano pieces were infectious; it’s a great introduction to Jazz Piano. I also noticed that at the same time, it was teaching beginning students a strong sense of rhythm, and how to get a better feel for keeping a steady “pulse,” especially while playing with the CD that comes with the book.

   She has everything going in her books to drive a student to practice: color-coded chords for better comprehension, silly lyrics and singable tunes that has you humming them throughout the day, and even a CD with different tempos and “band-versus-no live band” options. The students who have been working from the two books have thoroughly enjoyed the pieces, and has even performed them at our last recital…giving the recital a much-needed positive energy that it has been lacking lately. I look forward to handing out more of her pieces, as every composition in her children’s book seems to be a winner.

   If you have not already ordered the book, I would say it is easily one of the best children’s jazz book on the market and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at it’s power for being a treasure of reward pieces while lesson book songs get a little stale during lessons.

   On a side note, her piano book “Blue River”(for older or more experienced pianist) is very exciting as well. I have really enjoyed playing her upbeat Latin pieces: “Tango Leone” and “Cloud Seven,” as well as her beautiful piece called “Star Dust.”

10. Rated 5 out of 5

    Debi (verified owner) – July 30, 2016

    What a very cool introduction to jazz / blues style. Very simply laid out and tons of fun. I would LOVE to see a Higgledy Piggledy Book 2, Elena (hint hint) …

11. Rated 5 out of 5

    Kerry (verified owner) – January 22, 2017

    I’ve just received my copy and I couldn’t wait to sit at the piano and play it along with the backing tracks.
    I wasn’t disappointed at all, I immediately fell in love with all the pieces.
    The love jazz band backing tracks are just the BEST, great band.
    Thank you, Elena, for another wonderful book of yours.
    Kerry
    Australia

12. Rated 5 out of 5

    vishnak08-piano – January 27, 2017

    Delightful and engaging repertoire for late beginner and early intermediate piano students. The play along tracks are well-done and students have a great time playing along with the band. Bravo!

13. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sarah (verified owner) – January 27, 2017

    I am having a lot of fun with that book. All the way from beginners who can manage a simplified version of some pieces when we play as a duet all the way up to students who are able to do the whole thing themselves. Great fun for me to as I have never considered myself to be an improviser and was never taught to improvise by my childhood teachers. Thank you Elena.

14. Rated 5 out of 5

    Lucia (verified owner) – February 3, 2017

    This book has been a saviour for students who are feeling a little bored with piano or who have been working hard towards an exam/competition and need a boost. After one student had a melt down in her exam and failed, the only way I could get her back to the piano stool was with Higgledy Piggledy Jazz. It was a total game changer and helped her refund her confidence and love of music. Thank you.

15. Rated 5 out of 5

    Johan de Cock (verified owner) – June 9, 2017

    I’ve now purchased this book twice for two of my younger students, who weren’t very interested in classical music, but wanted to play something fun. The pieces range from easy to moderately challenging and the tunes are very catchy. The parts are written effectively, whilst at the same time, sounding full, and introducing the student to different stylings of blues. The backing tracks are great fun and a joy to play along to, helping the student keep in time, and introducing them to the art of ensemble playing. Elena has truly impressed me on so many levels: not only is her customer service second to none, but she genuinely cares about people, and has a passion for music and music education. The way she supports and promotes other talented composers and musicians is quite rare, and boy, wouldn’t the world be a better place if more people were like her??!? Thank you, Elena, I mean every word!