I'm trying to be progressive with jazz. I haven't played jazz for too long and haven't learned any jazz. Any playing I've done has come from listening to the greatest players and using my ear, but sadly my theory is zip. I don't know chord structure, the purpose of diminished blah blah, etc.....
Any books out there that come in a series that cover just about everything on jazz knowledge and how to apply it? Hopefully the book has reading content and practice parts to it, but if not I need some reading content so I have a better jazz foundation. Any ideas? I'm trying to learn jazz and I know some things but just pretend I don't know anything. There are small fragments I know so I want to start over.
Jerry Bergonzi's "Inside Improvisation" series is the best, in my opinion. The first volume (of 7), "Melodic Structures", will get you going very well. Remember though, it's much more than books. Listening, transcribing, learning tunes are all equally important...
David Baker's How To Play Bebop Volume 1: Covers general theory but a very, very practical book. Teaches you how to construct your lines according to the chords, etc...quite useful.
Also keep in mind I won't have a teacher to help me through it and I prefer a series of books (or just a list of multiple books in order) that will guide me through jazz studies from beginning to highly advanced. I don't want books that are particular to certain things like diminished studies books. I want whole jazz series that will cover the general concepts of everything. After I know my jazz, I'll go get into more detailed books that go down to the deepest ends of specifics.
There is no "Here's all you'll ever need to know about Jazz Volumes 1 - 1,234,432,234)
Its a combination of studies, scales, understanding of chord progression books on various styles, listening practicing performing and so on and so on....then repeat.
All of the books mentioned are great books to use, you just have to start and keep going.
Finding a good teacher would be the best first step.
Also you werent real clear. Are you trying to learn how to play Jazz as a whole, or learning to improvise?
If you cant get a teacher, just start geting most of the books recommended (any beginning jazz books etc) Also if you have any jazz music, try to find a recording of it and follow along. (the jazz 8th is much different then a straight(classical) 8th)
Well after How To Play Bebop, theres David Baker's Modern Concepts in Jazz Improvisation, as well as Gary Campbell's Expansions. In addition to that, I'd definitely look into Jerry Coker's Patterns for Jazz as a book to supplemant all that. With these books, it's some pretty comprehensive material from beginner to advanced.
I received a copy for Christmas and just cracked it open yesterday. I like it because each exercise takes you through all keys with only the first couple of written out, leaving you to do the remaining keys by ear. Seems like it is constructed very well too, starting at major triads with each successive exercise building on the one before it. I will be wearing this book out for the next year.
I want to know how to improvise but I just want to know as much about jazz as possible. Sorry, I don't know too far so I have to leave it at that. I don't want a book that teaches me how to move my fingers faster for bebop on the first 10 pages. I want to know the intellectual parts of jazz. The facts.
I notice that you agree my views about Freeaction vs Freeneck so I thought I'd return the compliment and reply.
Why not try Jamey Aebersold's Volume 1 entitled "How to Play Jazz and Improvise". In my view many of the other recommendations I've read here assume a lot of prior knowledge. Coincidentally I've just recommended this book to a friend of mine who is in your position earlier today.
I second these (was looking to see if someone would mention the Oliver Nelson book), and would add Jerry Coker's Patterns for Jazz. This shows how to apply patterns to progression fragments, and is good for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros.
I also second the suggestion for the Bergonzi series, but it's a long haul. It does have nice *_directed_* practice CDs with it.
Michael, I have to say this - this is a life long study. I started learning jazz 50 years ago by playing along with the radio. I was at one time considered an expert jazz musician, but I would never ever claim to "know jazz". There's always more - this is a journey, not a destination.
I wholeheartedly know that I'm not going to be a jazz master just because I have a library in my room, application and practice are essential, but it comes down to knowing where to go. I need to know what to practice, in what order, and at what time, and this is exactly what books do, they act as guidance. (good books anyway)
The only thing remotely objectionable about Coker's Patterns for Jazz is the binding. It's really hard to get the pages to stay open without cracking the spine of the book. That's why I really appreciate Steve Neff's publications - besides being well-organized and useful they're also spiral bound and really easy to work with on a music stand.
I'm not a 'jazzer' per say - I'm a classical guy who is learning jazz - and after my first year - here are my suggestions.
The Mark Levine book will give you a LOT from a theory standpoint. It is an essential jazz book to have.
Coker's Patterns for jazz is a good starter. There are some things it doesn't quite tell you, but hints at. You will notice all the patters in the book go by Chromatics, M2, m3, M3, 4ths, and 5ths. A very important practice for 'learning all about jazz' - because playing patters in those steps will cover any chord progression you will find in jazz.
Another great book is the Jamey Aebersold "How to learn Tunes". I can't recall the volume number - but it gives a lot of insight into how to memorize tunes. Jazz is a lot of memorization and recall - and the book helps to give you some strategies on how to think.
After those three books - try the Jamey Aebersold "Maiden voyage" and you should have a good foundation of standard tunes and the thought process of jazz.
My Jerry Coker book is spiral bound too. I would start here. It has short theoretical explantions before each set of exercises. Oliver Nelson's book is great, but it's only a collection of exercises, without any explanation of what is going on.
I have bought "randomly" about 20 Jazz books, then read them all.
I get to know most of them are talking about the similar thing in "different way"..... some are boring, some are demanding, some are easy reading, ............. but no big surprise............
So, save your time to search which book is the "must buy" book. Different book works for different people............ more you READ, more you will learn........... there is no short-cut...........
I must add Scott D. Reeves' excellent (spiral-bound) book, CREATIVE JAZZ IMPROVISATION. This is a must have. It includes chapters on the main aspects of the jazz language, including, for each, brief theoretical explanations, excerpts from classic jazz tunes, solo transcriptions and patterns to practice. Check it out!
Just a note: I really could care less about the binding haha. Its nice for it to be spiral bound but I'm not going to jump off a building because the books has a stringed spine. It'll bend back eventually.
No really the Patterns for jazz Book is especially bad!!!
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