Improvising Jazz

by Jerry Coker

Overview

Improvising Jazz gives the beginning performer and the curious listener alike insights into the art of jazz improvisation. Jerry Coker, teacher and noted jazz saxophonist, explains the major concepts of jazz, including blues, harmony, swing, and the characteristic chord progressions. An easy-to-follow self-teaching guide, Improvising Jazz contains practical exercises and musical examples. Its step-by-step presentation shows the aspiring jazz improviser how to employ fundamental musical and theoretical tools, such as melody, rhythm, and superimposed chords, to develop an individual melodic style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780671628291
Publisher:	Touchstone
Publication date:	09/15/1986
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	288,132
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jerry Coker, a tenor saxophonist and a noted jazz educator who has developed jazz curricula for a number of universities, is a professor at the University of Tennessee. He has been a featured soloist with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Clare Fischer, Frank Sinatra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Coker is also the author of more than half a dozen books about jazz.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	1
1	The Improvisor's Basic Tools	3
2	An Introduction to Melody	12
3	The Rhythm Section	20
4	The First Playing Session	26
5	Development of the Ear	34
6	Further Study of Chord Types	38
7	Swing	45
8	The Diminished Scale	50
9	Analysis and Development of Melody	54
10	Chord Superimposition	63
11	Functional Harmony	71
	Appendix A	81
	Appendix B	83
	Appendix C	85
	Appendix D	88