The Jazz Theory Book

Book Description

Endorsed by Jamey Aebersold, James Moody, Dave Liebman, and others, The Jazz Theory Book presents all the information any student of jazz needs in an easy-to-understand, yet thorough, manner. For intermediate to advanced players, and written by one of the acknowledged masters of jazz, it is used by universities around the world.

Customer Reviews:

The Jazz Theory Book review.......2007-09-13

An excellent comprehensive text by Mr. Levine that details the core of what is needed to begin and progress as an improvisational jazz musician regardless of what instrument you play.

Jazz Theory .......2007-06-27

This book covers it all and leaves no "gray areas".
You can "dip into" it or work through it systematically.
It's of value if you've been playing jazz for 50 years or are new to the art form. Takes the mystique out of chord substitution.
Hghly recommended.

good but not the only jazz theory book.......2007-06-19

This book is very good and I recommend it to any serious music student. I learned a lot from it and it gave me plenty of new information and insights. It is also valuable as a reference with excellent indicies and appendices, for example a long list of contrafacts based upon standard song forms. My main criticism of it is that it is very piano-centric. Most examples are given in complex two-handed piano-score format which is great if you can sight read complex piano parts, but are not immediately helpful if piano is your second or third instrument. Also, examples and contexts reflect the author's own personal tastes heavily. There is nothing really wrong with these things, but for a book that seems to present itself as the authoritative text on jazz theory, it's not. I think Bert Ligon's series of books presents a more comprehensive, accessible, and balanced overview of jazz theory, and is more oriented towards musicians in general, not only pianists.

Excellent.......2007-06-17

Great book that not only explains theory, but explains it in the context of what great musicians have done with it. I know this is going to be a lifelong reference. A must have theory book on the bookshelf of any Jazz student.

The definitive book on jazz theory........2007-06-13

This book will whip you into shape. Big time. The incredible amount of information on all facets of playing jazz (including but not limited to: altered scales, harmonic progressions, reharmonization, form, playing the changes) is impressive enough, but the book also references hundreds of recorded examples of jazz giants to better illustrate the concepts discussed. The language used is not so complicated that topics become incomprehensible and at the same time not so simple that the information is too confusing or vague. The wealth of, not only useful but, vital material in this book makes it essential for anyone even remotely interested in the theories of jazz.

The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book (Fake Books) C Edition

Average customer rating:

THE ULTIMATE JAZZ FAKE BOOK
The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book C Edition
Memorize this
The Great Jazz Standard Book
Poor

The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book (Fake Books) C Edition

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb

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Similar Items:

The Hal Leonard Real Jazz Book - C Edition
The Blues Fake Book
The Ultimate Fake Book: C Edition (Fake Book Series)
The Ultimate Pop/Rock Fake Book: C Edition (Fake Books)
Ultimate Jazz Fake Book : B Flat/No 240080

ASIN: 0881889792

Product Description

This must-own collection includes more than 625 songs spanning all jazz styles from more than 9 decades - from traditional to swing to modern jazz, carefully chosen chords with common practice chord substitutions, lyrics to accomodate vocalists, easy-to-read music, and composer and performer indexes. Songs include: Maple Leaf Rag Basin Street Blues A Night In Tunisia Lullaby Of Birdland The Girl From Ipanema Bag's Groove I Can't Get Started All The Things You Are and many more!

Customer Reviews:

THE ULTIMATE JAZZ FAKE BOOK.......2007-06-27

This product reached Golden Bay New Zealand in a few days-thanks AMAZON
I ordered it for Duke Ellington's "Do nothing 'till you hear from me" and also have marked another 30 items that will suit our group[Violin-Guitar-Drums ] If you want to bring back swing, this is it! BUT-Why are they called 'Fake' books--this is the real thing. Alan S.

The Ultimate Jazz Fake Book C Edition.......2007-01-04

This book crams a tremendous amount of music into one book. Is a great reference for anyone playing with a group or by themselves for that matter. I play with three others and they all have fake books similar to this one and we are constantly refering to them. A great source of music.

Memorize this.......2006-12-17

These songs are ment to be memorized. Unlike the Real Book, the Ultimate Jazz Fake Book gives a clear and concise approach to playing many of the standards most know and love. There is some filler, but there is a lot of filler in the Real book, as well. I found this book very helpful while learning to play jazz -- in other words playing and then imrovising over the chord changes given to me in each song. I had a great time with most songs except The Peacocks (Lord, what were they thinking)and Cherokee. I ended up transcribing my own piece for Cherokee. All the others seem to be helpful. If you are a piano player or a guitarist, this book is for you!

