Jazz Theory

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   As I'm sure we all do - I've been evaluating my playing/practice habits and notice one glaring shortcoming...  Jazz Theory.
It's something I've sort of avoided and thus I find myself struggling with concepts and discussions with other musicians.  I also feel like it contributes to the wall I feel myself hitting right now.  I don't have a teacher at the moment so I'm left to my own devices with regards to learning.  

I've got the Levine Jazz Theory book and I've resolved to spend 30 minutes with it every day even if it means waking up early before work.  I wanted to see if there was another resource that could help in this endeavor.

Thanks in advance.

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Eric Brewington Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orchestra Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Quote Reply Topic: Jazz Theory Posted: 14 Oct 2009 at 12:14
	As I'm sure we all do - I've been evaluating my playing/practice habits and notice one glaring shortcoming... Jazz Theory. It's something I've sort of avoided and thus I find myself struggling with concepts and discussions with other musicians. I also feel like it contributes to the wall I feel myself hitting right now. I don't have a teacher at the moment so I'm left to my own devices with regards to learning. I've got the Levine Jazz Theory book and I've resolved to spend 30 minutes with it every day even if it means waking up early before work. I wanted to see if there was another resource that could help in this endeavor. Thanks in advance.
	Eric M. Brewington http://www.jazzbrew.com

Pat Harbison Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 678	Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2009 at 14:04
	The Levine book is great, but it is kind of an encylopedia of jazz theory. It can be overwhelming...especially as a self-teaching resource. Scott Reeves "Creative Jazz Improvisation" has great theory explanations in every chapter. Jerry Coker's first two major books, "Improvising Jazz" & "The Jazz Idiom" are old, but still as good as anything on the market. "Jazz Theory and Practice" by rick Lawn and Jeff Hellmer is good and a little more accessible in some ways than Levine. Last, and in some ways the best for your purposes IMO are Dan Haerle's books, "The Jazz Language" & "The Jazz Sound". Tynan, what do you use?

Eric Brewington Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orchestra Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 19	Quote Reply Posted: 19 Oct 2009 at 16:11
	Thanks Pat as always.
	Eric M. Brewington http://www.jazzbrew.com