The Jazz Theory Book
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Music
The Jazz Theory Book Details
Review There's a Mark Levine book called The Jazz Theory Book. I would suggest getting it and doing two pages a day just to study it and learn to read some basic piano, even if you can only pick out one note at a time. As you work through it you'll notice the way you hear and the way you sing will automatically start to change. ESPERANZA SPALDING --Personal correspondenceThis could be the single finest music book of any type I've ever seen. It's certainly the best explanation of the mechanics of jazz, and the amazing depth of the content is matched by the care and accuracy of the presentation. An invaluable resource for all improvising musicians regardless of instrument. BASS PLAYER MAGAZINE --Personal correspondenceMark has done it again. The Jazz Theory Book has the clarity that most pedagogical books strive for. This book seems to have left no stone unturned in what one should know about the inner sanctum of jazz theory. The most fruitful information is generally derived from the source and that is the essence of this book. This book is connected to the music of our Jazz Masters. You can't get any better than that. Even the mature musician will find information here. Truly a magnificent accomplishment. RUFUS REID --Personal correspondence Read more
Reviews
Coming from a self-taught background and having played keyboard/synth in rock bands for the past 10 years, I thought I would revisit the study of 'piano' properly and with due diligence. There were obvious gaps in my theory and my technique had disintegrated over the years, so when researching a methodology for approaching the piano I came across Mark Levine's 'Jazz Theory' and found the Holy Grail. At the time I even contemplated ironing out my 'education' by enrolling in a Bachelor of Music, however when I saw the content of this book and the robust approach it takes I knew that my plan was to devour this book; study it, apply it, absorb it, but above all, practice, practice, practice. This book is virtually a Music degree in itself. With the advent of Youtube, I can check out each jazz standard example given, played by a multitude of brilliant musicians; this also helps with technique as I can watch the pianists hands/fingers to see what they’re up to. Overall, the deal is this, and I'm applying this to myself at the moment and have done for the last 12 months; if you follow this book, page by page, review periodically, practise your butt off (3 hrs daily minimum) transpose everything into every key, and basically, suck this book like a sponge, you'll be as good as any decent jazz piano major from any music college. Don't believe me? Prove it to yourself by doing the following:1. Get this book2. Study it3. Practise the examples in all keysYou'll then be able to see what the difference is in 12 months’ time; your jazz knowledge and technique will exponentiate and it will blow your socks off, including your fellow musicians in your band/trio/ensemble and you’ll be a well-rounded musician.
