Jazz Theory and Practice [Paperback] Review

This is a great book, a comprehensive survey of many aspects of what I (not really being a jazz musician) would rather call "contemporary commercial music theory." This area of study is typically lacking in classical musicians' training, and any classical musician who would like to expand his or her musical horizons, in order to compete better in the "real world" of music and be able to work fluently from lead sheets, would do very well to buy this book and study it from cover to cover.

I have to agree with fellow reviewer Stephen Apple that this is one of the most useful - and well-loved - books in my library. "Jazz Theory and Practice" was written as a college-level text, and assumes familiarity with music reading and some elementary music theory concepts. Nevertheless it begins with (for review purposes, assuming that some students may need brushups) the common material on intervals, scales, basic chord construction, etc. which are the nuts and bolts of "Music Theory 101". Then it goes on to cover the entire gamut of 20th century commercial music harmony, with great sections on melody construction, rules of chord substitution, the two great short forms of 20th c. song: 12 bar blues and 32 bar song form, modal jazz practices, etc. Pretty much all of the practical musical tricks and devices that a working musician should be aware of are covered.

For the reader, the important prerequisite is to be able to read the "grand staff", or piano notation with both treble and bass clef, as the examples are often in this form (most are in simple treble clef.)

This is not a book about improvisation per se, but it contains the necessary practical tools that a musician needs to develop an intelligent (rather than "intuitive") improvisation practice.

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Product Description:
Jazz Theory and Practice is the most modern introduction to jazz theory ever published. Rich with examples from the repertoire, it gives performers, arrangers and composers an in-depth and practical knowledge of the theoretical foundations of jazz. A CD-ROM is also available, providing supplemental exercises for ear-training and sight-reading practice, as well as tutorials that correspond to topics and examples in the text.

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