The Great Jazz Standard Book.......2006-03-13

There are a few mistakes, but very few. Very good for 625+ songs from the 30's thru the 60's. It's also a classroom in one book for standard jazz progressions. Well worth every penny. If you play the nursing home circuit this is the book.

Poor.......2001-06-10

This is a book worth buying only if you are a singer looking for melody and text to jazz/dixie tunes. The chord progressions are weak, with many faults and flaws. The lineup is poor as well, as the compilation process has forced the songs to be typed with no concern to form etc. No four-bars-per-line here. No book to bring along to the gig, but a great resource for old-and-nearly forgotten tunes.

Average customer rating:

Jazz Composition At Your Fingertips
great!
excellent book
Very good!
Jazz Writing Simplified

Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice
Ted Pease
Manufacturer: Berklee Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Modern Jazz Voicings: Arranging for Small and Medium Ensembles
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ASIN: 0876390017

Book Description

When you think of jazz composers, who comes to mind? Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer. This book is about what they (and many others) do. Jazz composition has evolved into a disciplined art that often evidences great emotional depth and breadth of sophistication. Berklee College of Music legend Ted Pease demystifies the processes involved in writing jazz tunes and in composing episodic and extended jazz works. Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice is a by-product of Pease's 25 years of teaching jazz composition. The accompanying CD helps demonstrate melody, harmony and rhythmic elements of jazz and also includes a variety of music-writing exercises focused on learning these same elements to help you begin producing your own effective jazz compositions.

Customer Reviews:

Jazz Composition At Your Fingertips.......2007-09-14

This is a great book for those who know a respectable amount of jazz theory and want to understand the practice and art of jazz composition. Throughout the book, you are given exercises and opportunities to write your own pieces and comes with a CD. Although this book teaches you modal harmony, chromatic harmony, blues writing, ect., there is no substitute for a jazz composition professional teacher who would be valuable to check your work and offer criticism and suggestions.

Writing pieces on your own is basically made easier in terms of form and structure.

great!.......2007-07-17

It starts with melody, and what is cool has exercises throughout, so you can really learn on the way... if you are interesting with jazz theory, I suggest this book, and also "modern jazz voicings" compliments it very well.

excellent book.......2007-01-04

This excellent book realy help me to teach modern jazz theory and composition on Jezek Conservatory Prague.I recommend this book to all my students.

Very good!.......2005-12-02

This is a great book. My daughter found it very easy to read.

Jazz Writing Simplified.......2005-02-02

Ted Pease has been teaching jazz composition at Berklee for 25 years, and it shows in "Jazz Composition". I was amazed at how easily Pease broke down the process of writing and composing great jazz pieces. The CD was for me, the most influential component due to the fact that it includes music-writing exercises that have greatly inhanced my writing ability. This book is a must have for any student in a theory class.

Chords & Progressions For Jazz & Popular Guitar (Guitar Books)

Average customer rating:

Perfect for beginners and intermediate players
Great Reference Material
Not Received
Does not include tablature!
Highly Recommended

Chords & Progressions For Jazz & Popular Guitar (Guitar Books)
Arnie Berle , and Ronnie Ball
Manufacturer: Amsco Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Patterns, Scales & Modes For Jazz Guitar
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Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar (Guitar Books)
Theory & Harmony For The Contemporary Musician
Beginning Jazz Guitar (Book & DVD)

ASIN: 0825610567
Release Date: 1986-12-31

Book Description

This book teaches guitar players of all levels how to construct and use chords for accompaniement and soloing. Practical examples and exercises take you from basic theory and simple accompaniment patterns to advanced chord soloing and comping. A complete survey of chord theory and technique.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for beginners and intermediate players.......2007-03-10

This is what I was looking for. After buying 5 or 6 different, and not useful, books I finally found this. Thanks God. this is how they have to write a Guitarist's book. Really recommended to beginners and intermediate ( and some advanced ) players. Don't look further, this is the right book to really improve

Great Reference Material.......2006-11-05

I teach people to play guitar by ear, but I recommend that they purchase this book to be used as a reference book for the rest of their musical career. It begins with some very basic information that everyone must know to play guitar, and then proceeds to ever more advanced musical theory. All of my students have one. I highly recomment this item for anyone who plays guitar. It is a splendid value.
Sincerely,
Michael

Not Received.......2006-06-26

I haven't received this item yet Purchased and paid for on 05/25/06
Randolph Doctorello

Does not include tablature!.......2005-03-29

At first I didn't like the book. I bought it quickly without seeing that it lacked tablature and CD. But since it's focus is on chord progressions and the chords are written out in diagrams it's quite easy to follow after all.

