by Frank Sikora
One of Europe's best selling theory books, now in English! Beginners and advanced players can deepen their knowledge of jazz harmony with this comprehensive, 654 page textbook. To a player, theory itself is meaningless without the abilty to express it that knowledge. With numerous practical exercises and examples, online audio tracks and solution section.
You won't get annoyed with long linguistic explanations, clusters of chord symbols and scales. Linguistic explanations are reduced to the bare essentials, chord symbols appear - with a few exceptions - only in connection with notated chords, chord progressions or songs. The scale issue is limited to a few pages within the framework of the necessary theoretical presentation. 17 elaborated song compositions are included in the book as audio samples. This way, the musical text and music can be compared for better understanding.
> Learn how easy and uncomplicated it is to acquire a basic knowledge of intervals, chords and their symbol writing.
> Learn a simple technique that enables you to convert chord symbols into good-sounding voicings without tedious theoretical study. With a little practice you will be able to play the core jazz repertoire in an authentic style.
> Careful structure and clear presentation make dry theory exciting.
> Chordal material is clearly arranged in tables of Left-Hand-Voicings with 56 chord forms, which was developed by pianists such as Red Garland, Horace Silver, Bill Evans and Ahmad Jamal.
> Marvel at the sophisticated sound of quartal and cluster structures, found in many scores like those of Gil Evans, Thad Jones, and Bob Brookmeyer.
> Discover the secrets of modal sounds ala Miles Davis, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, and Chick Corea. Find out how amazingly easy it is to learn the basic techniques of these modern tonal concepts.
> See for yourself how uncomplicated and tonally organized chord progressions can be changed and how the most common reharmonization techniques can create dramatically different sounds for powerful harmonic effect.
The audio samples are interpreted by a world-class trio: the rhythm section of the WDR Big Band Cologne with Frank Chastenier, piano, John Goldsby, bass and Hans Dekker, drums.
