How to play jazz piano like Oscar Peterson: A detailed summary of his music, methods and technique

'I believe in using the entire piano as a single instrument capable of expressing every possible musical idea.' - Oscar Peterson

This book is the product of two decades’ worth of analysis and appreciation of Oscar Peterson’s remarkable talent, through his books, videos, interviews, transcriptions, and above all his extensive number of recordings.

How did he play so well? Can anyone play like him? Will anyone? How could you even know how to begin?

This book aims to break down these questions and show, through carefully analysing Peterson’s style, the key ‘building blocks’ which, with diligent and intensive practice, can indeed be reproduced and emulated by those with sufficient interest and motivation to put in the work. Like mastery of anything, what Peterson made seem easy was in fact the tiny tip of an iceberg of careful practise and thoughtful preparation. This book aims to make that practise and preparation clear, and to place it in your hands.

As such, this book is primarily written for jazz pianists – whether they are proficient players, or simply aspiring to be. Nevertheless, anyone curious about Peterson’s ability will find some exceedingly profitable insights in these pages.