I'm going to try to push my way through. There seems to be something interesting about the way Arnie Berle teaches you which kind of chord fingering that should follow another.

Highly Recommended.......2004-10-07

Are you tired of playing the same old rock and blues and looking to expand your horizons into jazz, but don't have the foggiest idea how to start? That's where I was when I ordered this book along with Berle's Patterns, Scales and Modes for Jazz Guitar. I ordered them both because I didn't know which would be better for my needs. This book was the one. I think the other book will come in handy later, but this is the one to get first.

A note of caution: jazz guitar is hard (but fun). Even though I've played guitar for years I had to work really hard at this stuff. I suggest spending some real long, quality practicing time with Berle's exercises for maximum benefit. That's what I've been doing and am slowly becoming able to play those fancy chords and make the hard changes that seemed impossible at first. Thanks Artie!

The Frank Gambale Technique Book II (Manhattan Music Publications)

Average customer rating:

An Exposition of Improvisational Elements - Book I & II

The Frank Gambale Technique Book II (Manhattan Music Publications)

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Frank Gambale Technique Book I (Manhattan Music Publications)
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ASIN: 0769248071

Customer Reviews:

An Exposition of Improvisational Elements - Book I & II.......2006-08-05

Both Frank Gambale Technique Book I & II are essentially studies of five different improvisational approaches to tackle a particular chord type, namely: scale, pentatonics, arpeggios, triads, intervals. As such, Frank presents a wide range of harmonic possibilities on improvisation, based upon which the intelligent student can construct meaningful solos when these music elements are internalized.

Note that in those two books there is a large amount of materials to digest, however a solid understanding of these materials is fundamental to jazz improvisation. The aspiring guitarist is urged to seek ways, from other sources, to build lines once these improvisational elements are digested. Recommended for a core course of improvisation.

The Frank Gambale Technique Book I (Manhattan Music Publications)

Average customer rating:

An Exposition of Improvisational Elements - Book I & II
This book is golden
A million ideas to improve your soloing

The Frank Gambale Technique Book I (Manhattan Music Publications)

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Frank Gambale Technique Book II (Manhattan Music Publications)
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ASIN: 0769248055

Customer Reviews:

An Exposition of Improvisational Elements - Book I & II.......2006-08-05

This book is golden.......2006-03-27

The earlier reviewer pretty much covers what the material is about, I just want to add that its just a power packed book. Its not about riffs or scales or modes - its about entire frameworks you can use for improvisation. The material is dense, it is NOT for beginners, but if you know a little about guitar and theory, this thing is incredibly valuable.

A million ideas to improve your soloing.......2004-02-25

This is an excellent book for anyone who is serious about learning to play guitar. Although, I bought this book for $40 not $100+ as listed here. Gambale breaks everything down into chord types. Minor 7, major 7, unaltered dominant 7, altered dominant 7, minor 7 (b5), diminished. He attacks each chord type with several soloing approaches. He lists and gives examples of appropriate modes, arpeggios, pentatonics that can be used over that specific chord type. For example. When discussing a minor 7 chord he says there are two ways to look at it. You can look at it as a II chord or a VI chord. Say you are playing a dmin7. Dmin 7 is the II of C and the VI of F. So in this case you can use D Dorian or Aeolian. He also says that if you treat Dmin7 as the second of C you can use. Dmin, Emin, Amin blues/pentatonic scales over the Dmin7. Since the minor chords are II, III, and VI in any major scale. You can also approach soloing using arpeggios from cmaj over the Dmin and you can play these in fourths to get a more interesting sound, rather than just running up or down arpeggios. He has gone through all of that by page 8 and there is about 80 pages in the book. So basically, there is a huge wealth of knowlege in this book and it is an excellent way for a guitarist to get away from moving to the trusty pentatonic scales as soon as its time to solo. This book also comes with a Cd containing samples of each excercise as well as a couple short songs that Gambale has put together. Im not a big fan of the effects he uses while playing the excercises, but it doesn't really take anything away from the learning experience. If you can get a chance to get a hold of this book you should give it a chance, but know that it will take some serious time and experimentation to make these theoretical ideas come out of your guitar as music. They cant really be charging $107 for this, can they? Keep your eyes open and you should be able to find this book for around $40.

