Jazz Guitar Learn to Improvise with CD published by Santorella Publications is a melodic approach to improvisation written by a respected Boston based author & educator, Ed OBrien. Learn to Improvise is the first in a series of jazz guitar books designed to familiarize students with fundamental techniques and concepts of jazz improvisation.
The process of learning jazz improvisation is a vast area requiring much study and practice. Many books have been written on this expansive topic, but typically cater to a specific era or style; i.e., Swing, Bebop, etc. Jazz Guitar Learn to Improvise takes a broadminded approach, and provides the student with concepts and examples that can be applied to jazz of any era.
The performance CD contains every example, played at a moderate tempo, which allows students to not only read the exercise, but hear it as well. Scales, arpeggios, chord voicings, II/V7 progressions and chromatic voice leading are just a few topics covered.
This is truly a comprehensive approach to melodic improvisation. A must-buy product from Santorella Publications.
Section 1 - Scale Sequences Relative Keys Exercises 1-2 Combining Sequences
Section 2 - Intervallic Sequences Exercises 3-5 A Study in 6ths Chord Voicings
Section 3 - Harmonized Scales Arpeggio Sequences A Study in Sequences
Section 4 - II V7 Progression Examples 1-10 Minor Key II V7 Examples 1-8
Section 5 - Chromatic Approach Chromatic Etude Exercises 7-10 Conclusion Appendix - Harmonized Scales: Major Minor Harmonic Minor Circle of Fifths
FOREWORD by the author, Mr. Ed OBrien
Presented in the following pages is the first in a series of guitar books designed to familiarize the student with the fundamental techniques and concepts of jazz improvisation. The process of learning jazz improvisation is a vast area requiring much study & practice, and many books have been written on this expansive topic. The majority of these cater to a specific era or style of jazz; (i.e. Swing, Bebop) This series intends to take a broadminded approach and provide the student with concepts & examples which may be applied to jazz of any era.
Learn To Improvise is divided into five sections. Each section is begun with appropriate theoretical and background information to provide the student with a clear understanding of the musical examples that follow. Note that many of the techniques and concepts discussed are not necessarily reserved for jazz alone, but may be applied to other styles of music as well. Most useful for adaptation is the study sections on sequences as related to scales & arpeggios. The concept of chromatic approach, although much more commonly associated with the study of jazz, should also be considered for application to other styles.
The CD provided contains examples of all the exercises within the book played at a moderate tempo; faster tempos were avoided so as not to discourage the beginning student. It is expected that the student will have some previous playing experience, and a moderate competency at reading basic notation and tablature.
It is my hope that Jazz Guitar Learn to Improvise and the subsequent series, will provide an enjoyable and even fun way to learn how to play jazz.
