Practicing for Artistic Success


Book Description

To practice effectively the musician must be in touch with his intuitive artistic impulses and at the same time, stand outside the process as a coach, making a continuous series of conscious managerial decisions. Most practicers are ineffective coaches because they have never been taught explicitly the intricacies of managing their practice. Practicing for Artistic Success presents an easy-to-learn system to all musicians who are ready to reduce frustration and bring greater meaning and joy into their practice space.




The Jazz Harmony Book


Book Description

This book teaches the ideas behind adding chords to melodies. It begins with basic chords and progressions, and moves to more complex ideas. With an introduction and two appendices. Two CDs of additional material.




Pentatonicism in Jazz


Book Description

While there has been much written on the subject of pentatonic scales a systematic method for classifying pentatonic scales has yet to have been established. Surprisingly there have been few studies that successfully examine further scale possibilities. This original study is intended to establish a complete system using all possible pentatonic scales. At this point I will also draw your attention to my book The Complete Thesaurus of Musical Scales which also examines scale possibilities. This book is intended for musicians, composers, music teachers, and their students. This book can function as a reference guide or as an inspirational source. While the focus of this book is pentatonicism in jazz, the systems used in this work can be applied to other musical styles and is relevant to all melodic musical instruments. I hope this book will help stimulate your individual musical exploration.




Jazz Practice Ideas with Your Real Book


Book Description

Thirty-Six Jazz Practice Ideas to Get the Most from Your Real Book You may know about the REAL BOOK, but what you probably don’t know is how much MUSICAL PROGRESS can be accomplished with only a single fake book! Don’t know what to practice? Don’t want to waste valuable time? Based on years of university-level teaching, the author of this book gives jazz musicians: Simple, focused melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic strategies on how to use their limited practicing time more efficiently Easy-to-understand practice ideas for any jazz musician to apply over any real book tunes A blueprint of improvisation tips to avoid the pitfalls of directionless practicing Here’s the beginner/intermediate jazz strategy list you’ve never seen before: Thirty-six actionable melodic ideas, harmonic ideas, rhythmic and metric tips, ear training exercises, and basic arranging and composition blueprints, and more… Do you know why many young musicians fail? Why intermediate-level musicians get stuck? Do you feel like the secrets of WHAT and HOW to practice jazz improvisation are out of your reach? Do you want to really deepen your connection to the music you play? Sometimes jazz musicians want to get better, but don’t always know how — even with the help of a teacher. These thirty-six jazz practice ideas cover a wide range of modern jazz improvisation strategies, presented in clear topic chapters to provide the most effective results for beginner and intermediate players. You want to know what to practice? Any real book or fake book tune. Okay, now what? Choose one or more of these 36 actionable practice ideas and make real progress with your musical abilities: improvisation and soloing, ear training, connecting harmony, and more. For jazz piano, jazz guitar, jazz saxophone, jazz trumpet, jazz bass, jazz voice, jazz trombone, jazz drums, and all other improvising instruments.







The Serious Jazz Practice Book


Book Description

All musicians need to thoroughly learn their scales, chords, intervals and various melodic patterns in order to become complete musicians. The question has always been how to approach this universal task. Guitar legend Barry Finnerty (Miles, The Crusaders, Brecker Bros., etc.) provides in this book a rigorous practice regime that will set you well on the road to complete mastery of whatever instrument you play. Endorsed by Randy Brecker, Mark Levine, Dave Liebman, etc.




The Musician's Way : A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness


Book Description

In The Musician's Way, veteran performer and educator Gerald Klickstein combines the latest research with his 30 years of professional experience to provide aspiring musicians with a roadmap to artistic excellence. Part I, Artful Practice, describes strategies to interpret and memorize compositions, fuel motivation, collaborate, and more. Part II, Fearless Performance, lifts the lid on the hidden causes of nervousness and shows how musicians can become confident performers. Part III, Lifelong Creativity, surveys tactics to prevent music-related injuries and equips musicians to tap their own innate creativity. Written in a conversational style, The Musician's Way presents an inclusive system for all instrumentalists and vocalists to advance their musical abilities and succeed as performing artists.




The Jazz Theory Book


Book Description

The most highly-acclaimed jazz theory book ever published! Over 500 pages of comprehensive, but easy to understand text covering every aspect of how jazz is constructed---chord construction, II-V-I progressions, scale theory, chord/scale relationships, the blues, reharmonization, and much more. A required text in universities world-wide, translated into five languages, endorsed by Jamey Aebersold, James Moody, Dave Liebman, etc.




Metaphors For Musicians


Book Description

This practical and enlightening book gives insight into almost every aspect of jazz musicianship---scale/chord theory, composing techniques, analyzing tunes, practice strategies, etc. For any level of player, on any instrument. Endorsed by Jessica Wiliams, Jerry Bergonzi, Bill mays, etc.