Mel Bay Jazz Theory Handbook Book/CD Set

Average customer rating:

Great for any musician who wants to learn jazz
The Clearest Jazz Instruction Ever

Mel Bay Jazz Theory Handbook Book/CD Set
Peter Spitzer
Manufacturer: Mel Bay Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Jazz Theory Book
Jazzology: The Encyclopedia of Jazz Theory for All Musicians
Jazz Composition: Theory and Practice
Jerry Coker's Complete Method for Improvisation: For All Instruments (CD included)
Improvising Jazz (A Fireside Book)

ASIN: 0786653280

Book Description

Jazz Theory Handbook is a complete guide to all the essential topics of jazz theory, suitable for all treble instruments. Its approach is clear and concise, realistic and practical. This book will help you to understand how contemporary jazz players think, and to apply theory concepts in your own playing. Subjects are introduced progressively, with each new one based on those introduced before. Topics include chord building, harmonic movement, modes, II-V-I licks, polychords, blues, rhythm changes, how to learn tunes, practice techniques, playing outside, and more. All of the book's musical examples are performed on the accompanying CD, along with sample solos and 3 play-along tracks with a great rhythm section. Jazz Theory Handbook is designed for both self-study and classroom use.

Customer Reviews:

Great for any musician who wants to learn jazz.......2006-02-27

This is a great book for learning the structure and theory behind jazz. Everything you need to start is here, although I would recommend this book to already established musicians. It might be hard for a beginner to utilize this information. The writer is very systematic in his presentation of the info, and he leaves no stone unturned in his thorough explanation of jazz theory.

The Clearest Jazz Instruction Ever.......2001-09-27

There are many jazz theory books out, but Peter Spitzer's new Jazz Theory Handbook (complete with CD) stands out as the most thorough, yet easiest to comprehend. It's a must-read BEFORE reading any of the others. Mr. Spitzer carefully defines all his terms, then leads the musician step-by-step to the kind of clear understanding that leads to hands-on playing. The layout and typography are inviting, not overloaded as some books are. As a piano teacher, performer, and jazz lover for some 30 years, I simply can't say enough good about it.

Average customer rating:

I beg to differ....
All the Torch Songs You Could Want

The Big Book of Torch Songs

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Torch Songs in Sultry Keys: 35 Standards in Low Keys for Women Singers
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ASIN: 0634013408

Product Description

Features 75 heart-on-the-sleeve standards, such as: Angel Eyes As Long as He Needs Me Bewitched Black Coffee Crazy Cry Me a River Glad to Be Unhappy Good Morning Heartache Here's That Rainy Day I'll Be Seeing You Misty Mood Indigo My Man My Old Flame The Party's Over Skylark So in Love Stormy Weather When Sunny Gets Blue and more.

Customer Reviews:

I beg to differ...........2000-12-21

I have a wide range... can sing soprano and alto quite easily, but when I sing torch songs or other jazz/blues standards, I prefer to sing them in my lower register. This book is great with offering these types of songs, but the keys they are in are HORRIBLE! They must be transposed down to even be comfortable for a woman to sing them in that "sulty-torch-song" style. I wouldn't recommend it at all... instead, I found a book called "Belter's Hot Standards." This has been my Bible of music! Go find that book if you're a woman looking for low jazz songs.

All the Torch Songs You Could Want.......2000-10-04

This is a great compilation of the best torch songs, with all of the favorites. All of the songs are set in very low keys, which is great for an alto or baritone. However, a tenor or soprano may want to check out another book as they would have to transpose most of the selections. Most selections are chorded so that transposition for charts is fairly easy.

Average customer rating:

New York Guitar Method Ensemble Book 1
Bruce Arnold
Manufacturer: Muse Eek Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
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My Music: Explorations in the Application of 12 Tone Techniques to Jazz Composition and Improvisation

ASIN: 1594899053
Release Date: 2005-07-14

Product Description

The New York Guitar Ensemble Book One contains exercises to develop facility with eighth and sixteenth note rhythms. Other exercises include reading on one string to develop fretboard knowledge and recognition of notes on a staff. Arrangements for four guitars using the jazz standard "Rhythm Changes" are provided for ensemble practice. Chord progressions and written solos are also included. These exercises allow students to play and accompany each other.

Jazz Improvisation in Theory and Practice: Book and Cassette

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Jazz Improvisation in Theory and Practice: Book and Cassette
Bruce Benward , and Joan Wildman
Manufacturer: William C Brown Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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